HX’s 2028–29 plans bring shorter Alaska and Greenland expeditions

HX Expeditions has outlined its 2028–29 season, with new eight-day itineraries in Alaska and Greenland, a voyage pairing Antarctica with South Georgia, and additional routes in northern Europe and the Canadian Arctic.

For cruisers considering an expedition but working within a tighter holiday window, the shorter voyages are a useful addition. They offer another way to plan these destinations, though fewer days should not be taken to mean lower fares.

Greenland and Alaska in eight days

According to HX’s official season launch, its new eight-day West Greenland itinerary includes Ilulissat Icefjord, Disko Island and Eternity Fjord, with no sea days scheduled.

HX also says all West Greenland expeditions in the new season include direct flights from and/or to London, United Kingdom, connecting with Nuuk, Greenland. The direction of the included flight depends on the itinerary; travellers should not assume every sailing comes with return London flights or connections from their home country.

In Southeast Alaska, United States, new eight-day expeditions will operate northbound and southbound. HX says the two routes have little overlap, allowing travellers to combine them for a longer trip.

The Alaska programme includes guided hikes, water-based activities and opportunities to visit Alaska Native communities. Places named by HX include Kupreanof Island, Metlakatla and Katlian Bay, although travellers should check which visits feature on their chosen sailing.

Antarctica and South Georgia together

A new 19-day expedition aboard MS Roald Amundsen will combine Antarctica and South Georgia. HX describes it as its first itinerary dedicated to that pairing.

A separate Antarctic option will begin with a flight from Santiago, Chile, to the Falkland Islands, where passengers will embark in Port Stanley. This is a different routing from the Antarctica–South Georgia voyage, rather than a flight arrangement that applies to both.

Northern Europe and the Canadian Arctic

HX’s northern European expansion includes its first itineraries into the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia, with departures from Kiel, Germany, and Bergen, Norway. The programme also features Sweden’s west coast and coastal Norway.

In Svalbard, Norway, HX lists 22 departures during 2028. Later-season itineraries include attempts to circumnavigate the archipelago; a complete circuit is not promised.

A new voyage sailing round-trip from Nuuk will attempt to circle Baffin Island, Canada, via the Northwest Passage and the narrow Fury and Hecla Strait. HX names Lancaster Sound and Beechey Island among the places travellers may explore. This should be understood as a proposed Baffin Island circumnavigation, not a guaranteed full Northwest Passage transit.

What this means for cruisers

The main benefit is more choice in both expedition length and routing. Alaska’s complementary itineraries offer scope for a longer journey, while the eight-day Greenland option concentrates on the west coast without scheduled sea days.

When comparing departures, look beyond the advertised voyage length: allow for travel to the embarkation point, check exactly which flights are included and confirm the total fare for your cabin occupancy. That applies equally to solo travellers and those sailing with others.

For the Canadian Arctic and Svalbard in particular, book with the exploratory nature of the itinerary in mind. HX describes those circumnavigations as attempts, rather than assured routes.