Fitness Level – Moderate Fitness*
You’ll be among a privileged few to visit this extraordinary region. The vast majority of Antarctic cruises visit the other side of the continent.
You need to be reasonably fit, mobile and adventurous as this is one of the most remote cruises in the world.
The Heritage Adventurer is a pioneer expedition vessel and its owners have over 30 years experience in visiting this part of the Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic. In particular they have the most experience in Macquarie Island landings – something that is by no means assured for other vessels.
This journey follows in the footsteps of legendary explorers like Scott, Shackleton, and Amundsen, with opportunities to visit preserved historic huts and sites from Antarctica’s “heroic age.”
You’ll experience dramatic landscapes dominated by Mt Erebus and the Transantarctic Mountains, encounter vast penguin rookeries, observe recovering whale populations and abundant seals, and marvel at massive ice shelves and glaciers.
The expedition also includes fascinating Subantarctic Islands – The Snares, Auckland, Macquarie, and Campbell – which serve as stepping stones to the continent and are integral to the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
Macquarie Island in particular offers an extraordinary array of species including King Penguins and Royal Penguins. The latter are unique to Macquarie Island.
Talking of penguins; you will almost certainly see Emperor penguins on this cruise as well as King penguins. This is virtually unique.
With optional sea kayaking, expert guides, and an experienced expedition team aboard the ice-strengthened Heritage Adventurer, this is an in-depth exploration suited to adventurous travelers who want to truly understand and immerse themselves in one of Earth’s last great wilderness frontiers.
Fitness Levels – What our ratings mean*
We want you to feel confident and comfortable on your journey. While this isn’t extreme adventure travel, some level of physical ability is important—mostly for safety, but also so you get the most enjoyment out of each experience. Here’s a general guide to help you understand what’s involved:
- Low Fitness (Minimum Standard)
You need to be able to walk up and down stairs unaided, with one hand free to hold the rail—especially important in the case of an emergency. If this sounds like you, it’s definitely worth having a quick chat with us. We’ll walk you through which excursions are realistic for you, and where there might be some limitations. - Moderate Fitness
You should be steady on your feet and able to walk over uneven ground, including stepping into a zodiac or other expedition vessel and from into shallow water and walking across wet sand to the beach. Some walks may include rocky areas, so good balance is important. Walks are generally up to 1–2 kilometres and could be in warm or humid conditions. - Good Fitness
No need to be training for a marathon—just a solid level of steadiness and confidence on your feet. You should be comfortable walking 3+ kilometres over uneven terrain, climbing over rocks, and navigating slightly more challenging water landings or natural waterholes. It’s active, but very rewarding.
*Please note: The information above reflects the personal opinions and experiences of the Expedition Partners team. It should not be taken as official advice from the individual cruise operators. We do our best to share honest insights, but we can’t accept responsibility for how each vessel operates or what’s included. As always, please review the cruise line’s own materials carefully and proceed with bookings at your own discretion.
