HX Expeditions

HX Expeditions/fka "Hurtigruten Expeditions" (travelhx.com) is a new cruise line and luxury travel brand owned by the parent company Hurtigruten AS.

HX's cruise fleet currently consists of five vessels: MS Fridtjof Nansen (2020-built), MS Roald Amundsen (2019), MS Spitsbergen (2009), MS Fram (2007), and MV Santa Cruz II Galapagos (2002).

HX cruises are operated by a separate fleet of smaller-sized vessels deployed in regions like South America and Antarctica, Alaska, North and Central America, Arctic Norway (Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard Archipelago), Atlantic Europe (Iceland and Greenland), Southern Europe (Mediterranean), Spain's Canary Islands, and Portugal's Azores and Madeira.

IMPORTANT: On November 28, 2024, Hurtigruten Group officially confirmed the sale of HX to a consortium of existing investors for EUR 140 million. On November 30th, the sale of the sister company Hurtigruten AS was announced for EUR 110 million. Part of the “split” included moving HX’s headquarters from Oslo to London, rebranding, and appointing a new CEO and executive team

HX's new ownership is led by Arini Capital Management (London-based asset manager) and Cyrus Capital Partners LP (London-based, SEC-registered investment adviser).

HX is currently registered as HX EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS LTD (company number 14861217). It was incorporated as a Private Limited Company (PLC) on May 11, 2023. From May 11, 2023, through February 5, 2024, the company was registered as HURTIGRUTEN EXPEDITIONS GROUP LTD. From February 5 through May 30, 2024, the company was registered as HX EXIT CO LTD.

HX's headquarters are in London, England, UK (210 Pentonville Road, N1 9JY).

Hurtigruten Expeditions' first CEO was Asta Lassesen, who was later succeeded by Gebhard Rainer. On June 15, 2024, Rainer was succeeded by Daniel Skjeldam.

HX's current Nautical Itinerary Planners/Marine Operations Officers are Niclas Eriksson and Quentin Le Dain.

HX Company History and Changes

In January 2021, Hurtigruten Group's cruise shipping operations were reorganized into two separate entities: "Hurtigruten Expeditions" (rebranded "HX" in December 2023) and "Hurtigruten Norway." Both entities have different management teams (including CEOs).

Company Changes in 2026

In May, Cinzia Amadio was appointed as SVP of Global Marketing.

Company Changes in 2025

In August, Kelvin Murray was appointed Director of Expedition Operations. Previously, he was employed by EYOS Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions, and Lindblad Expeditions.

Company Changes in 2024

In January, HX expanded its leadership team with Alex Delamere-White (CCO/Chief Commercial Officer), Jim Sayer (Senior VP of Global Marketing, Managing Director, and VP of Europe), Nathaniel Sherborne (VP of Sales and Marketing, UK & Nordics/previously worked for P&O UK, Cunard, and Princess), Carla Brake (Senior Sales Director), Sheralyn Berry (General Manager for the Americas), Jennifer Kennedy (Business Development Manager Southeast USA), Kent Phillips (Business Development Manager Western Canada), and Ian Kivell (Business Development Manager Eastern Canada).

Since November 2024, HX has been an all-inclusive cruise line, providing the following amenities and services fleetwide and to all destinations:

• Daily land expeditions and activities (hikes, community visits, lectures, etc.)
• Full shipboard dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner with house wine and beer)
• Availability of wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails throughout the day and evening
• Unlimited access to beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Inclusive crew gratuities
• Participation in the onboard interactive science program (Science Centre + activities)
• Access to wellness facilities (sauna, hot tubs, gym, etc.)
• Complimentary photos captured by the ship's professional photographer
• Expedition gear and a reusable water bottle for guests to take home

In May, HX appointed Chloe Couchman as Executive VP of Public Relations and Communications, reporting directly to the CEO.

In June, HX signed a partnership with Air Greenland (also known as Greenlandair/Greenland's flag carrier) for fly-cruises in 2025 (on the ship Fridtjof Nansen) with direct flights between Copenhagen and Nuuk. The new offers include pre- and post-cruise packages with fares inclusive of waterfront lodge stays (Ilimanaq) and fishing tours (Nuuk).

