by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 11:40 AM ET, Wed February 12, 2025
Hurtigruten Expeditions Holdings Ltd. (also known as HX) has officially separated from Hurtigruten Group AS, having been acquired by a collection of investors that adds 140 million Euro of new junior funding to the company.
Hurtigruten Group AS, headquartered in Oslo, operated some of the first pleasure cruises around Norway, dating back to 1893. HX rebranded and separated itself from Hurtigruten back in September 2023; it later restructured, launched its own loyalty program and its own travel advisor portal and training program and more.
Arini Capital Management, Cyrus Capital Partners and Tresidor Investment Management led the acquisition, which HX says will help facilitate its growth. HX has reported a 14 percent year-over-year bookings growth for 2025 trips, and bookings for its 2026 trips have grown 25 percent.
HX’s CEO, Gebhard Rainer, will continue to lead the company from its new headquarters in London.
“Today’s announcement is an important day in HX’s history as we continue our journey as a standalone company with the resources and strategic support to deliver on our next phase of growth and innovation, which will benefit our employees, guests and strategic partners,” said Rainer. “We look forward to exploring new growth opportunities around the globe and enhancing our industry-leading customer offering and creating the very best in mindful travel experiences."
The new change will not alter any bookings, trips, employment contracts or day-to-day operations, though HX did announce the MS Fram and MS Spitsbergen ships will be renovated in the middle of the year.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
