Explorers Cruise

Expedition Cruise Highlights

• New Zealand’s UNESCO World-Heritage listed remote Subantarctic Islands
• Campbell Island, with spectacular endemic flora and fauna, including six species of albatross
• Birdlife on The Snares islands, a wildlife haven where there are more nesting seabirds than the entire British Isles.
• Wildlife such as Fur, Southern Elephant, Weddell and crabeater seals, New Zealand Sea Lions, African, Adélie, Royal, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Southern Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins.
• The largest Adelie Penguin rookeries in the world
• Icebergs and Glaciers
• Historic buildings such as Shackleton’s hut.
• Shore visits in zodiac inflatables with experienced naturalist guides.

Sample Cruise Itinerary (Subject to Change):

Day 1: Depart Dunedin, New Zealand

Today your cruise departs from Dunedin, New Zealand’s oldest city located in the South Island. This city is often called the Edinburgh of New Zealand and wears its Scottish heritage with pride with well preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture.

Day 2: At Sea

Spend today at leisure while at sea. You may choose to enjoy the many services and activities  onboard such as the spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, presentations or shows. You can also visit the ship’s upper deck to enjoy the spectacle of the waves.

Day 3: Campbell Island, New Zealand Sub Antarctic Islands

Campbell Island, the most southerly of the five New Zealand subantarctic groups and known for its megaherbs, large herbaceous colourful wildflowers with huge leaves. Campbell Island is also home to six species of albatross and several critically-endangered endemic birds including the Campbell Island teal and snipe. Here you have the opportunity to take a guided walk and zodiac tour around the coastline of Perseverance Harbour.

Day 4: At Sea

You have the day at leisure to relax onboard while at sea travelling south towards Antarctica.

Day 5: The Ross Sea, Antarctica

The Ross Sea is the southernmost sea in the world that also has The Ross Ice Shelf, which is  the largest ice shelf in Antarctica located 320 km from the South Pole. Discover the history and treasures of this ultimate marine sanctuary nicknamed ‘The Last Ocean’.  Weather and ice conditions permitting, you will be able to discover several possible stopovers including Cape Adare, home to the world’s largest colony of Adélie penguins. You will attempt to reach Terra Nova Bay where Italian and South Korean scientific stations are located and the Drygalski Ice Tongue to the south. On the Inexpressible Island, discover the survival conditions of the six men in the Terra Nova expedition 1910-13, led by Robert Scott where they were forced to winter in a cave dug in the ice. On Ross Island, follow in the footsteps of the polar explorers Sir James Ross and discover Sir Ernest Shackleton’s hut, an Antarctica historical monument. built at the bottom of Mount Erebus during a British expedition. Sixty years earlier, Captain James Ross discovered Franklin Island, 130 km east of Cape Hickey and named it after Sir John Franklin, an Arctic explorer and governor of Tasmania (Australia). Here you are offered the chance to observe Adélie penguins and Weddell seals.

Day 6: At Sea

Today is at your leisure to relax at sea as you travel north towards Macquarie Island.

Day 7: Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island revered for its beauty and outstanding natural diversity.  It is a breeding place for more than 3.5 million seabirds. There are four species of penguins breeding on Macquarie Island: Royals, Kings, Gentoos and Rock Hoppers and three types of fur seals. The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) has its expedition headquarters here and if time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to land ashore and see the prolific wildlife here.

Day 8: At Sea

Today is at your leisure to relax at sea as you travel north towards The Snares.

Day 9: The Snares Islands

Amongst the Subantarctic Islands, the Snares is one of the most untouched and pristine regions in New Zealand. Here there are forests of large tree daisies covering the islands and is a remarkable haven for wildlife including hundreds of birds, seals and invertebrates that inhabit the steep cliffs.  Over 2 million Sooty Shearwaters breed here in summer, four species of Albatross and 35,000 endemic Snares crested penguins also reside. There are also approximately 1,000 New Zealand fur seals and 500 New Zealand sea lions. Landing on the Snares is prohibited. If time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to explore the coastal environments and view the prolific wildlife from our fleet of zodiac.

Day 10: At Sea

Today is at your leisure to relax at sea as you cruise towards New Zealand’s South Island.

Day 11: Depart Dunedin, New Zealand

Early morning you will arrive and disembark in Dunedin.

Want to extend your time in New Zealand?

Stay in one of the hidden small boutique lodges, visit the alpine playground of Queenstown, a wine region in Nelson, Blenheim or the Hawkes Bay, the capital city of Wellington or perhaps the largest city Auckland, in the North Island.  We can design a trip to include time in New Zealand before or after your cruise.