Inaugural expedition to Norway with HX: here is what you need to know
- Akvile Marozaite
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
There is a particular kind of excitement that comes with joining an inaugural expedition.
It is not just the thrill of being among the first to experience something new, it is the feeling that everyone onboard, from the expedition team to the guests, is part of something being shaped in real time. That was exactly the atmosphere on my recent voyage: HX’s inaugural wintry expedition along the coast of Northern Norway.
Norway is not new to cruising, of course. But this itinerary is different — and what makes it stand out is that HX is not trying to replicate a “classic” Norwegian coastal cruise with a layer of expedition branding. Instead, this voyage is built around a true expedition mindset: landings, Zodiacs, active options, and deep connection to place, while all this is happening in winter.
For travel advisors, it is a product that offers something genuinely fresh: a way to sell Norway that feels immersive, seasonal, and emotionally memorable without relying on the same over-saturated highlights travellers have seen a hundred times online.
Why Norway, and why now?
We arrived at Gatwick expecting a quiet mid-January departure — only to find a packed flight to Tromsø and an international crowd at the gate. That moment quickly revealed the reality of Northern Norway in winter: it is no longer a niche destination. Tromsø, a town of around 80,000 residents, has experienced an enormous tourism surge driven by Northern Lights chasing and “noctourism”, putting pressure on local infrastructure and the environment.
This context matters, because it changes the sales conversation. Travellers want the Northern Lights but more of them are also asking how to experience destinations responsibly, without contributing to over tourism.
This voyage felt like an answer to that: a low-impact, expedition-led alternative that still delivers the magic.
First impressions onboard: expedition gear, winter landings, and a real sense of “this is different”
One of the clearest signals that this is not a standard coastal cruise comes immediately after boarding.
Guests are issued with proper winter equipment and clothing, including an outer shell jacket to keep, warm winter suits, head torches, boots and crampons. For kayaking, there are thermal onesies, dry suits and booties. Instead of feeling excessive, the gear became part of the experience. It certainly made winter landings possible and comfortable, even when the light was fading and the temperature dropped fast.
Itinerary highlights: what made this voyage memorable
1) Sailing through the Lyngen Alps in winter
Day one delivered immediate “wow” factor: narrow channels surrounded by the Lyngen Alps, with limited daylight giving the landscape an added atmosphere of winter magic.
We were the only ship exploring the region, which is a sharp contrast to the peak season expedition crowding seen elsewhere in the world. Norway can certainly feel remote and exclusive, which is a great selling point for travellers looking for this type of trip.
2) Travelling during the short daylight time of the year
The first landing in Lyngen happened around 2:30pm, just as dusk moved into night.
This is where the itinerary becomes genuinely distinctive: rather than avoiding darkness, HX uses it to create atmosphere.
The group hiked for around 40 minutes in a line, head torches on, until reaching the high point where a bonfire was waiting, and the expedition team shared stories of life on the remote islands and introduced the Norwegian concept that defines this entire programme: friluftsliv.
3) Tranøya: a tiny island with an outsized story
One of the most memorable places on the itinerary was Tranøya, a small island adjacent to Senja. At first glance, it looks like a simple, picturesque stop, complete with a white wooden church, museum buildings, barns, and even a photogenic herd of sheep. But the story behind it is surprising. The island’s position in a major waterway made it historically important: known for Vikings, used by Sámi, and later serving as a gathering point for people across surrounding islands, even functioning as a voting place.
4) Winter kayaking in the Arctic
One of the activities available to the clients is kayaking. While in our case the preparation took as long as the activity itself it was worth every minute thanks to one of the most stunning winter sunsets we had seen.
Just as importantly: it felt safe and well-run, even in colder temperatures than many travellers expect outside polar regions.
5) Northern Lights: magnificent multiple displays during the voyage
The voyage delivered what most winter travellers hope for and what many never forget.
We had several opportunities to watch the Northern Lights dancing in the sky- in fact, one evening, an aurora lecture had to be cancelled because the Northern Lights were already dancing outside the window, with the most incredible show happening on the last night of the voyage.
6) Lofoten Islands: iconic, but accessed differently
The Lofoten Islands need no introduction and we had an opportunity to spend two days in the area. On day one, we reached a particularly scenic landing site by Zodiac, surrounded by dramatic mountains that reminded me of the Torres del Paine park in Patagonia. Once ashore, I also enjoyed the freedom to explore at my own pace, which is a uniquely Norwegian advantage, supported by the country’s cultural approach to outdoor life.
And then there were the simple pleasures: lamb soup cooked on an open fire which, somehow always tastes better than anything made at home.
7) Svolvær: food, culture, and small-town charm
In Svolvær, the largest settlement in Lofoten, we leaned into the town experience: coffee in a local bakery, cinnamon pastries, and time to wander and photograph the streets.
It is a reminder that this itinerary is not only about wilderness.It also gives travellers a taste of Norway that feels lived-in and local.
8) Trollfjord and the Hurtigruten Museum: HX’s heritage made tangible
One of the most meaningful experiences came in Stokmarknes at the Hurtigruten Museum — a striking glass structure built around MS Finnmarken, restored to its 1950s state.
Although HX is now a separate brand, it is clear that the heritage is deeply rooted and the pride of the people behind the operation as unmistakable. In this context, HX is a company returning to its own backyard with an expedition lens.
What makes this itinerary work as an expedition
During the voyage, I also had an opportunity to speak with HX’s product manager for Norway Niek van Eck, who explained that developing this itinerary was not a quick win but the result of a long internal desire to create “an expedition in Norway”, not simply a port-to-port route.
The heart of the product is friluftsliv — a Norwegian philosophy that life outdoors is not an occasional activity, but a way of being. HX deliberately designed the voyage to let guests feel that through beach bonfires, hiking, and outdoor immersion.
And it is not only for the ultra-active. As Niek pointed out, some guests choose to stay onboard and enjoy the atmosphere and scenery — while others do every activity possible. Both have a fantastic time.
Who is it for?
Based on my experience, this voyage is best positioned for:
Travellers who want a winter “wow” moment. If clients are chasing the Northern Lights, this delivers, but in a way that feels immersive and calm rather than crowded.
Expedition-curious clients not ready for Antarctica. This is a brilliant “bridge” expedition: Zodiacs, landings, gear, and active options without the scale, distance, or cost of polar regions.
Repeat cruisers who want something real. For clients who have done classic fjords or big-ship Norway, this is the upgrade: fewer crowds, more immersion, more story.
Photographers and mindful travellers. Great for atmospheric landscape photography and wintry scenery.
Final thoughts: a new kind of expedition, close to home
I walked away inspired — not only by the Northern Lights and the landscapes, but by the feeling of seeing Norway through local eyes and traditions. There is something powerful about an expedition that is not defined by being far away, but by being deeply connected to place.
This inaugural HX voyage proves that Northern Norway in winter deserves to be part of the expedition conversation as a genuine expedition experience in its own right.
For advisors looking for something new to recommend to clients who crave adventure, meaning, and atmosphere — this is one to watch.
For more details on HX Norway voyages, visit HX’s official destination page.
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