HX Expeditions: Spitsbergen Restoration Completed
HX Expeditions has completed a major multimillion-euro refurbishment of the MS Spitsbergen, its iconic 220-guest expedition ship.
This refurbishment, part of a broader €7 million investment also involving the sister ship MS Fram, not only renews the ship’s spaces and aesthetics but marks a significant advancement in the Arctic travel experience, reinforcing HX’s commitment to sustainability, participatory science, and onboard comfort.
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The MS Spitsbergen, named after the largest island in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, represents a historic symbol for HX Expeditions. The company’s first expedition in 1896 reached these very remote Arctic waters, laying the foundation for over a century of responsible and innovative explorations. With the recently completed refurbishment, HX confirms its leadership in the sector by offering a modernized ship that meets the needs of an increasingly attentive and conscious clientele.
The overall €7 million investment, shared with the MS Fram, focuses on several key areas: improving comfort and accessibility, enhancing science and education facilities, and updating the ship’s aesthetics with the new “Indigo Blue and Sand” livery, making the HX fleet immediately recognizable and contemporary.
A striking element is the new livery—a contemporary design featuring tones of Indigo Blue and Sand. This color choice is deliberate, reflecting HX’s very essence: the deep blue evokes the vast polar seas navigated by the ships, while the sand color recalls the remote coasts, fjords, and Arctic beaches. The result is an elegant, fresh, and distinctive appearance that perfectly complements the surrounding natural environment. Among the most appreciated new features aboard the MS Spitsbergen is the Brygga Bistro, a new informal brasserie-style bistro located on Deck 5. This space was designed to offer a flexible and high-quality alternative to traditional dining, catering to guests participating in excursions and activities throughout the day.
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Brygga Bistro serves gourmet snacks and light meals during three time slots—mid-morning, afternoon, and late evening—with a menu that includes fresh salads, wraps, gourmet sandwiches, toasted sandwiches (toasties), and specialties such as lamb kofta accompanied by homemade pita bread. The culinary offering, included in the all-inclusive fleet package introduced in 2024, also features table service, allowing guests to relax and enjoy a meal or drink in a welcoming and refined setting.
Stefan Engl, Vice President of Hotel Operations at HX, emphasizes that Brygga Bistro is a key element in enhancing the onboard experience by providing comfort and accessibility in a natural and elegant way.
One of HX Expeditions’ distinctive strengths is its deeply integrated approach to science and education during cruises. The MS Spitsbergen is no exception; indeed, it elevates this aspect further with the new Science Center, located on Deck 6. This space is designed to actively engage guests in ongoing scientific activities and research, consolidating HX’s position as a leader in participatory science aboard its vessels.
The center features interactive screens, flexible conference spaces, a dedicated library, and workstations for citizen science—research projects that directly involve passengers. The presence of multilingual interpretation systems also makes activities accessible to an international audience, fostering an inclusive and educational experience.
HX’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Verena Meraldi, highlights the central role of the Science Center in strengthening the company’s contribution to environmental research, especially in the highly climate-sensitive area of Svalbard. In 2024 alone, HX supported 32 scientific projects, provided almost 2,000 cruise nights to onboard scientists, and collected over 30,000 citizen science data submissions.
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The ship has also undergone upgrades to guest common areas. The Explorer Lounge & Bar, renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views, has been refurbished with new furnishings and a more welcoming layout to ensure relaxing moments after intense days of exploration. The adjacent Explorer Bar now offers HX’s new Signature Cocktail range, a selection of 14 handcrafted drinks inspired by the company’s polar itineraries, further enriching the onboard experience.
Not only guests benefit: HX has also invested in crew areas, expanding common spaces and improving dining facilities to ensure greater comfort and well-being for all onboard personnel. New ADA-compliant bathrooms (Americans with Disabilities Act) have been installed, demonstrating a concrete commitment to accessibility and inclusiveness. Interpretation systems for lectures and presentations have been expanded, facilitating participation by guests with diverse linguistic or communication needs.
HX Expeditions has long been a benchmark in sustainable adventure tourism. Founded in 1896, it was the first cruise company to eliminate the use of heavy fuel oils and to ban unnecessary single-use plastics in its operations. Furthermore, it pioneered the launch of hybrid cruise ships, capable of reducing environmental impact. The company actively promotes scientific research and supports conservation and education projects through the HX Foundation, which funds community initiatives dedicated to marine protection and environmental awareness.
With the completion of the MS Spitsbergen refurbishment, HX Expeditions not only renews one of its flagship ships but sets a new standard for Arctic expedition cruises, blending modern comfort, sustainability, and science into a unique and engaging experience.
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