Supporting HX's growth in the Americas: Jennifer Kennedy, Charlene Sherman, Aliette Penton, Zachery Krapes and Madelyn Nunez Paredes have taken on new and expanded roles across national accounts, commercial and the company's new Groups division.

HX Expeditions announced that the Americas has become the company's largest source market worldwide, marking a milestone in the region's continued growth. Supporting this momentum, HX is expanding travel advisor resources across North America through a new advisor onboarding program, the launch of a dedicated Groups division, and ongoing expansion of its commercial team.

As HX celebrates its 130th anniversary, the announcement underscores the rapid growth of its North American business. Founded in Norway and headquartered in London, the expedition cruise company has historically drawn the majority of its guests from Europe. From 2024 to the first half of 2026, the Americas grew from HX's third-largest source market to its largest. The region delivered 53% year-over-year growth in the first half of 2026, including 61% growth in travel advisor sourced sales.

New Travel Advisor Onboarding Program

To help newly registered advisors quickly build confidence in selling HX voyages, the company has launched an automated Travel Advisor Welcome Program. The personalized onboarding journey consists of five emails delivered during an advisor's first three weeks following registration on the HX Travel Advisor Portal.

The program introduces advisors to HX's expedition heritage, destinations, onboard experience, sustainability initiatives, scientific contributions and Basecamp philosophy, while highlighting tools and resources designed to help grow their expedition cruise business.

Currently available to newly registered North America-based travel advisors, the program is already delivering strong engagement, generating click-through rates approximately three times higher than standard advisor communications. HX plans to expand the program to additional markets in the future.

Preview of HX Expeditions' new Travel Advisor Welcome Program

Launch of Dedicated Groups Division

Last year, HX doubled its North America-based Guest Excellence (GX) team and introduced dedicated, in-market service specialists focused exclusively on supporting the unique needs of North American travel advisors and their clients.

Now, HX has launched a Groups division to support expedition group travel across the United States and Canada. The new team provides specialized support for travel advisors and tour operators, helping them develop and manage group business through inventory planning, logistics coordination, guest experience support and voyage execution.

The team is led by Senior Group Specialist Zachery Krapes and Groups Specialist Madelyn Nunez Paredes. Prior to joining HX, Krapes managed large group programs with Windstar Cruises, overseeing planning and operational execution while partnering closely with travel advisors. Nunez Paredes brings more than 16 years of hospitality industry experience, including 12 years with The Walt Disney Company, where she managed group business across meetings, conventions, weddings and sporting events.

Senior Group Specialist Zachery Krapes and Groups Specialist Madelyn Nunez Paredes.

New Appointments & Team Expansion

HX also announced the promotion of Jennifer Kennedy to Senior Manager, National & Strategic Accounts and the appointment of Charlene Sherman as Senior Manager, National & Strategic Accounts.

Previously serving as Business Development Manager for the Southeast region, Kennedy will now oversee a portfolio of HX's national accounts, consortia and key strategic partners. Kennedy brings more than a decade of travel industry experience and has been instrumental in strengthening advisor partnerships since joining HX in 2023.

Sherman brings expertise in partnerships, advisor engagement and commercial growth across the premium and luxury cruise industry. Most recently, Sherman developed Trade Sales and National Account Marketing initiatives for Viking and previously held sales and marketing roles with Cunard and Seabourn. In this role, she will oversee a portfolio of national accounts and strategic partnerships across the Americas.

In addition, Aliette Penton has joined HX as Business Development Manager, Southeast, overseeing Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Penton brings more than two decades of cruise industry experience spanning trade sales, partner engagement and advisor development. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in sales coaching and business development, building strong relationships with travel partners across the region.

From left, Jennifer Kennedy, senior manager, national and strategic accounts; Charlene Sherman, senior manager, national and strategic accounts; and Aliette Penton, business development manager, Southeast.

HX also plans to add Business Development Manager positions in Northern California and the Midwest, as well as a new Sales Coordinator role.

Travel advisors can learn more about HX's travel advisor programs, resources and support tools by registering through the HX Travel Advisor Portal at agentportal.travelhx.com.

Advisors seeking sales support or booking assistance can contact the HX Travel Advisor team at +1 (866) 312-6791 (U.S. & Canada) or usagencies@travelhx.com.