Choosing who to travel to Alaska with matters, especially since most people only visit once in their lifetime. HX Expeditions have been experts since 1896, are number one for polar expedition cruising, and have a stellar reputation for revealing the heart of a destination. Discover why HX is the obvious choice for your clients’ Alaska explorations, plus sale now on.
It’s not hyperbole that HX knows what they’re doing. With nearly 130 years of experience, hybrid-powered expedition ships, experienced crew, and knowledgeable guest scientists, HX showcases the true essence of the destination to your clients.
HX’s five inspired Alaska cruise itineraries – with bonus travel through the wilds and wonders of British Columbia – take guests beyond the typical routes along the famed Inside Passage.
Meet Chad
As the Lead Activity Guide onboard the state-of-the-art Roald Amundsen, Chad Whiting loves showcasing the real Alaska to HX guests.
He has led thousands of them through the region’s ice-carved fjords, verdant rainforests, and rarely seen coastlines, sharing the riches of nature’s bounty and all Alaska has to offer.
We diverted Chad’s attention away from colossal glaciers, breaching whales, and brown bears to ask why travel with HX, and what keeps him coming every year.
Beyond the big white ships: Discover the real Alaska
Exploring Alaska with HX Expeditions is an entirely unique experience from travelling aboard large cruise ships. HX’s small, purpose-built hybrid-electric vessels can navigate narrow fjords, secluded bays, and remote islands that larger vessels simply can’t access.
Guests get closer to nature, gliding silently through the water on battery power so as not to disturb whales or wildlife, or venturing out by Zodiac and kayak to explore untouched coastlines.
From the granite walls of Misty Fjords to the volcanic landscapes of the Aleutians, every voyage reveals parts of Alaska few ever see. With HX, guests don’t just visit Alaska – they experience its wild, remote heart.
Alaskan wildlife
Alaskan wildlife takes centre stage on every expedition cruise. How can it not, when pods of orcas and humpbacks surface in the deep channels, harbour seals rest on ice floes, and brown bears are spotted in Katmai National Park. All with the call of loons, thrushes, and oystercatchers circling overhead.
When asked what kind of Alaskan wildlife guests can realistically expect to see, Whiting shared, “Alaska’s wildlife is everything you imagine – and more.
“Depending on the time of year, we might spot humpbacks, orcas, fin whales, porpoises, or even brown bears.
“Late summer is brilliant for birdlife and jellyfish. I’m a paddler, so one of my favourite moments is kayaking among jellyfish, then bringing a few on board to study in our high-tech science centre. It’s a joy sharing that micro-world with guests.”
Travel the HX way
Every HX voyage is all-inclusive. Even the Zodiac cruising to see glaciers, icebergs, and Alaska’s mesmerising wildlife, and the frequent landings to explore historic sites or walk the million-year-old terrain.
HX includes community visits in Alaska, offering respectful, in-depth cultural experiences that enrich and educate. Guest’s also have the option of adding kayaking, biking, snorkelling, and more.
So, how does HX’s all-inclusive model enhance the guest experience? Whiting commented, “For guests, it means no stress – no wallet, no planning, just exploring. They head out on a small expedition boat, hike a trail, or join a lecture, and everything’s taken care of when they return. It’s seamless.
“The focus stays on the experience, not the logistics.”
When asked what surprises guests most about life on board with HX, Whiting shared, “Guests are often struck by the quality and professionalism across the whole crew, from the bridge to the restaurant. We all care deeply about what we do, and it shows.
“We’re a passionate, multidisciplinary team bringing deep knowledge of wildlife, landscapes, and glaciology.
“It’s also the contrast that gets them: kayaking through pristine wilderness, then returning to a modern ship with fine dining, a hot tub, and a friendly face at the bar.”
Alaska’s living heritage
Great respect is given to the lands and waters HX explores, including the ancestral territories of the Unangan, Suqpiaq, and Łingít people.
The deep and enduring relationships HX have formed afford an invitation to traditional dance and music performances, masterful wood carving demonstrations, and a chance for guests to hear Indigenous stories and a glimpse into their unique way of life.
Whiting expands, “Having a cultural interpreter from Alaska on board adds incredible depth to the experience. It allows guests to hear authentic local perspectives — rather than my interpretation of something like a totem pole, which isn’t my heritage.”
Travel to Alaska with HX
We asked Chat Whiting one final question: what’s your favourite place in Alaska?
“Icy Bay is, hands down, one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen. More than 30 glaciers feed into the bay, and this 18,000-foot mountain – Mount Saint Elias, the second-highest mountain in Alaska – that juts out of the sea. It is one of the best spots in the world.”
Inspired by Chad? Help your clients choose from five extraordinary Alaska voyages:
- Alaska’s Inside Passage: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea: Travel the labyrinth of fjords and forested islands over 13 adventure-filled days. On sale from $9,610 per person twin share*.
- Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land – May 2026: The grandeur of Icy Bay and Prince William Sound’s immense glaciers are highlights on this 11-day voyage. From $7,845 per person twin share*.
- Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land – June & July 2026: Alaskan culture, landscapes, and wildlife fill this 10-day journey from Vancouver to Seward. From $7,519 per person twin share*.
- Alaska & British Columbia – Northbound: This 20-day itinerary showcases the Inside Passage and the remote Aleutian Islands. From $19,219 per person twin share*.
- Alaska & British Columbia – Southbound: Wild nature, ancient cultures, and breathtaking scenery await on this 18-day journey from Nome to Vancouver. From $16,334 per person twin share*.
Discover more
Explore HX Alaskan itineraries here or contact their Melbourne-based Guest Excellence team on 1300 159 127 or apac@travelhx.com.
To book, find marketing support, and training tools, visit the HX agent portal.
*On sale for a limited time only; conditions apply. HX Operates on a dynamic pricing system.
This article is brought to you by HX Expeditions.
