For more than 40 years, Heritage Expeditions has pioneered voyages to some of the most wild and biologically rich regions on the planet. As Australasia’s only family-owned and operated expedition cruise company, Heritage Expeditions was formed in 1984 as a way of increasing awareness and conservation of the natural world through environmentally responsible expedition travel, long before expedition voyages became the big boom in cruising as it is now.
The company’s flagship is Heritage Adventurer, known affectionately as the ‘grande dame of expedition exploration’. Purpose-built for adventure in 1991 as ‘MS Hanseatic’, the celebrated ship was refurbished in 2018 and 2021 and maintains a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, continuing to offer boutique and refined adventures across Asia, the Pacific, Australia and Antarctica.
Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, has released a new fly/cruise/stay package for 2026 that features a voyage aboard Heritage Adventurer around Japan and its more remote and less visited places. Savings of $5820 per couple and A$3830 for solo travellers are available for bookings made by April 30, 2025.
The savings are part of a special offer from Heritage Expeditions which includes discounts of up to 20 per cent on selected voyages for bookings made by April 30, 2025.
Carrying just 140 guests, Heritage Adventurer is stylish and spacious with a restaurant, bistro, pool, jacuzzi, observation lounge, library, theatre, wellness centre and gym.
Cruise Traveller’s new and exclusive ‘Sacred Japan and South Korea’ package is a 10-night experience featuring an eight-night cruise around Japan aboard Heritage Adventurer. The cruise showcases Japan’s colourful art and culture, medieval castles, shrines, temples, world-famous gardens, samurai legacy, hot springs, incredible cuisine and sake. The itinerary strings together 11 destinations – some major cities like Osaka, Hiroshima and Tokyo – and some small places few ships visit such as the quaint fishing ports on Sado Island, the beautiful castle town of Hagi, the shrines, lakes and black castles of Matsue, and the ornate gardens of Kanazawa.
Guiding guests onboard the voyage will be expert speakers and naturalists who will help guests discover Japan’s natural heritage, incredible gardens, cultural treasures, traditional villages and futuristic cities.
Cruise Traveller’s package begins on May 6, 2026, with a night in Osaka, followed by the eight-night cruise on Heritage Adventure from Osaka to Tokyo and a night in Tokyo at the end of the holiday.
Return economy flights from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne to Japan are also included in the package.
Including complimentary shore or Zodiac excursions in every port, selected beverages with lunch and dinner, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Japan and return economy flights, the 10-night ‘Sacred Japan and South Korea’ package’ is available from A$14,675 per person, twin-share, in a Superior stateroom – a saving of A$2910 each. Special solo fares are available from A$17,280 – a saving of A$3830. The savings apply to bookings made by April 30, 2025.
Cruise Traveller also has a similar package this year departing on May 28, 2025, from A$12,590 pp twin share – a saving of A$3690 pp.
* To book, visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/
