Heritage Adventurer

Heritage Adventurer is an ice-strengthened expedition cruise ship built in 1991 and acquired by Heritage Expeditions, entering service in 2022 after an extensive refit. Her passenger capacity was reduced from 184 to 140 to provide a more comfortable and spacious experience on board, and with an original design capacity of 184 passengers served by a crew of 125, she operates as a mid-sized expedition vessel.

Originally built to cater to the five-star luxury cruise market, the ship has six passenger-accessible decks designed to the highest specifications. Her origins tell a vivid story. Built in 1991 at the Rauma shipyard in Finland, she was initially named Society Adventurer, but after financial troubles left her laid up at the yard for nearly two years, she took on successive names including Hanseatic and RCGS Resolute before joining Heritage Expeditions.

Accommodation runs to 88 outside cabins and four suites above the bridge deck, with every cabin facing out to sea, a substantial comfort on polar voyages. Public spaces include a restaurant, multiple lounges and a 78-seat theater, alongside three bar lounges, a fitness center, sauna, swimming pool, whirlpool, library and boutique shop.

For expedition work, the ship carries 14 Zodiac inflatable boats to take passengers ashore. Her hull is ice-strengthened for navigation in polar waters, allowing her to reach destinations unavailable to larger, less hardy ships. She was originally conceived as a 75 million dollar expedition cruise ship, built for adventure-style cruising to remote destinations.

Her dining revolves around regional themes. The Bistro offers themed dinners built around regional specialties, while full meal dining options include a buffet breakfast and lunch with international fare. Her bridge stays open to guests, a distinctive touch that appeals to curious travelers keen to learn how expedition ships navigate demanding waters.

Heritage Adventurer suits seasoned explorers, couples and small groups looking for a relatively intimate polar or expedition cruise where comfort and ice-strengthened capability go hand in hand, guided by a New Zealand company with deep roots in remote exploration.

Log this expedition voyage on your account at The Cruise Globe to add it to your Passport statistics and see your actual route!