The Ultimate Guide to HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions): Science, Sustainability, and the Poles

If you have been browsing expedition cruises lately, you might have noticed a new two-letter name popping up everywhere: HX Expeditions. You might be wondering who these guys are and where they came from. The answer is both simple and a little complicated. HX is the new, re-branded identity of Hurtigruten Expeditions. They aren't the new kids on the block; in fact, they are arguably the grandparents of the entire industry.

To understand HX, you first have to untangle the Norwegian knot of their history. For over 130 years, the name "Hurtigruten" (which translates to "The Fast Route") has been synonymous with the iconic coastal ferry that travels up and down the Norwegian coast, carrying mail, locals, and tourists from Bergen to Kirkenes. That service still exists, and it is wonderful, but it is not an expedition.

Over the decades, the company started sending ships further afield—to Antarctica, Svalbard, and the Amazon. Eventually, the product became so distinct from the coastal ferry that they decided to split the company in two. So, to clear the confusion once and for all: "Hurtigruten" refers to the coastal coastal route in Norway. "HX" refers to the global expedition fleet that sails to the ends of the earth.

This rebrand signals a massive shift. HX is positioning itself as the leader in "mindful adventure." They are the company for travelers who care deeply about their carbon footprint, who want to participate in citizen science projects, and who prefer a sauna and a lecture on glaciology over a casino and a cabaret show.

The Basecamp at Sea Concept

When you step aboard an HX ship, the first thing you notice is the atmosphere. They call it a "basecamp at sea," and the description is perfect. The design is distinctly Scandinavian—think light woods, wool blankets, fireplaces (vapor-based, for safety), and floor-to-ceiling glass. It feels like a high-end ski lodge that happens to float.

This "basecamp" ethos extends to the daily rhythm. The ship is viewed primarily as a tool to get you out into the world. The luxury here isn't gold taps and white-glove butlers; the luxury is efficiency and access. The "mudrooms"—the staging areas where you gear up for excursions—are spacious and designed to move hundreds of people onto Zodiac boats (they call them "Explorer Boats") quickly, maximizing your time on the ice or the beach.

The dress code reflects this. There isn't one. You will see people wearing wool sweaters and hiking pants to dinner. High heels are actively discouraged (ships move, after all). It creates a very egalitarian, relaxed vibe. You are there to explore, not to be seen. If you are looking for formal nights and captain’s tables, you are on the wrong ship. If you want to compare notes on penguin behavior over a local craft beer while wearing your socks, you are home.

The Science Center is the Heartbeat

On most cruise ships, the atrium or the pool bar is the center of the action. On an HX ship, it is the Science Center. This isn't a dusty library tucked away in a corner; it is the focal point of the vessel, usually located on a prime deck with huge windows.

The Science Center is packed with high-tech microscopes, rock samples, skeletons, and large screens. It is the domain of the Expedition Team. Unlike typical cruise staff, these aren't entertainers. They are ornithologists, marine biologists, geologists, and historians. They don't just give lectures; they hang out in the Science Center helping you analyze a sample of plankton you collected earlier that day or explaining the geological formation you just photographed.

This focus on education is central to the brand. They run extensive Citizen Science programs where guests participate in real research—counting penguin populations, measuring cloud cover for NASA, or tracking whale migrations. It makes you feel like an active participant in the protection of the places you visit, rather than just a passive tourist passing through.

Sustainability and the Hybrid Revolution

If environmental impact is a major concern for you, HX is likely your best option. They have staked their entire reputation on being the most sustainable cruise operator in the world. They were the first major line to ban heavy fuel oil (the dirty stuff most ships burn) over a decade ago, and they were the first to ban all single-use plastics on board—you won't find a plastic straw or water bottle anywhere.

But the real headline is their hardware. Their flagship vessels, the Roald Amundsen and the Fridtjof Nansen, are the world’s first hybrid battery-powered cruise ships. They can shut down their engines and run on battery power for short periods. While they can't cross an ocean on batteries alone, this technology allows them to sail silently into sensitive fjords or near wildlife without noise or emissions. It’s a profound experience to stand on the deck in Antarctica and hear nothing but the crack of the ice because the engines are silent.

They are also retrofitting their older ships to lower emissions and are currently researching a zero-emission ship project for the future. For HX, sustainability isn't a marketing buzzword; it’s an operational mandate.

The Fleet: From Hybrids to Classics

The HX fleet is a mix of the ultra-modern and the capable classics. The stars of the show are the aforementioned hybrid sisters, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. Carrying around 500 passengers, these ships are stunning examples of Nordic design. They feature infinity pools, outdoor hot tubs, three restaurants, and massive LED screens in the atrium soaring up seven decks.

Then there is the MS Fram. Built specifically for polar waters, the Fram is smaller (around 200-300 guests) and legendary among expedition cruisers. It is designed with a special hull to operate in deeper ice than most passenger ships. It’s less "boutique hotel" and more "serious tool," beloved by those who want to get deeper into the rougher areas of Greenland and Antarctica.

Another unique vessel is the MS Spitsbergen. This ship is small and highly maneuverable, often used for their more technical itineraries in the Arctic. It feels cozy and intimate. Finally, for the Galápagos, they use the Santa Cruz II. This is a fully refurbished expedition vessel stationed year-round in the islands, offering a specific layout designed for the unique logistics of the National Park.

Destinations: The Polar Specialist

Given their Norwegian heritage, it should surprise no one that HX is the gold standard for Norwegian coastal cruising. But their polar ambitions extend far beyond their home waters. They operate extensive programs in Antarctica (Peninsula, South Georgia, the Ross Sea), the High Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, the Northwest Passage, Franz Josef Land), and the Sub-Antarctic (Falklands, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha). Their itineraries are genuinely diverse and often adventurous in ways that competitors simply don’t attempt. The MS Roald Amundsen holds the honor of completing the Northwest Passage in a single season, a route of historic significance that few expedition operators touch.

Beyond polar, HX sails West Africa, Iceland, Ireland, and Scotland. They go to places that other expedition lines treat as exotic, and they do it consistently, not as a one-off charter. For travelers who want to add a Faroe Islands or Svalbard departure to their polar ambitions, HX often has options when others don’t.

The Science Credentials

The marine biologists, geologists, and historians who lead HX expeditions are not hired to read from scripts. They are working scientists and researchers who are in these environments because they have academic or professional reasons to be there. The Citizen Science Program takes this further: guests are invited to contribute meaningfully to real research by logging wildlife sightings, measuring water samples, or monitoring ice coverage data that feeds into ongoing climate studies. This is not a gimmick. The data HX collects through its expedition programs has been used in peer-reviewed publications. For the science-oriented traveler, this is an offering with genuine intellectual weight.

The hybrid-electric propulsion system on the Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen also contributes directly to HX’s environmental research program. Reduced emissions in sensitive polar environments is both the practical and the principled position here: HX was built by a company that has been sailing Norwegian coastal routes since 1893 and has watched those environments change over decades. The sustainability commitments are not marketing. They are operational philosophy.

Who Is the HX Guest?

The HX guest is typically someone who ranks the destination above the ship. They want the wildlife, the ice, the landings, the science — and they’re not going to pretend that the quality of the onboard mattress is their primary concern. They tend to be well-traveled, curious, and value authenticity over ceremony. Many are repeat polar travelers who have already done a flagship luxury expedition and are returning because they want more landing time or a more mission-driven atmosphere.

Solo travelers do particularly well with HX: the brand has structured solo-friendly pricing for many sailings, and the onboard atmosphere — communal, intellectually engaged, slightly informal — lends itself to meeting other travelers in a way that the more formal luxury ships don’t always replicate.

If you want to go to the destination first, the ship is HX’s basecamp. If you want a butler, look elsewhere. If you want to see the world with the people who invented the concept of taking travelers to the edge of the map, HX is your basecamp.

Wondering how HX compares to the other operators in the space? Our interactive Antarctica ship comparison tool covers all 28 ships we book across 11 operators — filter by expedition style, budget, and must-have features.