HX Expeditions is one of the oldest and most immersive expedition cruise companies in the world.
TravelPulse sat down with its CEO, Gebhard Rainer, to take a deeper look into HX’s ethos of responsible, sustainable travel and new traveler experiences ahead of its 130th anniversary next year.
Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions. (Photo Credit: HX Expeditions)
TravelPulse (TP): HX Expeditions has undergone major changes in recent years, splitting off from Hurtigruten and repositioning itself on its own. How do you expect the line to grow and change over the next five years or so?
Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions (GR): HX and Hurtigruten officially split portfolios in December 2023, making it easier for guests to distinguish between the global expedition product and the Norwegian coastal service. As of February, 2025 we are now legally separated, with HX being a stand-alone entity. As we approach 130 years as the pioneers of expedition cruising, this independence allows us to sharpen our identity: one rooted in mindful adventures, science, sustainability, and education for curious travelers.
Over the next five years, we’ll continue to build on that foundation. Sustainability and science remain at the forefront of who we are, we are always looking for new ways to innovate while reducing our environmental footprint. We want to create unique and unforgettable experiences for our guests. At the same time, a priority is strengthening the HX brand and expanding our global market presence. That means investing in advisor partnerships, improving product knowledge, and ensuring our B2B support helps agents grow their expedition sales with confidence.
The Americas market is central to this strategy. We’ve expanded our team here, tailoring our product specifically to this audience with an all-inclusive model and shorter trip durations that better fit American traveler preferences. Demand across our core destinations continues to perform well, with strong bookings already secured into 2026/27. Revenue in the last quarter was up year-over-year for 2026, fueled by 50% growth from the U.S.
Looking ahead to our 130th anniversary in 2026, we’ll celebrate with milestone programming such as a total solar eclipse voyage in Greenland, new Northern Norway expeditions, and expanded offerings in Alaska and Antarctica. These steps, combined with a clear brand identity, dedicated global team, and nearly 130 years of heritage, position HX to remain the leading expedition cruise company.
An excursion with HX Expeditions. (Photo Credit: Ted Gatlin/HX Expeditions)
TP: You have decades of leadership experience at giant resort and hotel companies. How does that experience help you lead HX Expeditions?
GR: I spent more than 25 years at Hyatt Hotels, then as President & COO at Coach, and later as CEO of Sandals Resorts. At Sandals, through the Sandals Foundation, I worked closely with local communities, giving guests meaningful ways to give back and demonstrating the value of hospitality rooted in authenticity and purpose.
That philosophy carries directly into HX. Giving back and working hand-in-hand with local communities is central to our approach. In Arctic Canada, for example, we are introducing new excursions co-designed with Inuit Elders and residents, with 100% of revenue returning to local hosts and artists. These initiatives ensure our guests engage deeply with the people and traditions of the Arctic, while the benefits stay within the communities themselves.
Understanding the changing demands and desires of guests is something that my experience in hospitality brings to HX. Recognizing what simplifies an experience for a traveler (for example, the all-inclusive approach we have adopted at HX) allows us to focus on the experiential aspect of mindful travel.
My career has given me a deep appreciation for the responsibility we hold as leaders in travel: to leave the places and people where we explore better than when we came.
TP: Sustainability is a huge focus for the travel industry right now. How does HX Expeditions view sustainability, and how will you enhance it?
GR: HX leads the expedition cruise sector in sustainability: we were the first to eliminate heavy fuel oils, the first to ban unnecessary single-use plastics, and the first to launch hybrid-powered cruise ships. We have also received third-party recognition as the most sustainable cruise company.
For us, ESG is about consistent progress; pushing year after year to achieve more. In recent years, HX has reduced total CO₂ emissions by 27%, introduced an itinerary planning tool to redesign routes for lower carbon impact, and achieved a 48% reduction in food waste per guest night through new culinary training.
All of this is detailed in our 2024 ESG report, one of the most transparent in the industry. That transparency is critical: it builds trust and creates the foundation for systemic, industry-wide change, allowing us all to work together toward a more sustainable future.
