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follow the explorer

Icebreaker Cruise
Experiences in Lapland

Breaking the ice is just the beginning. Sail through frozen seas, swim in the icy waters, and discover everything else this unforgettable adventure includes and become a true explorer.

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▶︎Watch a Video
THE REAL ARCTIC EXPLORATION

Once in a lifetime experience

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic exploration aboard one of our icebreakers: Polar Explorer or Arctic Explorer in Lapland.

Feel the true power of the ship as it crushes through the frozen sea. Explore the fascinating decks with our tour app, walk on the frozen sea, and float in icy waters wearing a warm survival suit.

Relax onboard with a cup of hot juice and take home your official Cruise & Swim Certificate, a perfect keepsake from an unforgettable Arctic experience.
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MV Polar Explorer icebreaker breaking the frozen sea of the Bothnian Bay
Guest ice floating in survival suit aboard Polar Explorer expedition
Arctic Explorer icebreaker aerial view in Swedish Lapland
MV Polar Explorer icebreaker breaking the frozen sea of the Bothnian Bay
Guest ice floating in survival suit aboard Polar Explorer expedition
Arctic Explorer icebreaker aerial view in Swedish Lapland
Polar Explorer icebreaker ship in Axelsvik port, Swedish Lapland
Northern lights above Polar Explorer icebreaker in Swedish Lapland
Fireworks over Polar Explorer icebreaker during winter expedition
Northern lights above Polar Explorer icebreaker in Swedish Lapland
Fireworks over Polar Explorer icebreaker during winter expedition
Polar Explorer icebreaker ship in Axelsvik port, Swedish Lapland
Tourists floating in Arctic sea in red and yellow survival suits during a Polar Explorer icebreaker cruise

Arctic Ice Floating

Float effortlessly in the icy sea wearing a warm survival suit.

Visitors walking on frozen Arctic sea ice next to the Polar Explorer icebreaker ship

Walk on the Frozen Sea

Step safely on Arctic ice and capture photos in front of the ship.

Family floating together on Arctic ice during an icebreaker cruise in Swedish Lapland

Family Adventure

Children over 125 cm can join the swimming activity with their parents.

Professional photographer capturing cruise guests on board the Polar Explorer icebreaker

Professional Photography

Take home a souvenir photo of your Arctic experience on the Polar Explorer.

Aerial drone view of the red Polar Explorer icebreaker cutting through Arctic sea ice

Drone Friendly

Drones welcome for impressive aerial shots.

Captain on the bridge of the Polar Explorer icebreaker meeting cruise guests

Meet the Crew

Visit the bridge and meet the captain and crew.

Ready?

Book your icebreaker experience

Comfortable shuttle bus transferring guests from Rovaniemi and Lulea to the Polar Explorer icebreaker

Easy Transfers

Shuttle from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio, Haparanda & Lulea.

Cruise guests enjoying hot drinks and snacks in the onboard lounge of the Polar Explorer icebreaker

Onboard Comfort

Hot drinks, snacks, and souvenirs in the icebreaker shop.

Multilingual guides welcoming international cruise guests on the Polar Explorer icebreaker

Multilingual Guides

Friendly assistance in several languages.

Captain giving an audio-guided tour of the Polar Explorer icebreaker ship

Audio Guide App

Learn about icebreakers in 16 languages.

Onboard cinema screening a documentary about Arctic icebreaker operations

Icebreaker Cinema

Watch a 10-minute film about the power of icebreakers on the Polar Explorer.

CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Polar Explorer Icebreaker cruising through frozen Bothian Sea in Swedish Lapland
★ Travelers Choice
3h · Nov 23 – Apr 14

Polar Explorer

The full Arctic Expedition. Cinema, professional photography, guided tours, dining — the complete experience.
✓Swimming in survival suits
✓Walk on the frozen sea
✓Short film in icebreaker cinema
✓Music & games on ice
✓Complimentary hot drink
✓Audio Guided Tour
✓Cruise & Swim certificate
✓Free parking
✓Shuttle bus from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio, Haparanda & Luleå (extra charge)
✓Lunch on board (extra charge)
325€
Check Availability
Arctic Explorer icebreaker
★ Best Value
2.5h · Dec 1 – Mar 27

Arctic Explorer

The classic icebreaker experience. Float in icy Arctic waters, walk on the frozen sea and earn your cruise certificate.
✓Swimming in survival suits
✓Walk on the frozen sea
✓Complimentary hot drink
✓E-Guidebook
✓Cruise & Swim certificate
✓Free parking
✓Shuttle bus from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio, Haparanda & Luleå (extra charge)
250€
Check Availability
Booking conditions for icebreaker cruises and accompanied services↕ See Full Comparison
×

Two ships, one Arctic.

