Cooler destinations gain ground as Europe faces summer heat

HX Expeditions is commemorating the 130th anniversary of its first polar expedition voyage, which departed Hammerfest for Svalbard aboard steamship DS Lofoten in 1896, at a time when much of the Arctic was still unmapped. The company is marking this milestone with special offers, immersive historical experiences such as the 1896 Cabin, and messaging from CEO Gebhard Rainer that connects HX’s pioneering heritage with its future-focused, sustainable exploration ethos.

The article says travel trade feedback on Royal Caribbean’s **Legend of the Seas** is strongly positive, with descriptors such as “awe-inspiring,” “incredible,” and “unbelievable.” It appears to focus on how agents and other industry professionals reacted to the ship and what that means for selling it to customers.

Aurora Expeditions has entered its biggest year yet, closing out 2025 with record performance and expanding its fleet to three purpose-built expedition ships with the addition of the Douglas Mawson. The company is leveraging this new capacity to grow into fresh geographic markets, add more diverse itineraries, and secure charter arrangements that broaden distribution. Strategic moves in product, capacity and partnerships position Aurora for continued growth in the high-end expedition cruise segment.