Heritage Adventurer, 17 Night Micronesia’s Atolls & Islands Odyssey ex Port Denarau (Nadi), Fiji to Palau Island, Republic of Palau

This departure is from Nadi – Honiara to Palau.

Join Heritage Expeditions on the ultimate 18-day expedition cruise navigating the islands and atolls of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands. Snorkel pristine reefs, discover ancient cultures, explore World War II relics, relax on picturesque white-sand beaches and search for endemic wildlife. This all-inclusive voyage visits some of the world’s most isolated tropical islands and atolls, rarely open to travellers and accessible only by expedition ship.
Starting with a hotel night in Fiji, the ‘Gateway to the Pacific’, our adventure begins with an included charter flight to the Solomon Islands. Here, we board our luxurious 140-guest flagship Heritage Adventurer, bound for Palau via postcard-perfect remote islands and reef-fringed shores barely visible on the map.
Specifically designed for intrepid adventurers and travel trailblazers, this voyage explores some of the world’s most isolated atolls. We plan to visit rarely visited Sorol Atoll, with its nearest neighbour over 120 nautical miles away, and Ontong Java, one of the world’s largest atolls and among the Pacific’s most remote inhabited regions.
As breathtaking above water as below, these islands feature stunning beaches, vibrant lagoons, dramatic outer reef walls, coral gardens and WWII wrecks teeming with marine life. Snorkelling opportunities abound and include some of the world’s most diverse reefs, such as the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Ant Atoll, a conservation triumph with extraordinary marine biodiversity.
These tiny islands are steeped in history, offering opportunities to discover Pacific navigation and traditional island culture from small populations still practising time-honoured traditions. From Kapingamarangi’s skilled carvers to the master navigators of Satawal and Nukuoro, and Pohnpei’s megaliths and Nan Madol—an ancient city of palaces, temples and burial grounds built between the 13th and 17th centuries—there is much to learn and experience.
Conservation plays an important role in protecting the beauty of Micronesia, and this is seen in action on the Arnavon Islands, home to the largest rookery of critically endangered Hawksbill Turtles in the South Pacific. Birders and wildlife enthusiasts will relish searching for rare and endangered species on rarely visited islands, including the Ontong Java White-eye, Pohnpei Lorikeet, Chuuk Monarch, Teardrop White-eye and the endemic Ontong Java Flying Fox.
Those interested in World War II history will find relics both above and below water. Trek through pristine jungle searching for plane wrecks on Woleai Atoll, and snorkel the tranquil waters of Chuuk Lagoon, the world’s largest shipwreck graveyard of World War II vessels.
The expedition also includes the option to join a sea kayaking excursion with an expert guide.

***Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse.***

Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Often referred to as the ‘Grande Dame of Polar Exploration’ due to her celebrated history and refined design, she was purposebuilt for adventure in 1991 at Finland’s Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration.

Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer (formerly known as MS Hanseatic) combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations, and for traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, makes Heritage Adventurer perfect for pioneering New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions signature experiential expedition travel.

Originally designed to accommodate 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition adventure. Heritage Adventurer proudly continues our traditions of exceptional, personalised expedition experiences as Heritage Expeditions flagship.

Every year Heritage Expeditions voyages with small groups of between 18 and 140 intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on earth aboard their expedition ships Heritage Adventurer and Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 28 days.

Founded in 1985 by the Russ family in Christchurch, New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions is still proudly family-owned and operated. Contributing to conservation through experiential learning and providing funds for research and management, they are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel offering intimate group excursions to Antarctica and the Subantarctic Islands, through the Pacific, and around New Zealand on their purpose built expedition ships.

Each expedition is meticulously planned and led by a 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 and returning as ambassadors for these very special places.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Heritage Adventurer - Deck 2

Heritage Adventurer - Deck 3

Heritage Adventurer - Deck 4

Heritage Adventurer - Deck 5

Heritage Adventurer - Deck 6

Heritage Adventurer - Deck 7

Heritage Adventurer - Deck 8

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Heritage Suite

Located on Deck 6, Heritage Suites are an expansive 44m2 and feature large double panoramic windows, king bed, large living area with a sofa, coffee table and chairs and grand marble bathroom with a double basin, bathtub and shower, large writing desk, floor to ceiling cabinetry for storage and a flat screen entertainment system. Receive complimentary in-room dining, minibar replenished daily, free laundry, US$100.00 per person SPA credit, Heritage Expeditions keep cup, notebook and pen.

Worsley Suite

Located on Deck 6, Worsley Suites are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable chaise-style lounge suite, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system. Receive complimentary in-room dining, minibar replenished daily, Heritage Expeditions keep cup, notebook and pen.

Superior Single

Superior Single Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Deck 5 Superior

Superior Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Superior Triple

Superior Triple Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Deck 4 Superior

Superior Cabins on Deck 4 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Main Deck Single

Main Deck Single Cabins on Deck 3 are a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Main Deck Triple

Main Deck Triple Cabins on Deck 3 are a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.