HX Expeditions’ Arctic season brings its science-led approach into focus

HX’s emphasis on science predates this announcement. Its December 2025 Galápagos release described its broad commitment to “science-led expedition travel”, while its March 2024 all-inclusive announcement included science activities aboard its ships and out in the field. Those statements place participation and learning firmly within the guest experience.

The latest results arrive in HX’s 130th-anniversary year. The company traces that approach back to its first Svalbard voyage in 1896, which brought together travellers, scientists and biologists. Its 2026 Arctic programme continued that connection across 31 sailings.

“Science is one of the most powerful ways to turn an Arctic journey into something that matters long after guests return home,” said Dr Verena Meraldi, HX Chief Scientist. For travellers comparing expedition lines, that raises a useful question: how will the people and activities aboard help you understand the places you visit?

HX reports 26,491 citizen science submissions across nine programmes, supported by 363 science boat sessions. These included 23,518 iNaturalist observations, 1,286 ORCA records and 1,183 eBird submissions, alongside environmental monitoring covering subjects such as clouds and ocean clarity. Guests and staff also collected more than 308kg of waste during beach clean-ups.

Identifying a bird or helping measure water clarity provides a reason to look more closely and discuss what an observation might reveal. The totals measure participation rather than establishing its eventual scientific impact, but they give practical substance to HX’s positioning. For curious travellers, contributing a record is increasingly becoming a part of how they remember and understand an encounter.

A trial aboard MS Fram, involving Heriot-Watt University and marine monitoring specialist Seiche, combined thermal imaging and AI to detect whale blows and surface activity. Data gathered during the summer will support future identification and alert systems, potentially giving bridge teams earlier warning of nearby whales and, critically, reducing disturbance and collision risk.

“From 26,491 citizen science submissions to a world-first Arctic trial using AI and thermal imaging to detect whales, this season shows what becomes possible when operators, research and educational bodies, technology partners and guests truly work together. It's travelling with a purpose,” Meraldi said.

The technology remains in development, but it illustrates how an expedition ship can serve as a research platform alongside its role carrying travellers. In our view, that is a compelling expression of the science-led approach: research can inform how a vessel operates as well as what guests learn aboard.

HX has also introduced a free Svalbard course with the University of Tasmania, covering wildlife, ecosystems, history and responsible exploration before departure. Arriving with some understanding of a destination can give greater context to what follows, helping travellers connect an onboard discussion with an encounter ashore.

“As the region’s largest expedition cruise operator, we have a responsibility to pair our scale and years of experience with meaningful participation to create a deeper understanding of how we can protect the Arctic of the future,” Meraldi concluded.

For ExplorEarth readers, these results offer a reason to examine the science programme when choosing an expedition. What can you take part in, who will guide you, and how do those activities fit into the voyage? For travellers whose enjoyment comes from understanding as much as seeing, these answers can be key to finding the right experience.