Australian adventure seekers are about to embark on an extraordinary journey through time as HX Expeditions unveils its remarkable 1896 Cabin experience aboard the modern hybrid ship MS Fridtjof Nansen.
A Time Capsule on the High Seas
In celebration of 130 years of exploration heritage in 2026, the world's first and longest-running expedition cruise company has created an immersive historical cabin that transports guests straight back to the golden age of polar exploration.
From January 29, 2026, travellers can book one night in this meticulously recreated late 19th-century expedition cabin, complete with handcrafted period furnishings and even authentic scents that evoke the era of early explorers.
"The 1896 Cabin is a chance for our guests to not just see history, but to live and sleep in it," says Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX. "As we celebrate 130 years of pioneering journeys, we wanted to create an experience that is immersive, atmospheric, and meaningful."
Authentic Design Meets Modern Comfort
The cabin project was brought to life through collaboration with Aros Marine, a leading Lithuanian shipbuilding company. Their design team conducted extensive research into expedition cabins from the late 1800s, studying every detail from furnishings to lighting and materials.
Mantas Lataitis, head of design at Aros Marine, explains the careful balance they struck: "Designing the HX 1896 Cabin to life has been a journey into history as much as it has into design. We've aimed to transport guests back in time while ensuring comfort and craftsmanship meet modern standards."
Guests stepping into the 1896 Cabin will experience:
- The flicker of oil lamps across wood-panelled walls
- Warm light radiating from an authentic stove
- The rich scent of timber throughout the space
- Historical documents sharing stories of courage and discovery
- Carefully sourced period props and furnishings
- A bathroom with rustic touches true to the era
Supporting Future Exploration
The exclusive add-on experience costs €450 per night (approximately $800 Australian dollars for single or double occupancy), with half of that amount directly supporting the HX Foundation.
A company spokesperson emphasised their commitment to responsible tourism: "We think the privilege of exploring comes with responsibility. Since HX Foundation was launched in 2015, we've supported more than 200 projects in 25 different countries."
The foundation focuses on preserving endangered wildlife, battling marine litter, and supporting local communities in destinations where HX operates.
Rich Heritage of Polar Exploration
The 1896 Cabin honours a significant moment in expedition history. In 1896, Hurtigruten launched what is considered the world's first expedition cruise from Hammerfest to Svalbard in the Arctic.
The cabin's location aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen pays tribute to the great Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen, who led an ambitious expedition from 1893-1896 attempting to reach the North Pole aboard the famous ship Fram.
Nansen's innovative approach to Arctic exploration involved designing a ship with a rounded bottom that could withstand ice pressure by lifting upward when compressed. His three-year drift across the Arctic Ocean, though never reaching the pole, became legendary in exploration history.
Beyond his exploration achievements, Nansen became an important figure in Norwegian politics and international diplomacy, serving as Norway's representative in London and later as the League of Nations' high commissioner for refugees. He introduced the Nansen Passport for stateless people and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his humanitarian work.
The 1896 Cabin experience represents HX Expeditions' ongoing commitment to blending historical appreciation with modern sustainable travel. The company operates five modern ships sailing to more than 250 destinations across 30 countries, famous for pole-to-pole expeditions and pioneering environmental practices.
HX was the first cruise company to eliminate heavy fuel oils, ban single-use unnecessary plastics, and launch hybrid cruise ships, demonstrating that honouring exploration heritage doesn't mean sacrificing environmental responsibility.
