Sally Dixon’s first taste of expedition cruising showcased just how incredible a voyage with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) can be – for you and your customers. Last August she joined a 13-day sailing from Reykjavik to Greenland with her partner, using HX’s agent rates. They crossed the Denmark Strait, saw the Scoresby Sound large fjord system and visited the remote Ittoqqortoormiit settlement, before heading further north to the East Greenland National Park.
Since her trip Dixon admits she’s “caught the expedition cruise bug”. She went on to visit the Galapagos Islands in October and Antarctica in December with HX, and is currently planning a sailing to West Greenland. She explains: “When I went to Greenland I considered myself new to the expedition cruise product. But I’m now hooked and would consider myself a burgeoning specialist.”
Her newfound passion has helped her book more than £150,000 of sales with HX, with customers sailing to the Northwest Passage and the Galapagos Islands. She explains: “Expedition cruising is becoming THE thing. It’s not about cruising as such, it’s about experiences, it’s about different destinations. And HX just epitomises all that.”
Become an HX expert with TTG’s Expedition Cruise Selling Guide
Dixon believes her passion and enthusiasm for the product helps her secure sales, and here she shares her top selling points for an expedition cruise to Greenland with HX:
There’s more than one side to Greenland
Dixon suggests highlighting the different options clients have for visiting the world’s largest island. She explains: “The east coast of Greenland is a unique destination and not well served by expeditions of any kind, so if clients go now they’ll have the place to themselves. The west coast is a complete contrast, and with the recent opening of the new international airport in the capital Nuuk, will become even more popular. The west coast is scattered with numerous Indigenous communities to visit, in addition to the majestic glaciers and icebergs.”
The array of nature is awe-inspiring
The destination is ideal for nature lovers, who will spot plenty of wildlife. Dixon says: “Having barely left Reykjavik we saw numerous humpback whales, pilot whales, minke whales, harbour porpoises and dolphins – wow! Later we saw polar bears, muskoxen, arctic hare and loads of bird life. A PA announcement tells you if wildlife is in the vicinity, so you can drop what you’re doing and go!”
There’s plenty of time on land
Dixon also enjoyed thrilling zodiac landings, where she hiked, explored islands and mountains and was even invited to brave an Arctic plunge. She cruised past icebergs and glaciers, and was always joined by the Expedition Team, who pointed out wildlife, fossils and multi-coloured fungi, and invite guests to “change the way you see the world with HX”.
It immerses guests in science
HX invites everyone to join Citizen Science programmes, and in 2024 more than 30,000 entries were submitted to projects. On Dixon’s sailing, guests could help test the salinity of the water at different depths and collect plankton samples. She explains: “HX gives away nearly two thousand free nights each year to professional guest researchers, and you can go out on the science boats and interact with them.”
She was also enthralled by the lecture programme led by the HX Expedition Team, explaining: “They include biologists, marine biologists, ornithologists, whale experts, historians, glaciologists – the list goes on. We joined a lecture where a microbiologist dissected a haddock, and a lesson on photography by the resident photographer. The science and expedition team really make HX stand out with their passion, enthusiasm and expertise.”
You probably already have the right clients
Dixon believes an expedition cruise to Greenland would be a perfect match for clients who already enjoy safaris and love adventure. “It’s ideal for people who want ‘the experience’ and to go somewhere new. Greenland fits the bill on both counts. It wouldn’t necessarily appeal to the normal cruise market because there’s no dressing up or evening entertainment. The relaxed nature of it is a key selling point for me – you can go down for dinner in your thermals if you want!”
HX supports local communities
Dixon’s ship visited the Ittoqqortoormiit community, delivering fresh supplies. “They’re the most remote settlement on earth with a population of just 345 hardy souls, and are only accessible for a couple of months a year, so bringing them fresh provisions was gratefully received.”
Dixon was also impressed with HX’s Green Stay programme where guests are invited to opt out of full cabin service. “HX donate €0.50 per cabin, per day to the HX Foundation which supports local communities, battling plastic and marine litter, and helping to preserve endangered wildlife.”
In 2024 the HX Foundation donated €597,958 to 86 initiatives, and guests collected 3,624kg of litter during beach clean-ups.
Adventures are all-inclusive
HX’s trips include daily excursions, and guests receive their own expedition gear to take home. They also enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with a la carte dining, all-inclusive drinks throughout the day with cocktails in the evening, and an onboard photographer creates a digital photo album of the trip.
Dixon sailed onboard MS Fram, which was renovated in 2022 and is one of the smallest ships in the fleet, with 119 cabins. She explains: “Other than the passion and pride of the crew and expedition staff, the key selling point to me was the size of the ship – it was just perfect. The pricing is very competitive, so if clients want to learn, to relax, to explore, to experience, to make friends, then I can’t think of anybody better than HX.”
Become an HX expert with TTG’s Expedition Cruise Selling Guide