A side-by-side look at what changes between the two experiences.
Best Value
Arctic Explorer
2.5 hours · 80 passengers · Dec – Mar
Travelers’ Choice
Polar Explorer
3 hours · 185 passengers · Nov – Apr
On the ice
Float in icy water
✓
✓
Walk on the frozen sea
✓
✓
Music & games on ice
—
✓
On board
Guided experience
E-guidebook
Live audio · 16 languages
Film in icebreaker cinema
—
✓
Professional photography
—
✓
Dining
Small cafe
Restaurant
Business class option
—
✓
Included with both
Complimentary hot drink
✓
✓
Cruise & swim certificate
✓
✓
Free parking
✓
✓
Shuttle bus (extra charge)
✓
✓
Arctic Explorer
250€
per adult · 215€ child
Check Availability
Polar Explorer
325€
per adult · 280€ child
Check Availability

CRUISE TIMETABLE
2025-2026

Icebreaking Adventure

Step aboard an Arctic icebreaker and experience the magic of the Arctic like never before. Feel the ship's immense power as it breaks through thick sea ice, opening a path across the frozen waters of the Bothnian Sea. Explore the decks, visit the Captain's bridge and engine room, and discover the fascinating world of icebreakers through a short film.

Guided Exploration

Step outside onto the frozen sea ice for unforgettable photos, or take the icebreaker adventure further by floating safely in the icy water wearing a survival suit. Enjoy a delicious meal and hot drinks on board as you watch the endless white horizon stretch around you. At the end of your Arctic expedition, you'll receive a certificate signed by the Captain — a perfect keepsake from your once-in-a-lifetime Arctic adveture.

Book now!

How to get to the icebreaker

From Finland

Rovaniemi: 168 km (2 h 15 min drive)
Kemi: 73 km (1 h drive)
Tornio: 45 km (35 min drive)

From Sweden

Luleå: 100 km (1 h 15 min drive)
Haparanda: 45 km (35 min drive)
Kalix:  23 km (20 min drive)

By own transportation

Address:
Axelsviksvägen 291 C
95295 Båtskärsnäs, Sweden

Free parking is available at the cruise terminal.

No reservation is needed.

Directions

By our shuttle bus

Pick up locations:
In Finland: Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio
In Sweden: Luleå, Haparanda

You will be able to choose any pick up and drop off location that best suits your travel plans during the reservation process.

