HX Expeditions has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of MS Spitsbergen, part of a more than $8 million investment across the 220-guest vessel and sister ship MS Fram. The project focused on enhancing guest spaces, improving accessibility and increasing operational efficiency.
The refurbished ship features Brygga Bistro, a new informal dining concept on Deck 5 that serves snacks and light meals during three daily services. The brasserie-style restaurant offers salads, wraps, gourmet sandwiches, pressed toasties and warm plates including lamb kofta with pita.
"By offering a seamless, high-quality alternative to traditional dining hours, Brygga enhances the onboard atmosphere — bringing comfort and accessibility to guests in a way that feels natural and refined," said Stefan Engl, vice president of hotel operations at HX.
The Explorer Lounge & Bar received interior updates and new seating, while the adjoining Explorer Bar now serves HX's new signature cocktail range, featuring 14 craft beverages.
A newly constructed Science Center on Deck 6 includes interactive screens, flexible lecture space, a library and dedicated workstations for citizen science activities. The facility features interpreter systems for multi-language presentations to improve accessibility for international guests.
"Last year alone, our program supported 32 research projects, 1,911 guest-scientist cruise nights and more than 30,000 citizen science submissions," said Dr. Verena Meraldi, HX's chief scientist. "The new Science Center onboard Spitsbergen will allow us to deepen that impact — especially around Svalbard, one of the most climate-sensitive and scientifically significant areas in the world."
The ship now displays HX's updated indigo blue and sand livery. Accessibility upgrades include newly refurbished ADA-compliant bathrooms and interpretation systems. Crew areas and dining facilities were also expanded.
MS Spitsbergen resumed service for the Arctic summer season, operating in and around Svalbard before heading east for winter. Beginning in January, the vessel will offer seven-day Ultimate Norway – Arctic Expedition under the Northern Lights sailings above the Arctic Circle, featuring activities based on the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv (which loosely describes living a simple life in nature) including small-boat landings, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, fishing and whale watching.
The refurbishment aligns with HX's fleet-wide, all-inclusive offering, which became standard across all ships in November 2024.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by HX Expeditions. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
