HX Expeditions Cruises

Wherever you are in the world, you can expect to enjoy truly exquisite food aboard HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ ships; with delicious dishes inspired by local cuisines made from sustainably-sourced ingredients, you’ll find stylish specialty restaurants and comfortable casual dining venues across the fleet. So, if you’re just looking for some fuel ahead of your next shore excursion, you don’t need to worry about dressing to impress; though, when the sun starts to set, there’s certainly nothing stopping you making an event of your evening!

The restaurants you’ll find on ships in the HX Hurtigruten Expeditions fleet include:

• Lindstrøm - a stylish specialty restaurant named after popular Norwegian chef Adolf Lindstrøm; fine dining here is included for suite guests and available at an additional cost for everyone else onboard
• Restaurant Fredheim - doubling as a comfortable social meeting space, this relaxed venue is named after a 1900s hunting station on Svalbard and serves street food classics throughout lunch and dinner
• Restaurant Aune - open all day, this casual restaurant is where you’ll find buffet-style meals inspired by Scandinavian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere
• Beagle Restaurant - with a wide variety of culinary experiences on offer, and dishes made with locally-sourced organic ingredients, you’ll find some truly exquisite eats here

With this fleet made of custom-built expedition vessels of varying sizes, the specific dining venues available during your HX Hurtigruten Expeditions holiday will vary from ship to ship. Be sure to check the ship pages for more information.

While you won’t find Broadway-style stage shows and action-packed video arcades onboard HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ ships, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any entertainment. With windows in abundance and a comfortable lounge offering panoramic views on every ship, everyone onboard can sit back with a drink in-hand and relish in remarkable views of some of the world’s most remote destinations while at sea.

And, throughout, you’ll find a team of resident experts delivering informative presentations on the world around you – enhancing your experience both onboard and ashore.

While HX Hurtigruten Expeditions are more than happy to welcome children aboard, children under 5 are not allowed on itineraries sailing to Antarctica and South Georgia – and, for safety reasons, children under 12 will only be able to participate in select shore excursions.

HX Hurtigruten Expeditions also does not provide any child care, kid’s clubs, or family-orientated activities onboard; although, much of what is available onboard can be enjoyed by guests of all ages.

With a whole host of wonderful itineraries whisking you away to some of the most fascinating places in the world, anyone sailing aboard a HX Hurtigruten Expeditions ship can enjoy exploring the frozen tundras of Antarctica, admire some of the most remote spots in the Arctic Circle, relish in the rugged wilderness of Alaska, and experience the enigmatic Galapagos Islands – among more of the top underrated cruise destinations out there and places you won’t find anywhere else. These are all places you could consider among the best cruise destinations for walking and hiking enthusiasts too.

And, with educational entertainment an important part of what HX Hurtigruten Expeditions offers, teams of resident experts will accompany you on every expedition cruise to these stunning destinations, enriching your experience onboard and making each stop on your itinerary that much more rewarding.

While you’re not going to find any production shows, video arcades or casinos, you’ll still find yourself with plenty of things to do aboard HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ ships.

Throughout your sea days and during your time onboard between shore excursions, you’ll have the chance to take advantage of the state-of-the-art wellness facilities onboard – a stunning sauna and well-equipped fitness room among them – and unwind in the calm atmosphere of the panoramic lounge on each ship – a great place to soak in sensational views while sipping on something refreshing.

HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ ships are also home to teams of experts who host informative presentations and intriguing lectures about a variety of topics, including the natural history of the region you’re sailing through, the local culture of these destinations, and the regional cuisines – which you’ll find explored further in the onboard restaurants. All of this is complemented by Science Centres, where you’ll find science equipment and further information to deepen your understanding of the areas you’ll be exploring. With deck-side hot tubs on top of all that, where you can soak your muscles while you soak in the stunning scenery, you’ll be far from bored aboard a HX Hurtigruten Expeditions ship.

HX Hurtigruten Expeditions vs. Hurtigruten

What is the difference between Hurtigruten and HX Hurtigruten Expeditions? It’s a valid question, and one we have the answer for.

