Pioneering New Zealand-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions has released their 2024-25 season and brochure featuring a brand new voyage to Japan as well as some exciting new highlights for its iconic adventure cruises through Indonesia and Melanesia.

Commercial Director and Expedition Leader Aaron Russ said, “the 2024-25 season continues Heritage Expeditions proud tradition of exceptional, personalised adventures sharing unforgettable, intimate explorations of some of the world’s best kept secrets.”

“Our upcoming season sees us returning to Japan where the off-the-beaten-track locations are ideal for small ship exploration; sailing through the tropical island paradises of the Philippines, Indonesia and Melanesia, Australia’s iconic Kimberley coast, down to the remote, wilderness and wildlife havens of Australia and New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands and into the heart of Antarctica, the Ross Sea aboard our luxurious expedition flagship Heritage Adventurer,” he said.

Heritage Expeditions’ new voyage Japan’s National Parks, Art and Culture offers an inspired circumnavigation of Japan’s main island, exploring the wilderness, culture and rich history as well as the country’s world-renowned arts scene.

Art-themed experiences include a blend of ancient traditions and contemporary art with visits to galleries and museums including two of Japan’s leading contemporary art museums, the recently-opened Hachinhoe Art Museum and the Towada Art Center; pottery and silk painting in Kanazawa; Japan’s famous Art Island, Naoshima and Ishinomaki’s cultural centre.

New destinations added to Heritage Expeditions’ popular Indonesia and Melanesia voyages include the biologically rich and historically fascinating Bacan Island and rarely visited Pulau Saparua and Molana on the 15-day Undiscovered Philippines and Indonesia voyage, as well as some new wildlife hotspots and tropical outposts on the 18-day Indonesian Explorer including Triton Bay, one of the world’s best places to swim with whale sharks; world-renowned underwater wonderland Aiduma Island, Etna Bay and Asmat villages.

While guests on the Discover the Secrets of Melanesia trip would be adding the culturally rich Trobriand Islands, sometimes called the ‘Islands of Love’, where indigenous culture has continued unchanged for countless generations; the coral-fringed islands of the Louisiade Archipelago; the volcanic wonders of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, and the biological wonderland and rare endemic species on remote Woodlark Island to an already unforgettable 17-day voyage.

Heritage Expeditions 2024-25 Season is now on sale.