by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:50 PM ET, Thu April 9, 2026
HX Expeditions is celebrating the success of its most recent Antarctica season.
From October 2025 to March 2026, the company completed 34 sailings and notched 272 TripAdvisor reviews, including 252 five‑star ratings and a 93 percent five‑star score. The cruise line also saw its highest-ever suite bookings, with a 5% increase from 2025 globally and up to an 80 percent increase in select regions.
“This has been an extraordinary season—not only in terms of guest numbers and satisfaction, but in the depth of scientific engagement and responsible travel practices,” says
Gebhard Rainer, chief executive officer of HX Expeditions. “Our focus is, and always will be, ensuring that Antarctica remains protected for future generations. HX’s record-breaking season underscores a clear message: high‑quality expedition travel and rigorous environmental stewardship can, and must, go hand in hand.”
This season, HX Expeditions also introduced enhanced pre- and post-expedition guest journeys and expanded its activity capacity on the White Continent. The company increased its kayaking capacity by 188 percent and doubled the number of camping spots available.
This season also marked a series of scientific milestones, including 1,801 donated guest scientist cruise nights, 27,869 Green Stay nights to raise funds for the HX Foundation, 1,111 Happywhale submissions and 2,250 eBird checklists submissions.
Guests on board also helped raise $146,000 for the HX Foundation, and 2307 guests have now taken the University of Tasmania’s “Introduction to Antarctica” learning module, contributing to over 4,614 hours of studying.
“A highlight for me was our work with Dr. Manuel Novillo, documenting rare spawning behaviour of Antarctic blackfin icefish near Danco Island using our underwater drones,” says Verena Meraldi, HX’s chief scientist. “Capturing these moments in situ provides valuable insight into critical habitats that are still largely unknown. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when expedition travel actively supports science in a rapidly changing Antarctic environment."
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