Young author joins Heritage expedition to subantarctic Islands
9 Feb, 2021 11:23 PM
3 minutes to read
Oscar joins the Enderby for a dream encounter with New Zealand s Subantarctic wildlife. Photo / Supplied
Oscar joins the Enderby for a dream encounter with New Zealand s Subantarctic wildlife. Photo / Supplied
NZ Herald
New Zealand s only oceangoing cruise line has drafted a fresh-faced birdwatcher for a unique expedition to the Subantarctic Islands.
Oscar Thomas, a 20-year-old ecology student and naturalist, has joining Heritage Expeditions ship Spirit of Enderby, currently on a 7-day voyage to the Auckland Islands and Snares.
It is a trip that offers a glimpse into the habitat of oceangoing birds Oscar has always dreamed of encountering.
supplied
Wilsons Abel Tasman is among tour operators to miss out on much-needed business from Kiwi passengers aboard Le Lapérouse, a French-owned luxury cruise vessel that has abandoned plans to visit New Zealand.
Passengers booked on now-cancelled cruises around New Zealand will get full refunds, but tourism businesses will still be thousands of dollars out of pocket. A top end cabin for two on a 10-day cruise cost $65,000, and businesses running shore excursions for the more than 650 well-heeled Kiwis the vessel was to carry over the coming months had high hopes their spending would help offset the lack of overseas visitors.
Passengers would have spent around 10 days in Antarctica, visiting the historic huts and wildlife colonies, but they would not have gone to the international research bases, such as New Zealand s Scott Base. Expedition leader Aaron Russ, whose father Rodney founded Heritage Expeditions in 1984, said the current rules are unclear, as New Zealand Immigration and Customs “consider Antarctica to be a domestic activity”. “If you fly to Scott Base, they don t stamp your passport,” he said. It has now offered the disappointed customers the chance to travel to Antarctica next year and a free trip to the subantarctic islands this year.
New Zealand cruises still sailing this summer 2021
3 Jan, 2021 05:06 PM
5 minutes to read
NZ Herald
By: Tiana Templeman
Small is beautiful when it comes to summer cruising in New Zealand, with boutique lines such as Affinity Cruises, Fiordland Discovery, and Heritage Expeditions offering Kiwi-only voyages for the 2020/21 season.
Heritage Expeditions Spirit of Enderby is the first (and so far only) international ship to arrive for the summer season and the company s directors Aaron and Nathan Russ are elated their vessel had once again returned to local waters.
Read More The arrival of Spirit of Enderby is a huge win not only for us, but also for the country s economy and travel industry, ongoing scientific research and New Zealanders looking for an overseas-style holiday experience without having to leave the country, said Aaron.
Kiwi cruise line wants adventure guides for Antarctic trip
30 Dec, 2020 05:37 PM
3 minutes to read
The Spirit of Enderby in the Ross Sea is pushing the boundaries of New Zealand s backyard. Photo / Supplied, Heritage Expeditions
NZ Herald
For adventurers and nature lovers it could be the dream summer job. A New Zealand cruise company is looking for outdoorsy expedition leaders to join them on a Kiwi-only trip the furthest reaches of the Subantarctic islands.
Having been given the all clear to sail a New Zealand only season, cruise company Heritage Expeditions is on the look out for crew and guides to join them from Fiordland to the Auckland Islands this summer.