HX Expeditions has expanded its partnership with the University of Tasmania (UTAS), launching a new pre-departure education program designed to help guests better understand Alaska before embarking on an expedition cruise.
The free online HX + UTAS Alaska Course is the first in a new series of Arctic-focused educational programs and follows the success of the companies’ Antarctica pre-departure course. Future courses are planned for Arctic Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Northwest Passage and Svalbard.
University-backed learning before departure
Designed to complement HX’s onboard Science & Education Programme, the self-paced course gives travellers a deeper understanding of Alaska’s wildlife, ecosystems, landscapes, Indigenous communities and responsible tourism before they arrive.
The course comprises four modules:
- Essential Alaska
- Alaska Ecosystem Primer
- Iconic Alaska Species
- Responsible Alaska Tourism
Each module takes around 30 minutes to complete, with participants receiving a Certificate of Attendance upon completion. Members of the HX Explorers loyalty program will also earn loyalty points.
Expanding expedition education
HX Chief Scientist Dr Verena Meraldi said the Alaska program reflects the company’s commitment to combining exploration with education.
She said giving guests the opportunity to learn before travelling helps them arrive informed, curious and ready to engage more deeply with Alaska’s coastal ecosystems, wildlife and communities.
HX Chief Operating Officer Iain McNeill said the collaboration continues to redefine expedition cruising by combining exploration with university-backed learning that encourages more informed and responsible travel.
Vanessa Lucieer from the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) said the initiative demonstrates how education can enrich travel while helping visitors better understand fragile and culturally significant environments.
Supporting more meaningful Alaska expeditions
The Alaska program is available free to all HX guests travelling to Alaska and can be completed in less than three hours from anywhere in the world. It is designed to build anticipation before departure while helping travellers gain a richer appreciation of the destination and the role responsible tourism plays in protecting it.
