HX Expeditions

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Small-ship polar and wilderness expeditions, guided by scientists and naturalists.

Small-ship polar and wilderness expeditions, guided by scientists and naturalists

Search HX voyages

8 departures available

HX voyages

About HX Expeditions

HX Expeditions is an expedition cruise line whose roots go back to Norway's Hurtigruten, founded in 1896. It became a separate, independently owned company in 2025 and is run from London. Its ships sail to Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, the Galápagos and remote coasts of Europe. The emphasis is on landings, wildlife and learning rather than resort-style cruising.

Each voyage carries an Expedition Team that leads the small-boat landings, lectures and Citizen Science projects, based in an onboard Science Centre. Most fares include meals, house wine, beer and spirits, Wi-Fi, gratuities and a windproof, waterproof expedition jacket. Many itineraries also include the connecting flights and a hotel night before sailing.

HX Expeditions: key facts

Fleet
5 ships: MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen, MS Fram, MS Spitsbergen, MS Santa Cruz II
Voyages on this site
8 upcoming voyages
Where it sails
Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic, Alaska, Galápagos, British Isles
Voyage length
7 to 24 nights
Fares from
R121,200 per person · 2 sharing · meals, house drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi & expedition jacket included
Included in the fare
All meals · House wine, beer & spirits · Wi-Fi · Expedition jacket · Small-boat landings, lectures & Science Centre · Walking poles on loan · Connecting flights & a pre-cruise hotel night · Gratuities
Not included
International flights · Travel insurance · Kayaking, camping & snowshoeing · Spa treatments
Deposit
25% deposit; the balance is due 90 days before departure
Booking
Request to book: a Whitestar specialist confirms availability and the price in rand
Age rules
Children must be at least 5 on Antarctica and Galápagos voyages. Under-12s join small-boat landings only with the captain's agreement. Children aged 2–15 sharing with two adults get 50% off the cruise portion of the fare. Antarctica guests complete a medical screening form.

Our Ships

The Fleet

Every ship we book for HX, with guest numbers. Ask us about cabins, deck plans and the best ship for your voyage.

  • HX Expeditions

    MS Roald Amundsen

    Built in 2019 as one of the first hybrid-powered expedition ships, with a Polar Class 6 hull. She sails to Antarctica and Alaska.

    490guests
  • HX Expeditions

    MS Fridtjof Nansen

    Roald Amundsen's hybrid-powered sister, built in 2020. All of her 245 cabins are outside cabins.

    490guests
  • HX Expeditions

    MS Fram

    Built in 2007 with a 1B ice-class hull and refurbished in 2025, when she gained a new Science Centre.

    200guests
  • HX Expeditions

    MS Spitsbergen

    Rebuilt in 2016 and refurbished in 2025, a small ship that fits into narrow fjords.

    150guests
  • HX Expeditions

    MS Santa Cruz II

    HX's ship in the Galápagos, refurbished in 2021.

    90guests

Where HX sails

Destinations

Choose a region to see the HX voyages we can book for you there.

Booked exclusively through

WHITESTARCRUISES

Plan a holiday with HX

Our South African cruise specialists handle everything — flights, pre-cruise stays, visa guidance and shore excursions — so you can focus entirely on the voyage.

  • One specialist from enquiry to homecoming
  • Quotes in rand, with flights and hotels if you need them
  • Free advice, no obligation to book

Prefer to talk?

011 463 3293

Questions? Ask a specialist

No obligation. We reply within 4 business hours with answers and a quote in ZAR.