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130 Years of Exploring the World
130 Years of Exploring the World
HX Expeditions toasts its legacy in true Norwegian style.
In the summer of 1896, HX Expeditions departed from Hammerfest, Norway to Svalbard—the archipelago between Norway and the North Pole—on a sailing that marked the world’s first expedition cruise. Now, 130 years later, HX’s fleet of five ships continues to bring curious travelers to the world’s most awe-inspiring places, including Antarctica, Alaska, the Northwest Passage, and more. Here are five ways guests can celebrate this milestone year.
1. Stay in a Limited-Edition 1896 Ship Cabin.
The immersive overnight experience aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen invites guests to step back into 1896 with period furnishings, a hidden bar, vintage maritime artifacts, and even a custom scent inspired by salt air and aged timber. All bookings support the HX Foundation, the independent charity arm that helps local communities and environmental initiatives in the coastal regions where HX ships sail.
2. Enjoy a Traditional Norwegian Menu.
Just for 2026, HX’s chefs at onboard restaurants Aune and Lindstrøm are creating authentic Norwegian dishes that draw from the fjords and forests that sustained early voyages. Expect cured Arctic char, traditional lamb stew scented with spruce, cod with dill beurre blanc, and kvæfjordkake—Norway’s national cake made with crunchy meringue, toasted almonds, vanilla cream, and tart cloudberries, aka “arctic gold.”
3. Sip Wine Shaped at Sea & Toast Early Explorers.
This year, Weingut Regele’s premium Zweigelt wine travels pole to pole aboard HX’s ships, the journeys deepening the flavors and complexities by shifting climate and constant ocean motion. The renowned, seventh-generation family-run winery champions sustainable farming, producing premium Zweigelt wine with notes of plum, dark berries, dried fruit, and spices. The celebration continues at the bar with the 1896 Cocktail, a limited-edition anniversary drink inspired by HX’s Scandinavian and oceanic heritage. Blending rum, aquavit, and apricot, it’s served in a traditional enamel cup with a piece of chocolate—a decadent treat in late 19th and early 20th-century expedition life.
4. Be Part of the Next Chapter.
HX’s anniversary isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about shaping the future of exploration. Offering meaningful ways to get involved, HX invites guests to work alongside experts by tracking whales, sampling glacial ice, or supporting frontline science projects onboard. Every experience offers the chance to contribute to a greater understanding of the places they explore.
5. Receive Special Anniversary Offers.
When travelers book a journey in 2026, they receive up to 25 percent off all-inclusive expectations (discounts vary by destination), or a complimentary suite upgrade.
Did You Know?
HX Expeditions now supports 41 environmental, cultural and social projects in 11 different countries. These range from helping endangered orcas in the Pacific Northwest to securing safe spaces for vulnerable Greenlandic children.
HX is a founding member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), organizations that work to establish sustainable tourism in polar regions by limiting ships and shore visits, and creating guidelines that protect fragile environments and rare wildlife.
HX’s two new hybrid-powered expedition ships, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, are built with state-of-the-art technology including battery packs, heat recovery systems, and a cutting-edge hull design. These innovations combine to reduce carbon emissions by more than 20 percent, compared to other cruise ships of the same size.
In 2018, HX said goodbye to unnecessary single-use plastic including cups, straws, cutlery, and water bottles. In addition, onboard shops feature natural wool clothing rather than microplastic-made fleece.
HX is dedicated to supporting the local communities its guests visit by trading locally and sourcing services such as food produce and excursions from local suppliers.
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