Sleep Like It’s 1896? HX Expeditions’ Nostalgic Cabin Experience Might Be Cooler in Concept Than Comfort

HX Expeditions is taking guests back to where it all began. In celebration of its 130th anniversary, the expedition cruise line is introducing a one-night-only “1896 Cabin” aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen, designed to recreate the experience of sleeping like a late-19th-century explorer. It’s an ambitious idea: handcrafted furnishings, vintage decor, and even scents meant to evoke the dawn of Arctic exploration.

But while the idea of time travel at sea sounds intriguing, it’s also a bit much. For €450 per night (roughly $475), guests will be sleeping in what’s essentially a museum exhibit—a nostalgic nod to the past that might be more atmospheric than comfortable.

A Heritage Tribute With a Modern Price Tag

HX’s 1896 Cabin isn’t a typical stateroom upgrade. The experience is part historical homage, part fundraiser, and part publicity stunt. The cabin is available for just one night per guest, per sailing, throughout 2026, with half of the profits going to the HX Foundation’s £130,000 anniversary campaign. Credit where it’s due: the donation angle gives the whole initiative a sense of purpose beyond nostalgia.

The design itself comes from AROS Marine, a ship-interior firm known for sleek, modern builds rather than period re-creations. Their team studied the materials, furniture, and lighting used on late-19th-century expedition vessels—think wood paneling, oil-lamp aesthetics, and utilitarian comfort. It’s meant to feel authentic, not plush.

A Cool Idea, But Will Guests Actually Book It?

There’s no denying the 1896 Cabin will photograph beautifully. It’s tailor-made for the kind of traveler who thrives on rare experiences and historical storytelling. But for most guests, especially those paying premium fares for expedition-level comfort, the appeal may end at curiosity. This isn’t a spa suite; it’s a step back into an era when “luxury” meant staying marginally warmer than the Arctic winds outside.

At €450, it’s less an accommodation and more an experience tax: pay to sleep like history’s great explorers, then return to your normal cabin and modern amenities in the morning.

The Barrel That’s Going Places

Adding a little charm to the campaign, HX is also sending a barrel of fortified Zweigelt wine around the world aboard its fleet in 2026. Once it completes its global voyage in 2027, the wine will be bottled as a commemorative “anniversary vintage.” It’s a nice symbolic touch—less polar survival, more old-world celebration.

HX’s 1896 Cabin is clever marketing, no question. It celebrates the brand’s heritage and sparks curiosity at a time when cruise lines are competing for narrative as much as destination. But for travelers, the question remains: do you really want to trade your modern cabin for a night in history? Maybe once, for the story. Then it’s back to heated floors and Wi-Fi.