Scandinavia

Where the Baltic Meets the Wild North

The HX story began in Norway in 1896. Today, we explore across Scandinavia, from the Baltic Sea to the Gulf of Bothnia. Join us from the medieval islands of the Baltic to the granite skerries of Sweden's High Coast and the rising shores of the Gulf of Bothnia. Trace routes once travelled by Vikings, weave between archipelagos, and step ashore in communities where Sámi traditions and maritime history endure.

Activities and Excursions

In Scandinavia with HX, you can hike through autumn forests, take to the water by Zodiac or kayak, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and learn about the people and cultures of the region. Depending on your voyage, you might explore Sweden’s skerries, visit Gammelstad, or learn about Sámi culture in Luleå.

Among the skerries

Take a Zodiac through Sweden’s archipelagos, from the rocky islands around Gothenburg and Koster to the Stockholm Archipelago. Further north, explore the skerries of the Gulf of Bothnia by Zodiac or kayak, with seals along the shore and white-tailed eagles overhead.

Cultures of the North

There’s a lot of history along these shores. Visit Karlskrona’s UNESCO-listed naval city, Gammelstad’s church town, or a recreated Viking settlement in Haugesund. In Luleå, local-led experiences offer an introduction to Sámi culture and traditions.

A quiet kind of adventure

Not every part of an expedition happens ashore. Between excursions, have a drink at the bar, share dinner with fellow travellers, use the wellness area, or find a quiet spot with a book. You can also join lectures on the places ahead or simply watch the coastline pass by.

The best time to travel

HX expeditions in Scandinavia take place in autumn, a truly enchanting time across the region. The forests turn gold and copper, low-angled light stretches every sunrise and sunset into a photographer's dream. And it’s rich time for wildlife too: seals haul out on rocky shores, eagles circle overhead, and migratory birds gather in vast, shifting flocks.

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Wildlife of Scandinavia

The Baltic's wildlife is quiet but present. You simply need to know where to look, and our Expedition Team does. From sea eagles circling above the skerries to seals resting on rocks, the region rewards patience and a sharp eye. In the far north, reindeer roam the landscapes around Luleå, where Sámi communities have tended them for generations.

White-tailed eagles

With their broad wings and commanding presence, white-tailed eagles are one of the Baltic's most impressive sights, so remember to always keep an eye on the sky.

Seals

Grey and ringed seals live in the cold northern waters. As we weave between islands and skerries, keep watch for a head breaking the surface or them resting along secluded shores.

Reindeer

Reindeer are closely tied to Sámi culture and life in northern Scandinavia. Around Luleå, learn more about this relationship and see these animals up close.

Adventure is All-Inclusive

A cruise to Scandinavia with HX includes everything from daily excursions and activities to our onboard Science Center, meals, gratuities, drinks and more. All designed to give you the expedition experience of a lifetime.

Food
Enjoy daily culinary adventures in our onboard restaurants. Here you’ll be served beautifully prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, starting with a generous morning buffet and ending with an exquisite dinner, prepared with fresh ingredients by our onboard chefs.
Drinks
Your day begins with freshly brewed coffee and tea, followed by a selection of hot and cold drinks available at all times. After a day on the ice, relax with a glass of wine or beer, or toast your voyage with an expertly mixed cocktail. Drinks are served all day and evening at no additional cost (excluding premium drinks).
Activities
Every day, you’ll be joined by our Expedition Team. Our guides are carefully chosen experts in fields like natural history and climate science, and they’ll lead you on hikes, community visits and small boat trips, offering vital information and insight all the way. They’ll also deliver fascinating talks in our onboard lecture hall, accompany you in our Science Center and brief you on the next day’s schedule.

Learn more

Life Onboard

A stay onboard MS Spitsbergen is unforgettable. Named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago’s biggest island, Spitsbergen – this beautiful ship is designed to give you the very best expedition experience, as sustainably as we can. With almost 130 years of experience in expeditions, we’re perfectly placed to offer you a balance of intrepid adventure, luxurious comfort and mindful travel that makes a holiday unlike any other. Start the day sipping freshly brewed coffee on the terrace, watching the sun rise over a landscape you’re about to visit. Jump into one of our smaller, nimbler expedition boats for a day of extraordinary exploration. Then spend the evening dining in style at Restaurant Aune, toasting the day and then lounging under a canopy of stars in the hot tub

Comfort and style

With HX, you’ll enjoy a taste of luxury every time you step on board. Our spacious suites include private balconies, walk-in closets, unlimited access to fine dining and complimentary laundry. All designed to envelop you in comfort and relaxation, allowing you to reflect peacefully on the day’s discoveries and gather your energy for the next.

Culinary exploration

Restaurant Aune offers a wide range of delicious modern dishes, all prepared onboard using fresh ingredients. Our expert chefs bring their passion for food and travel to the table, incorporating local additions where possible, and working to keep their kitchens and creations sustainable.

Rest and relaxation

After hours of exploring in chilly climes, thawing out in our sauna is the perfect way to celebrate a day well spent. [MS Spitsbergen] also includes outdoor hot tubs and a fitness room - all well-deserved and welcome before the next day’s adventures.

A deeper understanding

The heart of an HX expedition lies in our onboard Science Centre. Packed with state-of-the-art technology, it offers plenty of opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of everything you’ve seen on land and sea. There are lecture spaces, a small library and specialty areas for workshops in photography, biology and more. It’s also where you'll find our Expedition Team.

Feed your curiosity

Curiosity is the key to an extraordinary expedition with HX. As you explore, you’ll find yourself drawn to find out more about the natural wonders you see and explore, and our Science & Education Program is there to enhance your knowledge and understanding. It’s an immersive learning experience, allowing you to find out more about landscapes, plants and wildlife across the land, supported by experts along the way. You’ll even have the opportunity to support real-time research and collect valuable data that will contribute to the conservation and understanding of our planet.

Active learning

The Science Center is where guests and crew meet to create a deeper understanding of the areas you explore. You’ll use advanced microscopes to analyse sea water, fossils and biological samples collected earlier in the field, and there are lecture spaces, a small library and speciality areas for workshops in photography, biology and more.

Expert guidance

Our onboard Expedition Team is here to share their wealth of knowledge with you and help you make good use of the ship’s state-of-the-art Science Center. The team also includes guest scientists conducting their own research while on board, and will only be too happy to share their findings with you.

Get involved

We‘re proud to support many vital Citizen Science projects on board our ships, including NASA cloud research, seaweed biodiversity, studies into Phytoplankton communities, and many more. You're welcome to get involved in any projects that spark your interest, contributing valuable data to long-term research and playing your part in expanding our understanding of this extraordinary continent.

The HX Foundation

HX Foundation is a collaboration between HX, our employees and our guests. Together, we unite in our commitment to fight climate change, strengthen local communities and stop unsustainable mass tourism.

More about the HX Foundation