What To Expect On HX Expedition Cruises After Hurtigruten Split

Forbes

21-03-2025

HX expedition ship 'Fram' will enjoy a major refurbishment as well as the new livery.
Expedition cruises are trending. More travelers than ever before are swapping traditional ocean cruises for smaller, adventure-focused voyages that bring them face-to-face with some of the planet's most remote regions.
One of the biggest names in this space is Hurtigruten, a brand synonymous with Norwegian coastal voyages and polar exploration.
But in early 2025, the company's expedition cruise arm, HX, officially completed its split from Hurtigruten Norway, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the brand, now fully focused on expedition cruises.
So, what does this mean for travelers considering an HX voyage? From a fresh new look to major ship upgrades and ambitious growth plans, here's what to expect from HX Expeditions going forward.
The decision to spin off HX Expeditions as a standalone brand was not taken lightly.
For decades, Hurtigruten has been a leader in Norwegian coastal cruising and, more recently, expedition travel.
However, the two arms of the business serve distinct markets—Hurtigruten's traditional operations focus on voyages along Norway's coastline and other Norway-focused products, while HX specializes in adventure-driven expedition cruises to the Arctic, Antarctica, and beyond.
The new dark blue and sand livery of HX is a big departure from the previous bright red and black.
With demand for expedition cruising growing, HX needed to establish its own identity. The separation allows HX to focus exclusively on expedition travel, ensuring clearer branding, a more distinct market position, and dedicated investments in its fleet and guest experience.
HX continues to offer expedition itineraries to Norway, including winter voyages that explore the Lofoten Islands and Lyngen Alps in search of whales, seabirds, and the elusive Northern Lights.
Meanwhile, Hurtigruten Norway will continue operating Norwegian coastal voyages with its cruise ferries decked out in the familiar red and black livery.
One of the most visible changes is HX's new branding, which replaces the iconic Hurtigruten red and black with a modern color scheme of what HX calls indigo blue and sand.
The new livery, said to be inspired by marine wildlife and polar landscapes, ensures HX stands apart from Hurtigruten Norway while still honoring its heritage brand.
This rebrand extends beyond the ships themselves. Guests will notice redesigned materials, a refreshed website, and even new expedition jackets in HX's new signature blue rather than the previous bright red.
As part of its independent growth strategy, HX Expeditions has announced a significant $7.5 million investment in upgrading two of its expedition vessels: MS Fram and MS Spitsbergen.
Named after Fridtjof Nansen's legendary exploration vessel, Fram has long been a favorite among HX guests. The latest refurbishment includes a brand-new Science Center, renovated cabins, upgraded suites, and improvements to the Aune restaurant to elevate the dining experience.
Guests on the revamped 'Spitsbergen' will enjoy enhanced comfort on cruises to Svalbard and other destinations in Arctic Europe.
A ship that spends much of its time touring the Svalbard archipelago and other Arctic destinations such as Iceland and Greenland, Spitsbergen will also receive extensive upgrades.
This includes a new Science Center, refreshed cabins, an updated bar, and the introduction of a bistro for more flexible all-day dining options.
Accessibility improvements and enhanced interpreter setups will make onboard lectures and presentations more accessible to an international audience.
These refurbishments will be completed shortly, ensuring that guests sailing later in 2025 will experience a more comfortable trip.
It also brings two of the line's oldest ships more in line with the premium experience (and pricing) that HX aims to deliver as it moves forward as a standalone brand.
By modernizing these two vessels, HX is not only enhancing comfort and functionality but also reinforcing its position in the market of high-end expedition cruises, where passengers expect premium service, expert-led exploration, and cutting-edge amenities.
The HX rebrand isn't just cosmetic. With fresh investment backing from a consortium of financial partners, the company has secured approximately $150 million to support its future growth. Bookings for 2026 are already up 25%, according to the company.
This capital injection will allow HX to explore new destinations beyond its core polar regions, with upcoming itineraries including South America and the Galápagos.