7 Things to Know About HX & MS Fridtjof Nansen

HX has one message for North American travel advisors: “we’re open for business.”

The expedition cruise line launched its biggest-ever FAM on Sept. 18, taking 300 travel advisors and their guests on the MS Fridtjof Nansen for a two-night, exclusive trade sailing from Vancouver to Seattle. HX is one year into its rebrand, separating the expedition arm from Hurtigruten — also the name of a specific route along the Norwegian coast, and a well-known brand in Europe but not in North America.

HX, short for Hurtigruten Expeditions, refocuses the brand on its core values: mindfulness, curiosity, and adventure. The rebrand comes with a new color scheme (blue instead of red) and even a new jacket design; the updated version matches the new branding and is even more sustainably made.

TMR was in attendance at the FAM, and was given the opportunity to learn more about the ship and the recently rebranded cruise line. The following are seven key takeaways every travel advisor should know about the MS Fridtjof Nansen.

Upper premium, not luxury

One question that came up a lot during the HX FAM trip was how to categorize HX. There are certainly luxurious aspects: exclusive access to parts of the world no other cruise line goes, gourmet dining options, and true all-inclusive pricing (no nickel and diming here).

However, the general consensus among travel advisors TMR spoke to was that guests who had experienced expedition cruise on small-ship operators like Silversea or Scenic would not consider HX’s offering true luxury. The general vibe is less formal – wait staff are not as attentive as you’d find on a luxury line, and we never met our cabin steward.

The MS Fridtjof Nansen’s larger size and more laid back feel makes it a perfect gateway ship for experienced ocean cruisers curious about expedition, one agent told TMR. The dedication to education and sustainability also makes HX a great option for any clients who have stayed away from cruising because of environmental concerns.

No single supplement on select sailings

Currently, HX offers a limited number of cabins available to solo travelers on select sailings with no single supplement — usually for sailings departing in the next few months. At the beginning of each month, HX will release a batch on the website. Because these are limited to specific cabins, once they are gone, they’re gone.

Also note: HX told TMR this policy is currently under review, so this may change in the near future. If you have a client interested in expedition cruising who wants to travel solo, now may be the time to book!

Secret spectacular balconies

HX categorizes its stateroom based on several factors: size, bed type, balcony or window, accessible, etc. One aspect that the cruise line doesn’t track — and that your clients will care about — is balcony size.

None of the balconies on the ship are cramped, and even the obstructed options (that TMR saw) still have decent views. However, the size and shape of the balconies differ dramatically, even across the same category of room.

For example, stateroom 723 is an artic superior stateroom, and based on that alone, one would assume it feels smaller than the suites. While the cabin’s interior is smaller, because of its orientation, it has essentially a double balcony — lots of room for clients who want to spend enjoying the fresh air and views in the privacy of their own room. (One guest could sit and drink their morning coffee while another does yoga — it’s that spacious).

The inverse of this is true as well. Just because a guest books a suite does not guarantee a large balcony – in fact, some suites have smaller balconies or no balcony at all. Of course, the nicest balconies are the suites with private jacuzzies. The deck plans are a great resource for figuring out what the balconies look like, but to be sure you’re getting what your client wants, you may want to touch base with your BDM and ask them to walk you through options.

No American outlets

MS Fridtjof Nansen is named after a Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate — and it has electrical outlets to match.

The ship only has standard Eurpean outlets. Clients visiting Alaska from Vancouver might not realize they won’t have access to American outlets on board. There are a few usb outlets around the staterooms so you can charge phones, but if you need power for something else (like a computer), bring an adapter.

If your client does find themselves on board with, there are converters available for purchase from the ship’s shop.

Fabulous food but limited dining options

There are three restaurants on the MS Fridtjof Nansen: the premium restaurant Lindstrom (included for suite guests, at additional cost all others), the informal Fredheim, and the buffet Aune. There is also a takeaway option, and the explorer lounge bar offers nuts.

The menu changed nightly, and while there was often a decent selection of foods to choose from, picky eaters and those with allergies may struggle to find variety. For example, Aune’s dinner menu on the first day was an Alaska seafood buffet, complete with crab legs, large prawns, and even sushi. Vancouver is known for its fresh seafood offerings, so this was of no surprise. There is always something for people with dietary restrictions — there was also a vegetarian pasta and a beef dish available, as well as various cheeses and some fresh fruit — but overall, not a lot to choose from (other than seafood).

Some of the travel advisors were also murmuring about the breakfast schedule. There’s an early continental breakfast from 6:00 am until 7:00 am at Fredheim. Otherwise guests could opt for the sandwich takeaway option from Fredheim, the Aune buffet, or Lindstrom, which incurs an upcharge of 15 EUR per person. These typically ended by 8:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m., which some advisors felt wasn’t long enough.

The small ship can feel busy

The MS Fridtjof Nansen only holds up to 530 passengers, but there are so few common areas, the ship can feel quite busy at certain times. For example, on the first night, groups were gathered around the Explorer lounge, making it difficult to get a drink from the bar. On the second night, TMR sat in the lounge at least 45 minutes before someone came by to ask if we needed a drink. There is ample seating in these areas, so that’s not an issue — but the time it takes to get served definitely takes away from the “luxury” experience (see above).

Getting food from the Aune buffet or Fredheim during peak meal times was pretty frantic as well. When the latter was busy, diners were sat at tables with strangers, and wait staff seemed overwhelmed. Aune is much bigger so this wasn’t an issue there, but even at half capacity, the room was a tad loud.

Having said that, there was never a time when the ship felt crowded. There are three elevators and they were never full, even during disembarkation day.

HX prioritizes destinations and education

Speaking with Gebhard Rainer, the new CEO, it’s clear the HX brand is genuinely committed to education, sustainability, and science. He told TMR he was drawn to the company by its pledge to support sustainable travel and scientific research.

This is arguably HX’s greatest strength. HX was the first cruise line to eliminate single-use plastic, and the first to stop using crude oil. The MS Fridtjof Nansen is a purpose-built battery hybrid ship. Guests can sail on an expedition knowing the cruise line is as eco-friendly as possible, and come away from the experience with new knowledge and, potentially, skills. David Petlin, an advisor with 1000 Mile Travel Group, likened the experience to a field trip for adults — fun and exciting, but with a clear education lean.

One of the main draws of HX is the opportunity to participate in genuine scientific research. Guests are not only permitted but encouraged to participate alongside researchers and learn. The science center is like a biology classroom from a well-funded private school, adorned in scientific posters and various specimens; it’s comfortable, classy, and functional.

Because guests are expected to go out on excursions and explore terrains, there isn’t a lot happening on the ship — but that doesn’t mean the itinerary is empty either. There is a lecture hall rather than a large stage. Expect lectures from experts in their fields, and informational sessions about upcoming excursions. There may be a live musician or two, but the offerings here are more edutainment than pure entertainment. The vibe isn’t for everyone, but for the right client, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.