Arctic Explorer icebreaker cruise from Axelsvik

Two and a half hours on the frozen sea, on a ship with four decks and room for 80 passengers.

This cruise

Polar Explorer Icebreaker Arctic Explorer cruise

2.5 hours on board; 2.5–8.5 hours in total depending on the transfer option
✓ Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start

★ 4.9 (16) from €250

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The Arctic Explorer is the second ship of Polar Explorer Oy and sails from the same terminal in Axelsvik as the Polar Explorer. It is the shortest cruise of the four ships and the smaller of the two Axelsvik ships. The product page has the shortest free-cancellation deadline of the Axelsvik cruises.

2.5 hOn board

80Passengers, on four decks

1 DecSeason start; the operator’s site lists the last cruise on 27 March

3 daysFree cancellation on the product page

Photo	Cruise	Harbour	Pickup from	Time on board	Whole day	Ice floating from	Free cancellation	Price	Reviews	Book
	Arctic Explorer cruise Polar Explorer Icebreaker	Axelsvik, Sweden	Optional shuttle (e.g. Rovaniemi, Kemi) or own car	2.5 h	2.5–8.5 h, by option	125 cm (operator)	Up to 3 days before	€250per person	★ 4.9 (16)	Book now

Cruise prices here are per adult and come live from GetYourGuide, taxes and fees included. Compare them with the whole-day column: the cruises with a bus from Rovaniemi or Oulu include the transfer in the price.

Book the Arctic Explorer

Each card shows the pickup town and time on board first. Open a card for pickup stops, inclusions and the ice conditions note.

Polar Explorer Icebreaker

Arctic Explorer cruise

The smaller ship from the same Swedish terminal: 2.5 hours, an e-guidebook and a small café. Times are Swedish time.

Duration: 2.5 hours on board; 2.5–8.5 hours in total depending on the transfer option
Language: Driver: English, Chinese, French, Spanish; e-guidebook in 16 languages
✓ Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start

from €250 ★ 4.9 (16 reviews)

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Full cruise details

Highlights

About 30 minutes out through the ice, 1.5 hours at the stop, 30 minutes back
Walk on the sea ice and float in a survival suit when conditions allow
Self-guided tour with an e-guidebook, small café on board

About this cruise

The Arctic Explorer leaves from the same terminal in Axelsvik as the Polar Explorer, about 40 km from the Finnish border. It is the smaller ship, with four decks and room for 80 passengers according to its operator.

Walking on the ice and floating depend on ice thickness, sea conditions and safety. If the operator limits or cancels them, the listing states that this is not a reason for a refund.

What’s included

2.5-hour cruise on the Arctic Explorer
Hot drinks on board
Self-guided tour with an e-guidebook
Floating in a survival suit (when conditions allow)
Walking on the frozen sea (when conditions allow)
Cruise & Swim certificate signed by the captain

Not included

Personal travel insurance
Tips

Pickup and check-in

Shuttle stops depend on the option (drop-off points include Rovaniemi railway station, Santa Claus Holiday Village, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Scandic Kemi and Kemi station), or the Arctic Explorer cruise terminal in Axelsvik, Sweden.

What to bring

Passport or photo ID
Warm clothing
Warm shoes

Know before you go

All departures are in Swedish time.
Walking on the ice and floating can be limited or cancelled for safety without a refund.

Not suitable for

Wheelchair users

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

How the cruise runs

The listing breaks the cruise into three parts: about 30 minutes out through the ice, an hour and a half at the stop for photos, the walk on the ice, floating and a self-guided tour of the ship, then about 30 minutes back. A hot drink is included and the small café sells snacks. At the end you receive a Cruise & Swim certificate signed by the captain.

Guided by an e-guidebook

Instead of the live audio tour and cinema of the larger ship, the Arctic Explorer has an e-guidebook in 16 languages that takes you through the engine room and the science of icebreaking. The crew is there for safety and to help with the survival suits. Shuttle drivers speak English, Chinese, French or Spanish according to the listing.

Floating and walking depend on the ice

Walking on the sea ice and floating depend on ice thickness, sea conditions and safety. The product page states that the operator can limit or cancel them at any time, and that this is not a reason for a refund or compensation. Its operator lets children from 125 cm float with their parents; the product page itself does not state a height.

Time zone and getting there

All departures are in Swedish time, one hour behind Finland. The shuttle option drops off at stops including Rovaniemi railway station, Santa Claus Holiday Village, Scandic Kemi and Kemi station, or you can drive to the terminal and park there. Bring a passport or ID card.

FAQ

How long is the Arctic Explorer cruise?

Two and a half hours on board. With the shuttle from Rovaniemi or Kemi the whole trip lasts up to 8.5 hours, depending on the pickup option.

What is the difference to the Polar Explorer?

The Arctic Explorer is smaller, with four decks and 80 passengers, and the cruise is half an hour shorter. It has an e-guidebook and a small café; the Polar Explorer adds a cinema, a restaurant and a live audio guide.

Is the ice walk guaranteed on the Arctic Explorer?

No. Walking on the ice and floating depend on the ice and on safety, and if they are cancelled the listing does not offer a refund for them.

Two and a half hours or four

The table shows the time on board for every ship.

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