Rank 9 of 10 · Antarctic operator comparison

HX Expeditions Reviews 2026: Hurtigruten's 500-Passenger Ships, Scored

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) ranks ninth in this ten-operator comparison with a total score of 56.0. At 500 passengers per ship, it posts the lowest shore-time score of any operator in this ranking that still lands passengers at all, offset by the most accessible entry price for a ship of this class. It suits travellers prioritising price over shore time; it does not suit travellers for whom maximising time ashore is the deciding factor.

56.0

At a glance

Fleet
MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen
Ice class
Polar Class 6
Antarctic capacity
500
Landing style
Multi-stage rotation
IAATO member since
2002
Price from
$8,000
Traveller rating
4.0–4.3
Total score
56.0

How it scores

Shore time (35%)20.0 — the lowest of any operator here that still lands passengers, from 500 passengers against the 100-guest limit.20.0
Rating (30%)4.0–4.3, tied with Oceanwide for the lower end of the ranking's rating range.83
Price/value (20%)*An accessible entry point for a ship of this class, achieved specifically through higher capacity.72
Expedition depth (15%)*Hybrid power and an onboard science centre are real assets, offset by the least shore time in the ranking.65

*Editorial factor. Full reasoning and formula: methodology.

The fleet

MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, both Polar Class 6 and hybrid-powered, carry 500 passengers each in Antarctica. At that size, landings run as a multi-stage rotation — the longest wait for a landing slot of any operator in this ranking, and part of most days is spent as a Zodiac cruise past the coastline rather than a landing.

What reviewers say about HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Aggregate rating: 4.0–4.3 (Roald Amundsen: 4.3/5 across 20 Cruise Critic reviews)

Expedition team

Science-focused expedition staff delivering multiple daily landings and lectures are strongly and repeatedly praised, with named expedition leaders singled out favourably.

Cruise Critic
Ship & cabins

Full-height windows for wildlife viewing and spacious, well-appointed cabins with good storage are consistently praised, including in otherwise critical reviews.

Cruise Critic
Pre-departure service

A detailed, highly-rated negative review describes charter-flight logistics between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia going wrong on both legs of one voyage, including a rerouted return itinerary guests weren't told about until already onboard.

Cruise Critic
Value

Opinions split sharply: several reviewers call it the best value in the expedition-cruise category, while others dispute the "premium" marketing given the flight-logistics failures noted above.

Cruise Critic

Who it suits, who it does not

Suits

  • Travellers prioritising price over shore time
  • Travellers comfortable with a longer, multi-stage landing wait

Does not suit

  • Travellers for whom maximising time ashore is the deciding factor
  • Travellers who need guaranteed charter-flight logistics to and from Ushuaia

FAQ

What do HX expeditions antarctica reviews say about landing time?

At 500 passengers, HX runs the longest multi-stage rotation in this ranking and posts the lowest shore-time score, 20.0, of any operator that still lands passengers at all.

Are Hurtigruten expeditions reviews consistent on value?

No — reviewers split sharply, with some calling it the best value in the category and others disputing the "premium" label after charter-flight logistics failures on specific voyages.

Does HX have a science centre onboard?

Yes, both Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen carry an onboard science centre, part of the hybrid-powered fleet's expedition-depth score of 65.

Related

Official site: hurtigruten.com · full ranking of ten Antarctic operators · methodology

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