Pick-up details
icon bus

Icebreaker shuttle bus timetable

ROVANIEMI (FINNISH TIME)
Early Season (10.00 - 13.00 CET) Morning (9.00 - 12.00 CET) Afternoon (13.00 - 16.00 CET) Aurora February (19.00 - 21.00 CET)
ROVANIEMI Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off
Santa Sport hotel 07:2517:05 06:2516:05 10:2520:05 17:2501:05
Arctic TreeHouse hotel 07:3516:45 06:3515:45 10:3519:45 17:3500:45
Invisible Forest Lodge 07:4016:50 06:4015:50 10:4019:55 17:4000:50
Santa Claus Holiday Village 07:4516:50 06:4515:50 10:4519:50 17:4500:50
City Center 08:0016:35 07:0015:35 11:0019:35 18:0000:35
Rovaniemi train station 08:1016:30 07:1015:30 11:1019:30 18:1000:30
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Icon of a right-pointing arrow with two arrowheads.
KEMI / TORNIO (FINNISH TIME)
Early Season (10.00 - 13.00 CET) Morning (9.00 - 12.00 CET) Afternoon (13.00 - 16.00 CET) Aurora (19.00 - 21.00 CET)
KEMI/TORNIO/HAPARANDA (Finnish time) Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off
Glass Villas 09:0515:50 08:0514:50 12:0518:50 19:0523:50
Scandic Hotel 09:1515:35 08:1514:35 12:1518:35 19:1523:35
Merihovi Hotel 09:2015:40 08:2014:40 12:2018:40 19:2023:40
Kemi Train station 09:3015:30 08:3014:30 12:3018:30 19:3023:30
Tornio Grand Hotel 09:5515:00 08:5514:00 12:5518:00 19:5523:00
Stadshotell HAPARANDA (swedish time) 09:0014:00 08:0013:00 12:0017:00 19:0022:00
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Icon of a right-pointing arrow with two arrowheads.
HAPARANDA / LULEÅ (SWEDISH TIME)
Early Season (10.00 - 13.00 CET) Morning (9.00 - 12.00 CET) Afternoon (13.00 - 16.00 CET)
LULEÅ (Swedish time) Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off Pick up Drop off
Clarion Sense Hotel 08:0014:30 07:0013:30 11:0017:30
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Icon of a right-pointing arrow with two arrowheads.
Aerial view of multiple people in bright orange suits floating on icy fragmented water surrounded by snow-covered ice.
Two people wearing orange survival suits floating on their backs in icy water near a snowy shore at sunset.
Person in an orange survival suit floating and smiling in icy water with other people in similar suits in the background.
Two people in bright orange survival suits floating in icy water near a snowy shore under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of broken and partially melted ice chunks on a dark surface.
Smiling person in a blue winter coat with fur-lined hood holding a Canon camera near icy water.
Close-up of a child wearing a fur-lined hat and red coat licking a red lollipop.
Red icebreaker ship named Polar Explorer stationary on frozen sea with a crack in the ice in the foreground.
Red icebreaker ship named Polar Explorer on ice with fireworks exploding in the dark night sky above.
Close-up of delicate ice patterns and frost formations on a dark icy surface.
Two people in orange survival suits smiling and holding onto a boat ladder in dark water.
Man and woman clinking wine glasses inside, seen through a window.
Two children wearing orange survival suits looking out through a rain-speckled window at sunset.
Control panel inside a ship's bridge with navigational instruments, computer screens showing maps, and windows overlooking a waterway with a bridge and snow-covered shore.
Orange ship named Polar Explorer docked at a snow-covered pier under a bright sun in a clear blue sky.

MORE THAN JUST AN ICEBREAKER

Two people smiling and floating in cold water wearing survival suits, one orange and one yellow.
Keittiön kalusteet

Arctic Ice Floating

Float effortlessly in the icy sea wearing a warm survival suit.
The bright orange bow of the Polar Explorer ship navigates through icy waters near a group of people standing on the snow-covered ice under a clear sky.
Kylpyhuoneen kalusteet

Walk on the Frozen Sea

Step safely on the ice and capture amazing photos in front of the ship.
Two people in orange survival suits sitting and waving on a small ice floe surrounded by icy water.
Portaat

Family Adventure

Children over 125 cm can join the swimming activity with their parents.
Photographer in dark clothes taking pictures of a person in an orange suit sitting on snowy ground near a steam rising from icy water at sunset.
Sauna

Professional Photographer

Take home a beautiful souvenir photo of your Arctic experience.
A woman in a red jacket serves a drink to a man in a white beanie across a counter while two men sit and drink in the foreground.
Ruokapöytä ja penkit

Onboard Comfort

Enjoy a complimentary hot drink, buy snacks, and souvenirs in the icebreaker shop.
Nine portraits of people wearing bright orange polar expedition jackets standing in front of a red ship named Polar Explorer, with snowy ground and sunset in the background.
Ruokapöytä ja penkit

Multilingual Guides

Friendly assistance in several languages.
A man in a navy uniform smiles and gives a thumbs-up while standing next to a woman in a purple beanie and blue jacket holding brown gloves and a pink smartphone cover.
Ruokapöytä ja penkit

Audio Guide App

Learn about icebreakers in your own language (16 available).
Ship captain operating controls in the bridge with sunlight streaming through the windows.
Ruokapöytä ja penkit

Meet the local Crew

Visit the bridge and meet the captain and crew.
A group of people wearing winter clothing watching a movie of a red ship on a large screen in a dark room.
Ruokapöytä ja penkit

Icebreaker Cinema

Watch a 10-minute film about the power of icebreakers.
Aerial view of multiple people in bright orange suits floating on icy fragmented water surrounded by snow-covered ice.
Ruokapöytä ja penkit

Drone Friendly

Drones welcome for impressive aerial shots.
White and black shuttle bus with icebreaker ship image and text 'Polar Explorer Icebreaker' driving on snowy road surrounded by snow-covered trees.
Ruokapöytä ja penkit

Easy Transfers

Comfortable shuttle from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio, Haparanda & Luleå.
Black arrow pointing up.
Black arrow pointing northeast on a transparent background.