In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton
A 28-day expedition from New Zealand into the historic Ross Sea, with twelve potential days in Antarctica and wildlife-rich Subantarctic islands.
Why we picked it
This is the clearest Ross Sea option among the partners we work with. Heritage has operated in the region for more than three decades, and the itinerary gives it room: days 11–22 are reserved for the Ross Sea rather than treating it as a distant waypoint.
The historic huts, Ross Ice Shelf and immense Adélie colonies are the headline. The Snares, Auckland Islands, Macquarie Island and Campbell Island make the wider journey unusually rich, breaking the long Southern Ocean passages with wildlife and landscapes found on no standard Peninsula cruise.
Experienced expedition travellers, Antarctic-history enthusiasts, birders and photographers.
Twelve potential days in the Ross Sea region, supported by Heritage’s long operating history here.
It is a 28-day voyage with substantial sea time, and every hut, station and landing remains conditional.
Considering the Ross Sea?
Ask an expedition advisor how this compares with other long Antarctic voyages.
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Antarctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our polar guiding experience helps you understand the crossing, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Your trip overview brings together recommended flight routes, buffer days, travel and packing tips. You can also book a hotel and transfer package through us.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage overview
Begin with an included hotel night in Queenstown before travelling south to Bluff and embarking Heritage Adventurer. New Zealand’s Subantarctic islands and Macquarie Island act as stepping stones towards Antarctica, followed by around twelve days allocated to the Ross Sea region.
The return journey heads north to Campbell Island before reaching Bluff, with onward transfers to Invercargill or Queenstown. The February 2028 departure has a different first-night and transfer arrangement, which we will confirm before booking.
Day-by-day plan
Queenstown
Make your way to the designated hotel for the included first night and meet fellow expeditioners over dinner. Guests on the February 2028 departure have a different Invercargill arrangement, which we will confirm for the selected date.
Queenstown
The included first night gives guests time to settle in before travelling south to Bluff and joining the ship.
Image: Ketan Kumawat / Pexels.
Bluff, The Snares and Auckland Islands
Travel south to Bluff and embark Heritage Adventurer. The first expedition objectives are The Snares and Enderby Island, with Zodiac cruising, guided walks and chances to see endemic birds, New Zealand sea lions and southern royal albatross.
The Snares and Auckland Islands
These protected islands are destinations in their own right, with endemic wildlife, dense coastal vegetation and the first taste of Heritage’s expedition-first operating style.
Macquarie Island
Two days are planned around Australia’s remarkable Subantarctic reserve. Depending on conditions, explore beaches and tussock-covered slopes used by royal and king penguins, elephant seals and vast numbers of seabirds.
Southern Ocean and Antarctic Circle
Lectures, wildlife watching and the first icebergs fill the southbound passage. The ship crosses the Antarctic Circle into a world of sea ice and 24-hour daylight.
Macquarie Island
Macquarie adds a major wildlife chapter before Antarctica, but landings remain controlled by weather, sea conditions and conservation requirements.
Into the ice
Sea days become part of the expedition as albatross give way to icebergs, sea ice and the first unmistakable signs of Antarctica.
Ross Sea exploration
This is the heart of the voyage. The captain and expedition leader work with ice, weather and local conditions to pursue the strongest available combination of Ross Island, Cape Adare, Cape Evans, Ross Ice Shelf, wildlife colonies, historic huts and research-station visits.
No named landing can be guaranteed. That flexibility is essential in a region where sea ice can completely reshape what is possible from one voyage to the next.
Adélies at the edge of the continent
Cape Adare’s vast colony and steep, ice-backed coast make it one of the Ross Sea’s defining objectives when sea ice allows an approach.
Exploration from the water
Zodiac cruises reveal the scale and texture of the ice at close range, with routes chosen each day around safe conditions and wildlife.
Scott and Shackleton’s world
When conditions and permits align, the preserved huts bring the human history of the Ross Sea into sharp focus. Access is always treated as an objective rather than a promise.
A Ross Sea moment
Emperor and Adélie penguins may be encountered around the pack ice. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the long allocation in the region gives the expedition team time to respond to conditions.
See the journey before you sail
Heritage’s official film shows the scale, wildlife, historic sites and expedition rhythm of this remote route.
Southern Ocean and Campbell Island
Three sea days lead to Campbell Island, where expedition objectives include guided walks, Subantarctic plants and southern royal albatross breeding areas.
A final Subantarctic landing
The return north has one more major expedition objective, with distinctive plants, nesting albatross and long walking options before New Zealand.
Bluff and onward transfer
Return across the Southern Ocean, disembark in Bluff and use the included transfer to Invercargill or Queenstown airports. Avoid booking flights earlier than Heritage’s advised times.
Departures & indicative fares
| Departure | Ship | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan–2 Feb 2027 | Heritage Adventurer | Enquire about this voyage |
| 1–28 Feb 2027 | Heritage Adventurer | Enquire about this voyage |
| 5 Jan–1 Feb 2028 | Heritage Adventurer | Enquire about this voyage |
| 31 Jan–27 Feb 2028 | Heritage Adventurer | Enquire about this voyage |
Heritage Adventurer
A robust 140-guest expedition ship with 1A Super ice class, 14 Zodiacs and generous indoor and outdoor observation space. The ship’s traditional profile and serious ice capability suit this long, remote route.
Prices reviewed 5 September 2026 and shown in US dollars per person, based on Heritage Expeditions’ advertised entry fares. Promotions and cabin inventory can change. We will confirm the live fare, cabin, inclusions and terms before you book.
Life aboard Heritage Adventurer
Heritage Adventurer combines a traditional expedition-ship character with comfortable lounges, generous deck space and the practical areas needed for repeated Zodiac operations on a long voyage.
Tour Heritage Adventurer
Heritage’s official ship film introduces the cabins, public spaces and atmosphere aboard the 140-guest vessel.
All ship images and videos: Heritage Expeditions.
See where you will stay
All eight official cabin and suite categories are shown below, from shared triples and dedicated singles to the Worsley and Heritage suites. Exact layouts and availability can vary.
Heritage Adventurer
Swipe or use the arrows to compare every category.
Activities
Included exploration
Zodiac cruising, planned landings, guided walks, lectures and wildlife watching are part of the expedition programme.
Sea kayaking
Optional sea kayaking is available at additional cost, subject to conditions, experience requirements and advance reservation.
Photography and history
The Ross Sea rewards patient observation, while onboard specialists add context to wildlife, geology and heroic-age sites.
Activity operation and landing access remain subject to weather, ice, permits and local conditions.
What the voyage includes
- Pre-voyage hotel night and specified transfers
- Accommodation aboard Heritage Adventurer
- All meals during the voyage
- House beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Expedition team and planned shore programme
- Zodiac excursions and guided walks
- Lectures and onboard interpretation
- Loan expedition equipment specified by Heritage
We will confirm the complete inclusion and exclusion list for your departure and cabin before booking.
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your preferred season, cabin and travel style. We’ll confirm current availability and help you decide whether the Ross Sea is the right fit.