A photo of DS Lofoten. DS Lofoten was the vessel used for the company's very first 'expedition voyage' in 1896—between Hammerfest and Spitsbergen in Svalbard. The image is courtesy of the Hurtigruten Museum.

Press release - 2 April 2025 10:00

HX Expeditions Celebrates 130 Years as Experts in Expeditions with Special Anniversary Offers and Activities

2026 Marks a Historic Milestone with Exclusive Events, Offers, and Surprises for Guests and Media

02 April 2025 – As HX Expeditions, the world's first and longest-running expedition cruise company, gears up for an extraordinary year and is proud to announce the upcoming celebration of its 130th Anniversary in 2026, marking over a century of pioneering polar expeditions and unforgettable voyages. To commemorate this monumental milestone, HX is rolling out an exciting range of special offers, exclusive activities, and memorable moments throughout the year, providing guests with unique opportunities to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Already announced was the limited-edition 130th Anniversary badge that honours the company's very first expedition voyage in 1896—between Hammerfest and Spitsbergen in Svalbard—HX is setting the stage for an unforgettable year. Additionally, HX have now confirmed that guests will see special culinary surprises, special science lectures and even a special 130th Anniversary cocktail will be served throughout the year, bringing the celebration to life with a delicious twist.

Exclusive Anniversary Offers and Special Moments

In addition to these exciting keepsakes, HX will offer a variety of special experiences to celebrate its long-standing history in the world of exploration. Starting today (2^nd April 2025), all new guests booking can take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to upgrade their cabins for 2026 expeditions. This exclusive offer allows guests to upgrade to a Suite for the price of a ‘Arctic’ Superior Cabin—this is a limited-edition deal for those wanting to elevate their polar voyage experience and for new bookings only.

“We’re incredibly excited to mark 130 years of polar exploration,” says Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX. “This is not just a celebration of our past, but also of our future. In 2026, we’re offering our guests something totally unique—a chance to be part of history and experience limited-edition moments that will last a lifetime. It’s a year of celebration, and we’re thrilled to have our guests with us as we continue our journey forward.”

*Magnus Winvold has been named as HX's official 130th anniversary Historian and Storyteller*

Special Activities and Surprises for 2026

Guests can look forward to a full calendar of extraordinary events and surprise moments as part of HX's 130th Anniversary festivities, including:

An Official 130th Anniversary Historian and Storyteller - Magnus Winvold: Join Magnus on select voyages for exclusive talks about HX's rich history and its legacy in polar exploration.
Limited Edition 130th Anniversary Cocktail: Sip on a specially crafted cocktail designed to celebrate the company's 130 years of adventure.
Special Dining Offering: Indulge in several special 130 years curated dining experiences that highlights the finest in expedition cuisine.
Surprise and Delight Moments: Keep your eyes peeled for unexpected surprises on board throughout 2026, as HX celebrates with unique guest experiences.
Limited-Edition Ocean Bottle: A special 130th Anniversary Ocean Bottle will be available only to guests travelling in 2026—perfect for those looking to commemorate their voyage.
130 Years of Northern Lights Science Lecture: Delve into the fascinating history of Northern Lights capture over the last 130 years with a special lecture on the evolution of scientific data capture.
Photo Competition: Show off your photography skills by entering HX's 130th Anniversary Photo Competition and share your memories from these once-in-a-lifetime journeys. More details to be announced later this year.
HX Foundation Fundraising Initiative: HX will also be setting a special fundraising target to support conservation and sustainability projects through its dedicated charity the HX Foundation.

*An artist impression of the type of 'Limited Edition' Ocean Bottle that guests sailing in 2026 will receive. Note - colour and design may change.*

Special Booking Offers for 2026

To make this anniversary year even more special, HX is offering exclusive booking promotions from April 2nd to June 30th. Guests can take advantage of:

Suite Upgrade Offer for New Bookings: Celebrate 130 years with HX by upgrading to a Suite for the price of a Superior Cabin—available for a limited time only and for new bookings only. All new guests booking an Arctic Superior will get a suite.

Additional Special 130th Anniversary Offers: A range of exclusive discounts and packages will be available throughout 2025 for the celebration year, allowing guests to enjoy an unforgettable experience at limited edition prices. Look out for the special ‘130 years’ labels.

A Year to Remember

“2026 truly is a year of celebration for us,” continues Gebhard Rainer. “How we continue to lead the way in sustainable and meaningful travel means this celebration should leave a legacy – something that both guests and the communities we visit will remember. With all the incredible surprises we have in store for our guests, this is a year they won’t want to miss.”

To learn more about HX's 130th Anniversary celebrations and to make a booking for 2026, visit:

https://www.travelhx.com/en-gb/campaigns/130-anniversary-offers/

Suite Upgrade

https://www.travelhx.com/en-gb/offers/130-anniversary-suite-upgrade/?offer=130-anniversary-suite-upgrade

130 Anniversary

130th Anniversary Offer Exclusive Prices | HX Expeditions UK | HX Hurtigruten Expeditions UK