HX Marks 130 Years Since First Polar Expedition

Posted on 9 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

HX Marks 130 Years Since First Polar Expedition

HX is celebrating the 130th anniversary of its first expedition voyage on July 8, 2026.

On that date in 1896, steamship DS Lofoten sailed from Hammerfest to Svalbard. It was a time when the Arctic North was barely mapped and guests landed on the icefields of Bjørnøya.

To mark the occasion, CEO Gebhard Rainer thanked the cruise line’s guests in an anniversary video message, wishing the company another 130 years of successful exploration.

“From those beginnings to today’s purpose-built expedition ships, one thing has remained constant: a passion for real exploration, led by those who know these places best,” the company said in a statement.

“This anniversary celebrates 130 years of changing the way people see the world. And while we’re proud of where we’ve been, our greatest discoveries still lie ahead.”

130 years later, the company is still sailing polar waters, bringing guests to the same glaciers that captivated the first explorers in a more sustainable manner – using Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid battery-powered expedition ship.

In celebration of the anniversary, guests can select one of two offers: up to 25 percent off all-inclusive expeditions, with discounts varying by destination, or a free suite upgrade.

Aurora Releases 2025 Impact Report

Posted on 25 November, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Aurora Releases 2025 Impact Report

Photocredit Spacejunkie2, Flickr account https://flic.kr/ps/GkiQt

Aurora Expeditions has released its 2025 Impact Report, showcasing the company’s strides in environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration and community engagement globally.

“Every expedition leaves a footprint, and our responsibility is to minimise that impact and create a shift in the way people think so that they come back with a passion to protect our planet,” said Michael Heath, CEO of Aurora Expeditions.

“Our 2025 Impact Report reflects our commitment to investing in restoring and regenerating the environments we visit,” Heath added.

The company said in a press release that highlights from the 2025 report include the following:

The launch of the Ocean Regeneration program: Aurora funds the planting of kelp forests, seagrass meadows and coral restoration, along with the removal of ocean-bound waste.
It became the first expedition company to trial Counter Current’s AI ship routing, designed to allow ships to flow with currents, reducing fuel consumption.
With Cleaner Seas, Aurora was the first expedition company to install microplastic filters on a ship, preventing microplastics from entering the ocean.
More than 74,000 children accessed free environmental courses through Aurora’s partnership with Upschool, and
The Sylvia Earle was the first Infinity Class ship to trial a 100 per cent biofuel.

According to the press release, additional highlights from the report’s two focus areas include the following:

Planet: Restoring Ocean Health and Reducing Emissions

The expansion of partnerships with global conservation leaders, including Mission Blue, CleanHub and Veritree, supporting habitat restoration from the Coral Triangle to British Columbia, and
The removal of salmon from onboard menus starting in the 2025-26 season to align with stricter sustainable seafood practices.

People: Inspiring Global Ambassadors for the Natural World

Seven Citizen Science projects, from whale tracking (HappyWhale) to ice studies (TIPI), are engaging passengers in research that advances global climate understanding
$236,436 USD in-kind expedition support provided to environmental scientists and researchers, plus $90,937 USD in donations to conservation organisations
Continued support for the Inuit Community Ambassador Program with The Oxen Network
Having a Certified B Corporation 87.5 B Impact Score, well above the global average of 50.9, and
The company’s commitment to recertify under the new B Corp standards by 2027, ensuring continuous improvement across governance, community, and environmental performance.

The full Impact Report is available to view here.

Image credit: Spacejunkie2

G Adventures’ New Expedition Sets Sail to South America

Posted on 14 September, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

G Adventures’ New Expedition Sets Sail to South America

G Adventures’ new Expedition is currently on its way to South America for its maiden season in Antarctica.

Acquired by the company earlier this year, the former Ocean Adventurer spent the last few months in Europe while being prepared for its debut.

Replacing the former Expedition, the 1976-built vessel is scheduled to kick off its first expedition for G Adventures in late October.

Departing from Montevideo, Uruguay, the itinerary features visits to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica before ending in Ushuaia, Argentina.

According to G Adventures, the expedition is highlighted by wildlife and nature, with opportunities to catch up with penguins, whales and seals.

The cruise also includes daily lectures, as well as zodiac excursions, landings and other activities both onboard and ashore.

While the final itinerary is subject to weather conditions, the company plans to visit Port Stanley, the Scotia Sea, the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula and more.

After arriving in Ushuaia in early November, the new Expedition is set to kick off a series of sailings to Antarctica that includes four itineraries.

Among the options is the “Antarctica Classic” expedition, which sails for 11 nights and includes four days in the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

Previously operated by Quark Expeditions, the former Ocean Adventurer was acquired by G Adventures in May.

According to the company, the 117-guest vessel marks “an exciting step” for its polar program, securing the future of its small-ship expeditions and allowing room for expansion.

Chartered from SunStone Ships, the Expedition is said to be more comfortable and efficient, featuring a restaurant and bar, as well as a large presentation lounge, a library, a fitness area, an observation deck and more.

The ship also carries 11 zodiacs for daily excursions, in addition to a minimum of 14 expedition experts per sailing.