Press release —
HX Expeditions CEO Gebhard Rainer to Step Down and Return Home to the USA
9 November 2026 – HX Expeditions, the world’s first and longest-running global expedition cruise company, today announced that Chief Executive Officer Gebhard Rainer has made the personal decision to step down and return home to the USA to be closer to his family.
Rainer is committed to remaining in his role during a transition period over the next few months to ensure an orderly handover and is working closely with the Board to ensure an orderly transition. The Board is undertaking an executive search to identify and appoint the next CEO.
Since joining HX in 2024, Rainer has helped strengthen the business, bringing stability and a renewed focus on growth. He has overseen a new digital booking system and guest app, and a stronger focus on the guest experience, both on board and ashore. HX has advanced its strategic objectives, with year-to-date bookings up more than 25% globally, including 24% growth in the UK and 58% in the US. HX Expeditions recently won UK & Ireland Travel Company of the Year at The Travel Industry Awards 2026 and the SeaTrade Initiaive of the Year 2026 for their 1896 Cabin.
Alex Dichter, Chair of the HX Board, commented:“The Board has full confidence in the exceptionally strong team Gebhard has built to lead HX through this transition. Since joining in 2024, he has brought stability, strong leadership and a clear focus on the guest experience, from the first digital interaction to life on board. We thank him for that contribution and respect his personal decision to return home to be closer to his family. Our focus now is on an orderly transition and appointing our next CEO. We will work closely with Gebhard throughout his notice period to deliver that.”
Rainer added: “This has been a difficult decision, but returning home to the USA to be closer to my family is important to me. HX is a UK company headquartered in London, so leading the team from the US was not viable. I am proud of what we have achieved together, strengthening the business and building momentum for the future. Thank you to our teams for their commitment and contribution. Throughout the transition, I will remain focused on delivering our strategy, supporting our crew and guests, and working with the Board to ensure a smooth handover.”
HX remains focused on delivering its strategy, supporting its crew and guests, and building on its progress.
Topics
HX Expeditions is the world's first and longest-running expedition cruise company, as well as the largest provider of cruises to Antarctica, guiding curious travelers on mindful adventures since 1896.
Headquartered in London, HX employs just under 1,000 professionals worldwide and operates a fleet of five modern ships, sailing to more than 250 destinations across 30+ countries.
Renowned for its polar expeditions and immersive voyages, HX combines conservation, science and education to deliver transformative travel experiences. A pioneer in responsible travel, HX was the first expedition cruise company to eliminate heavy fuel oil, ban unnecessary single-use plastics across its operations, and introduce hybrid-powered expedition ships.
HX actively supports scientific research, providing more than 1,600 complimentary cruise nights to third-party scientists, and operates the HX Foundation, which funds environmental conservation and community development.
To find out more, visit travelhx.com or follow HX on Instagram (@hxexpeditions).
