HX Expeditions, the world's first and longest-running expedition company, concluded its 130th-anniversary Arctic season with 31 sailings, an average Tripadvisor rating of 4.7 out of 5 across 167 reviews and its highest-ever suite bookings.

Guests and expedition teams made 26,491 citizen science submissions across nine research programmes: 23,518 iNaturalist observations, 1,286 ORCA records, 1,183 eBird submissions, 203 NASA GLOBE Cloud Observer reports, 181 Secchi Disk readings, 73 Happywhale contributions, 38 harmful algal bloom observations, eight Aurorasaurus reports and one Marine Debris Tracker entry. These were supported by 363 science boat sessions. Beach clean-ups collected 308.44 kg of waste.

Aboard MS Fram, HX trialled a world-first Arctic system using thermal imaging and AI for real-time whale detection, through the AI WAVE project with Heriot-Watt University and Seiche. It aims to give bridge teams earlier warning and reduce collision risk for narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales.

HX also launched a free Svalbard course with the University of Tasmania, with courses planned for Arctic Canada, Greenland, Iceland and the Northwest Passage in 2027. The HX Greenland Promise is extended through 2028: if HX cancels a qualifying sailing or a government advises against travel, guests can transfer to another expedition with an additional 20% Future Cruise Credit or take a full refund.

Dr Verena Meraldi, HX Chief Scientist, said: "Science is one of the most powerful ways to turn an Arctic journey into something that matters long after guests return home. 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. 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."