This Company Is Offering Expedition Cruises to Greenland with Direct Flights from NYC
HX Expeditions has created a Greenland expedition cruise program with roundtrip flights from the New York city area. (Photo courtesy of HX Expeditions)
HX Expeditions, formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions, is making it really easy for travelers to experience the icy wonders of a Greenland cruise. The expeditions begin with direct flights from Newark Liberty Airport (New York/New Jersey) to the city of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
These are the only expedition cruise itineraries designed and managed by native Greenlanders. Additionally, HX Expeditions is the first cruise line to offer flight-inclusive packages from Newark to Nuuk, ensuring an exclusive and hassle-free experience.
The voyages above the Arctic Circle launch on Greenland National Day, which is June 21, 2025.
These exciting journeys were crafted with Greenlandic communities to provide immersive access to Greenland’s west coast aboard the hybrid-powered 490-passenger cruise ship MS Fridtjof Nansen.
“Greenland is on the cusp of transformation,” said Laali Berthelsen, who is a Nuuk resident and Local Product Manager for HX Expeditions. “With the opening of our new international airport and direct flights, Greenland is more accessible than ever.
“As interest grows, we have a responsibility to ensure tourism uplifts our communities and respects our environment.”
Seven Reasons HX Expeditions Is a Top Choice for Greenland Cruises
The expedition starts in the capital city of Nuuk. (Photo courtesy of Arnau Ferrer)
1. Unmatched Expertise
The company owns a legacy of Arctic exploration since 1896, with more than two decades of experience in Greenland.
2. Exclusive Locally Designed Itineraries
This is the only expedition cruise company with itineraries crafted and managed by Greenlanders, built in collaboration with the communities and featuring cultural ambassadors on every sailing.
3. Sustainability Leadership
Voyages aboard the hybrid battery-powered MS Fridtjof Nansen, recognized as the world’s safest and most-sustainable cruise ship, prioritize reductions of emissions and waste.
4. Supporting Greenlandic Communities
Partnerships and investments strengthen Greenland’s communities, with HX Foundation contributing more than $180,000 to youth education, mental health and cultural preservation projects.
5. Unrivaled Access
Greenland’s rugged terrain and limited infrastructure make expedition cruising the best way to explore its dramatic coastline and iconic landscapes on the way to the northernmost reaches of the world.
6. Seamless Experience
Dedicated flight allocations offer an exclusive, hassle-free journey, with all-inclusive itineraries featuring daily excursions, onboard Science Center activities, meals, gratuities and drinks.
7. Extended Exploration of Nuuk
Aleqatsiaq Peary, an Inuk storyteller and native Greenlander, will join all voyages. (Photo courtesy of Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen)
Travelers enjoy a night in Greenland’s vibrant capital, visiting landmarks, trying the cuisine and enjoying fjord adventures before heading to more remote regions.
Aleqatsiaq Peary, an Inuk storyteller, musician and hunter from Qaanaaq, will join all voyages. As the great-great-great-grandson of Robert Peary, the first person to reach the North Pole, Aleqatsiaq embodies the connection between Greenland’s past and present.
"If you’ve read about Arctic explorers, these itineraries offer a chance to experience it for yourself,” said Aleqatsiaq Peary. “To see what they saw and feel what it was like to journey to the far north aboard their ships."
Onboard, Peary will share his knowledge of Greenlandic traditions and facilitate interactions with remote communities to help bring cruisers a deeper understanding and appreciation of Northwest Greenland.
A scenic home in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital (left), and a musk ox grazing in Ivittuut’s wild landscape (right).
New Greenland Cruise Itineraries from Newark
Greenland offers vibrant natural landscapes and chances to see wildlife such as the muskox. (Photo courtesy of Ted Gatlin)
June 21, 2025: Icy Giants of Disko Bay: This 12-day expedition, the shortest option for travelers, offers a chance to witness Disko Bay’s towering icebergs, visit UNESCO-listed Ilulissat and explore Inuit settlements under the midnight sun.
July 1 & 15, 2025: Mythical Lands of the North: This 16-day expedition explores northwest Greenland, including legendary Thule and the High Arctic, with opportunities to see narwhals, walruses and polar bears.
July 29, 2025: Farthest North to Thule and Kane Basin: A 20-day journey venturing farther north than HX Expeditions has ever gone in Greenland, connecting with isolated northern communities.
August 16, 2025: Northwest Passage – Through the Arctic Labyrinth: Beginning in Nuuk, Greenland and ending in Nome, Alaska, this 26-day expedition crosses the famed Northwest Passage, offering one of the world’s most exclusive travel experiences.
HX Expeditions’ dedicated flights are on United Airlines with a direct route to Nuuk for include all-inclusive expedition cruise packages covering excursions, meals, drinks, and more.