Payment and cancellation conditions

Payment and cancellation conditions valid for bookings made after Sept 15th 2020 until October 10th 2021:

25 € booking fees per person (including infants) are charged at the moment of reservation. Final payment is charged 7 days before the cruise date. To avoid cancellation please make sure your card has sufficient funds.

No cancellation fees are charged if cancelled 8 or more days before cruise departure. 25 € booking fees per person are non-refundable. If cancelled 7 days before cruise departure or later, 100% cancellations 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. Rebooking is a matter of availability and at extra charge 50€ per person.

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 condition or any other circumstances preventing travelling.
All cancellations and changes must be made in written and dated within the office hours in Finland (08:00-16:00, +2 GMT, Mon-Fri) by email [email protected]

Cruise date and time can be changed at any time, but latest 72 h before the cruise departure..Cruise or cruise package price is paid according the final choice of cruise. Changes are a matter of availability.

POLAR EXPLORER WITHHOLDS THE RIGHTS
– to change the timetables / contents of the Icebreaker Cruises due to ice or weather conditions or other similar force majeure situation. Polar Explorer shall not be held liable for any compensation for loss of gratification in case of an unforeseeable adverse weather conditions. 
– to cancel a cruise in case of lack of appropriate amount of passenger reservations. In case of cruise cancellation passengers are offered either alternative
ship/time/date or full refund.

SHUTTLE BUS
Please pay close attention on the location and time you chose for icebreaker shuttle bus pick up. Pick up time is always local time of pick up location.

TIME ZONES
When coming from Finland, please notice that Finland is one hour ahead of Sweden and cruise departure times are presented with both times.

EARLY SEASON CRUISES IN DECEMBER
Early December cruises are running normally in any ice conditions. Please note that Ice and it’s thickness is not guaranteed until mid December. By booking icebreaker cruise for early December, passenger accepts cruising at possible weak or “no ice” conditions. Walking on ice may not be available until early January.

SWIMMING ACTIVITY
Polar Explorer Oy shall not be held liable for any compensation for loss of gratification in case of swimming cancellation for safety reason an unforeseeable adverse weather conditions.

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.