Since 1896, HX has been taking curious travelers on mindful expeditions to the world’s most awe-inspiring places. Today HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) is a global leader in expedition cruising — carrying guests to the high Arctic, the Galápagos Islands, and the penguins and seals of the Antarctic Peninsula aboard a modern, hybrid-powered fleet, on fully all-inclusive fares.
This guide covers everything worth knowing before you book: how HX differs from Hurtigruten, what the expedition experience is actually like, the ships and what’s included, the three flagship destinations with their best seasons, and the practical details of planning a polar or Galápagos voyage. For discerning travelers it’s a rare combination — genuine, science-led exploration of the planet’s last wild places, with the comfort, dining, and seamless planning of a luxury voyage.
If you’ve researched Antarctica or the Arctic and seen both names, here’s the short answer. HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) is the standalone expedition brand that sails to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, Alaska, Greenland, and beyond. The Hurtigruten name now refers only to the Norwegian Coastal Express — the ferry-style service along Norway’s coast. Following a 2023 rebrand, they operate as separate companies that share a heritage of polar exploration. So if your dream is a polar or Galápagos expedition, HX is the brand you’re looking for.
An HX expedition cruise suits travelers who want something genuinely different — to learn, to reach rarely visited places, and to come home understanding the world a little better. Guests choose HX to:
What sets the experience apart is the balance: real expedition credentials — ice-class ships, expert teams, active landings — paired with elegant cabins, gourmet dining, and an all-inclusive fare that removes the friction from a complex trip.
Every voyage is led by a hand-picked Expedition Team of world-class experts who guide activities on board and ashore — scientists and naturalists with deep regional knowledge, historians and cultural specialists, professional photographers, and wildlife experts. They drive the daily rhythm of the trip, reading conditions to find the best landings and the richest wildlife encounters, and they’re the reason guests leave genuinely knowledgeable rather than simply well-traveled.
Expedition days flex with nature rather than a fixed schedule. A typical polar day might open with a morning zodiac landing among a penguin colony, return to the ship for a hot lunch, then head out for an afternoon ice-cruise past glaciers and icebergs. Sea days — such as the Drake Passage crossing to and from Antarctica — fill with expert lectures, Science Centre sessions, photography workshops, and time in the sauna or on-deck hot tubs. Each evening, the team briefs the plan for the next day, always with the caveat that ice, weather, and wildlife have the final say.
Core expedition activities are built into every fare and need no advance sign-up: guided shore landings by small boat (RIB/zodiac), expedition ice-cruising, wildlife spotting, the famous Polar Plunge into freezing polar water, and a full program of lectures and workshops (from wildlife painting to nautical knots). Boots, trekking poles, and the equipment you need for these activities are provided.
For travelers who want to go deeper, HX offers optional small-group activities that are booked and paid for on board, subject to availability: sea kayaking among the icebergs, snowshoeing, and, on select Antarctic voyages, camping overnight on the ice — an unforgettable night under the polar sky. The science boat (citizen-science outing) is complimentary. Because these fill quickly and some require a mandatory safety briefing, Joan can flag which are offered on your sailing so you can plan ahead.
HX is serious about learning. Each expedition ship carries a dedicated Science Centre, and guests are invited to take part in real citizen-science programs — sampling phytoplankton and krill under the microscope, logging wildlife sightings, and contributing observations that feed genuine research. It’s a defining part of the HX ethos: it’s not only where you go, but how — and what you understand when you return.
Every HX ship is purpose-built for real exploration, not repurposed from a mainstream liner.
HX’s flagships, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, are battery-hybrid expedition ships — among the most environmentally advanced afloat — using large battery packs to cut fuel use and emissions and to sail near-silently through sensitive waters. It’s expedition travel designed to tread lightly on the places it visits.
A practical note worth knowing: in Antarctica, international guidelines limit the number of guests ashore at any one landing site to 100 at a time. On the 500-guest flagships this means guests rotate through landings, while a smaller ship like MS Fram can translate to more time on land per person. It’s exactly the kind of trade-off — ship size versus landing time versus price — that Joan helps you weigh.
Across the fleet you’ll find comfortable, elegantly appointed cabins and suites, many with private balconies and premium categories with added space and service. Onboard, expect multiple restaurants (international menus alongside dishes inspired by HX’s Norwegian heritage), a spa and wellness area with sauna, on-deck hot tubs, a gym, the Science Centre, and complimentary Wi-Fi — though in truly remote regions that connectivity is satellite-based, limited, and doesn’t support streaming (a feature, many guests decide, rather than a flaw).
Since 2024, HX has sailed on a fully all-inclusive basis, which makes budgeting refreshingly simple. A typical expedition fare includes:
Generally not included: international airfare to and from the gateway city, optional activities (kayaking, snowshoeing, camping), optional shore excursions with local partners, spa treatments, travel insurance (required), and visas. Joan confirms the exact inclusions — and current pricing — for your specific sailing.
