HX Expeditions won four times at last night’s Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) Awards, including the overall ‘Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator’ award.
The line also won ‘Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator for Polar Regions’, ‘Favourite Warm-Water Expedition Cruise Operator’ and ‘Favourite Responsible Expedition Cruise Operator’.
The 2026 awards were presented in London’s Glaziers Hall on 29 September as part of the ECN Conference, and bought together around 120 travel advisors, brands, expedition cruise operators and tour operators.
Other winners included PONANT, which was named ‘Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator for Luxury’, Aqua Expeditions for ‘Favourite Micro Expedition Cruise Operator’ and Heritage Expeditions for ‘Favourite Specialist Expedition Cruise Operator’.
Danielle Bates from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions was named ‘Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator Sales Representative in the UK’ for the second year running.
In the trade categories, Eclipse Travel won ‘Best Expedition Cruise Travel Agency’, while Swoop Travel was named ‘Best Expedition Cruise Tour Operator’.
Cassia Jackson from Swoop won ‘Best Individual Expedition Cruise Seller or Travel Advisor’.
Becky Walker of Club Voyages was named ‘Best Individual Newcomer to Expedition Cruise’, while Cruise Routes won ‘Best Newcomer to Expedition Cruise – Travel Agency or Tour Operator’.
The ‘ECN Champion Award’ went to Jonathan Goldsmith of cazenove+loyd, while John Galligan of John Galligan Travel received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
The operator categories were voted for by travel agents, and a panel of expedition cruise operator experts selected winners in the other categories.
This year’s awards also marked the launch of a charity partnership with the Polar Citizen Science Collective, with £1 donated for every qualifying award entry and vote.
ECN CEO Akvile Marozaite said: “The ECN Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the people and businesses whose passion, expertise and commitment are helping expedition cruising thrive. This year’s winners represent so many different parts of our community, from globally recognised operators to specialist travel businesses, exceptional sellers, industry newcomers and individuals who have supported the sector over many years.
“What makes these awards particularly meaningful is the involvement of the expedition cruise community itself. Every entry and vote reflects the experience and confidence of the travel professionals who work with these businesses and individuals. Congratulations to all our winners, finalists and everyone who took part.”
