FAQs

Itinerary

Click to watch the video of the itinerary of the day!

Prepare for swimming

How to prepare for the floating activity

How can you prepare for the floating activity? Watch this video so you know what’s going down in our dressing room!

Luggage storage

Can I bring luggage on board?

Two people standing with black hard-shell rolling suitcases, one holding the telescopic handle, both wearing red outerwear and one with red sneakers.

There is no luggage storage on the ship, and large bags are difficult to carry due to narrow pathways and steep stairs. You only need your phone and wallet during the cruise.

If you have luggage, you can safely store it in our onshore storage, just ask a guide for help.

If you’re arriving by shuttle bus, you may leave your belongings on the bus.

Photos During Floating

Can I take my phone swimming?

Smiling person in an orange survival suit waving while climbing a ladder out of cold water with others in survival suits floating behind.

No, we don’t recommend it, there’s a high chance it could freeze or fall into the sea.

But don’t worry! A professional photographer will take photos of you during the swim. That number tag on your chest? That’s how we find your pictures, so keep it clearly visible in the water.

After the swim, take a photo of your tag number before returning it. Your photos will be ready about 10 minutes after the swim and available for purchase until the cruise ends—so don’t miss your chance!

Location & How to get
Map showing the location of the Polar Explorer Cruise Terminal near Luleå, Sweden, with surrounding cities Boden, Älvsbyn, Piteå, Haparanda, Kemi, Ii, Oulu, and Rovaniemi marked.

Address of our port:

Axelsviksvagen 291C
95295 Batskärsnäs
Sweden
Coordinates: 65.7700815, 23.3698463

You can park free of charge on cruise terminal parking.

Please arrive to the terminal at least 20 min before cruise departure.

Drive distances:

From Rovaniemi: 2h 15 min

From Kemi: 1 h 10 min

From Luleå: 1 h 15 min

Clothing

What should I wear?

Child wearing a colorful knit hat and red winter coat sitting in the snow and smiling.

Dress warmly! We’re out on the Arctic Sea, and it can get windy. As we say in Lapland, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.”

If you plan to swim, we recommend bringing an extra pair of socks—just in case.

Walking on ice

Can we walk on the ice?

walking-on-ice

The possibility of walking on the ice depends on its thickness. We measure it daily and allow walking only once it reaches 20 cm, which is our safety standard. The captain makes the final decision based on conditions, and while we monitor closely, exact timing can vary each year.

In our area, the ice can reach up to 70 cm thick during winter!

Drones

Can I fly a drone?

Large red icebreaker ship in an icy frozen body of water with people in orange survival suits floating in a cleared ice pool and others observing from the ice.

Yes, flying drones is allowed in our area, but only when the ship is stopped.

Please note:

You fly at your own risk; we are not responsible for any accidents or losses.

A drone license is required to fly in Sweden.

Is it cold to swim?

Is it cold? Do I need to know how to swim?

Person in an orange survival suit floating and smiling on water with arms outstretched.

You’re not the only one asking—we hear this at least 2,038 times a day!

The good news: you’re wearing a survival suit for a reason. Made of insulating neoprene, it’s designed to keep you warm and help you float. The suit has multiple layers to block the cold and traps air inside, giving you extra air for floatation. It’s not meant to be tight, so don’t worry if it feels loose.

No swimming skills required—just relax and enjoy the experience!

Can my child swim?

Can kids join the swim?

Two children floating on their backs in icy water wearing bright orange survival suits near an ice edge.

Yes, if they’re at least 125 cm tall. If you’re not sure, just stop by the dressing room and our guides will help check.

Safety comes first, so we always look at each child’s situation individually.