The new grant funding will fund a bird rescue quarantine area at SEA LIFE TRUST sanctuary in Iceland. (Photo Credit: HX Expeditions)
TP: Tell me a bit about the HX Foundation. Why is it important to invest in conservation and education initiatives and allow locals to help craft itineraries?
GR: The HX Foundation, established in 2015, has supported more than 150 projects across 23 countries with a mission to preserve endangered wildlife, combat marine litter, and support local communities.
Greenland is a good example of this impact in action. The Foundation has contributed over $186,000 to youth education, mental health, and cultural preservation, building trusted, long-term relationships that open doors for authentic guest experiences—from sharing a kaffemik in a local home to joining a community soccer game.
Beyond the Foundation, HX is the only expedition cruise line with a dedicated Greenland-based role shaping its itineraries. Every voyage features cultural ambassadors like Inuk storyteller Aleqatsiaq Peary and chef Inunnguaq Hegelund, who launched HX’s Greenlandic culinary program. By putting locals at the center of the experience, our expeditions become more than tourism; they let communities tell their own stories while giving guests rare opportunities that create lasting value for Greenlanders.
TP: HX is operating expeditions in emerging destinations like Greenland. Where else might we find HX expanding in the future?
GR: For 2026, we’re expanding in Alaska with new itineraries, including a nine-night option designed for travelers seeking a shorter but immersive journey from Vancouver to Seward.
In Norway, we’re launching a Northern Lights expedition entirely above the Arctic Circle. Inspired by friluftsliv (“free air life”), the itinerary immerses guests in outdoor living and winter wellness. Following our split from Hurtigruten, this is our chance to showcase HX’s vision of Norway, with highlights including snowshoeing, night hikes, bonfires under the aurora, a private island visit, and a floating sauna with a polar plunge.
Our strategy is not just about adding new pins on the map, but about going deeper in the destinations we already sail. In Arctic Canada, we are introducing new excursions co-designed with Inuit Elders and residents, giving guests authentic, community-led experiences. And in Antarctica, we’re launching the largest kayaking and camping program in the industry, expanding capacity so more guests can experience the continent up close.
HX in Greenland (Photo Credit: HX Expeditions)
TP: What makes expedition cruising with HX Expeditions different from other cruise lines, especially ones that treat expeditions as just another product?
GR: Unlike many operators who rely on part-time contracted staff, our expedition leaders are employed full-time. That consistency means our teams aren’t just guides—they’re experts who return to the same destinations season after season.
Science and education are another key differentiator. HX was the first to appoint a Chief Scientist and today supports more third-party research than any other cruise line. In 2024 alone, we donated nearly 2,000 cabin nights to 87 scientists studying everything from whale health to ice melt and climate change impacts.
Every ship is a platform for real-world research. Guests travel alongside working scientists, attend their lectures, and even participate in citizen science. Last year, they submitted more than 30,000 observations to programs like HappyWhale and eBird, helping global scientists collect critical data.
Our science and education program, combined with our community-first partnerships, leaves guests with a deeper understanding and respect for the places they explore.
Wildlife viewing with HX. (Photo Credit: HX Expeditions)
TP: What do you want travelers to take with them when they leave an HX Expeditions cruise?
GR: Our goal is that guests don’t just visit destinations; they return transformed. Whether it’s collecting ocean samples alongside a scientist, dining on locally sourced Greenlandic cuisine, or kayaking among whales in Antarctica, our voyages are designed to be life-changing, creating meaningful connections with the places explored.
Our daily lives are increasingly fast-paced and demanding; we want our guests to consciously slow down, to actively use their senses, and to live their emotions through the unique experiences our teams have crafted. We also want them to reflect on the importance of mindfulness toward the sensitivities of the areas they travel to (wildlife, flora and fauna, communities, and climate) and to see the world with different eyes.
My hope is that travelers leave with a deeper sense of responsibility for the planet. That sense of purpose is the most meaningful souvenir of an HX journey.
TP: Anything you’d like to add?
GR: 2026 marks our 130th anniversary, and we’ll celebrate with milestone programming: from a total solar eclipse sailing in Greenland to expanded itineraries in Antarctica, Alaska, and Northern Norway. More than a milestone, it’s a legacy we aim to honor by leading responsibly through science, sustainability, and community collaboration.
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