HX Expeditions has introduced a new line of community‑led excursions that will run alongside its Northwest Passage voyages, a development shaped in close collaboration with Inuit Elders, local residents and staff who were born in the region. The initiative marks a milestone for a global cruise operator, placing Indigenous partnership at the core of the travel experience rather than treating it as a peripheral add‑on.
The excursions will be integrated into the two seasonal sailings that traverse the historic Arctic route. Westbound travelers will embark on the MS Fridtjof Nansen, a hybrid‑powered vessel that blends traditional marine propulsion with advanced energy‑saving technologies. Eastbound guests will sail on the MS Roald Amundsen, recognized as the world’s first cruise ship to rely on a battery‑hybrid system, offering a quieter and cleaner passage through the fragile polar environment.
Key to the program’s authenticity is product planner Mariah Erkloo, an Inuk who grew up in Pond Inlet. Her personal connection to the community has guided the design of each activity, ensuring that the offerings reflect genuine daily practices rather than staged performances. By acting as a cultural liaison, she has helped build trust between HX and the host communities, allowing guests to engage with traditions that have been passed down through generations.
The inaugural stops will be Gjøa Haven, Pond Inlet and Cambridge Bay, three settlements that open their doors to visitors only during a brief summer period. Each visit is structured to keep groups small, supporting intimate dialogue and allowing participants to move beyond observation to active participation. The limited size of the parties is intended to preserve the personal nature of the exchange and to respect the capacity of the host communities.
Program highlights include guided hikes that lead travelers to locally significant landmarks, where Inuit storytellers weave narratives that connect the setting to ancestral memory. Guests will also be invited to partake in the lighting of the traditional Qilliq, an event that holds deep cultural meaning and illustrates the community’s relationship with the natural world.
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“Arctic Conversations” provide a forum for small‑group discussions with residents, offering candid insight into contemporary life in the North. Participants can join local harvesters for Arctic char fishing, learning the intricacies of traditional weir construction and sustainable harvest methods that have sustained families for centuries.
Visits to summer cabins reveal how Inuit continue to live off the land, demonstrating techniques for gathering, processing and preserving food in a climate that demands ingenuity. Collaborative art‑making sessions give travelers the chance to work with regional materials, creating pieces that reflect the unique aesthetic of each area while supporting local artists.
Elders will share personal stories and ancestral knowledge, providing a rare window into the oral histories that shape community identity. The program also opens doors to everyday social gatherings such as bingo, card games and demonstrations of Arctic sports, allowing visitors to experience the camaraderie and leisure activities that bind residents together.
Financially, HX has pledged that no margin will be taken from these excursions during the initial rollout. All proceeds are directed straight to individuals, artists and businesses operating in Nunavut, a model designed to stimulate sustainable economic development while keeping the experiences under community ownership. This approach shows HX’s broader commitment to long‑term collaboration, cultural partnership and a more inclusive vision for Arctic tourism.
For additional details about the program and upcoming sailings, please visit www.travelhx.com.
