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POLAR EXPLORER cruise in lapland

Icebreaker cruise experience

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Don't compromise - get the best

Icebreaker cruise and swimming in icy Arctic sea is only a beginning of your adventure.
Find out what else you get with the cruise.

Icy water swimming

Enjoy effortless floating in dry survival suit in the middle of the Arctic Sea

Walking on ice

Walk safely on sea ice, take impressive photos of yourself in front of the ship at sea

Children can swim

Children 125 cm tall and over can join swimming activity with their parents

Photographer on board

Have a souvenir photo of your icebreaker experience made by professional photographer

Services on board

Complimentary hot drink, buy snacks in cafeteria, purchase memorable souvenirs from icebreaker shop

Multilingual guides

Assistance on board by multilingual guides

Audio guide app

Learn about icebreaker in your own language via free mobile app, available on 16 languages

Local experienced crew

Meet captain and other crew members on the bridge

Icebreaker movie

Learn about icebreakers all over the world and about history of icebreaking by watching 11 min film in icebreaker cinema on board

about us

Join us for a once in a lifetime experience

Polar Explorer tourist Icebreaker offers 3 hours cruise in the frozen water of Bothnian sea in Lapland. During 3 hours you will be a witness of a massive ice breaking power of the vessel, have a guided tour all the way down to the engine rooms and all way up to Captain’s bridge. Tour is available on 16 languages via audio guide application and includes 11 min movie in icebreaker cinema about icebreakers all over the world. You can relax in the cozy saloon, enjoying warm juice or go for walk on the frozen sea ice during the stop. The icebreaker makes a pool free of ice and every visitor can take a swim in the dark icy water in flotation survival suit. The captain will present Cruise & Swim Certificate to everyone as a memorable gift.

Holly L, USA
Holly L, USA
★★★★★
Dark horse highlight of our trip
Read More
I thought this would be a cool thing to check off our bucket list on this trip, but I had no idea how thoroughly we would enjoy this! Everything was well organized and easy. This was such a fun excursion and I'll highly recommend it to anyone taking a trip to the area! Well done Polar Explorer Icebreaker!!
Raziel, ISRAEL
Raziel, ISRAEL
★★★★★
A fascinating experience
Read More
I wanted to order a ticket for the sampo ice-breaking , the price was 480 euros per person. Then, I started searching the Internet and found the Polar Explorer Icebreaker The price was surprising 220 euros per person. The distance traveling with a car is an hour and a half from Rovaniemi. It is important to note that Polar Explorer Icebreaker is located in Sweden. But there is no problem of border crossing.
Kalpesh A, INDIA
Kalpesh A, INDIA
★★★★★
Outstanding
Read More
What an experience. Breaking ice of the Baltic sea and then swimming in it and walking on the ice is amazing.
Lazaro T, USA
Lazaro T, USA
★★★★★
Super awsome experience
Read More
Loved the ice breaking tour. All of the crew were great. Awsome experience jumping into the ice cold water. Its a must do.
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SHIP DETAILS

  • Built: 1976, fully rebuilt in 1991
  • Number of passengers: 199
  • Length: 78 m
  • Width: 14 m
  • Draught: 5.22 m
  • Gross weight: gross 1976 mt, net 593 mt
  • Engine: 2 X MAK 8M551AK, 9460 hp
  • Class: 1A
 
Learn more

TIMETABLE 2023-2024

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Morning cruise 10:00-13:00 Finnish time / 09:00-12:00 Swedish time
Afternoon cruise 14:00-17:00 Finnish time / 13:00-16:00 Swedish time
Early Season cruise 11:00-14:00 Finnish time/10:00-13:00 Swedish time
Fully booked
No cruise

PRICE

ICEBREAKER CRUISE

by own transportation
.
€ 285
  • Icebreaker cruise 3 h
  • Guided tour by audio guide
  • Walking on ice
  • Swimming in survival suites
  • Film in icebreaker cinema
  • Hot drink
  • Cruise & Swim certificate
  •  
  • Free parking
BOOK NOW

ICEBREAKER CRUISE

by shuttle bus
from Kemi/Tornio/Haparanda
€ 365
  • Icebreaker cruise 3 h
  • Guided tour by audio guide
  • Walking on ice
  • Swimming in survival suites
  • Film in icebreaker cinema
  • Hot drink
  • Cruise & Swim certificate
  •  
  • Shuttle bus service
BOOK NOW

ICEBREAKER CRUISE

by shuttle bus
from Rovaniemi or Luleå
from € 395
  • Icebreaker cruise 3 h
  • Guided tour by audio guide
  • Walking on ice
  • Swimming in survival suites
  • Film in icebreaker cinema
  • Hot drink
  • Cruise & Swim certificate
  •  
  • Shuttle bus service
BOOK NOW

Booking conditions for icebreaker cruises and accompanied services

Reach icebreaker by shuttle bus
Watch video of the tour

Icebreaker shuttle bus

Icebreaker shuttle bus picks up from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio in Finland and from Haparanda and Luleå in Sweden. You can choose different pick up and drop off locations and take your luggage to the bus at no extra charge. Lunch on board can be added at special price 20 € per person when booked together with shuttle bus. Lunch on board without reservation is 25 €.

ITINERARY
CALCULATE

How to get

Distances

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 cruise terminal. No reservation is needed.                                              


By icebreaker shuttle bus

Pick up locations: 

In Finland: Rovaniemi, Kemi,Tornio

In Sweden: Luleå, Haparanda 

You will be able to choose any pick up and any drop off location suitable for your travel plans during the reservation process. Icebreaker buffet lunch is always included into the package with shuttle bus round trip transportation. 

Directions
Timetable

CONTACT US

+358 207 437 100

[email protected]

Click for media visit application

Have a question?

