Travel Advisors Explore Galápagos Islands on HX FAM Trips

In late 2023, HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) launched a competition for travel advisors, offering 100 winners a chance to experience the extraordinary landscapes and wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. The contest ran from December 26, 2023, to March 31, 2024, with travel advisors earning entries for each new booking made during this period. At the end of the contest, HX randomly selected 100 winners to join a series of FAM trips to the Galápagos in late 2024.

This initiative is part of HX’s commitment to supporting its travel partners, along with the launch of new resources such as an agent portal, online training program, B2B help desk, and webinars. The company has also been expanding its North American presence by hiring new business development managers.

In September 2024, HX hosted its largest-ever FAM trip, with over 300 travel advisors attending a two-day voyage aboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen, sailing from Vancouver to Seattle through Gulf Island National Park Reserve. This event allowed travel advisors to experience HX’s expedition cruise offerings firsthand.

The lucky Galápagos competition winners joined three separate departures in late 2024, including voyages like the “Iconic Wildlife & Sublime Scenery (Western route)” in October, “Nature and Wildlife (Northern route)” in November, and “In Darwin’s Footsteps (Eastern route)” in December. The advisors sailed aboard the MS Santa Cruz II, a 90-guest expedition cruise ship that was refurbished in 2021.

The Galápagos Islands, located 600 miles off Ecuador’s coast, comprise 127 islands, islets, and rocks, with 97% of the archipelago designated as Galápagos National Park since 1959. The surrounding waters are protected by the Galápagos Marine Reserve, established in 1986 and expanded in 1998. The islands have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.

During the December trip, U.S. and Canadian travel advisors explored numerous islands, including Mosquera Islet, Punta Pitt, Puerto Baquierizo Moreno, Santa Fé, South Plaza, Española Island, Eden Islet, and North Seymour Island, gaining in-depth knowledge of HX’s Galápagos itineraries.

For Kelly LaPorte, a travel advisor from Windsor, Ontario, the FAM trip was a “phenomenal” opportunity to experience a bucket-list destination. She plans to emphasize the value of HX’s all-inclusive fares when promoting the trips to her clients. Starting in the fall of 2024, HX’s expedition cruises include all daily expeditions, activities, dining, beverages (including beer, wine, and spirits), Wi-Fi, gratuities, and access to fitness amenities. In the Galápagos, this also covers flights between Ecuador and the islands, a pre-cruise hotel stay, excursions, and even wetsuits and snorkeling gear.

Karen Sutherland, a travel advisor with Expedia Cruises, was impressed with the accessibility and safety of HX’s cruises, which offer a variety of excursions suitable for guests with varying mobility levels. “The crew made me feel so safe—they are so well-trained and so caring,” Sutherland said, emphasizing the inclusivity and empowering nature of the experience.

Gayle Tan, a travel advisor with Expedia Cruises in Vancouver, believes that HX’s Galápagos cruises would be an excellent fit for families, especially multigenerational groups seeking unique and adventurous experiences. Jon Silverman from Frosch in Denver was also impressed by the wildlife encounters, highlighting the rare opportunity to observe animals in such an intimate and immersive setting.

HX’s Galápagos expeditions provide a rare chance to explore one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, with wildlife encounters that are both extraordinary and up-close, making it an ideal experience for inquisitive travelers.

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