HX Hurtigruten Expeditions130 years of history and still a pioneer

For more than a century Hurtigruten has been synonymous with Norwegian maritime tradition. It’s a pastime that has continued right up until the modern day, with a company that is renowned for its incredible innovation, from pioneering cleaner fuels to being among the first travel companies to ban single-use plastics, Hurtigruten has always been at the forefront of the expedition industry. 

Now, with a fleet of five expedition ships, it offers its own brand of environmentally-conscious sailing, right around the world. It has ships based in the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, the Arctic and virtually everywhere in-between. There’s even a refurbished 1956 old Atlantic vessel, the MS Nordstjernen, which sails around Spitsbergen in the summer.

Five facts about HX Hurtigruten Expeditions

• Hurtigruten began operating in 1893 with Captain Richard With sailing along the coast of Norway.
• Hurtigruten Expeditions’ fleet ranges from the 90-guest MS Santa Cruz II (sailing the Galapagos Islands) to the 570 MS Maud (which sails Antarctica and the Arctic).
• It’s not just cold destinations that HX operates in. The company also sails in places like West Africa and the Caribbean.
• The MS Fridtjof Nansen and the MS Roald Amundsen are two of Hurtigruten’s state-of-the-art hybrid powered ships - proving Hurtigruten’s green credentials.
• The company includes gratuities 

Who is HX for? 

HX are for travellers who want to explore the world and are in tune with a Norwegian ethos, mainly: travel sustainably on ships that are packed full of Scandinavian design. There’s no doubt that the newer ships – MS Fridtjof Nansen and the MS Roald Amundsen – are far more comfortable than some of the company’s older ships but, given they stretch some 70 years, that’s hardly surprising.

HX has ships based in the Arctic during the summer and the Antarctic in the winter. The latter offers phenomenal value. However, IAATO (the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) has set rules around ships visiting Antarctica, including one which states that no ship with more than 500 guests can dock on the White Continent. And, when ships do dock, no more than 100 people at a time can get out on the ice. If the ship has more than this number, ice landings will be on rotation. It’s something to be aware of when booking a HX cruise - they offer tremendous value but probably less time on the ice than companies with smaller ships. 

Where can you sail to with HX? 

With eight ships, there aren’t many places you can’t go on a Hurtigruten Expeditions ship. From the Arctic and Antarctica to the Galapagos Islands, the British Isles and Alaska. There are also cruises to tropical destinations like the Caribbean and West Africa 

What’s included onboard? 

• Wifi
• All Inclusive drinks
• Polar expedition jacket
• Digital photo album
• Reusable water bottle
• Activities
• Lectures
• Use of boots, head lamps, trekking poles etc.

Loyalty Programme: