This new cruise line loyalty program has lots of great perks — but only 2 tiers
Want shore excursion discounts, free cocktails and other great perks, even at the lowest levels of your cruise line's loyalty program? Hurtigruten Expeditions, which has split from sister brand Hurtigruten, has launched a new reward system for its passengers with just two levels — one for those who have cruised with the line previously and one for those who haven't.
Under the new HX Explorers program, passengers enjoy Level 1 rewards during their first voyage. Twenty-four hours after completing their first trip, they move up to Level 2. Both levels have access to discounts with external brands, offering savings on apparel, hotels, restaurants and more, even when passengers aren't sailing — something that's unusual for cruise lines. Here's a breakdown to show what makes this program valuable right out of the gate.
Level 1
- Social media competitions to win prizes
- A welcome cocktail on embarkation day
- 5% shore excursion discount
- In-cabin welcome fruit basket on embarkation day
- 10% off Helly Hansen and Longyear78 apparel
- 25% off Waterhaul sunglasses
- Hotel and restaurant discounts
- 20% off Priority Pass membership
- Discounts on sustainable water bottles and jewelry
- Discounts on photo books
- A dedicated loyalty manager to offer tips and cruise deals
Level 2
- All benefits afforded to Level 1 travelers
- 5% discount on HX cruise bookings
HX said in a statement that it's still developing the program, and its expedition cruise enthusiasts can expect to hear more about other surprises as they roll out.
For a limited time, all HX Explorers members who book an expedition cruise through December 2026 will receive a special 130-year anniversary patch to commemorate Hurtigruten's inception. The patches represent the company's first expedition voyage, between Hammerfest and Spitsbergen in Norway, made in 1896 on its original ship, Lofoten.
"HX Explorers is our commitment to recognizing and rewarding our loyal guests, encouraging them to dive into new adventures and discover the world with a fresh perspective," said HX CEO Gebhard Rainer. "With HX Explorers, we recognize that today's travelers seek more than just vacations — they desire meaningful experiences that resonate and inspire."
Cruisers who were previously part of the 1893 Ambassador program under sister brand Hurtigruten will have their status carried over to HX Explorers when they sail on expedition cruises. Hurtigruten will continue to reward its passengers under the original program.
Want to learn more about HX and expedition cruises? Check out these stories:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month