HX Expeditions – the brand formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions – has been steadily redefining polar and remote-journey cruising. In the past six months the company has launched a flurry of new programs, announced significant upgrades and introduced promotions celebrating its 130th anniversary. From flight-inclusive Greenland cruises and expanded kayaking and camping options to rotating menus that celebrate crew heritage and partnerships with local chefs, HX is raising the bar for small-ship expedition travel. Here’s what sophisticated destination-focused travelers need to know.
Flight-Inclusive Greenland Cruises: Four Arctic Itineraries
One of HX’s most consequential announcements for 2025 is its flight-inclusive Greenland program, which launches 21 June 2025. For the first time, HX will operate roundtrip voyages from Newark to Nuuk, making the wild beauty of Greenland more accessible than ever. Guests board a hybrid-powered, 500-passenger ship, MS Fridtjof Nansen, designed for sustainability. Once in Greenland, travelers can choose from four itineraries:
- Icy Giants of Disko Bay (12 days): visits Disko Bay and the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord.
- Mythical Lands of the North (16 days): explores the High Arctic’s wildlife and remote communities.
- Farthest North to Thule and Kane Basin (20 days): ventures farther north than any previous HX trip.
- Northwest Passage – Through the Arctic Labyrinth (26 days): a cross-continental odyssey from Nuuk to Nome, Alaska, along the historic Northwest Passage.
HX’s program is notable not only for its seamless flight connections but also for its commitment to local collaboration. Aleqatsiaq Peary, an Inuk storyteller and great-great-grandson of Arctic explorer Robert E. Peary, will join sailings to share Greenlandic culture and history with guests, deepening their connection to the land. The itineraries were crafted with input from Greenlandic communities, and the company emphasizes mindful tourism that benefits local people.
A Massive Expansion of Kayaking and Camping in Antarctica
For the 2025–26 Antarctic season, HX announced the largest kayaking and camping program in its history. Demand for off‑ship adventure has surged, so the line is increasing kayaking capacity by 188% and doubling camping slots to 60 per night. The program features two types of kayaks: Discovery Kayaks, solo inflatable crafts for a mellow, self‑guided paddle, and Sea Explorer Kayaks, hard‑shell tandem boats for more adventurous excursions with guides.
Camping options now include Bivvy‑bag camping in addition to standard dome tents, allowing guests to sleep under the Antarctic sky. Importantly, the company has moved away from a lottery system to a first‑come, first‑served model, and solo travelers no longer need a partner to participate. With expanded offerings like snowshoeing, polar plunges and extended hikes, HX is making it easier for travelers to personalize their Antarctic adventure.
Authentic Cuisine: Rotating Menus & a Greenlandic Culinary Partnership
Food is a powerful storyteller, and HX is leveraging cuisine to connect guests with the cultures they visit. In August 2025 the company introduced rotating themed menus aboard its flagship ships MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen. Each menu draws from the heritage of onboard crew members. The first, a Filipino menu, honours the contributions of HX’s many Filipino crew. Dishes include kinilaw na isda (a citrus‑cured fish salad), hipon sinigang bisque, lechon kawali & adobo, kare‑kare risotto and tropical desserts like ube mousse. Menus inspired by South America, Tuscany and India will follow, each rotating for three to four nights per voyage and offering vegan and vegetarian options. The concept is part of HX’s Culinary Ambassador program, which aims to highlight crew heritage and deliver genuine hospitality.
HX also partnered with Greenlandic chef Inunnguaq Hegelund, co‑owner of Nuuk’s celebrated restaurant Koks, to craft a New Arctic cuisine program. Hegelund’s four‑course tasting menu uses local ingredients and wild, foraged foods, telling Greenland’s story through dishes like musk ox tartare and herbs from the tundra[5]. The program began on May 24, 2025; guest chefs from Greenland will rotate on board to share their culinary traditions. HX’s senior chef David J. McDonald Greves emphasised that the collaboration supports food sovereignty, sustainability and cultural preservation. For travelers, it adds a rare opportunity to savor authentic flavors that are nearly impossible to find outside the Arctic.
Strengthening Leadership & Expertise: Kelvin Murray
In August 2025 HX appointed Kelvin Murray as director of expedition operations. Murray is renowned for leading some of the most ambitious polar expeditions, including orchestrating the largest passenger vessel transit of the Northwest Passage and conducting the first live 4K broadcast from Antarctica. HX’s chief operating officer, Iain McNeill, praised his ability to unify “people, place and purpose”. Murray will oversee expedition teams and collaborate with commercial departments to deliver exceptional guest experiences. His appointment underscores HX’s emphasis on operational excellence and guest immersion.
Rewarding Loyal Guests
HX launched a 130th anniversary promotion with significant savings across its portfolio. Guests booking select 2026/27 voyages can save up to $2,500 per person plus early booking bonuses when reserving by Sept. 30, 2025. The promotion includes discounts of up to 35% for voyages in Arctic Norway, 25% off the Galápagos, 15% off Antarctica, and 10% off Greenland, Svalbard and Alaska. A widespread marketing campaign and travel advisor toolkits are designed to spur bookings.
Deepening Educational & Scientific Programs
HX’s commitment to science and conservation remains a hallmark of its brand. In September 2025 the line expanded its Antarctica educational program in partnership with the University of Tasmania. The program, which has already served more than 2,250 participants with 99% satisfaction rates, now includes two tiers of online courses that delve deeper into Antarctica’s ecology, climate and history. The new modules are accessible to travelers before and after their voyage, helping them become ambassadors for polar conservation. According to HX’s COO Iain McNeill, the goal is “to empower guests to become stewards of our planet”.
HX is also investing over €7 million to refurbish two of its ships, MS Fram and MS Spitsbergen, with upgraded science centres, improved accommodations, and enhanced wellness areas. These upgrades will further support educational programming and create spaces where guests can participate in citizen science projects.
Looking Ahead: What Makes HX Unique
The developments of the past six months suggest a clear trajectory for HX. The company is blending accessibility, adventure, culture and education to craft voyages that appeal to discerning expedition travelers.
- Accessibility: The flight-inclusive Greenland program eliminates logistical hurdles and invites more travelers to experience Greenland’s remote communities. Meanwhile, first-come-first-served kayaking and camping make polar adventures more inclusive.
- Adventure: The introduction of Discovery and Sea Explorer kayaks, Bivvy camping, expanded hiking and polar plunges represents the broadest range of activities HX has offered.
- Culture & Cuisine: Rotating crew-inspired menus and the partnership with chef Hegelund reflect a deep respect for cultural heritage and local foodways.
- Education & Science: The Antarctica online courses and ship refurbishments emphasize hands-on learning and citizen science.
Expert Insight
HX Expeditions’ latest initiatives demonstrate a brand that is both innovative and grounded in its mission. The company’s ability to pair novel experiences – such as flight-inclusive access to Greenland and Bivvy-bag camping in Antarctica – with thoughtful cultural programming and robust science curricula sets it apart in the expedition cruise space. For travelers seeking remote destinations without sacrificing comfort, HX’s hybrid-powered ships and curated itineraries deliver sustainability and authenticity. Meanwhile, the Culinary Ambassador program and partnerships with local storytellers and chefs ensure that the stories of polar regions are told by those who live them. Advice to sophisticated expedition travelers: book early and be open to the unexpected. HX’s first-come kayaking and camping model rewards proactive planning, and early-booking incentives make now an opportune time to lock in a bucket-list adventure. Embrace the chance to paddle through Antarctic brash ice, savor musk ox prepared by a Greenlandic chef, or hear tales of the Arctic
