For around two years, the University of Tasmania (UTAS) has collaborated with HX Expeditions to develop an educational program that enables HX guests, exclusively, to learn about Antarctica on a scientific level before they depart. It’s kind of like going back to school, but your field trip is a polar region.
Now, that program will expand to the Arctic area of Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Canada and Svalbard, and eventually on to all of the company’s destinations, such as its Galapagos and European journeys.
At a recent HX event in Sydney, Kirsten Le Mar – a doctor at UTAS’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and the “brains” behind the course (according to a collegue at the event) – tells Karryon the travel company first approached the university after it had received numerous enquiries from customers wanting to know more about the places they visit – especially Antarctica.
What transpired was a short course that helps facilitate what Kirsten says is “change from within”.
Why does this matter for travellers? Because customers are less likely to protect the things that they don’t know about, says Le Mar.
What’s involved?
Developed by UTAS (considered one of the world’s leading institutions for climate change research) and IMAS, in collaboration with HX Chief Scientist Dr Verena Meraldi, the courses combine flexible online learning with expert insights, live sessions and interactive content. Topics explore ecosystems, iconic species and responsible tourism.
At today’s event, we look at plankton – which produces at least 50 per cent of the Earth’s oxygen – and bird feathers through a pocket microscope (“we talk a lot about birds”, says Meraldi).
And it’s all aimed at enriching travellers’ understanding before they even set foot aboard an HX Expeditions ship.
Building on the award-winning Antarctic Pre-Departure Course, which has already seen 933 participants, the expanded program continues HX’s philosophy of blending exploration with education. On completion, guests receive a UTAS certificate – a fitting keepsake for travellers seeking more meaningful, knowledge-driven adventures to the planet’s most remote frontiers.
The course couldn’t have a better facilitator than Le Mar.
Since her first visit to Antarctica as a 24-year-old, Kirsten has worn many hats (mostly woolly ones) as an expedition leader, scientist and academic. So it’s with some satisfaction that she’s now involved with HX, where she’s been able to marry her love of travel with science, especially the kind found at the ends of the earth.
Kirsten says she loves few things more than sharing with captivated travellers – often in near silence – the wonders around them. Like, why penguins trek uphill to nest instead of settling closer to shore (it’s to stop meltwater from washing away their eggs). That connection aligns perfectly with HX’s science-led tourism.
“The success of our Antarctica program showed how eager travellers are to understand the environments they explore,” HX Chief Scientist Dr Verena Meraldi remarked, saying at the event the Antarctic course had a “super high” 40 per cent completion rate.
“Expanding these learning opportunities across all HX destinations gives our guests a deeper, more meaningful connection to the world around them.”
HX Expeditions Chief Operating Officer Iain McNeill said the UTAS-HX partnership “continues to transform expedition cruising”.
“By combining exploration with structured, university-backed learning, we’re helping guests become informed ambassadors for the planet, and reaffirming HX’s leadership in mindful, science-based travel.”
Quiet, please
This approach led to the recent launch of two electricity-powered “silent science boats”, designed to minimise underwater noise pollution.
“Sound pollution is one of the most underestimated environmental impacts in these polar regions,” Meraldi said when the vessels were unveiled.
“For wildlife under the surface – especially whales – noise can mean the difference between thriving and struggling.
“With these silent boats added to our hybrid-electric ships, we’re not just enhancing the experience for our guest scientists and guests; we’re reducing our environmental footprint in the places that need it most.”
In other news, HX Expeditions has unveiled its 2027/28 season, focusing not on more destinations but what it says are deeper and more meaningful journeys.
From Antarctica to the Arctic and beyond, HX will spotlight more in-depth itineraries, emphasising longer stays and stronger engagement with local communities across its global portfolio.
“At HX, our strategy has always been about creating lasting connections with the places and people we visit,” HX Expeditions CEO Gebhard Rainer said.
“For our 2027/28 season, we’re not just adding new pins to our map – we’re going deeper: the ultimate in slow and mindful travel. Whether it’s exploring the untouched wilderness of Greenland with local Greenlandic chefs or designing community-led experiences with Inuit Elders in Arctic Canada, we’re focused on offering our guests the chance to see the world differently.”
For more info, visit travelhx.com/en/hx-explorers.
