HX Arctic Cruise Season Sets Citizen Science Record
HX's 130th-anniversary Arctic season achieved unprecedented guest participation in research.
HX concluded its 130th-anniversary Arctic cruise season with a record 26,491 citizen science submissions from guests. The expedition line operated 31 sailings, conducting 363 dedicated science boat sessions to facilitate the research.
Guests participated in at least two citizen science projects on every voyage. Their contributions spanned nine distinct research programmes, generating a detailed breakdown of observations. The season also achieved an average Tripadvisor rating of 4.7 out of 5 across 167 reviews.
| Programme | Submissions |
|---|---|
| iNaturalist observations | 23,518 |
| ORCA records | 1,286 |
| eBird submissions | 1,183 |
| NASA GLOBE Cloud Observer reports | 203 |
| Secchi Disk readings | 181 |
| Happywhale contributions | 73 |
| Harmful algal bloom observations | 38 |
| Aurorasaurus reports | 8 |
| Marine Debris Tracker entry | 1 |
Beyond data collection, guests and staff collected 308.44 kg of waste through organised beach clean-ups. The season also saw the line's highest-ever suite bookings.
AI innovation enhances whale conservation efforts
The Arctic summer featured a world-first trial of an AI whale-detection system. This AI WAVE project, a collaboration between Heriot-Watt University and Seiche, deployed a Smart Visual Detection System aboard the MS Fram.
The system uses thermal imaging and machine learning to identify whale blows and surface activity in real-time. It aims to give bridge teams earlier warning to reduce disturbance and collision risks for vulnerable species like narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales. Data gathered will train future AI-assisted identification and automated alert systems. The trial began on a voyage from Dover to Svalbard and continued throughout the season.
Svalbard course expands HX's science education legacy
Building on its established educational programmes, HX developed a free Svalbard course in partnership with the University of Tasmania. This new course follows the line's successful Alaska programme and its award-winning Antarctica offering. It extends HX's commitment to deepening guest understanding of the regions they explore.
Future science programming planned for 2027
HX plans to launch further learning and citizen science voyages in 2027. These new programmes will expand into Arctic Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and the Northwest Passage. Specific research focus areas and exact timings for these voyages are not yet detailed.
Looking ahead, HX will extend the HX Greenland Promise through the end of the 2028 season. This guarantee offers guests transfer options with a 20% Future Cruise Credit or a full refund if sailings are cancelled or travel is advised against. Dr Verena Meraldi, HX Chief Scientist, noted that science is a powerful way to turn an Arctic journey into something that matters long after guests return home.
