HX Expeditions has achieved an important milestone by becoming the first commercial cruise line to call at Old Harbor, an Alutiiq community located on Kodiak Island, Alaska.
MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first cruise ship powered by hybrid battery technology, reached Old Harbor on Sunday, August 2, during HX Expeditions’ Alaska & British Columbia | Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands itinerary. Located on the southeastern coast of Kodiak Island, Old Harbor is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Kodiak Archipelago and represents an important centre of Alutiiq culture, with a deeply rooted historical and traditional heritage.
The initiative was developed in partnership with Old Harbor Native Corporation (OHNC) and provided guests with a new opportunity to experience the community through local stories, traditions, and perspectives shared directly by its residents.
Kristina Woolston, CEO of OHNC, highlighted how HX Expeditions’ arrival in Old Harbor represented a significant moment for the local community. She explained that the partnership reflects a commitment to sharing the culture, history, and values of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people through a community-led approach capable of creating meaningful opportunities and benefits for local residents.
Lillian O’Brien, Chair of the OHNC Board of Directors, also emphasised the importance of the project, noting that the goal is to create new opportunities for the community while respecting the values that have sustained Indigenous peoples for generations. “We are proud to showcase Old Harbor in a way that reflects our culture, supports our people, and creates lasting opportunities for future generations,” she said.
Ahead of HX Expeditions’ inaugural call, the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor formally approved the visit through an official resolution, supporting the opportunity to share the community’s culture, history, and values with visitors. As part of the preparations for the ship’s arrival, local artists and Elders reconstructed a traditional village dwelling known as a ciqlluaq. The project was created to welcome current and future visitors while also helping preserve and pass on Alutiiq/Sugpiaq heritage to future generations.
During the inaugural visit, HX guests had the opportunity to discover daily life in one of Kodiak Island’s oldest Alutiiq communities. Guided by community members, they explored the village, visited the Russian Orthodox Church, learned about local food security initiatives through the community’s hydroponic farm, and gained insight into how subsistence practices remain an essential part of everyday life.
The experience concluded at the Nuniaq Center, where residents presented traditional arts and crafts, including beadwork, carving, painting, and jewellery-making. Guests were also invited to participate in augca’aq, a traditional Alutiiq dart game.
To commemorate the historic first call, community leaders presented Captain Bram Olof, Master of MS Roald Amundsen, with a ceremonial paddle, a traditional symbol of welcome, friendship, and safe passage. Guests and crew also took part in celebrations organised to mark this important occasion.
Sam Imes, Alaska Expedition Product Planner at HX Expeditions, highlighted the importance of involving local communities in the development of tourism and in the way their stories are shared. He explained that the collaboration with Old Harbor Native Corporation made it possible to create an experience aligned with the community’s vision for tourism, while offering guests an authentic connection with this remarkable destination and its cultural heritage.
Following this inaugural call, Old Harbor will officially become part of the HX Expeditions 2027 programme. As the only global expedition cruise line offering dedicated voyages to the Aleutian Islands, including an 18-day northbound expedition and an 18-day southbound expedition, HX continues to expand access to some of Alaska’s most remote destinations through partnerships designed to create value for both travellers and local communities.
Giorgia Lombardo