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Small Ship New Zealand Cruises

Immersive wilderness expeditions aboard 18-guest Heritage Explorer

Save 20% per person on select cruises when you book by 30 April 2025.*

Explore the furthest reaches of New Zealand's backyard while enjoying new levels of bespoke comfort in expedition travel. Heritage Explorer offers unique itineraries and an intimate, personalised experience with just 10 cabins and a maximum of 18 guests.

Explore Fiordland's Milford Sound, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds and more (including scenic heli-flight); the scenic playground of Marlborough Sounds' Queen Charlotte Sound, Kenepuru Sound and Pelorus Sound; the parks, reserves and famed beaches of Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay; and the iconic wildlife havens of Stewart Island and nearby predator free Ulva Island – your best chance of seeing New Zealand's national icon the Kiwi bird during the day.

Hike, swim, enjoy kayak and Zodiac excursions, fish and spot wildlife from the Bridge Deck and Sun Deck. In the evenings, return to the ship for outstanding cuisine and relaxation.

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New Zealand Cruises Aboard Heritage Explorer

Join us on one of these extraordinary adventures

All of the Fiords: The Ultimate Fiordland Experience

10 DAYS

2025
13 Feb, 18 & 27 Mar
16 Jul SAVE 10%*
15 Aug & 25 Aug SAVE 10%*
19 Sep SAVE 10%*

2026
17 Feb, 22 Mar, 1 Apr
16 Jul, 31 Aug, 10 Sep SAVE 20%*

Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Discover Fiordland’s ice-carved mountains, verdant forests and winding fiords
  • Enjoy a spectacular scenic helicopter flight to start your adventure
  • Marvel at magnificent Milford Sound
  • Witness Alice Falls thundering out of Lake Alice in George Sound
  • Visit rarely explored fiords Charles and Caswell Sounds
  • Experience the Sound of Silence – Doubtful Sound
  • Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
  • Visit historic ruins from New Zealand’s early mining and milling at Preservation Inlet
  • Learn about the rich conservation history of the region including Richard Henry’s pioneering bird transfers
  • Kahukura and Taumoana Marine Reserves
  • Acheron Passage, Breaksea Sound, Chalky Inlet and more
  • Island sanctuaries for Kakapo and Little Spotted Kiwi
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 and July - September 2026 departures only when booked by 30 April 2025.

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Southern Fiords Discovery: A Deep Exploration of Fiordland's Southern Fiords

7 DAYS

2025
7 Feb, 12 Mar
4 Jul SAVE 10%*
10 Jul SAVE 10%*
9 Aug SAVE 10%*
3 Sep SAVE 10%*

2026
11 Feb, 16 Mar
4 Jul, 10 Jul SAVE 20%*
13 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug SAVE 20%*
19 Sep, 25 Sep SAVE 20%*

Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Enjoy a spectacular scenic helicopter flight at the start or completion of your voyage
  • Discover the rich history and untamed beauty of Preservation Inlet
  • Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
  • Explore Fiordland’s Southern Fiords, only accessible by sea
  • Two days expedition cruising through Dusky Sound
  • Predator free Chalky, Anchor and Pigeon Islands
  • Learn about the rich conservation history of the region including Richard Henry’s pioneering bird transfers
  • Experience Fiordland’s most spectacular scenery in Doubtful Sound
  • Follow in the footsteps of Captain Cook
  • Acheron Passage, Cuttle Cove, Luncheon Cove, Blanket Bay, Deas Cove and more
  • Island sanctuaries for Kakapo and Little Spotted Kiwi
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 and July - September 2026 departures only when booked by 30 April 2025.

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Fiordland Explored: Cruising Fiordland's Iconic Doubtful & Dusky Sounds

5 DAYS

2025
3 Feb, 24 Feb, 8 Mar
27 Jul SAVE 20%*
9 Sep SAVE 10%*
13 Sep SAVE 20%*

2026
29 Jan, 7 Feb, 28 Feb, 12 Mar
1 Aug, 9 Aug SAVE 20%*

Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Enjoy a spectacular scenic helicopter flight at the completion of your voyage
  • Discover the primordial majesty of Doubtful and Dusky Sounds – only accessible by sea
  • Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
  • Retrace the steps of Captain Cook along the shorelines of World Heritage Area Dusky Sound
  • Explore the waterways, inlets and coves of Breaksea Sound and Acheron Passage
  • Visit Luncheon Cove on predator-free Anchor Island and be amazed by the birdlife including South Island Saddleback, Robins, Yellowhead and Parakeets
  • Learn about pioneering conservationist Richard Henry on Pigeon Island
  • Sail deep into the heart of Fiordland in Dusky Sound
  • Explore New Zealand’s deepest fiord Doubtful Sound and its lush rainforests and towering waterfalls
  • Astronomers Point, Wet Jacket Arm, Deep Cove and more
  • Experience two of Fiordland’s most remote, hard to reach and spectacular destinations on one voyage
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 and July - September 2026 departures only when booked by 30 April 2025.

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Undiscovered Dusky Sound: Cruising Remote Fiordland

5 DAYS

2025
30 Jan, 28 Feb, 4 Mar
31 Jul SAVE 20%*

2026
3 Feb, 8 Mar
5 Aug SAVE 20%*

Te Anau, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Enjoy spectacular scenic helicopter flights at the start and completion of your voyage
  • Discover the primordial majesty of Dusky Sound – only accessible by sea
  • Breaksea Island, an iconic site in New Zealand conservation history
  • Explore Zodiac, kayak and on foot
  • Look for Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals
  • Retrace the steps of Captain Cook along the shorelines of World Heritage Area Dusky Sound
  • Explore the waterways, inlets and coves of Breaksea Sound and Acheron Passage
  • Visit Luncheon Cove on predator-free Anchor Island and be amazed by the birdlife including South Island Saddleback, Robins, Yellowhead and Parakeets
  • Join your chefs fishing for the evening's dinner
  • Learn about pioneering conservationist Richard Henry on Pigeon Island
  • Sail deep into the heart of Fiordland in Dusky Sound
  • Astronomers Point, Wet Jacket Arm, Resolution Island and more
  • Experience two of Fiordland’s most remote, hard to reach and spectacular destinations on one voyage
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, July - September 2025 and July - September 2026 departures only when booked by 30 April 2025.

