Indonesia cruise, Raja Ampat & Spice Islands

Planet

In our steadfast dedication to our clientele and the awe-inspiring locales we're fortunate to journey through, we prioritise crafting travel plans deeply entrenched in environmental sustainability. Our focus is on making a positive impact on the pristine destinations we venture into. By diligently minimising our ecological impact and maximising our support for local communities, we strive to provide experiences that not only enchant our customers but also ignite enduring, positive transformations in the regions we explore.

CARBON REDUCTION
This expedition has been designed around a continuous small-ship journey through West Papua and Raja Ampat, rather than using repeated domestic flights to move between the remote islands visited. Once aboard SH Minerva, transport between the different destinations is principally by ship and Zodiac, while a number of activities allow guests to explore under their own power, including guided walks and kayaking through the sheltered limestone channels of Misool.

SH Minerva is a new-generation expedition ship designed to reduce fuel consumption compared with older vessels. The operator states that its ships achieve approximately 15–30% lower fuel consumption than older vessels through advanced hydrodynamic design and engine technology. The ship uses diesel-electric propulsion powered by advanced Tier III generators, with Selective Catalytic Reduction and urea injection used to minimise nitrogen oxide emissions.

In 2026, SH Minerva became the first cruise ship to receive DCA ESG Certification from Dream&Charme, an internationally accredited certification body. The independent onboard audit examined environmental performance alongside areas including supply-chain practices, crew welfare and shore excursion delivery, providing external verification of the ship’s wider approach to responsible operations.

Human-powered activities form an important part of the expedition experience. Depending on local conditions, guests can undertake guided walks on island trails and coastal paths, while the itinerary specifically includes kayaking among the sheltered limestone karsts and lagoons of Misool. Snorkelling is also used extensively to explore Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay without motorised transport once guests have reached the activity site.

Food on board provides another opportunity to reduce individual impacts. Vegetarian and vegan requirements can be catered for throughout the voyage, and the operator’s menus incorporate fresh and locally sourced ingredients from the regions through which its ships travel. Guests are encouraged to advise the operator of particular dietary requirements in advance.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
This expedition travels through one of the most biologically important marine environments on Earth, including Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat within the Coral Triangle. The itinerary has therefore been designed around small-group, expert-led exploration, with onboard naturalists and expedition specialists providing interpretation of the marine ecosystems, wildlife and conservation challenges encountered along the way.

SH Minerva incorporates a number of technologies specifically intended to reduce its impact on sensitive marine environments. A dynamic positioning system enables the ship to hold its position without dropping anchor, helping avoid physical damage to coral reefs and other vulnerable seabed habitats. An advanced onboard wastewater treatment system processes both grey and black water, while reverse-osmosis equipment is capable of producing more than 10,000 litres of fresh water per hour, reducing reliance on freshwater supplies taken on in the destinations visited.

The operator also works to reduce disposable plastics on board, with guests provided with refillable water bottles to use throughout their expedition.

Wildlife encounters are carefully managed. In Cenderawasih Bay, one of the highlights of the itinerary is the opportunity to observe whale sharks around Kwatisore, where the animals are known to congregate around traditional fishing platforms. Before entering the water, guests receive a safety briefing from National Park rangers and encounters take place under controlled conditions. Elsewhere, snorkelling, diving and Zodiac excursions provide opportunities to observe coral reefs, rays, turtles, reef sharks, seabirds and other wildlife under the supervision of experienced expedition guides.

Guests are also briefed on responsible wildlife behaviour. The operator advises visitors to keep their distance from wildlife, minimise noise, avoid disturbing animals and follow the instructions of expedition leaders. Guests are asked to leave natural environments unchanged, not remove stones, plants, feathers or other natural materials, and avoid buying products made from coral, shells, turtle shell or other protected wildlife.

Scientific research and environmental education are also embedded within the operator’s wider expedition programme. Through its Cruising4Oceans initiative, the company supports citizen-science and marine research including oceanographic data collection, marine biodiversity monitoring and environmental DNA research designed to improve understanding of changes in marine ecosystems. In December 2024 the operator became the first shipping company to contribute real-time oceanographic data to the European Marine Observation and Data Network.

On this voyage, guests are accompanied by expedition experts and have access to lectures and presentations covering subjects such as marine biodiversity, natural history and the cultures of West Papua. By helping visitors understand the extraordinary ecological importance of the Coral Triangle, we hope that the experience encourages continued interest in and support for marine conservation long after the journey ends.

As wildlife enthusiasts ourselves, conservation is central to our own approach to travel. We support a number of wildlife and conservation organisations worldwide, including Save the Albatross, Wader Quest and the South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project, and encourage our customers to continue supporting credible conservation organisations after returning home.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
An important element of this expedition is that it does not simply sail past the communities of West Papua. Shore experiences deliberately bring guests into contact with remote island communities, providing opportunities for tourism spending and cultural exchange in places that receive relatively few international visitors.

Shore excursions are arranged in partnership with local destination operators, with local transport, guides, activities and applicable entrance fees included within the organised excursion programme unless otherwise stated. The operator also encourages the use of regional foods and local specialities during shore experiences, helping direct visitor expenditure towards businesses within the destinations being visited.

A particularly good example occurs on Roon Island, home to around 1,100 members of the Roon community. Guests land at Jende village, where they are welcomed by village representatives and local musicians before visiting the historic church and learning about traditional sago processing, handicraft production and local fishing practices. A refreshment stop is provided by the community and visitors have opportunities to see locally made crafts.

Further community encounters are incorporated elsewhere in the itinerary. At Kwatisore, the whale shark experience is closely connected with the traditional fishing platforms used by local fishermen, while the visit also includes time within the local community, traditional dance and opportunities to purchase locally produced handicrafts. Visits within the Raja Ampat islands similarly provide opportunities to meet island communities and purchase locally made products.

We encourage travellers to spend thoughtfully when visiting local communities, purchasing crafts and products directly from local people where appropriate and respecting local customs around photography, dress, religious sites and private homes. The operator specifically advises guests to ask permission before photographing people, respect community privacy and approach cultural differences with sensitivity rather than treating communities simply as tourist attractions.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
The operator has a formal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy covering both recruitment and professional development. Its stated policy is to provide equal employment opportunities irrespective of gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, sexual orientation, functional ability or political view, while also supporting gender equity and the empowerment of women and girls.

The operator’s sustainability credentials also extend to employee welfare. SH Minerva’s 2026 DCA ESG certification followed an independent assessment that included crew welfare and working conditions, supply-chain management and the sustainability of shore excursion experiences, rather than assessing environmental technology alone.

The ship itself offers facilities for travellers with limited mobility, including a dedicated wheelchair-accessible Oceanview Stateroom with an accessible wet-room bathroom and two lifts serving the principal passenger decks. Accessible accommodation is not charged at a premium.

However, this particular expedition explores very remote locations and guests should be aware that not every element of the itinerary can be made fully accessible. Many excursions require transfers between SH Minerva and Zodiac boats, sometimes while both vessels are moving, and landing sites, jetties, beaches and village paths can be uneven or unsuitable for wheelchair users. Participation therefore depends on individual mobility, weather and sea conditions. Guests with mobility requirements are encouraged to discuss these with the operator before booking so that the suitability of individual activities can be assessed.

Our own company shares this commitment to inclusion. We recognise that a diversity of backgrounds and experiences strengthens both our team and the travelling community, and we are committed to equal opportunities within our workplace. We also choose to work with operators and providers whose policies demonstrate respect for employees, local partners and the communities that welcome our customers.