An Introduction to Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX)
Hurtigruten Expeditions, now known as HX, is a leading name in expedition cruising, offering immersive voyages to some of the planet's most extraordinary and often remote destinations. Building on over 130 years of Norwegian maritime heritage, HX combines responsible travel with unparalleled access to wilderness, wildlife, and local cultures, all from the comfort of purpose-built expedition ships.
A Brief History
The story of Hurtigruten dates back to 1893, when Norwegian captain Richard With established the "Coastal Express" service along Norway's rugged coastline, revolutionizing communications and transport for isolated communities. This historic route, still operated by Hurtigruten (Coastal Express), formed the bedrock of the company.
Over decades, Hurtigruten diversified, applying its expertise in polar navigation and coastal exploration to offer dedicated expedition voyages. In 2021, to better differentiate its expedition offerings from its traditional coastal ferry service, the company formally separated its expedition arm into Hurtigruten Expeditions, later rebranded as HX. This strategic move solidified its focus on science-led, sustainable adventures to the Arctic, Antarctic, and other wild corners of the world. HX continues to uphold a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and citizen science programs, allowing guests to actively participate in research during their voyages.
The Fleet: Purpose-Built Expedition Ships
HX operates a fleet of modern, comfortable expedition ships designed for optimal exploration and minimal environmental impact. Many of their vessels are equipped with advanced technologies, including hybrid propulsion, to enhance sustainability. They feature onboard Science Centers, lecture halls, and dedicated Expedition Teams, providing deep insights into the destinations.
MS Roald Amundsen (490 guests): Launched in 2019, one of HX's pioneering hybrid-powered ships, built for polar conditions.
MS Fridtjof Nansen (490 guests): Launched in 2020, a sister ship to MS Roald Amundsen, also featuring hybrid technology.
MS Fram (250 guests): Purpose-built in 2007 for polar exploration, recently refurbished, offering a classic expedition experience.
MS Spitsbergen (220 guests): Refurbished in 2016, designed for agile exploration in remote areas.
MS Santa Cruz II (90 guests): A smaller, intimate vessel operating exclusively in the Galápagos Islands, offering a carbon-neutral experience.
These ships are equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings, kayaks, and other tools for active exploration, guided by a team of experts including naturalists, historians, and photographers.
Current Starting Ports and Itineraries (2025-2026)
HX offers a wide range of expedition cruises to some of the world's most pristine and challenging environments. Their itineraries are defined by their immersive nature, often featuring daily landings, wildlife spotting, and educational programs.
Key Regions and Example Starting Ports for 2025-2026 include:
Polar Expeditions (Arctic & Antarctic):
Arctic:
Svalbard (Longyearbyen) | Greenland (Kangerlussuaq) | Reykjavik - Iceland is often combined) | Arctic Canada (Nome, Anchorage - often combined with Alaska). These voyages focus on ice, glaciers, polar bears, and unique Inuit cultures.
Antarctic:
Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), sometimes with "Fly the Drake" options from King George Island. Expeditions explore the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, abundant with penguins, seals, and whales.
Galápagos Islands: Year-round itineraries.
Starting Port: Baltra (Galápagos). Voyages are highly regulated and focus on the unique endemic wildlife and volcanic landscapes.
Alaska & British Columbia: Seasonal voyages exploring glaciers, fjords, and wildlife in North America's last frontier.
Starting Ports: Vancouver (Canada) | Seward (Alaska) | Anchorage (Alaska).
Europe: Expeditions around the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland, the Norwegian Fjords (beyond the traditional Coastal Express), and parts of Western Europe.
Starting Ports: Reykjavik (Iceland) | Dover (UK), Portsmouth (UK) | Bergen (Norway) | Copenhagen (Denmark).
South America: Voyages to the Chilean Fjords, Patagonia, and sometimes extending to the Amazon.
Starting Ports: Santiago (San Antonio, Chile) | Valparaiso (Chile) | Buenos Aires (Argentina).
Official Websites
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) maintains a strong online presence globally.
Global/International Website: https://www.travelhx.com/en/ (often redirects to local versions based on your location)
UK Website: https://www.travelhx.com/en-gb/
A Word of Caution: Cruise Scams
When planning your expedition with HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), it is essential to remain highly vigilant against potential scam attempts that, unfortunately, target travelers. Be aware of these common red flags:
"Free Cruise" or "Exclusive Offer" Traps: Be highly suspicious of any unsolicited calls, emails, texts, or social media messages claiming you've won a "free HX expedition cruise" or are eligible for an impossibly low-priced "exclusive" deal. These invariably come with hidden fees, demands for immediate payment for "port taxes" or "service charges," or are simply phishing attempts to collect your personal data or pressure you into buying something else entirely. HX, like other popular cruise lines, has been the subject of such fraudulent schemes.
Fake Websites and Phishing Attempts: Scammers create highly convincing fake websites that mimic HX Hurtigruten Expeditions' official site or reputable travel agencies. They also send deceptive phishing emails that appear legitimate. Their goal is to trick you into entering your login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive personal information. Always manually type the official website address (e.g., travelhx.com) into your browser's address bar or use trusted bookmarks. Double-check the URL very carefully before entering any data, looking for subtle misspellings or unusual domain extensions.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Be wary of any offer that demands an immediate decision due to a "limited-time offer" that will expire in minutes or hours. This tactic is used by fraudsters to prevent you from doing proper research or verifying the offer's legitimacy.
Unusual Payment Requests: Never agree to pay for a cruise via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency if requested by an individual or an unverified entity. Legitimate cruise lines and their authorized partners use secure, traceable payment methods (e.g., credit cards).
Misleading Sustainability Claims: While HX is committed to sustainability, be aware that some past advertising claims (e.g., "sustainable expeditions") have been subject to scrutiny by advertising authorities for potentially overstating the full environmental impact. Always seek clear and detailed information on their environmental initiatives and understand that any form of travel has an environmental footprint.
To ensure your authentic and enriching HX expedition begins safely and securely, always book directly through the official HX Hurtigruten Expeditions website for your region or through a well-established, reputable travel advisor who specializes in expedition cruising. If an offer feels suspicious, or if you receive any communication that raises red flags, contact HX directly using the official contact information found on their verified website, not from the suspicious offer itself. Embark on your adventure of a lifetime with complete peace of mind.
Additional Resources
The following are affiliate links, we will receive a commission for any qualifying orders / bookings at no additional cost to you.
Expedia
USA | UK | Canada | Australia | France | Germany | Mexico | Japan | South Korea | Hong Kong SAR | Singapore | New Zealand.
Hotels.com
UK | Canada | Australia | France | Mexico | Denmark | Finland | Norway | Sweden | Japan | South Korea | Brazil | Taiwan | USA.
Vrbo.com
UK | Canada Eng | Canada Fr | USA
Bookabach
Stayz.com
Other
AutoEurope Car Hire - Click Here to Book
Compensair - Click Here to Book
Economy Bookings Car Hire - Click Here to Book
GetRentacar.com - Click Here to Book
ntui.Travel transfer - Click Here to Book
Kiwi.com UK flight, train, and bus - Click Here to Book
Kiwitaxi individual transfer services and private car tours - Click Here to Book
Localrent.com - car rental - Click Here to Book
QEEQ.COM car rental - Click Here to Book
Radical Storage luggage storage - Click Here to Book
SEARADAR sailing yacht rentals - Click Here to Book
Tiqets museums and attractions - Click Here to Book
Trip.com one-stop travel booking services - Click Here to Book
WayAway flight aggregator - Click Here to Book
Welcome Pickups airport transfers - Click Here to Book
Yesim eSIM provider - Click Here to Order