HX sails to the world’s most extraordinary and rarely visited expedition destinations, from pole to pole.
An HX Antarctica expedition begins with an overnight in Buenos Aires, followed by an early-morning charter flight to Ushuaia — the world’s southernmost city, on the tip of Tierra del Fuego — where you board your hybrid-powered ship. From there you cross the legendary Drake Passage (about two days each way) to the Antarctic Peninsula, where the expedition truly begins: landings among vast penguin colonies, ice-cruising past colossal glaciers and icebergs in impossible shades of blue, and encounters with seals and whales against a backdrop of profound silence.
Voyages run roughly 11 to 18 days, with epic 25-day-plus itineraries adding the Falkland Islands (albatross, penguin, and seal colonies around Stanley), South Georgia, or Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords rounding Cape Horn. On longer sailings in the milder heart of summer, HX pushes below the Antarctic Circle toward remote Marguerite Bay.
Best time to go: the Antarctic season runs late October to March. October–November brings pristine ice and penguin courtship; December–January brings hatching chicks, the warmest weather, and near-endless daylight; February–March offers the best whale watching. Note that the aurora isn’t visible in the Antarctic summer because of the midnight sun. See also our guide to expedition cruises to Antarctica.
Journey to the top of the world on an HX Arctic expedition through Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, and Arctic Norway, or attempt the historic Northwest Passage from Greenland to Alaska, visiting remote Inuit communities along the way. Encounter polar bears on the sea ice, walrus colonies and Arctic foxes, sweeping glacial fjords and ancient tundra, and, in high summer, the ethereal glow of the midnight sun.
Best time to go: the Arctic expedition season runs roughly May to September, when the ice opens up, wildlife is most active, and daylight is nearly constant. Explore more Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.
Follow in Darwin’s footsteps on an HX Galápagos expedition aboard the intimate MV Santa Cruz II, usually beginning near Quito, Ecuador. Across the archipelago you’ll meet giant tortoises roaming freely, marine iguanas and sea lions along volcanic shores, blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, and world-class snorkeling with rays and turtles in crystal-clear equatorial water. All voyages operate under Galápagos National Park regulations, with small groups and certified naturalist guides ensuring minimal impact. Many guests extend with a few days on mainland Ecuador or in the cloud forest before or after the cruise.
Best time to go: the Galápagos is a year-round destination. The warm, wetter season (December–May) brings calmer seas and excellent underwater visibility; the cooler, drier season (June–November) brings more active marine life and cooler temperatures.
Beyond the big three, HX also sails Alaska’s Inside Passage, Iceland, Norway, and more — over 250 destinations across more than 30 countries — so a first HX voyage is rarely the last.
Dining is a genuine highlight, not an afterthought. Menus are built around the authentic local flavors and finest seasonal ingredients of each region visited, served across multiple onboard restaurants — from regional wine pairings and chef-inspired tasting menus to relaxed al fresco dining and hearty fare after a cold morning ashore. Norwegian-inspired dishes nod to HX’s heritage, and dietary needs are readily accommodated with advance notice.
Responsible travel isn’t a marketing line for HX — it’s structural. The fleet’s hybrid-electric ships cut emissions, single-use plastics are minimized, and food-waste programs run across the fleet. HX is a member of IAATO (the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) and AECO (the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), the bodies that set the standards for responsible polar tourism, and the company supports dozens of wildlife-conservation and community projects across the destinations it visits.
Getting there. Most itineraries include the in-region flights and transfers, but you’ll arrange international airfare to the gateway city (Buenos Aires for Antarctica, Quito for the Galápagos, and cities such as Longyearbyen, Reykjavík, or Oslo for the Arctic). Joan books these alongside your voyage so the whole trip connects seamlessly.
How active is it? Expedition cruising is accessible but active — you’ll step in and out of zodiacs, walk on uneven ground, and dress for the cold. There’s no need to be an athlete, but reasonable mobility makes for a richer trip. Activity levels vary by itinerary, and Joan can match one to your comfort level.
What to pack. HX provides boots and trekking poles; you bring warm, waterproof layers, a good camera, and binoculars. A detailed packing list follows your booking.
Traveling with children. HX welcomes families, though for safety, children under 5 aren’t permitted on Antarctica and South Georgia voyages, and younger children are assessed for landing participation.
The Drake Passage and seasickness. The two-day crossing can be calm or lively — “the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake.” Motion-sickness remedies help, medication is available on board, and the reward on the far side is worth it.
Connectivity. Expect to disconnect. Wi-Fi is included but satellite-based and limited in remote regions, with no streaming — which most guests come to appreciate.
