HX Expeditions’ expanded 2028/29 season, includes shorter voyages that cater to Kiwis who are new to cruise and more extensive expeditions for those who want to go remote, as it doubles down on its Kiwi focus.
HX’s ANZ director of sales Amber Wilson says while it is seeing steady Kiwi growth, there’s a lot more potential. She believes the key is to educate agents.
“Expeditions can be complex, and we go to really remote destinations, so it does take a lot of knowledge and experience; for the advisors it’s not something we can just send a brochure and expect them to convert and sell it,” she says. “It is on us, as an expedition brand, to make sure we’re really working with those partners.”
This includes launching assets for the 2028/29 season, its quarterly New Zealand visits and its attendance at Cruise360, where HX is highlighting its extensive offering beyond Antarctica.
. . . 2028/29
For the 28/29 season HX has 26 new voyages, and 57 sailings across 14 destinations. That doesn’t include Australasia at this stage, but there are Antarctica sailings, which Wilson says are often the first voyage Kiwis take with HX.
Highlights include a new In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia sailing to Antarctica ex Stanley in the Falklands, for those with less time. Shorter expeditions in Alaska, Greenland and Antarctica, which Wilson anticipates Kiwis will be quick to pick up, include eight-day Inside Passage expeditions.
“We still have our really nice, meaty, long itineraries for those who have got the time to be able to go and do these voyages, but introducing these shorter ones will potentially attract a new demographic to HX…”
The ‘meaty’ itineraries on offer include a 19-day Into the Northwest Passage Circumnavigating Baffin Island, which is tipped to be popular.
There’s also nine new ocean crossing voyages and a new Scandi program.
HX has 5% off cabins and 10% off suites, rising to 10% and 15% respectively for HX Loyalty guests.
