HX Hurtigruten Expeditions

Unlocking the Power Citizen Science for Polar Research.   Yesterday I had the honour of presenting our findings at the @SCAR Open Science Conference with Elizabeth Leane from the University of Tasmania (UTAS). This partnership has been key in tapping into UTAS’s ocean conservation expertise and elevating our efforts to harness the power of our Science & Education Program.  In the 2023-24 Antarctic season alone, over 1,600 cruise nights aboard our vessels welcomed 80+ researchers working on 30 different projects, and our guests contributed over 23,000 data submissions to citizen science projects! These contributions are invaluable for advancing research in hard-to-reach polar regions where funding and infrastructure are often limited.  But the real beauty of this collaboration is the transformative experience it provides our guests. Preliminary results from our ongoing research with UTAS suggest that many of our guests leave with a deeper understanding of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems—and a renewed commitment to conservation.   This is just the beginning. With the polar expedition industry only scratching the surface of its potential, we’re excited to continue exploring how tourism can be a powerful force for scientific discovery and environmental protection.   I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next!  #PolarResearch #CitizenScience #OceanConservation #TourismForGood #Collaboration #UTAS #ScienceInAction #HXHurtigrutenExpeditions

We're proud to present our project ‘’Exploring the Unseen’’. In partnership with Marine Biologist Dr Manuel Novillo, we used Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) from our hybrid-electric ship MS Roald Amundsen to study the ecosystems of the West Antarctic Peninsula. The footage and samples from the ROVs help with important scientific research led by Dr Novillo to reveal ecosystems hidden deep beneath the Antarctic Ocean. These ROVs also allow guests on our expeditions to explore the environment at a deeper level, sometimes even taking the controls. Learning more about our world and contributing to the science that helps us better understand what an expedition is all about. "Exploring the Unseen" is supported by Hurtigruten Foundation and was shown this week at the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference, the world's largest Antarctic science conference. HX’s Chief Scientist, Dr Verena Meraldi, and Tudor Morgan, VP of Sustainability, Guest Learning & Industry Relations were there in person to present.

This week, two of our incredible team members—our Chief Scientist, Dr. Verena Meraldi, and Tudor Morgan, VP of Sustainability, Guest Learning & Industry Relations—are attending the SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)) Open Science Conference (OSC), the world's largest Antarctic science conference. With over 900 experts gathering to discuss Antarctic research, this is the place to be for those committed to the preservation of one of the planet’s most fragile environments. 🌱❄️ Dr. Meraldi will be co-presenting two thought-provoking abstracts with scientists we have hosted on HX expeditions: 𝟏. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 "𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧", launched aboard the MS Roald Amundsen last season. 𝟐. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 (𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐒), who will explore the impact of science exposure on our guests during their expeditions. But at HX, our commitment goes beyond simply providing support. We donate over 1,600 cruise nights for scientists each year, backing more than 30 third-party research projects. More importantly, we believe in standing side by side with the scientific community—co-authoring, co-creating, and taking action to protect these fragile destinations. Attending the SCAR OSC is more than just a presence; it's our pledge to be part of the solution for long-term Antarctic protection. Stay tuned for more updates from this impactful week of research and discovery! #HXHurtigrutenExpeditions #SCAR2024 #AntarcticResearch 

⭐ 🏆 ⭐ We're incredibly proud to share that our Rapid Response Fund is a finalist for the Expedition Cruise Initiative of the Year at the Seatrade Cruise Awards. The Rapid Response Fund is a specialized grant mechanism that empowers HX ships to take immediate action and allocate funds directly from the #HurtigrutenFoundation if they encounter an urgent need in a community they are visiting. The innovative framework was developed from the experiences of Expedition Leaders and Science Coordinators who interact with local communities throughout our sailings.

💚 🐢 💚 The Environmental Women Organization, proudly supported by the #HurtigrutenFoundation, are protecting the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle on Colombia’s Atlantic Coast. The project includes: 🌊 🐢 the creation of a 9,800-hectare marine protected area 💪 📚 training 300 indigenous Narakajmanta youths in marine reptile conservation 🥼 🔍 creating a first aid lab for injured turtles By addressing threats such as illegal trafficking, habitat destruction and unregulated fishing, the project promotes sustainable practices, raises environmental awareness, and strengthens local conservation capacities. 📷: Environmental Women Organization #HX #SeaTurtle #TurtleConservation

At HX, we care about the ecology and wildlife of the destinations we visit - and we want our guests to be at the forefront of our efforts. As a part of our onboard educational program we invite our guests to experience our Science Boat where they can contribute to active scientific research connected to the regions we visit. In 2023 alone, we collaborated with over 80 researchers from leading scientific institutions on board our ships. Guided by our expert onboard scientists, our guests were able to make 23,600 data submissions, significantly contributing to critical research worldwide. Simply sign-up onboard to take your own place at the forefront of Science with our experts on the ship!

💙 🐋 💙 With continuous support from the #HurtigrutenFoundation, Oceans Initiative are trying to save North America's critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. They are developing non-invasive methods to monitor whale health, building climate resilience into conservation strategies and implementing technologies to protect Chinook Salmon, the whales' primary prey. And with a new grant for 2024 from the Hurtigruten Foundation the initiative aims to mitigate human-induced threats such as noise pollution and prey scarcity. 📷: Oceans Initiative

💙 🐢 💙 With support from #HurtigrutenFoundation and others, TURTLE FOUNDATION protected over 1,000 nests of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle from poachers on the Cape Verdean Island of Boa Vista in the 2022 nesting season - and we’re proud to continue supporting their #conservation efforts in 2024. Their work on the island includes setting up protection camps to safeguard nesting females from poachers, rescuing stranded turtles, and conducting regular beach clean-ups to reduce marine litter. The foundation also engages in extensive environmental education and community outreach programs. Additionally, they employ and train local rangers, promoting local employment and environmental stewardship. 📸: Turtle Foundation

We’re thrilled to announce that we've been ranked the #2 'Best Small-ship Ocean Cruise Line' for 2024, as voted by Travel + Leisure readers! 🏆 Each year, Travel + Leisure invites its readers to share their travel experiences from around the world. For the 2024 survey, over 186,000 readers cast more than 700,000 votes, evaluating over 8,700 properties, including hotels, cities, and cruise lines.   Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/ewSAZeHy

We are thrilled to announce that HX has been selected by National Audubon Society as their exclusive travel partner.    This exciting collaboration aligns our mutual dedication to conservation and sustainability, offering ten unique Audubon Voyages to the Galápagos Islands, Antarctica and Alaska.    At HX, we pride ourselves on leading sustainable expeditions, and this partnership enhances our commitment to protecting the wildlife and habitats we explore. Each Audubon Voyage is curated by our Science & Education team, in collaboration with Audubon experts, to provide unparalleled bird-watching experiences with the guidance of trained ornithologists and local naturalist guides.    Join us on these extraordinary journeys and gain insights into diverse bird species and their behaviors. As part of our partnership, Audubon members enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on Audubon Voyages and 5% off all other HX cruises: https://ow.ly/u5vi50SycPh