HX Expeditions has announced a partnership with Inuit communities in Arctic Canada, marking a significant milestone for the global cruise industry, as it is the first-of-its-kind community-led excursion of such scale in the region. Launching in the summer of 2025, the program is co-designed with Inuit Elders and local residents, offering travellers an authentic and immersive experience in the Canadian Arctic.
As part of its 25-day Northwest Passage journeys aboard the hybrid-powered MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen, HX will visit remote communities like Gjøa Haven, Pond Inlet, and Cambridge Bay — communities in the eastern Canadian Arctic that can be visited only during a short summer window.
The excursions have been created hand-in-hand with local Inuit communities, ensuring every activity reflects their knowledge, traditions, and way of life, providing a genuine connection to the culture of the region.
Mariah Erkloo, an HX Product Planner and Inuk from Pond Inlet, played a pivotal role in developing these experiences, building the concept and strengthening relationships between HX and local partners. She emphasized the importance of centring Inuit voices and priorities in Arctic tourism, stating, “This kind of collaboration is exactly what’s needed in Arctic tourism. It’s encouraging to see it begin in a way that centres Inuit voices and priorities. From the community side, if this model continues to grow with care, it will strengthen the experience for both locals and visitors. I look forward to seeing how it evolves and the lasting positive impact it will have for our communities and the people who travel through them.”
Authentic experiences and deep connections
Each activity is designed to be small, personal, and respectful. Groups will typically include just 10 to 12 travellers, keeping the focus on unique connections, authentic experiences and cultural exchange.
“These intimate excursions are an opportunity for travellers to create meaningful personal connections with local residents and experience the beauty of Inuit hospitality like never before,” said Chief Expedition Officer, Alex McNeil.
Guests sailing with HX Expeditions through the Northwest Passage will be invited into the heart of Inuit life through experiences created and led by local communities. From joining a guided hike while hearing stories passed down through generations, to helping light a traditional Qilliq lamp and learning its cultural significance or going for Arctic char fishing using inherited weir techniques, each moment offers a personal touch of the culture and rhythm of life in the North. Some will try their hand at art-making using natural regional materials and guided by local artists, others will be pleased to visit summer cabins and learn how Inuit continue to live off the land. Whether it’s sharing laughter over bingo or listening to Elders share their wisdom and ancestral knowledge, these experiences are all about real connection.
“This project was inspired by the spirit of Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen — Norwegian explorers who came of age alongside HX during the golden era of polar exploration, and after whom the only two HX vessels that cross the Northwest Passage each year are named,” McNeil emphasized. “They were among the first European explorers to acknowledge Inuit ingenuity, knowledge, and talent — which greatly enabled their success. This type of product innovation is key for HX; it’s about working with communities, not around them,” he added.
Putting communities first
One of the most groundbreaking parts of the initiative is that in its first phase, HX is giving 100% of the revenue from the excursions to locals in Nunavut and regional small businesses. That means every hike, every conversation, and every shared meal directly support the community hosting it.
Prices range from $50 CAD for a lively game of community bingo to $425 CAD for an intimate Arctic char fishing trip with just eight guests, each experience rooted in local tradition and hosted with pride. “This is just the beginning,” said McNeil, “We believe the future of exploration lies in collaboration — with the people who have called these regions home for generations.”
This marks a significant step toward a more inclusive and sustainable model of Arctic travel, where communities shape the narrative and benefit from the experience on their own terms. For travellers seeking more than just stunning landscapes, this is an invitation to slow down, explore the Arctic, and go into the heart of its culture.
