VIEW FINDER
Beyond the Ice
Beyond the Ice
HX brings together exploration and environmental purpose in the world’s wildest places.
The wind whips across the deck as the ship leans into the Drake Passage, slicing through a stretch of sea where weather writes its own rules. Swells build while the ship presses south, chasing a continent still shaped by wind and ice. In the lounge, a marine biologist traces plankton migration across a screen while coffee trembles in porcelain cups. This is HX, where the swells are real, the data matters, and impact becomes part of the day.
Science that Doesn’t Stay on the Ship
Each day aboard HX starts with a briefing, but not the kind tethered to cabana rentals or poolside trivia. Instead, you might hear about satellite-tagged whales circling the Antarctic Peninsula or the latest results from a penguin census. Glaciologists, ornithologists, and climate researchers work alongside the crew, transforming the ship into a floating field station. Guests are encouraged to join in logging wildlife sightings, collecting water samples, or analyzing data in the onboard Science Center.
Conservation with a Propeller & a Purpose
As the first cruise line to eliminate heavy fuel oil, HX chose long-term vision over short-term ease. Its hybrid-powered ships—MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen—run with battery packs, heat recovery systems, and a hydrodynamic hull that cuts emissions by over 20% compared to similar vessels. They represent the most ambitious investment in HX’s 130-year history.
HX helped found the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators and remains a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. These two organizations set rigorous environmental standards in the polar regions. Together, they restrict ship sizes, regulate shore visits, and enforce wildlife guidelines to protect the places that define this kind of travel.
Transformative, Not Transactional
To explore with HX is to witness a change in the landscape and maybe in yourself. You watch a glacier calve, then learn how satellite imagery measures the loss. You help map plastic pollution or spot krill blooms that forecast the planet’s health. The questions linger longer than the itinerary: What does it mean to see what’s vanishing? To stand at the edge of a continent and feel small but newly aware? HX believes travel can shift perspective. And when guests disembark, that shift often sticks. Some reduce their own carbon footprints, others fund science they learned about onboard. Many become climate advocates not out of guilt but from a deeper understanding.
After the Anchor Lifts
Beyond the horizon, the impact continues. HX currently supports 41 environmental, cultural, and social projects across 11 countries. In the Pacific Northwest, efforts focus on protecting endangered orcas. In the Galápagos, teams monitor seabird colonies facing rising threats. In Greenland, funding helps create safe spaces for vulnerable children. And in Canada’s Arctic, Inuit elders preserve oral histories through community-led storytelling.
They’re real lives, real places, and part of the reason HX sails the way it does.
Change the way you see the world.
VIEW FINDER
Beyond the Ice
Beyond the Ice
HX brings together exploration and environmental purpose in the world’s wildest places.
The wind whips across the deck as the ship leans into the Drake Passage, slicing through a stretch of sea where weather writes its own rules. Swells build while the ship presses south, chasing a continent still shaped by wind and ice. In the lounge, a marine biologist traces plankton migration across a screen while coffee trembles in porcelain cups. This is HX, where the swells are real, the data matters, and impact becomes part of the day.
Science that Doesn’t Stay on the Ship
Each day aboard HX starts with a briefing, but not the kind tethered to cabana rentals or poolside trivia. Instead, you might hear about satellite-tagged whales circling the Antarctic Peninsula or the latest results from a penguin census. Glaciologists, ornithologists, and climate researchers work alongside the crew, transforming the ship into a floating field station. Guests are encouraged to join in logging wildlife sightings, collecting water samples, or analyzing data in the onboard Science Center.
Conservation with a Propeller & a Purpose
As the first cruise line to eliminate heavy fuel oil, HX chose long-term vision over short-term ease. Its hybrid-powered ships—MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen—run with battery packs, heat recovery systems, and a hydrodynamic hull that cuts emissions by over 20% compared to similar vessels. They represent the most ambitious investment in HX’s 130-year history.
HX helped found the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators and remains a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. These two organizations set rigorous environmental standards in the polar regions. Together, they restrict ship sizes, regulate shore visits, and enforce wildlife guidelines to protect the places that define this kind of travel.
Transformative, Not Transactional
To explore with HX is to witness a change in the landscape and maybe in yourself. You watch a glacier calve, then learn how satellite imagery measures the loss. You help map plastic pollution or spot krill blooms that forecast the planet’s health. The questions linger longer than the itinerary: What does it mean to see what’s vanishing? To stand at the edge of a continent and feel small but newly aware? HX believes travel can shift perspective. And when guests disembark, that shift often sticks. Some reduce their own carbon footprints, others fund science they learned about onboard. Many become climate advocates not out of guilt but from a deeper understanding.
After the Anchor Lifts
Beyond the horizon, the impact continues. HX currently supports 41 environmental, cultural, and social projects across 11 countries. In the Pacific Northwest, efforts focus on protecting endangered orcas. In the Galápagos, teams monitor seabird colonies facing rising threats. In Greenland, funding helps create safe spaces for vulnerable children. And in Canada’s Arctic, Inuit elders preserve oral histories through community-led storytelling.
They’re real lives, real places, and part of the reason HX sails the way it does.
Change the way you see the world.
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Hello travel enthusiasts! With a passion for travel that spans over 25 years, I have dedicated my life to exploring the world and assisting others in doing the same. My journey in the travel industry has taken me to countless destinations, enriching my understanding of diverse cultures and unique experiences. This extensive travel has not only fulfilled my own wanderlust but also enabled me to help hundreds of clients plan their perfect vacations. From working with some of the country's largest agencies to running my own, Frankel Travel Planners, I have honed my skills to make travel arrangements seamless, enjoyable, and tailored to everyone’s desires.
At Frankel Travel Planners, the spirit of travel knows no bounds. We are passionate about turning your travel dreams into reality, ensuring every detail is meticulously planned and every experience is unforgettable. Whether you're seeking a relaxing getaway, an adventurous expedition, or a cultural immersion, we are here to guide you ...