You may find your answer in most frequent questions

FAQ

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AUDIO TOUR APPLICATION

Icebreaker shuttle bus itinerary

Morning cruise

10:00-13:00 Finnish time
09:00-12:00 Swedish time
    • 06:25 from Santa Sport hotel
      06:35 from Arctic Tree House hotel
      06:45 from Santa Claus Holiday Village
      07:00 from Rovaniemi Tourist information (Koskikatu 12)
      07:10 from Rovaniemi train station
    • 08:05 from Kemi Glass Villas
      08:15 from Kemi Scandic hotel
      08:20 from Merihovi hotel
      08:30 from Kemi train station
      08:55 from Tornio Grand hotel Mustaparta
    • 07:15 from Clarion hotel Luleå

         08:00 from Stadshotell Haparanda
         07:55 from Cape East hotel Haparanda

    • 10:00-13:00 Finnish time
      09:00-12:00 Swedish time
      Boarding starts 40 min before departure and finishes 10 min before departure
    • 13:30 Clarion Sense hotel Luleå
      13:00 Stadshotell Haparanda
      13:05 Cape East hotel Haparanda
    • 14:00 Tornio Grand hotel Mustaparta
      14:30 Kemi Train Station
      14:35 Kemi Scandic hotel
      14:40 Merihovi hotel
      14:50 Kemi Glass Villas
    • 15:30 Rovaniemi train station
      15:35 Rovaniemi Tourist information
      15:45 Arctic Tree House hotel
      15:50 Santa Claus Holiday Village
      16:05 Santa Sport hotel

Afternoon cruise

14:00-17:00 Finnish time
13:00-16:00 Swedish time
    • 10:25 from Santa Sport hotel
      10:35 from Arctic Tree House hotel
      10:45 from Santa Claus Holiday Village
      11:00 from Rovaniemi Tourist information (Koskikatu 12)

          11:10 from Rovaniemi train station

    • 12:05 from Kemi Glass Villas
      12:15 from Kemi Scandic Hotel
      12:20 from Merihovi hotel
      12:30 from Kemi train station
      12:55 from Tornio Grand hotel Mustaparta
    • 12:00 from Stadshotell Haparanda
      11:55 from Cape East hotel Haparanda

          11:15 from Clarion hotel Luleå

    • 14:00-17:00 Finnish time
      13:00-16:00 Swedish time
      Boarding starts 40 min before departure and finishes 10 min before departure
    • 17:00 Stadshotell Haparanda
      17:05 Cape East hotel Haparanda
      17:30 Clarion Sense hotel Luleå
    • 18:00 Tornio rand hotel Mustaparta
      18:30 Kemi Train Station
      18:35 Kemi Scandic hotel
      18:40 Merihovi hotel
      18:50 Kemi Glass Villas
    • 19:30 Rovaniemi train station
      19:35 Rovaniemi Tourist information
      19:45 Arctic Tree House hotel
      19:50 Santa Claus Holiday Village
      20:05 Santa Sport hotel

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

Yes, you can choose your pick up and drop of location during the booking process. Price will be calculated accordingly. Your luggage will be stored in the bus during the tour. 

Yes, when you are coming by our shuttle bus you can store your luggage in the bus during entire trip. No special reservation for luggage is required.

Yes, you can make your way with your own car and park free of charge at the cruise terminal. There is no actual border between Finland and Sweden, you can drive non-stop via the border.

There is no age limit for participating in a cruise, children of all ages are welcome on board!
Survival suits are available at size 125 cm so if your child height is close to 125 cm they can swim. It is up to responsible crew member decision if the child is grown enough and it is safe to swim for child. 

No, a double layer survival suit, which you will put over your normal clothes, will keep you insulated from cold water.
Swimming is voluntary – so if you don’t feel like it you don’t have to do it.

Walking on sea ice is allowed only when ice is solid and at least 20 cm thick. Early winter cruises may not allow walking on ice activity.
Captain makes a decision when it is safe to walk on ice on each cruise.

The ship is not wheelchair accessible due to high thresholds around the ship required for water holding in case of flood.

Lunch on board can be added at special price 20 € per person when booked together with shuttle bus. Lunch on board without reservation is 25 €.
Snacks and beverages can be purchased from the cafeteria on board.
Gluten and lactose intolerance is considered in all meals. Vegetarian meals are offered.

There is no border control between Finland and Sweden, driving is non-stop. Though occasional check may happen. Please also have valid ID with you.
If you hold Schengen visa, same visa is valid for both countries and single entry visa also valid to cross brothers within Schengen area multiple times. 

In case the border of Finland or Sweden is closed due to emergency lock down, all cruises will be cancelled and your payment is fully refunded. 
In case the country where you were travelling from closes down and travelling outside of the country is prohibited for leisure reasons, standard cancellation policy will apply.
We recommend buying travel insurance covering costs caused by cancellations due to COVID, health conditions or any other circumstances preventing travelling.

No cancellation fees are charged if you cancel your booking 31 or more days before cruise departure.
25€ booking fees per person are non-refundable. 
If you cancel 30 days before cruise departure or later, 100% cancellation fees are charged.
In case of “no show”, being late for cruise departure or shuttle bus pick up resulting in missing the departure, 100% cancellation fees apply.
Cancellation fees are charged If cancelled for any reason, including restrictions due to COVID-19 and medical reasons.
We recommend buying travel insurance covering costs caused by cancellations due to health conditions or any other circumstances preventing travelling.

In case our icebreaker cruise is cancelled due to weather conditions or lack of passengers, you will be offered an alternative cruise date or time.
If none of the alternative options fit you, you will get a full refund.

We do not practice discount coupons. 
We keep our prices as low as possible so everyone can join.