HX Expeditions

HX began as the expedition arm of Hurtigruten, the Norwegian coastal line, building on more than a century of polar sailing heritage. It operated as Hurtigruten Expeditions before rebranding as HX in 2024, and in 2025 it was sold to an investor consortium, separating fully from Hurtigruten and moving its headquarters to London.

The core fleet includes MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, two purpose-built hybrid-powered expedition ships of around 500 guests, plus the smaller MS Fram and MS Spitsbergen. In the Galápagos, HX operates the small ship Santa Cruz II. Ship assignments shift with the seasons, with polar ships heading south for the Antarctic summer and north for the Arctic.

Signature voyages include Antarctica from South America, Svalbard and Greenland, Iceland circumnavigations, Arctic Norway, the Northwest Passage, Alaska’s Inside Passage and the Galápagos.

HX is casual, informative and Scandinavian in feel, with clean design, warm wood and big windows. Guests are typically active travelers from their 40s to 70s, from Europe, North America and Australia, many on their first expedition. Dress is practical and outdoorsy, with no formal nights. Days revolve around landings, Zodiac cruises and talks led by a large expedition team, and the Science Center onboard hosts lectures, citizen-science projects and microscopes for examining samples. The larger hybrid ships carry more guests than boutique expedition lines, which can mean landings in rotating groups in Antarctica, where rules limit how many people go ashore at once.

Ships typically have a main restaurant serving Nordic and international dishes, a casual bistro and, on some ships, Lindstrøm, a fine-dining restaurant with an added charge. Menus highlight Scandinavian ingredients such as salmon, cod and berries, with regionally themed menus on polar and Greenland voyages.

There’s no traditional entertainment. The expedition team gives lectures on wildlife, glaciers, history and climate, and the Science Center hosts workshops and citizen-science programs. Zodiac landings, guided hikes and cultural visits are included, while kayaking, snowshoeing and camping are optional extras on select voyages.

Children can sail on many voyages, and some summer itineraries welcome families, but there are no dedicated kids clubs. Polar landings may have minimum age requirements.

Cabins range from compact inside and outside cabins to balcony cabins and expedition suites, with Scandinavian design and good beds. The hybrid ships MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen offer the most balconies and suites, while older ships have simpler cabins.

Drinks are included, covering wine, beer, spirits and cocktails through the day and evening, plus coffee, tea and soft drinks. Premium drinks cost extra.

HX doesn’t add discretionary gratuity charges to your bill. Guests can leave extra tips if they wish, but they aren’t expected.

HX Explorers is the line’s loyalty program, offering returning guests benefits such as savings on future expeditions and onboard perks.