Heritage Adventurer Cruise Ship 24 March 2023

The cruise ship Heritage Adventurer visited Norfolk Island on Friday 24 March 2023. The passengers were able to disembark on tenders, the ship’s zodiacs, at Cascade Pier and the cruise ship sat out in the bay as the travellers enjoyed their day on Norfolk Island. This was the third cruise ship to disembark since Covid 19 closed our borders in March 2020.

I read that these travellers are on a 29-day “Bird Watching Cruise”, a journey on-board the Heritage Adventurer from New Zealand to Japan. I have messaged Margaret Christian who takes the guided “Green Eye Tours” and she said, “there were 70 people on her bird tour and 20 general sightseers along with about 6 crew”. Margaret shared her knowledge of the Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna, with her tour group. They visited Palm Glen and other areas, enjoying the Norfolk Island birds and natural beauty. Rachel Nebauer- Borg took the remainder of the cruise passengers on a special tour, she loves sharing the heritage of Norfolk Island and history of the many years of settlements from the early settlers, the convict history, and the Pitcairn Islanders arrival over 160 years ago, and the life on Norfolk Island today.

On Friday morning I drove to Cascade Pier hoping to get a few photographs of this cruise ship and to check if the passengers could disembark, and by 10am they had come ashore, and the zodiacs were tired up at the pier. I took a few photos of the Heritage Adventurer and the zodiacs at the Cascade Pier. There was a small swell rolling in and some white caps, but I expect the passengers were pleased they were able to come ashore and explore. I learnt that there were passengers who had attempted to come to Norfolk Island in March 2020, when Tropical Cyclone Gretel stopped them from coming ashore, and by the time they reached Vanuatu the cruise was stopped due to cyclones and the start of the world pandemic, the Corona Virus.

Later, after I finished work, on Friday afternoon, I drove to Cascade again, and the Heritage Adventurer had already departed by 4pm.

The cruise ship Heritage Adventurer has the capacity for 140 guests and was built in 1991. Here are a few details from the company’s internet site.

TECHNICAL SPECS

Year Built

1991

Shipyard

Rauma, Finland

Classification

Lloyds 1AS, GL E4

Accommodation

140 guests

Length

124 metres

Beam

18 metres

Draft

4.97 metres

Gross Tonnage

8,378gt

Engines

3,940 horsepower (x2)

Maximum Speed

15 knots

Cruising Speed

12 knots

Range

8,600 nautical miles

Zodiacs

14

If you would like to learn more about this specialist cruise ship check out this website

Heritage Adventurer (heritage-expeditions.com)

Since Covid-19 closed our Norfolk Island borders, only two cruise ships have been able to unload passengers during their Norfolk Island visits. The Lindblad Expedition Cruise ship visited Norfolk Island on 27 December 2022. This was the first cruise ship passengers to visit Norfolk Island since the M/S Maasdam anchored at Kingston on the 23 January 2020 and the visitors came ashore, then within two months Covid closed borders on 16 March 2020.

The other cruise ship which was able to unload passengers was earlier this month, on 3 March 2023. The National Geographic Orion, passengers disembarked at Kingston on zodiacs and had a lovely afternoon exploring Norfolk Island hosted by Baunti Tours. This was the first cruise ship to successfully come ashore this year, with approximately thirty passengers.

The next cruise ship is due which I have on my lists is later in the year on 8 June 2023. This is a Pacific Explorer P & O Cruises, with the capacity to carry approximately 2000 passengers.

We wish the travellers on-board the cruise ship Heritage Adventurer smooth seas and good weather, may the weather Gods be with you as your cruise adventure takes you to many islands learning about birds. As you travel through many different islands you will also experience many wonderful cultures of the communities you visit. Safe sailing to Japan and we look forward to meeting you all again when you next return to our friendly shores.

Betty Matthews

March 2023