HX goes big for 2028-29 with 26 new itineraries

HX Expeditions has unveiled its 2028-29 season, introducing 57 voyages across 14 destinations worldwide, including 26 new itineraries, two new destinations and five major product innovations.

The expanded programme brings several firsts for the expedition cruise company, including Antarctic departures from Stanley in the Falkland Islands, a new Antarctica and South Georgia itinerary, shorter expeditions in Alaska and Greenland, HX’s first dedicated Scandinavia programme and a 19-day circumnavigation of Baffin Island.

HX is also introducing nine new Ocean Crossing voyages connecting its Arctic and Antarctic programmes.

"The voyages may be new, but the expertise behind them is not," said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions, in a press release. "At HX, exploration is about more than reaching remote destinations. It's 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."

Shorter sailings in Alaska

In Alaska, HX is introducing two eight-day, seven-night Alaska's Inside Passage – Wilderness & Culture expeditions, sailing northbound and southbound between Vancouver and Sitka.

Replacing the company's previous 10- and 13-day itineraries, the voyages include five full days in Southeast Alaska and just one sea day. With no ports shared between the two routes, guests can combine them into a 15-day Vancouver-to-Vancouver expedition without repeating a destination.

HX is also adding two new 17-day Aleutians to Katmai: Wild Alaska Revealed expeditions between Vancouver and Whittier.

Developed in partnership with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders, the itineraries build on HX's community-led approach in Alaska. Kake will join the northbound itinerary, while Elfin Cove will be featured on the southbound route.

New ways to explore Antarctica

HX is expanding its Antarctic programme with a new 19-day Antarctica & South Georgia – Kingdoms of Ice and Wildlife voyage, combining South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula in one expedition.

The company is also introducing Stanley as a gateway to Antarctica. HX says it will be the first major cruise company in more than a decade to begin Antarctic departures from the Falkland Islands.

Its In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition will start in Stanley, combining all three destinations within a shorter timeframe.

HX heads into Scandinavia

HX is also expanding in Scandinavia aboard MS Spitsbergen, including its first sailings into the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia.

The new Sweden & Finland: Autumn in the Gulf of Bothnia itinerary will operate northbound and southbound between Sweden and Finland, visiting the UNESCO-listed Kvarken Archipelago and coastal communities in both countries.

Another itinerary, Southern Scandinavia: Between Norwegian Fjords and Swedish Isles, will connect Copenhagen and Bergen via Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

HX will also offer Norway Cape to Cape – Beyond the Arctic Circle, travelling from Lindesnes to the North Cape with opportunities to see the Northern Lights.

Circumnavigating Baffin Island

In Arctic Canada, HX is introducing the 19-day Into the Northwest Passage – Circumnavigating Baffin Island, one of the company's most ambitious itineraries to date.

The expedition will attempt to transit the Fury and Hecla Strait, a route rarely navigated by expedition vessels, while exploring eastern Baffin Island, the High Arctic and Foxe Basin.

The itinerary combines wilderness exploration with Inuit culture and history, including visits to Qikiqtarjuaq and Kinngait.

Greenland gets shorter option

HX is adding an eight-day, seven-night Discovering West Greenland – Icebergs & Communities of Disko Bay itinerary, offering a shorter way to explore the destination.

Operating via Nuuk with no sea days, the itinerary includes Disko Bay, the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord and communities including Kangaamiut and Maniitsoq.

HX will also offer Exploring the Garden of Greenland voyages between Reykjavik and Nuuk, bringing its Greenland programme to itineraries ranging from eight to 15 days across the country's west, south, east and northern regions.

Record Svalbard season

HX will operate 23 Svalbard departures in 2028, marking its longest season in the archipelago to date.

For the first time, the programme will extend into September, giving travellers the opportunity to experience the transition from the Midnight Sun toward darker nights and the potential return of the Northern Lights.

Voyages will operate aboard MS Spitsbergen and MS Fram, alongside the return of Arctic Islands Discovery – Svalbard, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland.

In the Galápagos, HX will continue operating year-round aboard MS Santa Cruz II, with established itineraries including Galápagos Islands – In Darwin's Footsteps and Galápagos Islands – Nine of the Best Isles, as well as extensions incorporating Machu Picchu.

Nine new Ocean Crossings

Rounding out the new programme are nine Ocean Crossing voyages designed to turn traditional repositioning sailings into expedition experiences of their own.

The Atlantic and Pacific crossings will feature extended days at sea alongside lectures, workshops, wildlife watching and time with HX's expedition teams.

Select voyages will call at destinations including Bermuda, Cape Verde, Salvador, Recife and Golfito, while other additions include a sailing to Seville via the Guadalquivir River and Pacific itineraries visiting Huatulco and La Paz.

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