From those small beginnings Heritage Expeditions, which is still family-owned and run, now by Rodney and Shirley's sons Aaron and Nathan Russ, operates its own ships – 140-guest expedition ship Heritage Adventurer and 18-guest expedition yacht Heritage Explorer on expedition cruises into the 'heart of Antarctica' the Ross Sea, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia, around the islands of Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Philippines, Australia's iconic Kimberley Coast and coastal New Zealand and Fiordland, Stewart Island and Marlborough Sounds. Each authentic, small-ship expedition cruise is meticulously planned and led ensuring expeditioners maximise every opportunity they have to learn and experience as much as possible about the region, while at the same time minimising the impact of their visit.

Pioneering small ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions have been sharing some of the world’s best kept secrets with intrepid guests since 1984 and are internationally-recognised leaders in expedition cruising and responsible travel.

Founded by New Zealand’s Russ family, a family of botanists, biologists and adventurers, they proudly remain Australasia's only family-owned and operated authentic small ship expedition cruise company.

Every year Heritage Expeditions all-inclusive voyages sail small groups of intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on Earth aboard their purpose-built expedition ships 140-guest flagship Heritage Adventurer and 18-guest expedition yacht Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 28 days.

All on board meals are included with complimentary house beer, wine and soft drinks included with lunch and evening meal service. All excursions and landings are also included in (excluding optional excursions like helicopter flights in Fiordland and Kimberley).

All voyages contribute to conservation through experiential learning, citizen science and providing funds for research and management, Heritage Expeditions are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel and are the world’s most experienced operators in New Zealand and the Southern Ocean including New Zealand and Australia’s Subantarctic Islands and into the heart of Antarctica the Ross Sea on their ultimate bucket list voyage In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton.

Heritage Expeditions also explores the remote shores, islands and wilderness of Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Australia’s iconic Kimberley coast.

Their unique itineraries are honed by more than 40 years of unparalleled experience allow Heritage Expeditions to offer one-of-a-kind authentic expedition cruise opportunities. Key to creating these experiences is their valued and longstanding relationships with industry leaders, conservation programmes, scientific research departments and connections with remote tribes and villages. This allows guests to enjoy unforgettable and uniquely Heritage Expeditions experiences and take part in authentic citizen science initiatives which would otherwise be off limits.

Each expeditions is meticulously planned and led by an industry-leading team of botanists, ornithologists, naturalists and experts in their field, ensuring guests maximise every opportunity to learn, discover and experience as much as possible, while minimising the impact of their visit.

Heritage Expeditions guests make meaningful contributions to science and conservation while also supporting the remote destinations, wildernesses, wildlife, villages and cultures they experience, returning as ambassadors ensuring the ongoing protection of these special places.

Heritage Expeditions is a founding member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) and a member of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, as well as a Department of Conservation Approved Concessionaire and longtime supporter of Forest & Bird and other conservation initiatives.