Since 1896, HX has been taking curious travelers on mindful expeditions to the most remote and awe-inspiring places on the planet. Today they invite you to join them on an expedition with HX - and change the way you see the world
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions Ships
| Ship Name | Star Rating | Year Built | Gross Tonnage |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Fram |  |
2003 | 16,151 |
| MS Fridtjof Nansen | |
2020 | 20,889 |
| MS Roald Amundsen | |
2019 | 20,889 |
| MS Santa Cruz II | |
2002 | 2,264 |
| MS Spitsbergen |  |
2009 | 7,344 |
5 HX Hurtigruten Expeditions Ships
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions Overview
To travel with HX is to open yourself to a world of awe. From cultural encounters to wildlife wonders, what you see and learn on your trip will inspire and energize you. And when you come back home, you'll have a deeper, richer love of the planet.
Expedition cruising - done right - can have a positive impact on the places HX Hurtigruten visits, whether that's helping restore a marine ecosystem, protecting endangered animals, or lending support to a local community.
Since HX Foundation was launched, they have supported more than 150 projects in 23 different countries. They don't just donate money and move on, they are actively engaged in every project, and they measure their impact. Each one aligns with the stated missions to help preserve endangered wildlife, battle marine litter, and support local communities wherever HX sails.
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions Destinations
Cruise to Alaska and you'll experience the thrill of visiting an epic wilderness, from stunning scenery and rich culture to iconic wildlife. With vast forests and towering mountain ranges, Alaska a place of breathtaking beauty. On the Alaska cruises, keep an eye out for eagles and bears while exploring the varied landscape on foot or in a kayak, and experience the country's unique culture as you explore Gold Rush era towns.
A visit to Antarctica is the experience of a lifetime, at the very top of every intrepid traveller's list of dream destinations. Start planning your HX adventure here, with the global leader in Antarctica cruises. Exploring the pristine, other-worldly continent of Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime dream for many. To cross the Drake Passage and reach the last great frontier - a place where the sun glints off sculpted ice and wildlife reigns supreme - is truly a life-changing experience.
Visit port cities, towns and villages across England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales on the British Isles cruises. Immerse yourself in the culture of the British Isles and learn about the history of distinct nations within the UK and Ireland. Discover the wild beauty of its isolated islands and beaches. Sail into Scottish lochs and English estuaries and encounter enchanting wildlife along the way.
Discover a different side of this incredible region. The Central America and Caribbean cruises take you where the big ships can't: sleepy fishing villages, small coastal communities and remote islands. Immerse yourself in the tropical wildlife, diverse ecosystems and pre-Columbian history as you visit Belize, Costa Rica, Columbia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico and Panama.
Explore Europe expedition-style. You'll experience nature, wildlife, history and culture as HX Hurtigruten Expeditions visits some of Europe's top coastal destinations and cruise to secluded gems and wild island archipelagos. Enjoy shore landings, birdwatching, hiking and kayaking as you tour historic ports, and discover UNESCO treasures and picturesque fishing villages.
Join HX Hurtigruten Expeditions on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage of discovery as HX Hurtigruten Expeditions witnesses the iconic wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the Galapagos Islands. This remarkable archipelago is where Darwin developed his theory of evolution, and even today it remains an ecology hotspot and a haven for nature lovers. Sailing aboard the comfortable and small expedition ship Santa Cruz II, and with a team of expert local guides to accompany HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, you'll find out for yourself just why these islands are one of the most inspiring places on the planet.
There's nothing routine about the pole-to-pole expedition cruises. They can be as beautifully unpredictable as a breaching whale - and every bit as awe-inspiring. Feel with all your senses the variety and beauty of the world as you voyage across the hemispheres. HX Hurtigruten Expeditions has pioneered exploration with learning since the first expedition cruise in 1896.
Greenland will take your breath away. Surrounded by a vast network of glaciers and glittering fjords, you'll cruise past calving icebergs in Disko Bay, hike along pristine beaches and green valleys, and see photogenic wildlife. Experience Greenland's culture and traditions as you visit colourful settlements and join exciting activities with your Expedition Team.
An Iceland expedition offers steaming volcanic landscapes, vast glaciers, gushing waterfalls, and bubbling hot springs. Visit Iceland and experience incredible sights and discover birds in Iceland and rest of the wildlife including whales.
Join HX Hurtigruten Expeditions on an exploration of North America's remarkable coasts. Whether you choose the east or west coast, you'll discover national parks, nature reserves, towering mountain landscapes, historic seaports, charming towns and vibrant cities. Join landings with the knowledgeable Expedition Team and see the wealth of culture, stunning scenery, and diverse wildlife the continent has to offer.
