Is a HX Expedition the right cruise for you?
Experts in Expedition cruising since 1896, HX pride themselves on appealing to the curious traveller, if you are looking for a holiday that will open your mind, allow you to explore the world on an academic level, travel with a sharp focus on environmental impact all whilst enjoying a front row seat to some of the most amazing scenery on earth then this may just be your cruise line!
This year I spent the day onboard MS Maud down in Dover to get a hands on experience of what HX offers. I will start by saying that MS Maud is one of the older ships in the fleet, named after one of the most famous Polar vessels of all time, Roald Amundsen’s ‘Maud’ from 1917. Personally I love the heritage of this cruise line and it is clear that the crew are an amazing team with so much knowledge to share.
Our day started with a presentation from one of the expedition leaders onboard. The experiences that HX offers you is one which is not often seen in the travel industry- not only will HX take you to some of the worlds most far flung destinations but they will also enable you to explore these destinations on a deeper scientific and environmental level. The science centre onboard carries microscopes, books and studies that you can get involved in. Citizen Science Projects enable you to contribute to global studies. But that’s not all, onboard you will be accompanied by a whole range of specialists- geologists, ornithologist, marine biologist to name a few. Sailings offer a range of lectures onboard to expand your knowledge and get the cogs turning! Personally I loved the information dotted all around the ship- everything from whale species to star constellations. HX really want to give you as much exposure to enriching experiences as they can, you can even set up a cabin-call in case something is going on during the evening that you don’t want to miss. Imagine being woken up to get up on the top deck to see the Aurora Borealis!
Accommodation onboard MS Maud is varied- the lead in cabins are basic with a small window, twin beds and en suite (perfect if travelling with friends). I would recommend staying in a suite though as they offer more space, double beds and a nicer view.
Communal spaces throughout the ship are all very comfortable and offers a very relaxed environment for you to spend time with other guests. A big difference between HX and other cruise lines is that they do not have the glamorous evening entertainment onboard. The focus is on enrichment and although there may be some light music it is very low key.
The biggest surprise for me whilst onboard was the food. The menu offered a great choice and lunch was delicious. I had concerns that food would be an after thought on such an enriching cruise but it really isn’t! If you are a foodie who loves an adventure- I would 100% consider HX. As mentioned already, MS Maud is an older ship- this is clear in the décor and style throughout. HX recently launched two fully hybrid ships- MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen. These ships are two of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world and offer all mod-cons you would need for a real adventure!
So- is HX the right cruise line for you? If you answer ‘yes’ to the answers below, I would recommend checking them out for your next adventure:
- Are you looking for a holiday that will expand your scientific and environmental knowledge? - Do you love to get involved in scientific projects? - When on holiday, are you always drawn to enriching activities that allow you to get under the skin of your destination? - Are you a foodie with a passion for adventure? - Do you want to travel the path less travelled and visit destinations that few others have explored?
If you would like to know more about HX Expeditions- get in touch via e mail Natalie.gosher@travelcounsellors.com
