HX becomes first commercial cruise line to visit Old Harbor, Alaska

HX Expeditions has become the first commercial cruise line to call at Old Harbor, an Alutiiq community on Kodiak Island, marking what the company says is a milestone in its commitment to community-led exploration in Alaska.

The inaugural visit took place on Aug. 2 aboard MS Roald Amundsen, a hybrid battery-powered cruise ship, during HX's Alaska & British Columbia | Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands voyage.

Located on the southeastern coast of Kodiak Island, Old Harbor is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Kodiak Archipelago and is home to a rich Alutiiq cultural heritage.

Developed in partnership with Old Harbor Native Corporation (OHNC), the visit offered guests the opportunity to experience the community through local stories, traditions and perspectives.

“Welcoming HX Expeditions to Old Harbor marks an important milestone for our community,” said Kristina Woolston, CEO of OHNC, in a press release. “This partnership reflects our commitment to sharing Alutiiq/Sugpiaq culture, history, and values in a way that is guided by the community and benefits the people."

“At OHNC, we are committed to creating opportunities that strengthen our community while honoring the values that have sustained our Indigenous people for generations,” said Lillian O'Brien, Board Chair of OHNC. “We are proud to showcase Old Harbor in a way that reflects our culture, supports our people, and creates lasting opportunities for future generations.”

The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor

Ahead of HX's inaugural call, the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor passed a formal resolution endorsing the visit and supporting the opportunity to share the community's culture, history and values with visitors.

As part of the community's preparations, local artists and Elders reconstructed a traditional village home, known as a ciqlluaq.

The project was created to support the visit and future visitors to Old Harbor while helping preserve and share Alutiiq/Sugpiaq heritage for generations to come.

During the visit, HX guests were introduced to life in one of Kodiak Island's oldest Alutiiq communities.

Guided by community members, guests toured the village, visited the Russian Orthodox Church, learned about food security initiatives at the community's hydroponic farm and heard how subsistence practices remain central to community life.

The experience concluded at the Nuniaq Center, where residents showcased traditional arts and crafts, including beadwork, carving, painting and jewelry-making, and invited guests to participate in augca'aq, a traditional Alutiiq dart game.

To mark the inaugural call, community leaders presented the ship's captain with a ceremonial paddle, a traditional symbol of welcome, friendship and safe passage. Guests and crew also participated in celebrations commemorating the historic occasion.

"We believe communities should have a voice in how tourism develops and how their stories are shared," said Sam Imes, Alaska Expedition Product Planner at HX Expeditions, in a statement.

"Working alongside Old Harbor Native Corporation has allowed us to create an experience that reflects the community's vision for tourism while giving guests a meaningful connection to this remarkable place."

Following the inaugural visit, Old Harbor will be included in HX's 2027 program.

HX says it is the only global expedition cruise line offering dedicated Aleutian Islands voyages, including an 18-day northbound expedition and an 18-day southbound expedition.

The company plans to continue expanding access to remote Alaskan destinations.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.