Sail through the wild and isolated Northwest Passage and venture into the wild as you journey off the beaten track in Arctic Canada aboard a modern ice-class expedition ship. HX Hurtigruten Expeditions will probe this fabled route in the same spirit as the pioneers who sought to prove its existence. Using the small expedition boats HX Hurtigruten Expeditions will land at historic exploration sites, visit remote Inuit communities, and kayak amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
Norway is a country that demands to be explored rather than just seen, so HX Hurtigruten Expeditions has designed the ultimate expedition cruise that really shows you the heart of Norway. New for January 2026, this unique adventure explores four regions above the Arctic Circle in winter. You'll experience the glacial majesty of the Lyngen Alps, the dramatic beauty of the Lofoten Islands, the forested mountains of Vesteralen and the serenity of Senja.
The extraordinary diversity of South America's landscapes, wildlife and history make it a rich, colourful and exciting region to explore. It's a land of dense rainforests, glacial fjords, ancient ruins, sandy beaches and bustling cities - ripe for active adventure. From the Scarlet Macaw to the wild guanaco, the Expedition Team will help you spot South America's most famous animals.
Sprawling glaciers, jagged mountain formations and scenic fjords - Svalbard showcases Arctic beauty in all its rugged, pristine splendour. As Svalbard travel experts, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions will show you the must-see highlights but also the lesser-known gems.
Deep dive into the wonders of the sea on a science and relaxation focused transoceanic cruise. Come with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions on a journey of scientific discovery at sea learning with the Expedition Team, and unwind in the serenity of the open ocean.
Onboard Activities - What to do on HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
By joining the ships, you have chosen to embark on an immersive learning experience, discovering the people, places, and wildlife across the breathtaking destinations. You will have the opportunity to support real-time research and help to collect valuable data that will contribute to the conservation and understanding of the planet.
Science & Education Program: HX Hurtigruten has designed the Science & Education program to give you this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the state-of the art on-board Science Centers are the cherry on top. There are citizen science projects on board for you to get involved with, along with the scientific partnerships and collaborations HX has been proud to support.
Daily expeditions: Handpicked experts from a range of fields will lead you on discoveries each day, whether on shore or on board. Join the Expedition Team on hikes, community visits, and small boat trips before heading back to the ship and hearing fascinating talks in the lecture hall, as well as your briefing on the next day's schedule. Optional premium activities like kayaking are available to guests for an extra fee, depending on the destination.
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions Ships
MS Maud: MS Maud, previously MS Midnatsol, is named after one of the most famous polar vessels of all time, Roald Amundsen's 'Maud' from 1917.
MS Santa Cruz II: With carbon-neutral operations, MS Santa Cruz II is environmentally-sustainable and socially conscious with the local community.
MS Spitsbergen: MS Spitsbergen is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway - the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest island, Spitsbergen.
MS Fridtjof Nansen: The newest addition to the fleet will honor the heritage of her namesake - the Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen.
MS Roald Amundsen: In 2019, Hurtigruten Expeditions added a brand new ship to its fleet: MS Roald Amundsen. The state-of-the-art vessel features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that will reduce fuel consumption and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible.
MS Fram: The original Fram was the most famous explorer ship of her time, and the achievements of her Arctic and Antarctic expeditions are the stuff of legend.
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions All-Inclusive Experience
An HX trip includes everything from daily excursions and activities to the onboard Science Center, meals, gratuities, drinks, and more. All designed to give you the expedition experience of a lifetime.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, every day: With a huge range of options, you can indulge in nearly anything your appetite desires. Start the day with an impressive buffet breakfast before moving on to a mouth-watering menu of a la carte choices later in the day. Of course, that includes house wine and beer and soft drinks.
- A warm welcome to the sauna, hot tubs and more: Make some time to relax in your ship's onboard sauna and hot tubs - they really make returning from the day's adventures that much more rewarding!
- Delicious coffee, tea, and soft drinks all day: Choose from a variety of hot and cold drinks, from a caffeine boost in the morning to a sugar rush after lunch. Refill stations for your OceanBottle are located throughout the ship, keeping you hydrated without using any single-use plastics.
- All-inclusive drinks: Enjoy a glass of wine or beer at the Pool Bar before dinner. Or unwind in the evening with a cocktail in the Explorer Lounge. Whatever you're in the mood for and whenever you like, drinks are available throughout the day and evening at no additional cost (excluding premium drinks).
- Gratuities included: Fantastic service is standard at HX, and they will never add discretionary charges onto your bill. If you'd like to leave something extra, its always appreciated.
- Expedition gear and water bottle yours to take home: All guests receive a polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX exploration kit for the area you're exploring. And as the first cruise brand to ban single use plastics, all guests receive a complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home.
- Professional photos of your trip: Every expedition is the trip of a lifetime, and they have a professional onboard photographer on each ship who'll capture stunning images from your voyage. You will receive these as a beautiful digital album after you've returned home as part of your HX Expedition Logbook.
- Wi-Fi at no extra cost: They offer Starlink Wi-Fi on all the ships. Be aware that they often sail in remote areas with limited connection and streaming isn't supported.
- Dining Options: Indulge on almost anything your appetite desires across a huge list of delicious choices that almost rival the memories you'll make off the ship.
