Arctic Explorer Icebreaker Cruise: Walk on Frozen Sea & Ice Float

Float in thermal gear on the Arctic Ocean, then step onto sea ice.

The Arctic Explorer is a 2.5-hour icebreaker cruise departing from Axelsvik in Swedish Lapland that combines ship exploration with optional ice activities: walking on the frozen sea and floating in icy water wearing a thermal survival suit, both subject to ice and weather conditions. The cruise includes hot drinks, an onboard self-guided E-Guidebook in 16 languages, and a Cruise & Swim Certificate signed by the captain. Round-trip shuttle transport is available from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio or Luleå, or you can arrange your own transport to the terminal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Icebreaker cruise and ice activities

• Board Arctic Explorer at Axelsvik
• Cruise through frozen sea ice
• Explore ship with onboard E-Guidebook
• Step onto frozen sea (if safe)
• Float in icy water with survival suit
• Warm up with hot drink onboard
• Receive Cruise & Swim Certificate

The experience

The Arctic Explorer icebreaker cuts through frozen sea ice while you move around the ship at your own pace, guided by an onboard E-Guidebook available in 16 languages. A live crew member is on hand to manage safety and answer questions. When ice thickness and sea conditions permit, the ship stops and the crew decides whether ice walking and floating can proceed that day. These are not guaranteed, but when they happen, you step directly onto the frozen sea surface and then put on a thermal survival suit to float in the icy water.

The thermal suit is the equipment that makes ice floating possible. It keeps you buoyant and insulated so you can spend time in water that would otherwise be dangerous. A minimum height of 125 cm is required for floating. After the ice activities, you warm up with a hot drink on board. At the end of the cruise, the captain signs a Cruise & Swim Certificate as a record of the day.

Transport to Axelsvik terminal is your choice: book a round-trip shuttle from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio or Luleå, or drive yourself and meet the ship at the dock. Shuttle pickups from Rovaniemi, Kemi and Tornio run on Finnish local time. Luleå pickups and the Axelsvik cruise itself use Swedish local time. Bring a passport or national ID card, warm clothing and winter boots.

What’s included

• Arctic Explorer icebreaker cruise through frozen sea ice.
• thermal survival suit, ice floating and frozen sea walk when conditions permit.
• self-guided onboard E-Guidebook in 16 languages.
• hot drinks on board.
• Cruise & Swim Certificate signed by the captain.
• round-trip shuttle transport from your chosen city (Rovaniemi, Kemi, Tornio or Luleå) if you select a shuttle option.

Options for this experience

4 options

Own TransportGuide in 6 languages · Available from 29 Nov · 09:15 and 10:15Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. Meet at Axelsvik terminal: Travel to the Arctic Explorer terminal at Axelsviksvägen 291C, 952 95 Båtskärsnäs, Sweden on your own. Be there at least 30 minutes before departure. Transport to and from the terminal is not included. Cruise departure times follow Swedish local time.

Kemi and Tornio ShuttleGuide in 6 languages · Available from 29 Nov · 08:30 and 09:30Duration: 6 hours. Round-trip shuttle from Kemi or Tornio: Includes round-trip shuttle transport between your selected pickup point in Kemi or Tornio and the Arctic Explorer terminal in Axelsvik. Pickup and return times are set by Finnish local time.

Rovaniemi ShuttleGuide in 6 languages · Available from 29 Nov · 07:00 and 08:00Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes. Round-trip shuttle from Rovaniemi: Includes round-trip shuttle transport between your chosen Rovaniemi pickup point and the Arctic Explorer terminal in Axelsvik. Pickup and return times follow Finnish local time.

Luleå ShuttleGuide in 6 languages · Available from 29 Nov · 07:00 and 08:00Round-trip shuttle from Luleå: Includes round-trip shuttle transport between Clarion Hotel Luleå and the Arctic Explorer terminal in Axelsvik. Pickup and return times are based on Swedish local time.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:15

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 80

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Polar Explorer Icebreaker

Is this one for you?Book the shuttle option if you're traveling without a car. Choose Own Transport if you're renting or driving yourself to Axelsvik. Either way, the ice activities depend entirely on conditions the crew assesses on the day, so this cruise works best for travelers who want the icebreaker experience itself and see ice walking and floating as a bonus when the Arctic allows it.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

Can I float in the water even if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Yes. The thermal survival suit provides flotation, so swimming ability is not required. A minimum height of 125 cm is the only physical requirement for ice floating.

What happens if ice conditions aren't safe for walking or floating?

The crew makes the final safety decision based on ice thickness and sea conditions on the day of your cruise. If conditions don't allow ice activities, you still complete the full 2.5-hour icebreaker cruise and receive your certificate, but the walking and floating portions won't happen.

Is the E-Guidebook the same as having a guide on the ship?

The E-Guidebook is self-guided and available in 16 languages, so you explore the ship at your own pace. A live crew member is present to handle safety and the onboard experience, but the guide is not a narrated tour. You control what you learn and when.

Which shuttle option should I book if I'm staying in Rovaniemi?

Choose the Rovaniemi Shuttle for round-trip transport from your accommodation. Pickups in Rovaniemi use Finnish local time, while the cruise departure at Axelsvik uses Swedish local time, which is one hour ahead.

What's included in the Cruise & Swim Certificate?

The captain signs a certificate at the end of the cruise as a record that you completed the Arctic Explorer experience. It's a keepsake and proof of participation, included with every booking.