HX Expeditions: the back story

About HX Expeditions: the back story

By the ULTIMATE the world’s cruise lines Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

HX traces its roots to 1896, when the DS Lofoten sailed from Hammerfest to Svalbard on a route, in HX’s words, “no one had sailed before” for travellers. Today its five ships, two of them fully hybrid, sail from pole to pole with daily excursions, a Science Centre and gratuities included.

The beginning of expedition cruising

HX tells its story from a single voyage. In 1896 the DS Lofoten sailed from Hammerfest to Svalbard “to see the Arctic as few ever had”, and that summer route, which became Hurtigruten’s “Sports Route”, is where HX says expedition cruising began. One hundred and thirty years on, the company that grew from it sails under its own name, separate from Hurtigruten’s Norwegian coastal voyages.

Named for the explorers

Every ship in the fleet carries the name of a hero of the golden age of polar exploration. MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen are fully hybrid, among the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world in HX’s words; MS Fram honours Nansen’s and Amundsen’s legendary ship; MS Spitsbergen recalls the 1896 route; and MS Santa Cruz II, for just 90 guests, sails the Galápagos.

“To travel with HX is to open yourself to a world of awe”, in the line’s own words.

Science at the centre

The Science Centre is the heart of most HX ships, with a library, microscopes and interactive screens, and HX calls its science programme the most extensive in the industry. The expedition team of naturalists, historians and guides leads landings, hikes, kayaking and community visits, and the daily adventures are included in the fare.

Easy living

There is no dress code. Aune, the main dining room, is named after a family of Tromsø ship chandlers who supplied the explorers; Fredheim, the informal restaurant, after a 1900s hunting station on Svalbard; and Lindstrøm, the fine-dining room, after Adolf Lindstrøm, the polar heroes’ favourite chef. Suite guests dine at Lindstrøm for every meal.

Where it goes

HX sails to Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland and the Northwest Passage, Iceland, Norway and Scandinavia, the British Isles and Europe, Alaska, South America and the Galápagos, with ocean crossings between seasons.

Our advice: choose MS Roald Amundsen or MS Fridtjof Nansen for the infinity pool and hybrid power; book a suite if fine dining matters, since Lindstrøm is included only for suite guests; and look for HX’s departures with no solo supplement.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with HX Expeditions: the back story before you go.