HX Expeditions Launches 2028/29 Season with 26 New Itineraries

HX Expeditions has launched its 2028/29 season, introducing 57 voyages across 14 destinations worldwide, including 26 new itineraries, two destinations new to the company, and five major product innovations.

The new programme spans Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, Arctic Canada, the Galápagos Islands, and a series of Ocean Crossing voyages connecting the Arctic and Antarctica. Highlights include HX’s first dedicated Scandinavia programme, new departures to Antarctica from the Falkland Islands, shorter itineraries in Alaska and Greenland, and a new circumnavigation of Baffin Island in Arctic Canada.

“The voyages may be new, but the expertise behind them is not,” said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions.

“At HX, exploration is about more than reaching remote destinations. It is about how you experience them: with insight, intention and respect. The 2028/29 season builds on more than 130 years of expedition heritage, creating new ways for guests to connect with the people, wildlife and landscapes that make these places so extraordinary.”

New Alaska Expeditions

HX is reshaping its Alaska programme with two new Alaska’s Inside Passage – Wilderness & Culture expeditions. The eight-day, seven-night voyages will operate between Vancouver and Sitka in both directions, replacing the previous 10- and 13-day sailings.

The new format includes five full days exploring Southeast Alaska and just one day at sea. Because the northbound and southbound itineraries visit different ports, guests can combine both sailings into a 15-day round-trip journey without repeating destinations.

The company is also expanding its longer Alaska offerings with two new Aleutians to Katmai: Wild Alaska Revealed voyages. These 17-day expeditions will operate between Vancouver and Whittier, featuring new port calls including Kake on northbound departures and Elfin Cove on southbound sailings.

Antarctica Expands with Falklands Departures

For the 2028/29 season, HX is introducing a new 19-day itinerary, Antarctica & South Georgia – Kingdoms of Ice and Wildlife, combining the wildlife-rich island of South Georgia with the Antarctic Peninsula.

Another key development is the launch of In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition voyages departing from Stanley in the Falkland Islands. According to HX, this marks the first time in more than a decade that a major cruise company has used the Falklands as a gateway to Antarctica.

First Dedicated Scandinavia Programme

A major addition to the HX portfolio is its first dedicated Scandinavia programme aboard MS Spitsbergen.

New itineraries include:

• Sweden & Finland: Autumn in the Gulf of Bothnia, sailing between Sweden and Finland and featuring the UNESCO-listed Kvarken Archipelago.
• Southern Scandinavia: Between Norwegian Fjords and Swedish Isles, connecting Copenhagen and Bergen while exploring Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
• Norway Cape to Cape – Beyond the Arctic Circle, a voyage stretching from Lindesnes to the North Cape.

New Arctic Canada Circumnavigation

HX is also expanding its Arctic Canada portfolio with the launch of Into the Northwest Passage – Circumnavigating Baffin Island.

The 19-day expedition will attempt a transit of the remote Fury and Hecla Strait and includes visits to communities such as Qikiqtarjuaq and Kinngait, offering guests deeper access to the Canadian Arctic.

Greenland Programme Grows

Greenland receives a significant boost with the introduction of Discovering West Greenland – Icebergs & Communities of Disko Bay, an eight-day, seven-night itinerary operating through Nuuk.

The voyage features visits to Disko Bay, the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, Kangaamiut, and Maniitsoq, with no sea days planned.

HX will also continue offering Exploring the Garden of Greenland voyages between Reykjavik and Nuuk. Across the broader Greenland programme, itineraries will range from eight to 15 days.

More Svalbard and Galápagos Sailings

The company plans 23 departures to Svalbard in 2028, extending its operational season into September for the first time.

MS Spitsbergen and MS Fram will continue operating core Svalbard itineraries, while the popular Arctic Islands Discovery – Svalbard, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland voyage returns to the schedule.

In the Galápagos Islands, HX will maintain its year-round programme aboard MS Santa Cruz II, including the established itineraries Galápagos Islands – In Darwin’s Footsteps and Galápagos Islands – Nine of the Best Isles. Selected extensions featuring Machu Picchu will also remain available.

Nine New Ocean Crossings

The 2028/29 season will introduce nine new Ocean Crossing voyages spanning both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Planned port calls include:

• Bermuda
• Cape Verde
• Salvador
• Recife
• Golfito
• Seville via the Guadalquivir River
• Huatulco
• La Paz

These voyages are designed to connect HX’s Arctic and Antarctic programmes while offering exploratory experiences in lesser-visited coastal destinations.

Season by the Numbers

Across the 2028/29 programme, HX reports:

• 57 voyages
• 14 destinations
• 26 new itineraries
• 1,288 ports of call
• Average voyage length: 11 nights
• Shortest voyage: 6 nights
• Longest voyage: 25 nights
• Maximum distance covered: 6,650 nautical miles

The new season represents one of HX Expeditions’ most extensive programme expansions to date, with a strong focus on shorter expedition formats, new embarkation gateways, and broader regional coverage across both polar and non-polar destinations.