In October, Steve Smotrys was appointed Managing Director and Senior VP of Commercial Operations for HX Americas. He was previously employed by Seabourn as VP of Sales and Trade Relations.

In November, the "HX Explorers" loyalty program was launched, offering exclusive benefits across two tiers: Level 1 (first-time customers) and Level 2 (3 nights or more). Rewards include discount rates (on HX cruises and select partner brands/CEWE, Waterhaul, Ocean Bottles), services by a dedicated Onboard Loyalty Manager, a Welcome Cocktail (upon embarkation), and year-round (non-cruise) activities.

Company Changes in 2023

In September, HX appointed Sheralyn Berry as General Manager for the Americas (USA-Canada-Latin America). Previously (2018-2023), she was Contiki Holidays' President for Canada.

In 2023, Hurtigruten Norway celebrated its 130th anniversary, since its first Norwegian Coastal Express voyage in 1893. In September, the sister company Hurtigruten Expeditions (operating a six-ship fleet) was rebranded to "HX".

Company Changes in 2022

In March, Hurtigruten Group AS acquired a 24.9% stake (one-quarter) in Metropolitan Touring (Quito, Ecuador-headquartered travel company and luxury brand) specializing in South America and Galapagos voyages.

In October, Hurtigruten Expeditions signed a deal with Speedcast (Australian satellite technology provider) and implemented fleetwide SpaceX 'Starlink' (satellite internet) connectivity. The fast internet is unlimited and offered complimentary to both passengers and the crew.

Company Changes in 2021 (Hurtigruten Galapagos Cruise Charter)

In June 2021, Hurtigruten Expeditions signed a boat charter deal with Metropolitan Touring (shipowner/company specializing in Galapagos and South America voyages) for the luxury yacht Santa Cruz II (max capacity 90 passengers). The boat was extensively dry-dock renovated in 2021 (all staterooms and public areas).

The first Hurtigruten Galapagos cruise was scheduled to depart on January 7, 2022.

Hurtigruten's 8-night/9-day Galapagos Islands itinerary includes hotel stays in Quito, Ecuador (two nights/pre- and post-voyage), six nights of cruising (round trips from Baltra Island), and two domestic flights (between Quito and Baltra).

The maiden season (2022) included a total of 32 expedition packages combining the voyages with land tours in the Galapagos, Cusco-Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca (Andes Mountain/Bolivia and Peru), and Manuel Antonio National Park (off Costa Rica's coast).

In December 2021, bookings opened for the Galapagos 2023-2024 seasons, and new itineraries were announced. In addition to the 6-night "Eastern Galapagos," a 4-night "Northern Galapagos," a 4-night "Western Galapagos," and an 8-night B2B/back-to-back (Northern and Western Galapagos) were added. Hurtigruten also expanded its land program by adding the luxury hotel Mashpi Lodge (capacity 47 beds, northwest of Quito) as a 3-night pre-/post-tour accommodation option for any Galapagos voyage.

Hurtigruten Expeditions/HX cruises are operated by a fleet of smaller-sized vessels deployed in regions like South America and Antarctica/Antarctic Peninsula, Alaska, North and Central America, Arctic Norway (Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard Archipelago), Atlantic Europe (Iceland and Greenland), Southern Europe (Mediterranean), Spain's Canary Islands, Portugal's Azores, and Madeira.

HX's cruise fleet currently consists of five vessels: MS Fridtjof Nansen (2020-built), MS Roald Amundsen (2019), MS Spitsbergen (2009), MS Fram (2007), and MV Santa Cruz II Galapagos (2002).

HX Cruises 2026-2027-2028 Program

HX's 2025-2026 season featured 80+ itineraries spanning 5 continents, and vital expedition regions such as Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland, and Canada's Northwest Passage. Highlights of the program included 50 departures to Antarctica, spring itineraries to Norway's Svalbard Islands, Roald Amundsen's 5th Alaskan season, and West Africa (the archipelagos of Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands).

2026-2027

HX's 2026-2027 schedule listed new itineraries across Antarctica (South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Sound, Weddell Sea, and Gerlache Strait, with departures from Buenos Aires), the Galapagos (ship Santa Cruz II), and Alaska (9- and 12-night Inside Passage itineraries), Greenland, and Northern Europe (departures from Dover and Hamburg to the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Harlingen Holland, Heligoland Germany, and Svalbard).

