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Your HX Fare Explained
HX Antarctica voyages are about as close to all inclusive as expedition cruising gets. Here is exactly what your fare covers, what the suites add, which flights and hotels come with each voyage, and what you might want to budget for on top.
In Every Fare
One of the things people like most about travelling with HX is that, once you are on board, you very rarely need to reach for your wallet. The fare covers your cabin, all your meals, most of your drinks and all the landings and lectures that make up the expedition. Whichever voyage and cabin you choose, these are included:
We can arrange international flights, extra hotel nights and travel insurance for you, so everything is booked in one place. Ask us when you call.
Cabins and Suites
HX divide their cabins into three broad groups, plus inside cabins on MS Fram. Polar Inside cabins, on Fram only, have no window and are the most affordable way to travel on the longer South Georgia voyages. Polar Outside cabins have a window and a double bed or twin beds. Arctic Superior cabins are larger or better placed, and on MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen many of them have a private balcony. All of these share the same inclusions listed above.
Expedition Suites are a step up in space and service, and the fare includes a number of extras:
Suites vary a good deal between ships. The largest on the hybrid sister ships have big balconies, and some have their own hot tub or bathtub, while on MS Fram the choice is between the Grand Suites with balconies and the smaller Mini Suites. We can talk you through the layouts and help you choose; the ship pages and our life on board guide have more detail.
Eating and Drinking
Aune is the main restaurant on every ship. Breakfast is a generous spread of continental dishes with cooked to order options, lunch is a hot and cold buffet, and dinner is waiter served with suggested wine pairings, with a buffet on some evenings. Fredheim is the casual diner on MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, serving burgers, hot dogs and plant based dishes, with milkshakes, pancakes and waffles. There is no Fredheim on MS Fram. Lindstrøm, on all three ships, is the à la carte fine dining restaurant, with dishes inspired by the regions you are exploring. It is included for suite guests, and cabin guests can dine there for a charge.
Dress is always informal. There is no dress code on HX ships, and nobody minds if you come to dinner in a fleece after an afternoon on the ice.
House wine, beer and spirits are included for everyone, at meals and through the day and evening, along with coffee, tea and soft drinks at any time. For cabin guests, premium drinks and signature cocktails cost extra. Suite guests also have signature cocktails, premium beers and wines by the glass included, though premium wines and sparkling wines by the bottle are charged. All drinks are subject to local licensing laws, and extras are added to your onboard account.
The Practical Bits
Wi-Fi is included on board at no extra cost, via satellite. It is fine for messages and email, but speeds are limited in the polar regions and streaming is not supported. There is no mobile phone coverage ashore in Antarctica, so let family know that you may be quiet for a few days. Many guests find that is half the pleasure.
You receive a wind and waterproof polar expedition jacket, which is yours to keep, and an Ocean Bottle to refill on board. Rubber boots for the landings, trekking poles and any equipment needed for activities are lent to you on board, so you do not need to buy specialist boots. You will need warm layers, waterproof trousers, a hat, gloves and good sunglasses; our practical information page has a full packing list.
Gratuities are included in the fare for everyone on board, so there is nothing to work out at the end of the voyage.
Getting There
International flights to South America are never included, but each voyage includes some combination of hotel nights, transfers and flights within Argentina or Chile. Here is how they work.
| Voyage | Hotel included | Flights included | Voyage ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights of Antarctica, Iconic Antarctica, Antarctica & Falklands, Antarctic Circle | One night in Buenos Aires with breakfast | Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and back, economy | Buenos Aires, by air from Ushuaia |
| Antarctica & Falklands Northbound | One night in Buenos Aires with breakfast | Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, economy | Buenos Aires, by sea |
| Antarctica & South Georgia, Kingdoms of Ice & Wildlife (2028/29) | One night in Buenos Aires with breakfast | Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and back, economy | Buenos Aires, by air from Ushuaia |
| Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition (2027/28) | None (you board in Valparaíso) | Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, economy | Buenos Aires, by air from Ushuaia |
| In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia | One night in Santiago with breakfast | Santiago to Punta Arenas and back, economy | Santiago, by air from Punta Arenas |
| Life Returns, Springtime Expedition | None (you board in Buenos Aires) | Punta Arenas to Santiago, economy | Santiago, by air from Punta Arenas |
| Punta Arenas to Buenos Aires | One night in Santiago with breakfast | Santiago to Punta Arenas, economy | Buenos Aires, by sea |
Where a hotel night is included, so is the transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight south. The MS Fram voyages that visit South Georgia also include the South Georgia passenger permit, and every voyage that calls at Stanley includes the Stanley Community Walk. We always recommend arriving at least a day before the included hotel night, in case of flight delays, and we can book the extra nights for you.
Worth Budgeting For
Every day on an HX expedition includes at least one activity at no extra cost, usually a landing or a boat cruise. On top of that there are optional activities and excursions. Prices below are per person and are a guide; small group activities in Antarctica are booked on board, once the team know what conditions will allow.
| Activity or excursion | Where | Around, per person |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Kayak | Antarctica, e.g. Brown Bluff | £112 |
| Guided Sea Kayaking Adventure | Antarctica | £173 |
| Camping on the ice, bivvy bag | Antarctica | £304 |
| Camping on the ice, tent | Antarctica | £382 |
| Port Stanley Highlights | Falkland Islands | £71 |
| Mount William Hike | Falkland Islands | £93 |
| Falklands Nature Trek | Falkland Islands | £97 |
| Fitzroy Farm Visit | Falkland Islands | £106 |
| Volunteer Point | Falkland Islands | £265 |
| Seal Bay Wildlife Safari | Falkland Islands | £298 |
| The Highlights of Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | £63 |
| Buenos Aires Dinner & Tango Show | Buenos Aires | £164 |
| Breathtaking Patagonia, pre programme | Patagonia | £1,333 |
| The Iguazú Experience, post programme | Iguazú Falls | £2,186 |
Prices per person as shown by HX at the time of writing and subject to change. Activities depend on weather, ice and availability, and not every activity is offered on every voyage.
Paying for Your Voyage
If you book more than 120 days before departure, a deposit of 25% of the price is due when you book. The deposit is non refundable. The balance is then due to us 120 days before departure. No second invoice is sent, so it is worth putting the date in your diary. If you book within 120 days of departure, the full price is payable at the time of booking. Travel documents are issued 7 to 14 days before you travel.
Prices are per person, based on two sharing a cabin, and HX use flexible pricing, so the fare you pay is the one quoted when you book. Solo travellers often pay a single supplement, although HX regularly offer cabins with no single supplement. Full details are in the booking conditions, and our how to book page explains the process step by step. Or just call us on 0333 405 0194.
Or call 0333 405 0194