HX Expeditions draws on nature-inspired decor for new-look interiors

A warm welcome in cool climates and enhanced educational facilities are among the key elements of the refurbishment of HX Expeditions’ Spitsbergen. 

The cruise brand that pioneered sailings to remote, far-flung destinations – and is currently marking a milestone anniversary – said the improvements to the 150-passenger, 7,344-gt ship provide contemporary continuity across its five-strong fleet, which also includes the latest, and larger, fully hybrid vessels Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen.  

“The aim is to provide the same look and feel across the HX Fleet,” vice president of hotel operations, Stefan Engl, tells Passenger Ship Interior and Refurbishment Review. “As HX Expeditions celebrates 130 years this year, this consistency is important in reinforcing our identity, while ensuring every ship reflects the same standards, values, and guest experience our brand is known for.” 

HX Expeditions, formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions, launched a rebrand in 2023 to differentiate the global expedition-focused arm from Hurtigruten’s Norwegian coastal ships. The company can trace its roots back to 1896 when Hurtigruten founder Richard With pioneered Arctic tourism by establishing the so-called ‘Sportsman’s Route’ with sailings from Hammerfest to Svalbard. These early expeditions were the forerunners of the modern cruise industry, combining a taste for adventure with the comforts of travel. 

As part of a combined €7.0M (US$8.2M) investment, Spitsbergen was overhauled at Spain’s Astilleros de Santander shipyard and sister ship Fram was refurbished at Balboa’s Panama Dry Dock and Shipyard.  

“The main brief for the refreshed interior theme on Spitsbergen was to strengthen the ship’s expedition focus and support onboard learning and discovery,” said Mr Engl. “Key spaces were prioritised to enhance guest engagement, with a dedicated Science centre installed and the Explorer area refurbished to better accommodate lectures, briefings and expert-led talks. These refurbishments ensure the interior supports HX Expeditions’ core purpose, creating functional, flexible spaces that enable education, collaboration, and a deeper connection to the destinations we explore.” 

HX Expeditions has a long-standing partnership with shipbuilding company Aros Marine, and Mr Engl said this collaboration provided a turnkey solution for the upgrade. 

“The interior of Spitsbergen reflects a modern Scandinavian aesthetic, clean, uncluttered, and deeply rooted in nature-inspired simplicity,” he continued. “This design language emphasises functionality, calmness, and a connection to the surrounding seascape rather than opulence or excess.” 

The refurbished vessel now features Brygga Bistro, an informal, brasserie-style dining concept serving snacks and light meals during three daily windows – mid-morning, afternoon, and late evening – when the main Aune restaurant is closed. 

Offering guests a more flexible and relaxed dining alternative between shore landings or after excursions, the bistro is part of HX’s fleetwide all-inclusive offering, which became standard across all ships in 2024. 

“By offering a seamless, high-quality alternative to traditional dining hours, Brygga enhances the onboard atmosphere, bringing comfort and accessibility to guests in a way that feels natural and refined,” continued Mr Engl. 

The ship’s newly built Science centre reflects HX’s strong focus on science and education. Designed to support discovery and hands-on learning, the centre features interactive screens, a flexible lecture space, a small library and dedicated workstations for citizen science. It also has interpreter systems to support multilingual presentations.  

In 2024, HX’s fleetwide programme supported 32 research projects, 1,911 guest-scientist cruise nights and more than 30,000 citizen science submissions. The line said the new centre aboard Spitsbergen will allow HX to deepen that impact, especially around Svalbard, which it describes as one of the most climate-sensitive and scientifically significant areas in the world. 

Elsewhere, the Explorer Lounge & Bar, the social hub of the ship, underwent a comprehensive refresh with updated seating and interiors to create a more inviting space for passengers to relax after a day of excursions and science-focused expedition cruising. 

Newly refurbished ADA-compliant bathrooms and interpretation systems have also improved inclusivity and access across the ship, and crew areas were also upgraded. The ship’s exterior was updated with HX’s blue and sand livery. 

The latest refurbishments are a far cry from Spitsbergen’s humble beginnings. It was constructed in 2009 at the Estaleiro Navais de Viana do Castelo shipyard in Portugal as Atlantida, a passenger and car ferry intended for service in the Azores. Due to financial difficulties, the original owners never took delivery, and it languished until being acquired by Hurtigruten in 2015. Briefly renamed Norway Explorer, it was stripped to the hull for a bow-to-stern refurbishment at Norway’s Fosen shipyard and relaunched in its new guise in 2016. The Spitsbergen name was selected from more than 15,000 global submissions in a contest on social media, and honours the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. 

The improvements to sister ship Fram include redesigned and updated cabins and suites, including twin-bed options in expedition and grand suites, a new interactive expedition hub and upgrades to the Aune restaurant and Explorer Lounge & Bar. 

“The refurbishments on Spitsbergen and Fram translate into a noticeably more comfortable, modern, and immersive experience for guests,” said Mr Engl. “Refreshed cabins and bathrooms improve everyday comfort, while new science centres and enhanced presentation systems deepen engagement with exploration, learning, and citizen science. Dining becomes more flexible and convenient, public spaces feel warmer and more inviting, and improved accessibility and service flow ensure the ships are easier to navigate and more inclusive, all while preserving their small-ship expedition character.” 

Following the refurbishment, Spitsbergen spent a season in the Arctic, sailing in and around Svalbard, and is currently operating all-inclusive sailings above the Arctic Circle, including the new seven-day Ultimate Norway–Arctic Expedition under the Northern Lights itinerary.