Viking vs HX Expeditions: which is better for an expedition cruise?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Viking and HX Expeditions each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Viking vs HX Expeditions: which is better for an expedition cruise?

Neither is better for everyone: Viking takes 378 guests on each of its two expedition ships, which carry submarines, while HX Expeditions sails five named ships and books solo travellers into private cabins; neither shows a dated voyage price on the pages read.

What is each line?

Viking runs river, ocean and expedition voyages on a fleet it says numbers more than 100 vessels; its expedition voyages began in 2022. Source

HX Expeditions runs expedition cruises under the HX name on its own named ships and says it has sailed polar waters since 1896. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Viking sails two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which arrived in 2022. Source

HX Expeditions sails MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen, MS Spitsbergen, MS Fram and, in the Galápagos, MS Santa Cruz II. Source

How many guests are on board?

Viking takes 378 guests on each expedition ship, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Source

HX Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

Where does each line sail?

Viking sells expedition voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula (Antarctic Explorer), the Antarctic Circle, the Northwest Passage from Nuuk and Canada and Greenland. Source

HX Expeditions sells named voyages to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and Greenland on MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen. Source

What ice class are the ships?

Viking lists Viking Octantis as Polar Class 6 and says both expedition ships have Polar Class hulls. Source

HX Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

Who leads the landings?

Viking sails with a 36-person expedition team that includes visiting researchers from partner institutions. Source

HX Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

How much time ashore?

HX Expeditions lands guests by small expedition boats when anchored, in dry or wet landings; children under 12 join small-boat landings at the captain's discretion. Source

Viking does not publish this on the pages read.

What can you do off the ship?

Viking carries nine tandem kayaks, seventeen Zodiacs, two Special Operations Boats and submarines that take 6 guests and a pilot; it does not say which are included in the fare. Source

HX Expeditions offers kayaking and snorkelling on MS Santa Cruz II, with complimentary wetsuit rental on request, plus hiking and a mix of included and optional shore excursions, many of which can be pre-booked. Source

What does the fare include?

Viking includes a shore excursion in every port and the Viking Expedition Kit with gear for relevant excursions, plus a keepsake expedition jacket on polar itineraries. Source

HX Expeditions calls its expeditions all-inclusive; it provides rubber boots free for the trip and tea and coffee facilities in all cabins. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

HX Expeditions books solo travellers into private cabins with a bathroom and WC and occasionally waives the solo supplement on selected departures. Source

Viking does not publish this on the pages read.

How much is the deposit?

Viking advertises a promotional $25 deposit (its fares are in U.S. dollars) on itineraries of 35 days or less departing from April 2027; it states no standard deposit. 2027 voyages are paid in full by 17 December 2026 or 120 days before departure, whichever comes first. Source

HX Expeditions asks a 25% non-refundable deposit on bookings made more than 90 days before departure; final payment is due 90 days before departure and later bookings pay in full. Source

What insurance do you need?

Viking offers a Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate that covers emergency medical expenses and related transportation; it names no required cover or evacuation minimum. Source

HX Expeditions makes travel insurance with repatriation cover mandatory for Antarctica trips. Source

Can children come?

Viking lists no children under 18 on its ocean voyages; the pages read give no age rule for its expedition ships. Source

HX Expeditions sets a minimum age of 5 for Antarctica and the Galápagos and gives children aged 2 to 15 a 50% saving on the cruise portion when sharing with two adults, 20% when sharing with one. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• HX Expeditions: not the fit if your wheelchair is wider than 60 cm or you need a lift on MS Santa Cruz II, which has no elevators and steep stairs. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Viking: Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 382 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
• HX Expeditions: Trustpilot (whole company): 2.9 out of 5 from 46 reviews, newest 22 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Which other lines sell the same voyages?

The lines that sell voyages to the same regions are compared on What are the best alternatives to HX Expeditions in 2026?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026