When to book. The best cabins and departures — especially Antarctica and the Galápagos — sell out 12 to 24 months ahead. Early planning secures both availability and the suite category you want. Solo travelers are welcome, and Joan can advise on single-supplement options.
An HX expedition cruise is ideal for travelers who want real exploration without sacrificing comfort — first-timers and seasoned adventurers alike, thanks to expert Expedition Team guidance, thorough pre-voyage briefings, and a warm onboard community. It suits those drawn to wildlife and wild places, to science and learning, and to the idea that a journey should mean something rather than simply pass the time — couples, solo explorers, multigenerational families, and anyone chasing a genuine seventh-continent or Arctic milestone.
At Tasteful Voyages, Joan Qualls is a trusted Virtuoso luxury travel advisor who matches discerning travelers with their perfect HX expedition. Booking through Tasteful Voyages means personalized planning, insider expertise, and — where available — Virtuoso benefits such as suite upgrades and onboard credit that you can’t get booking direct. Joan also handles the details that make or break a polar trip: choosing the right ship and cabin, timing your sailing to the wildlife you most want to see, and arranging flights, transfers, and pre- or post-voyage extensions, including luxury river cruises, African safaris, and South America tours.
Whether you dream of polar bears in the Arctic, penguin colonies in Antarctica, or snorkeling with sea lions in the Galápagos, Tasteful Voyages and HX make it happen beautifully.
Contact Tasteful Voyages today to start planning your HX expedition cruise, tailored entirely to you.
Is HX the same as Hurtigruten?
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) is now a separate, standalone brand focused on global expedition cruising — Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, Alaska, Greenland, and more. The Hurtigruten name now refers only to the Norwegian Coastal Express. They share heritage but operate as different companies. For a polar or Galápagos expedition, HX is the brand.
Where does HX sail?
HX operates expedition cruises to Antarctica, the high Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Norway), the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, and the Northwest Passage — over 250 destinations across more than 30 countries.
Are HX expedition cruises all-inclusive, and what’s included?
Yes. Since 2024 HX has sailed fully all-inclusive. Fares typically include a pre-voyage hotel night, in-region flights and transfers, all meals, beverages (including wine, beer, and spirits), included expedition activities such as landings and the Polar Plunge, loan of boots and poles, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and professional photos from your voyage. International airfare to the gateway city and optional activities like kayaking and camping are extra.
How much does an HX expedition cruise cost?
Expedition cruising is a premium experience, and HX is often one of the more accessible polar operators on price. All-inclusive fares vary by destination, ship, cabin category, and season. Joan confirms current pricing — and any Virtuoso perks — for your chosen departure.
How do I get to an HX Antarctica cruise?
You fly to Buenos Aires, stay overnight (included), then take an early-morning charter flight to Ushuaia to board your ship. From Ushuaia you cross the Drake Passage — about two days each way — to reach the Antarctic Peninsula.
When is the best time for an HX expedition cruise?
Antarctica sails late October to March (October–November for pristine ice and courtship, December–January for hatching chicks and long days, February–March for the best whale watching). The Arctic runs roughly May to September for wildlife and the midnight sun. The Galápagos is year-round. Joan can match the timing to what you most want to see.
What activities are included, and which cost extra?
Included: guided landings, ice-cruising, wildlife spotting, the Polar Plunge, and all lectures and workshops. Optional (extra cost, booked on board): kayaking, snowshoeing, and camping on the ice. The citizen-science boat outing is complimentary.
What ships does HX operate? HX’s modern fleet includes the battery-hybrid flagships MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen (up to 500 guests), the intimate MS Fram (up to 200 guests) and smaller MS Spitsbergen for polar voyages, and the ~90-guest MV Santa Cruz II in the Galápagos.
Are HX expedition cruises suitable for first-time expedition travelers?
Absolutely. HX voyages are designed to be accessible to all experience levels, with expert Expedition Team guidance, comprehensive pre-voyage briefings, and a welcoming onboard community that makes first-timers feel completely at ease.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Yes, Wi-Fi is included, but in remote polar and Galápagos regions it’s satellite-based and limited, and it doesn’t support streaming. Most guests find the chance to disconnect is part of the appeal.
What should I pack?
HX provides boots and trekking poles; you bring warm waterproof layers, a good camera, and binoculars. A full packing list is provided after booking.
What makes HX different from other expedition cruise lines?
HX pairs over a century of expedition heritage with hybrid-powered ships, a fully all-inclusive model, a genuine science-and-sustainability focus (IAATO and AECO membership, onboard Science Centres, citizen science), and expert-led exploration to extraordinary destinations. A Tasteful Voyages advisor can help you decide whether HX fits your travel style versus other luxury expedition lines.