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Unseen Queen Charlotte Sound: A Walking Cruise of Queen Charlotte Sound

5 DAYS

2025
13 May SAVE 10%*
7 Nov, 9 Dec, 13 Dec

2026
14 Dec 2026

Blenheim to Blenheim, New Zealand
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Search for birdlife on predator free islands and walk a section of Queen Charlotte Walkway
  • Discover the wildlife and rich history of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds
  • Look for the Orange-fronted Parakeet, New Zealand's rarest parakeet, dolphins and fur seals
  • Explore three main bodies of water - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds
  • Visit d'Urville Island home to the critically endangered Long-tailed Bat and the King Shag, the world's rarest shag
  • Spend two days exploring Pelorus Sound's endless bays, sheltered coves and shoreline
  • Learn about some of the country's most important conservation efforts
  • Sail through the iconic French Pass in the wake of French Explorer Dumont d’Urville
  • Hike part of the Nydia Track and explore Nydia Bay
  • Enjoy kayak and Zodiac excursions
*T&Cs apply, subject to availability, when booked by 30 April 2025, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Savings apply to all April & May 2025.

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The Top of the South: Explorations Beyond Marlborough Sounds

9 DAYS

2025
14 Apr, 22 Apr SAVE 10%*
11 Nov

2026
1 May, 9 May SAVE 20%*
4 Nov, 12 Nov

Blenheim to Nelson, New Zealand
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Discover the wildlife and rich history of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds
  • Explore three main bodies of water - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds
  • Walk a section of Queen Charlotte Walkway in the footsteps of Captain Cook
  • Visit d'Urville Island home to the critically endangered Long-tailed Bat and the King Shag, the world's rarest shag 
  • Sail through the iconic French Pass and in the wake of French Explorer Dumont d’Urville
  • Hike part of the Nydia Track and explore Nydia Bay
  • Visit Ship Cove, learn of its history and see Captain Cook's memorial
  • Kayak secluded inlets and the stunning crystalline waters of Abel Tasman National Park
  • Explore the native forest of Nagawhakawhiti Bay
  • Look for New Zealand Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins
*T&Cs apply, subject to availability, when booked by 30 April 2025, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Savings apply to all April & May 2025 and April & May 2026 departures.

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Discover Marlborough Sounds: An In-Depth Exploration of the Marlborough Sounds

7 DAYS

2025
1 May, 17 May SAVE 10%*
21 Nov, 27 Nov, 3 Dec

2026
19 Apr, 25 Apr, 17 May, 23 May SAVE 20%*
20 Nov, 26 Nov, 2 Dec, 8 Dec

Blenheim, NZ and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Discover the iconic Queen Charlotte Sound with opportunities to walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Walkway.
  • Explore Tory Channel to learn about the whaling history of the Perano Whalers and visit Ship Cove to see Captain Cook's memorial.
  • Sail through the scenic French Pass, with dolphins and New Zealand Fur Seals frequently seen, as we visit d’Urville Island.
  • Spend time in Pelorus Sounds, the largest in the Marlborough Sounds, which offers picturesque views alongside steep verdant hills, and endless bays and coves for exploration.
  • Visit Ngawhakawhiti Bay to get a glimpse of what the sounds would have been like before the native forest was cleared.
  • Walk part of the Nydia Track before we explore Nydia Bay.
  • Visit Blumine Island, home to the Orange-fronted Parakeet, New Zealand’s rarest parakeet
  • Kayak remote shores and try your hand at fishing to catch your evening’s dinner.
*T&Cs apply, subject to availability, when booked by 30 April 2025, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Savings apply to all April & May 2025 and April & May 2026 departures.

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Unseen Stewart Island: Pristine Wilderness and Wildlife Adventure

8 DAYS

2025
1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct SAVE 20%*

2026
6 Jan 2026 SAVE 20%*
4 Oct 2026, 11 Oct 2026, 18 Oct 2026 SAVE 20%*

Invercargill, New Zealand and Return
Aboard Heritage Explorer

  • Discover the time-forgot rawness of wildlife-rich Stewart Island
  • Visit predator-free Ulva Island - your best chance of seeing a Kiwi during the day
  • Discover quirky town centre Oban and enjoy a drink with the locals at the iconic South Sea Hotel
  • Look for Bottlenose Dolphins in Paterson Inlet
  • Explore virign forests filled with wildlife
  • Enjoy a Zodiac safari of Port Adventure
  • Experience the remote, undisturbed beauty of Port Pegasus
  • For those who enjoy fishing there will be the chance to try your at catching a meal for the table
  • Learn about the rich conservation history and success stories
  • Kayak remote coves and inlets where few have been before
  • Options to explore the Granite Domes and subalpine Tin Range
  • Enjoy a Zodiac safari along Lords River - New Zealand's Amazon
*T&Cs apply, subject to availability, when booked by 30 April 2025, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Savings apply to all Oct 2025 departures and all 2026 departures.

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Introducing Heritage Explorer

18-Guest Expedition Yacht

Choose Your Adventure!

Select your voyage(s) to receive the e-Brochure

Expeditions: