23 Mar 2023

Heritage Expeditions Sister Ships Rendezvous in the Bay of Islands

While most ships are known for passing in the night, pioneering expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions brought its sister vessels together for the first time with a rendezvous in the Bay of Islands.

The iconic, family-owned Kiwi cruise company's luxurious 140-guest flagship Heritage Adventurer and 18-guest expedition yacht Heritage Explorer anchored alongside each other off the historic seaside town of Russell.

The union took place while Heritage Adventurer was on her Best of New Zealand cruise and Heritage Explorer had just completed her Islands of the Hauraki Gulf voyage.

Heritage Expeditions Directors Aaron and Nathan Russ said Russell was the perfect location for the family reunion of its purpose-built expedition vessels.

"With its rich history of New Zealand firsts, we couldn't think of a better destination to bring our incredible exploration vessels together for the first time," said Aaron.

Nathan, who was Expedition Leader on Heritage Adventurer, said it was also the perfect opportunity for the respective vessels' expedition teams and crew to experience and cross train on each ship.

"It was an exciting time for everyone on both ships and an excellent opportunity to explore and experience our unique vessels and what makes each ship so special," said Nathan.

Following their rendezvous, Heritage Adventurer set sail on Heritage Expeditions 29-day tropical pacific island voyage Grand Pacific Odyssey, bound for Japan, while Heritage Explorer embarked on a charter expedition of the Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel.

Images © Fiona Wardle, Heritage Expeditions