Aleqatsiaq Peary
Greenland (Ilulissat and Qaqortoq)
By 2026, Greenland will be transformed by new airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, direct U.S. flights via Newark–Nuuk, and a rare solar eclipse crossing East Greenland.
New in Greenland
- Expanding air access: New international airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq will debut by 2026, making nearly all destinations reachable within 90 minutes.
- Direct U.S. flights: Last month, United Airlines announced it will resume nonstop Newark–Nuuk service in summer 2026.
- Rare total solar eclipse: On August 12, a solar eclipse will sweep across East Greenland; HX will host a dedicated expedition.
Why HX
- Greenland-based expertise: HX has operated Greenland expeditions for more than 20 years and is the only cruise line with a dedicated Greenland-based position focused on shaping its itineraries. By working closely with local communities, partners, and ambassadors — including Inuk storyteller Aleqatsiaq Peary (great-great-great-grandson of Robert Peary, the first person to reach the North Pole), Air Greenland, and renowned chef Inunnguaq Hegelund (who launched HX’s new Greenlandic culinary program in 2025 and returns in 2026) — HX ensures every voyage is deeply rooted in Greenland.
- Seamless access amid limited infrastructure: With Greenland’s hotels and tours often at capacity (and reports of its tourism infrastructure under strain), expedition cruises provide the most practical way to explore the country’s fjords, glaciers, and coastal communities, where 97–98% of the population lives.
MS Fridtjof NansenSustainability & community commitment: Hybrid-battery powered MS Fridtjof Nansen is among the safest and most sustainable ships worldwide. The HX Foundation has contributed over €186,605 to youth education, mental health, and cultural preservation in Greenland.
MS Fridtjof Nansen - More ways to go in 2026: Nine Greenland expeditions, including two timed with United’s Newark–Nuuk flights (HX was the first to offer Greenland Cruises with Roundtrip Flights from New York).
- August 12th Eclipse: HX’s Solar Eclipse Expedition will head to Scoresby Sund, one of the world’s best vantage points for the phenomenon. With the captain repositioning the ship to follow the path of totality, guests are assured the best possible viewing conditions. Guest speakers include experts from NASA, Space.com, and a renowned astrophysicist.
Svalbard
In 2026, new regulations and guide certification requirements make expedition cruising the only practical way to responsibly explore Svalbard.
New in Svalbard
- Stricter protections reshape 2026 travel: Rules from 2025 cap landings at 43 sites, limit ships in protected areas to 200 passengers, ban drones, and enforce wildlife distances; expedition cruising is now the only way to access the archipelago responsibly.
- Field activities under new oversight: Camping and independent travel now require permits and polar bear safety measures. In 2026, travelers must plan with licensed operators.
- Certified guides become the new standard: From January 2026, all field activities must use certified guides, with full enforcement by July 2027.
Why HX in Svalbard
- Celebrating 130 Years with First Voyage to Svalbard: In 1896, HX pioneered expedition cruising with the “Sportsman’s Route” to Svalbard (sailings were later led by Otto Sverdrup, a famed captain in the Heroic Age of Exploration). In 2026, HX marks its 130th anniversary with upgraded suites, onboard lectures, and special events.
- Connecting with the world’s northernmost community: Sailings includes an overnight in Longyearbyen (a stop many operators skip), giving guests valuable time to experience local culture and support community businesses.
Navigating new regulations with industry leadership: HX’s VP Expedition Development, Karin Strand, chairs AECO’s Executive Committee, ensuring itineraries comply with new rules while still maximizing guest experience.
Polar Bears - 2026 Itineraries at a Glance: HX will offer seven Svalbard itineraries (20 departures), including five sailings of Circumnavigating Spitsbergen: In the Realm of the Polar Bear. New itineraries launched in 2025 add an extra sea day for flexibility, lower emissions, and better access to the ice edge.
Norway
In 2026, Norway introduces a new tourist tax, advances toward net-zero, and rides the wave of dark-sky travel. HX returns to its homeland with a brand-new Arctic Norway expedition.
New in Norway
- Tourist levy: A new 3% tax on overnight stays and cruise passengers will fund sustainable infrastructure like trails, restrooms, and natural sites.
- Rise of noctourism and astrotourism: With light pollution rising, demand for dark-sky and aurora travel is booming. Northern Norway, with pristine skies and the Aurora Borealis, is one of Europe’s last frontiers for nighttime adventure.
The world’s first expedition cruise line, born in Norway, returns home: Founded in Norway in 1896, HX pioneered expedition cruising with the “Sportsman’s Route” to Svalbard. After separating from Hurtigruten Group and rebranding this year, 2026 marks HX’s return to its homeland, bringing its own version of Norway to life with the new Ultimate Norway – Arctic Expedition under the Northern Lights, a seven-night journey above the Arctic Circle. Inspired by friluftsliv (“free air life”), the itinerary immerses guests in outdoor living and winter wellness. Unlike fixed-route cruises, HX’s expeditions are flexible, adapting in real time to weather, wildlife, and nature’s conditions for an optimal experience. Highlights include snowshoeing, night hikes, bonfires under the aurora, a private island visit, and a floating sauna with polar plunge.
Northern Lights
Arctic Canada
In 2026, Arctic Canada becomes more accessible than ever, with new air routes via Greenland, global visibility from Netflix’s North of North, and HX’s Inuit co-created excursions expanding after their 2025 pilot.What’s New in Arctic Canada- New gateway via Nuuk: Greenland’s 2024 international airport opening allows Northwest Passage voyages to begin from Nuuk (reaching Nunavut and the Canadian Arctic sooner).
- Cultural spotlight from Netflix: The 2025 series North of North, filmed in Iqaluit with an Inuit cast and crew, brought Arctic life to global screens and sparked new curiosity about Inuit culture.
- Accessibility from ice melt brings responsibility: Once frozen year-round, the Northwest Passage is now seasonally more accessible due to warmer waters. Vessel traffic rose 44% between 2013 and 2019, and with new access via Nuuk, demand is set to grow, making ethical, community-led tourism more important than ever.
- Community-led excursions (2025 pilot, expanding in 2026): HX launched the first Inuit co-created excursion program in Arctic Canada.
Why HX in Arctic Canada
- Reframing The Northwest Passage: For centuries, explorers risked their lives searching for a sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific. Today, sailing the passage remains rare; more people have summited Everest than completed this voyage.
- Community-first model with real impact: Launched in 2025 (and expanding in 2026), new excursions, such as bannock making, Arctic char fishing, storytelling, and community bingo nights, were co-created with Inuit communities in Pond Inlet, Gjoa Haven, and Cambridge Bay. 100% of revenue stays in Nunavut, reinvested through Hamlet councils or local entrepreneurs.
- Trust built through co-development: Where ships once “came and went without conversation,” HX works with communities to ensure tourism reflects their priorities. For travelers, this means going beyond landscapes and wildlife to engage with people and culture. For communities, it means income, agency, and pride in telling their own stories.
Web: https://www.travelhx.com/en-au/destinations/alaska-cruises/
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