Despite still being part of the Hurtigruten Group, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions is an entirely separate entity to Hurtigruten; where Hurtigruten ships cover coastal cruises to some of the most stunning spots in Norway and Scandinavia, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions sail to the world’s most remote locations on smaller, expedition-style experiences. You’ll still be getting the same excellent service and memorable experiences throughout, but HX Hurtigruten Expeditions ships sail to a variety of unique destinations you just won’t find on Hurtigruten itineraries.

To find out more about the differences between HX Hurtigruten Expeditions and Hurtigruten, check out our blog – Hurtigruten vs HX Hurtigruten Expeditions – right here, where we go into all of this in more detail.

Stay Connected with Starlink Wi-Fi

HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ fleet are equipped to take advantage of powerful Starlink Wi-Fi – an advanced satellite-based internet network that brings faster internet speeds and better stability to some of the most remote locations in the world. So, wherever in the world you’re enjoying your expedition, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll be able to stay connected on your mobile device.

On all HX Hurtigruten Expeditions ships, you can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi via Starlink; however, streaming is currently not supported.

Shore Excursions with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions

Sailing to some of the most remarkable – and remote – destinations in the world, any adventure aboard a HX Hurtigruten Expeditions ship is one to remember. When it comes to shore excursions, you can expect to enjoy escorted landing aboard small expedition boats and the opportunity to loan all the equipment you need for any of the excursions and activities available – which includes boots and trekking poles, although there’s nothing stopping you bringing your own! Either way, this guide to packing for different climates will come in handy.

It’s important to note, though, that all planned excursions and activities are subject to change and dependent on weather conditions. A mandatory medical screening form must be completed by everyone embarking on an expedition cruise to Antarctica, too – one of the more extreme climates HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ itineraries include.

HX Hurtigruten Expeditions' Loyalty Program, HX Explorers

If you want to make the most of your adventure with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, then joining HX Explorers is the perfect plan; this is HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ new loyalty program, replacing the 1893 Ambassador program in place – though, if you were already a member of that, you’ll be automatically enrolled as a HX Explorer member.

From the moment you join HX Explorers at Level 1, you’ll be met with unique rewards to enhance your experience onboard. And, every time you sail, you’ll work towards reaching Level 2 and enhancing the rewards you earn even more.

As you can see below, here’s what’s on offer with Level 1 and Level 2 of the HX Explorers program.

HX Explorers - Level 1

• HX Explorers Competition entry
• 5% discount on excursions
• In-cabin welcome fruit basket
• Dedicated Loyalty Manager services
• 10% discount at Hurtigruten Svalbard’s Longyear87 shop in Longyearbyen
• 10% discount at selected restaurants in Longyearbyen
• 25% off Waterhaul Sunglasses
• 10% off all Bracenet products
• 66% off a Wanderlust print subscription
• 80% off a Wanderlust digital subscription
• 10% discount at Helly Hansen online store
• 10% off all CEWE photo products
• 15% discount on all Strawberry Hotels in the Nordic and Baltics
• 10% off all Ocean Bottle products online
• 20% off Priority Pass membership

HX Explorers - Level 2

• HX Explorers Competition entry
• 5% discount on all Expedition Cruises
• 5% discount on excursions
• In-cabin welcome fruit basket
• New onboard loyalty cocktail
• Dedicated Loyalty Manager services
• Exclusive Svalbard Hotels and Day Trips offers
• 15% discount at selected restaurants in Longyearbyen
• 15% discount at Hurtigruten Svalbard’s Longyear87 shop in Longyearbyen
• 25% off Waterhaul Sunglasses
• 12% off all Bracenet products
• 66% off a Wanderlust print subscription
• 80% off a Wanderlust digital subscription
• 20% discount at Helly Hansen online store
• 15% off all CEWE photo products
• 15% discount on all Strawberry Hotels in the Nordic and Baltics
• 20% off all Ocean Bottle products online
• 20% off Priority Pass membership

Anyone at all interested in travel and HX Hurtigruten Expeditions can join HX Explorers, whether you’re a complete newcomer or a seasoned explorer, and take advantage of these sensational rewards. If you’re part of the Hurtigruten loyalty program already, you will need to also sign up to HX Explorers to enjoy the benefits – they’re two separate programs, but you can join both and enjoy all the rewards.