HX Expeditions Adds Two New Alaska Inside Passage Cruises for 2026

HX Expeditions has set its 2026 Alaska program with two new Inside Passage itineraries designed around deeper access to coastal wilderness and smaller communities. The sailings will operate aboard the 490-passenger hybrid-electric (hybrid battery-powered) Roald Amundsen, and the program also adds new shore experiences built around the ports of Klawock and Valdez.

Two new Inside Passage itineraries for 2026

The 2026 program centers on a nine-night Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land sailing and a 12-night Alaska’s Inside Passage: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea itinerary. HX Expeditions said the routes are intended to expand access to wilderness areas, smaller coastal communities, and places that are not frequently visited on mainstream itineraries.

Sam Imes, Alaska product planner for HX Expeditions, framed the approach as a shift away from a “coastline-only experience.” “HX goes deeper, reaching rarely visited regions,” Imes said, adding that the company aims to build experiences “with communities rather than around them,” including collaboration with Alaska Native corporations and local residents.

Route and pricing details

Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land is a nine-night sailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Whittier, Alaska, with fares listed from $4,632 per person. HX Expeditions describes it as a shorter option that still emphasizes an immersive look at Southeast Alaska, including exploration in areas such as Misty Fjords.

Wildlife viewing is a core component of the itinerary, with HX highlighting the possibility of seeing whales, bears, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Rather than relying primarily on conventional docked port days, the company said the sailing is built around expedition operations, including small-boat outings and guided landings led by onboard experts.

The longer itinerary, Alaska’s Inside Passage: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, runs 12 nights from Whittier to Vancouver, with fares listed from $5,981 per person. HX Expeditions said the route begins in Prince William Sound, crosses the Gulf of Alaska, then heads south through Southeast Alaska and into British Columbia, pairing glacier viewing and wildlife-focused activities with stops intended to include cultural experiences with Indigenous communities.

New ports and 11 new excursions in Klawock and Valdez

Alongside the new itineraries, HX Expeditions is introducing 11 new excursions tied to two ports that are new to the program: Klawock and Valdez. The company said the expanded shore options are designed to connect guests with Alaska Native communities, local food, living cultural traditions, wildlife, and landscapes.

Klawock: Indigenous-owned port and Tlingit cultural experiences

Klawock, on Prince of Wales Island, is described by HX Expeditions as a newly developed Indigenous-owned cruise port positioned as an entry point to Tlingit culture and Southeast Alaska’s coastal ecosystems. The destination is also known for a collection of totems, including 21 historic totem poles highlighted in the program’s cultural storytelling focus.

• Cultural immersion: Cultural-focused visits centered on local heritage and community-based storytelling.
• Food and drink: Excursions that include seafood tastings, plus a forest hike option that finishes with a beer tasting.
• Active and wildlife options: Kayaking and wildlife-oriented outings designed to bring guests closer to the local environment.

Valdez: outdoor access and an environmental recovery narrative

Valdez sits amid the Chugach Mountains and is closely associated with the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. HX Expeditions characterizes the community today as an example of environmental recovery and resilience, and the shore program blends outdoor activities with opportunities to learn local history, including museum visits focused on the spill and its aftermath.

• On-the-water exploration: Inflatable kayaking among floating ice, alongside glacier-focused scenery in the surrounding area.
• Hiking and landscapes: High-alpine hiking and forested hikes that emphasize the region’s terrain.
• Local touring: A guided trolley-style experience with culinary stops, plus museum visits tied to Valdez’s recovery story.

Expedition-style Alaska cruising aboard Roald Amundsen

HX Expeditions said its 2026 Alaska plans for Roald Amundsen lean into expedition cruising techniques more commonly associated with smaller ships, including time spent offshore and the use of expedition craft for closer access to scenery and wildlife. Zodiac-style boat operations and kayaking are central to how the itineraries are structured, with nature guides supporting both on-the-water and shore components.

The company also positioned Roald Amundsen as a lower-impact option for Alaska exploration: the ship uses hybrid-electric propulsion and can operate for limited periods on battery power. Unlike many competitors that focus on port-heavy itineraries, HX is using Roald Amundsen to prioritize expedition days in areas such as Misty Fjords, Chatham Strait, and Prince William Sound, alongside newly built programming in Klawock and Valdez.

HX Expeditions said the two new Inside Passage itineraries are scheduled for 2026, offering both nine- and 12-night options that pair wilderness exploration with community-based cultural encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is unique about HX Expeditions' new itineraries in Alaska?

HX Expeditions has said the new sailings are designed to increase access to wilderness areas, smaller coastal communities, and places not frequently visited on mainstream itineraries, with expedition operations such as guided landings and small-boat outings. The company also describes the program as being developed “with communities rather than around them,” including collaboration with Alaska Native corporations and local residents.

Which ship will operate these new Alaska sailings?

Both itineraries are scheduled aboard Roald Amundsen, a 490-passenger hybrid-electric expedition ship that can operate for limited periods on battery power.

What are the starting prices for the new itineraries?

The nine-night Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land voyage has fares listed from $4,632 per person, while the 12-night Alaska’s Inside Passage: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea itinerary has fares listed from $5,981 per person.

What activities can passengers expect in Klawock?

HX Expeditions’ Klawock options include cultural-focused visits centered on local heritage, seafood tastings and other food-oriented touring, forest hikes (including a hike that finishes with a beer tasting), wildlife-oriented outings, and kayaking.

How does Valdez stand out as a port of call?

HX Expeditions links Valdez to both its setting amid the Chugach Mountains and its connection to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, describing the community today as an example of environmental recovery and resilience. Excursions include activities such as high-alpine hiking, inflatable kayaking among floating ice, culinary trolley-style touring, forest hikes, and museum visits focused on learning about the 1989 spill.