2028-2029

HX's 2028-2029 schedule features 57 voyages across 14 global destinations (1288 port calls), including 26 new itineraries, 2 new destinations and 5 major product developments. The program includes Antarctica (departures from the Falklands, a new Antarctica and South Georgia itinerary, shorter routes in Alaska and Greenland, HX’s first Scandinavian program, a Baffin Island circumnavigation, and 9 oceanic crossings. The longest itinerary is 25 nights (covers ~6650 NM), while the shortest one is 6 nights, with the average voyage length being 11 nights.

In Antarctica and South Georgia, HX will introduce a 19-day expedition (ship Roald Amundsen) combining the two destinations in a single itinerary. HX will also begin Antarctic departures from Stanley in the Falklands (ship Fram).

In Alaska, two 8-day, 7-night Inside Passage itineraries between Vancouver and Sitka replace previous 10- and 13-day options and provide 5 full days in Southeast Alaska with one sea day. HX will also introduce a 17-day Aleutian Islands itinerary between Vancouver and Whittier.

In Greenland, the new 8-day Discovering West Greenland – Icebergs & Communities of Disko Bay will operate roundtrip from Nuuk. The itinerary has no sea days and combines Disko Bay, the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord and visits to Inuit communities including Kangaamiut and Maniitsoq.

A new 11-day version of Exploring the Garden of Greenland will provide another option between the existing 15-day Greenland expeditions, giving the company a programme ranging from one-week voyages to expeditions lasting more than two weeks.

HX's Scandinavian program (ship Spitsbergen) is based on the 13-day "Sweden & Finland: Autumn in the Gulf of Bothnia" itinerary. The 10-day "Southern Scandinavia: Between Norwegian Fjords and Swedish Isles" (northbound and southbound routes) and the 14-day "Norway Cape to Cape – Beyond the Arctic Circle" itineraries together cover Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway.

In Arctic Canada, HX will introduce the 19-day "Into the Northwest Passage – Circumnavigating Baffin Island" (ship Roald Amundsen) itinerary, which circumnavigates Baffin Island, enters the Northwest Passage and navigates the Fury and Hecla Strait.

Svalbard will have its largest HX programme to date in 2028, with 23 departures (ships MS Spitsbergen and MS Fram), linking Svalbard with East Greenland and Iceland.

HX offers 9 Ocean Crossings (Atlantic and Pacific) that will visit destinations in Bermuda, Cape Verde, Salvador and Recife, as well as Golfito, Huatulco and La Paz in the Pacific.

HX's year-round Galapagos program (ship Santa Cruz II) features established sea-going itineraries, alongside land tour extensions visiting Machu Picchu.

HX Galapagos Cruise Charter (ship Santa Cruz II)

In June 2021, Hurtigruten Expeditions signed a boat charter deal with Metropolitan Touring (shipowner/company specializing in Galapagos and South America voyages) for the luxury yacht Santa Cruz II (max capacity 90 passengers). The boat was extensively dry-dock renovated in 2021 (all staterooms and public areas).

The first Hurtigruten Galapagos cruise was scheduled for January 7, 2022.

HX's 8-night/9-day Galapagos Islands itinerary includes hotel stays in Quito, Ecuador (two nights/pre- and post-voyage), six nights of cruising (round trips from Baltra Island), and two domestic flights (between Quito and Baltra).

The maiden season (2022) included a total of 32 expedition packages combining the voyages with land tours in the Galapagos, Cusco-Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca (Andes Mountain/Bolivia and Peru), and Manuel Antonio National Park (off Costa Rica's coast).

In December 2021, bookings opened for the Galapagos 2023-2024 seasons, and new itineraries were announced. In addition to the 6-night "Eastern Galapagos," a 4-night "Northern Galapagos," a 4-night "Western Galapagos," and an 8-night B2B/back-to-back (Northern and Western Galapagos) were added. Hurtigruten also expanded its Galapagos land program by adding the luxury hotel Mashpi Lodge (capacity 47 beds, northwest of Quito) as a 3-night pre-/post-tour accommodation option for any Galapagos voyage.