HX Expeditions debuts flight-inclusive Greenland cruise
HX Expeditions has launched the first-ever Greenland cruise programme inclusive of return flights from New York Newark to Nuuk – and it's designed and managed by Greenlanders. Olivia Palamountain reports
HX Expeditions (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), the world’s largest expedition cruise company, is launching the first-ever cruises from New York to Greenland, complete with roundtrip flights from New York's Newark Liberty International Airport.
The initiative, launching on Greenland's National Day (June 21, 2025), will feature dedicated flight allocations on United Airlines' direct route to Nuuk.
HK Expeditions is the only expedition cruise company with itineraries crafted and managed by Greenlanders, built in collaboration with local communities, and featuring cultural ambassadors on every sailing.
The programme offers authentic access to Greenland's west coast aboard the hybrid-powered MS Fridtjof Nansen, with itineraries ranging from a 12-day expedition exploring Disko Bay's icebergs to a 26-day Northwest Passage journey from Nuuk to Nome, Alaska.
"Greenland is on the cusp of transformation," says Laali Berthelsen, local product manager for HX Expeditions and Nuuk resident. "With the opening of our new international airport and direct flights, Greenland is more accessible than ever. As interest grows, we have a responsibility to ensure tourism uplifts our communities and respects our environment."
Each voyage will feature Aleqatsiaq Peary, an Inuk storyteller, musician, and hunter from Qaanaaq, who brings a unique perspective as the great-great-great-grandson of Robert Peary, the first person to reach the North Pole.
HX Expeditions boasts over 20 years of experience in Greenland and operates the MS Fridtjof Nansen, recognised as one of the world's most sustainable cruise ships.
The company's commitment to local communities is demonstrated through the HX Foundation, which regularly contributes to youth education, mental health, and cultural preservation projects in Greenland.
The all-inclusive itineraries feature daily excursions, onboard Science Centre activities, meals, gratuities, and drinks, with an extended exploration of Nuuk included in each journey.
“For Greenlanders, these expeditions are more than tourism—they are bridges," says Berthelsen. They let us share our stories, celebrate our heritage, and create new opportunities for Greenlanders.”
The new itineraries from Newark in full:
- June 21, 2025: Icy Giants of Disko Bay (from US$13,823): This 12-day expedition, the shortest option for travelers, offers a chance to witness Disko Bay’s towering icebergs, visit UNESCO-listed Ilulissat, and explore Inuit settlements under the midnight sun.
- July 1 & 15, 2025: Mythical Lands of the North (from US$17,756): This 16-day expedition explores northwest Greenland, including legendary Thule and the High Arctic, with opportunities to see narwhals, walruses, and polar bears.
- July 29, 2025: Farthest North to Thule and Kane Basin (from US$21,360): A 20-day journey venturing farther north than HX Expeditions has ever gone in Greenland, connecting with isolated northern communities.
- August 16, 2025: Northwest Passage – Through the Arctic Labyrinth (from US$35,421): Beginning in Nuuk, Greenland and ending in Nome, Alaska, this 26-day expedition crosses the famed Northwest Passage, offering one of the world’s most exclusive travel experiences.