HX Expeditions posts strong season

HX Expeditions said its October 2025-to-March 2026 Antarctica season was the strongest in the company’s history, with 34 sailings and record bookings. (cruiseindustrynews.com) The company said bookings rose 5% globally from 2025 levels, with some regions up as much as 80%, and that it logged its highest-ever suite bookings and guest-satisfaction scores. (thecruisenews.com) HX also expanded the trip itself: kayaking capacity rose 188%, camping capacity doubled, and the line said more passengers took part in landings and small-group activities. (travelextra.ie) That growth comes as Antarctica tourism remains large but tightly managed. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators told Antarctic Treaty delegates that total visitors in the 2024-25 season were 118,491, about 5% below 2023-24, while landed passenger numbers were “virtually the same.” (documents.ats.aq) HX says scale is part of its pitch. The company described itself as the largest operator in Antarctica and said the season brought more travelers to the continent than any other operator. (latecruisenews.com) The company paired that sales message with a science-and-sustainability one. HX said it donated 1,801 guest-scientist cruise nights to research and that guests raised €124,882 for the HX Foundation for conservation, plastic-pollution and community projects. (travelextra.ie) On its own sustainability page, HX says it banned heavy fuel oil in 2008, launched hybrid-battery expedition ships in 2019, and now has three ships with shore-power connections to cut emissions in port. (travelhx.com) Environmental pressure around Antarctic cruising has not eased. The Antarctic Environments Portal said last week that biofouling — marine life attached to ship hulls and pipes — accounts for more than half of marine non-native species introductions worldwide and leaves Antarctic ecosystems vulnerable without stronger management. (environments.aq) HX chief executive Gebhard Rainer said the company’s size brings “responsibility” to protect Antarctica for future generations. After a season of full ships and added activities, that is the balance the operator is now selling most aggressively. (cruiseindustrynews.com)