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HX at a glance
- Style
- Purpose-driven expedition cruising — casual, curious and science-forward rather than formal or flashy.
- Ship size
- Small, ice-class expedition ships, most carrying between 250 and 500 guests.
- Signature ships
- Hybrid-powered MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen, plus MS Maud, MS Fram and MS Spitsbergen.
- Signature features
- Onboard Science Centers with labs and microscopes; opportunities to contribute to real research, from seabird counts to microplastic sampling.
- Where they sail
- Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, the Galápagos (launching 2026), South America, West Africa, the British Isles and the Northwest Passage.
- Best for
- Curious, active, environmentally aware travelers who want engagement and enrichment over formality.
A 130-year legacy of exploration
HX — formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions — has been taking travelers to the ends of the Earth for more than 130 years. What started as a Norwegian coastal shipping line has evolved into a modern expedition cruise leader with a deep commitment to sustainability, science and true exploration.
HX doesn't just take you to remote places — it invites you to engage with them deeply, traveling with scientists, naturalists and local experts on ships designed for adventure in comfort.
This is expedition cruising for those who care about the planet and want to explore it with purpose. We've sailed with HX ourselves — including in the Galápagos — so this review comes from firsthand experience.
The fleet: sustainable and purpose-driven
HX operates a fleet of small, ice-class expedition ships, most carrying between 250 and 500 guests. Each is equipped for Zodiac landings, polar exploration and scientific discovery, with a focus on environmentally responsible technology.
| Ship | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MS Fridtjof Nansen & MS Roald Amundsen | Flagship hybrid-powered pair | Hybrid-powered ships that reduce emissions and represent the forefront of sustainable cruising |
| MS Maud | Coastal exploration | Sleek, comfortable ship designed for rugged coastlines — British Isles, Iceland and Northern Europe |
| MS Fram | Classic expedition vessel | Completely modernized, often used in Antarctica and the Arctic |
| MS Spitsbergen | Smaller groups | Suited to smaller groups and off-the-beaten-path destinations |
Fleet details as published by HX; confirm deployment per sailing.
Rather than compete on luxury, HX competes on purpose and depth — inviting travelers to be active participants, not passive passengers.
Every ship carries a Science Center with onboard labs, microscopes and interactive exhibits, expedition launches for quick Zodiac access, panoramic lounges and observation decks, comfortable Scandinavian-designed cabins, and saunas, hot tubs and fitness spaces to unwind after active days.
Where they travel
HX offers year-round expedition cruises to some of the world's most remote destinations — Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, the Galápagos Islands (launching in 2026), South America, West Africa, the British Isles and the Northwest Passage.
Signature regions include Antarctica (the Peninsula, the Falklands and South Georgia), the Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland and the Canadian High Arctic), smaller Alaskan ports beyond the big-ship routes, Patagonia and the Chilean fjords, Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands, and rare Northwest Passage journeys.
Itineraries are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for spontaneous wildlife sightings or weather-dependent landings — expedition travel in its purest form. Planning a polar voyage? Our guides to Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galápagos cover the regions in depth.
The onboard experience: casual, curious, community-minded
Onboard an HX expedition you'll find a vibe that's casual, curious and community-minded. There are no butlers or ballgowns here — just nature lovers, seasoned guides and immersive programming that deepens your connection to the destinations.
Expect daily landings and Zodiac excursions led by expedition leaders and local guides, interactive lectures and workshops on climate science, marine biology, geology and cultural history, and locally inspired dining with regional ingredients. Lounges and shared spaces foster camaraderie among guests.
There are no formal nights and no dress codes — just boots, binoculars and curiosity. You won't just see penguins; you'll learn about their breeding behaviors, the threats to their habitat and how to photograph them like a pro. The goal is always active engagement, not passive sightseeing.
What makes HX unique?
HX stands apart through its 130-plus years of exploration heritage, its sustainability leadership — including the world's first hybrid-powered cruise ships and a ban on heavy fuel oil — and a genuine science program with full-time scientists onboard and public labs.
The small-ship focus allows for true expedition landings in places inaccessible to traditional cruise ships, and every voyage is built around exploration, education and environmental stewardship.
Sustainability claims — hybrid power, the heavy-fuel-oil ban and responsible-travel advocacy — are the operator's stated commitments. We're happy to walk you through how they compare across lines.
Is HX right for you?
The typical HX guest is curious, active and environmentally aware — someone who wants adventure, enrichment and real connection over fine china and nightly entertainment. If that sounds like you, HX is a natural choice.
Many guests are well-traveled, with a deep interest in wildlife, culture and climate, and a desire to tread lightly on the planet. The guest mix skews international, creating a diverse onboard atmosphere and rich conversation in the lounges and Science Centers.
We book across every expedition line, so we can compare HX's ships and itineraries directly with alternatives like Quark Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions before you commit.
A strong fit if you want
- Purpose-driven expedition travel with a genuine science program
- Hybrid-powered ships and a strong sustainability stance
- Daily landings, Zodiac excursions and hands-on citizen science
- A casual, international, community-minded onboard atmosphere
Look elsewhere if you want
- Butler service, fine china and formal nights
- Big-ship entertainment, casinos and nightlife
- Ultra-luxury suites and champagne-and-caviar styling
- A quiet cruise without lectures, labs or workshops
HX FAQs
What does HX stand for?
HX is the renamed Hurtigruten Expeditions brand — the expedition arm of the Norwegian coastal shipping heritage that stretches back more than 130 years. The rebrand separates the expedition fleet from Hurtigruten's Norwegian coastal voyages, which continue under the original name.
What ships does HX have?
Core expedition vessels include the hybrid-powered MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen, MS Maud for coastal exploration in the British Isles, Iceland and Northern Europe, the modernized classic MS Fram, and MS Spitsbergen for smaller groups and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Most carry between 250 and 500 guests.
Where does HX sail?
Year-round expeditions to Antarctica (including the Falklands and South Georgia), the Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland and the Canadian High Arctic), Alaska, South America, West Africa, the British Isles and the Northwest Passage — with the Galápagos Islands launching in 2026.
What is the HX Science Center?
Every HX ship carries a Science Center with onboard labs, microscopes and interactive exhibits. Full-time scientists sail onboard, and guests can contribute to real research — from seabird counts to microplastic sampling — alongside daily lectures and workshops.
Is HX a sustainable cruise line?
Sustainability is central to HX's identity: the line launched the world's first hybrid-powered cruise ships, has banned heavy fuel oil, and is a vocal advocate for responsible travel. These are the operator's stated commitments — we're happy to walk you through how they compare across lines.
Keep exploring
Expedition cruise lines
Every line we book, compared side by side — who each one suits and why.
Roald Amundsen: our review
Our firsthand take on HX's hybrid-powered flagship.
MS Santa Cruz II: our review
Sailing the Galápagos with HX — our ship review.
Antarctica
When to go, what it costs, and how to choose the right voyage south.