HX Expeditions Details 2027-28 Mindful Travel Season

HX Expeditions unveiled its 2027-28 season with a strategy of "going deeper, not just further," centering mindful travel and community-led experiences across polar and remote regions. Rather than piling on new pins, the program invests in longer immersion and local partnerships, including co-designed cultural encounters in Arctic Canada, expanded culinary collaborations in Greenland, and more ways to get close to Antarctica through larger kayaking and camping programs. A refreshed HX Explorers loyalty scheme adds a points system and four tiers to reward frequent expedition cruisers.

HX Expeditions' approach for 2027-28

The headline change is philosophical and practical. The brand will keep its core geography, from Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula to Greenland, Svalbard and Iceland, with additional sailings that emphasize slower, deeper experiences. In Greenland, HX plans to work more closely with local partners, adding traditional dishes prepared by Greenlandic chefs and programming designed to connect guests with the region's history and living culture. In Arctic Canada, the line continues a new slate of co-created shore experiences led with Inuit Elders and local residents, designed to foreground Indigenous knowledge with consent, context and fair participation.

In Antarctica, the company is leaning into outdoor access. Kayaking capacity increases and camping opportunities expand, opening more slots for guests to paddle through brash ice or sleep ashore under polar skies when conditions allow. These activities remain weather dependent and will be booked and briefed onboard by the expedition team, but the scale-up signals a more active, hands-on Antarctic offering throughout the season.

Beyond the poles, HX will continue expedition programs in Alaska and Patagonia, plus the North Atlantic arc that includes Svalbard, Iceland and the Scottish Outer Hebrides. The through line is a tighter focus on local expertise, scientific context from the expedition team, and experiences designed to feel hosted by the place rather than superimposed on it.

Latest developments

Two operational updates stand out for trip planning. First, the kayaking and camping expansion in Antarctica, announced earlier, is folded into the 2027-28 schedule, which means more departures and more berths will offer these options. Second, HX is formally rolling out a refreshed HX Explorers loyalty structure with Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers and a points system tied primarily to nights sailed, with additional earn through select onboard activities and occasional at-home engagements. Members can combine early-booking offers with tier benefits on many departures, subject to each sailing's terms.

Analysis

For travelers choosing between expedition brands, the biggest practical change is access. If kayaking on a specific date or camping on a particular itinerary was hard to secure in past years, the expanded capacity should improve odds, although guests should still treat these as contingent activities that may be rescheduled or canceled due to weather, ice or wildlife considerations. Ask how many kayaking slots are available per departure, how the onboard sign-up works, and whether your specific sailing includes camping permits and gear.

The deepening of community partnerships matters most in Arctic Canada and Greenland. Co-designed excursions with Inuit Elders and local staff can shift a day ashore from "show and tell" to participatory learning that respects place, protocol and seasonality. Look for itineraries that publish community-led elements in advance and be prepared to adapt, since responsible operations may change plans around hunting seasons, sensitive wildlife periods or community events.

On loyalty, the points-and-tiers model clarifies progression and recognition. If you are planning multiple expedition cruises within a two- to three-year window, stacking nights on one brand can unlock higher tiers and benefits that offset total trip cost. Read the HX Explorers terms for how points are earned and retained, how status upgrades post after travel, and what benefits apply on mixed-currency or partner bookings. When comparing offers, value onboard credit, activity access, laundry and Wi-Fi realistically against your style of travel.

Background

Expedition cruising differs from conventional cruising. Ships are smaller, routes are flexible and the daily plan can flip with the weather. Activities like kayaking, camping or snowshoeing are capacity-limited and safety-gated. The best programs layer expert interpretation with local voices and give the bridge authority to pivot for wildlife or sea ice. Travelers who prioritize adaptability and learning tend to get the most from these itineraries.

Final thoughts

HX Expeditions' 2027-28 season positions the brand to compete on depth of experience, not breadth of ports. If your priority is mindful travel with more time on the water, on the ice or in community-led settings, the expanded Antarctica activities and Arctic Canada partnerships are the meaningful changes to watch. Enroll in HX Explorers before booking to stack early offers with tier benefits on eligible sailings.

Sources

• HX Launches 2027/28 Season, Going Deeper, Not Just Further
• Introducing Our 2027/2028 Season
• HX Explorers, Loyalty Overview
• HX Explorers Terms and Conditions
• HX Expeditions Partners With Inuits For Arctic Canada Excursions
• HX Expeditions Launches Largest Kayaking and Camping Program in Antarctica
• HX Expeditions Launches 2027-28 Programme
• Introducing HX (Rebrand Background)