What to wear on an icebreaker cruise
Warm inside the ship, cold and windy on deck and on the ice. Dress for both.
The lounges inside the icebreakers are heated. The cold comes when you step out on deck, walk on the sea ice or wait for your turn to float. The Kemi operator recommends layered thermal underwear under warm, windproof outdoor clothing, plus a hat, woollen socks and mittens.
Under the survival suit
The survival suit goes on over your normal clothes, so you float in what you wear on the ice. Choose layers that are comfortable under a bulky suit. One listing asks you to bring a change of clothes, which is useful if your clothes get damp.
A checklist for the day
- Thermal underwear and a warm mid-layer
- A windproof, insulated jacket and trousers
- Warm winter shoes or boots
- Hat, woollen socks and mittens
- A change of clothes
- Sunglasses in spring, when the snow reflects the light
- Passport or ID card for the Polar Explorer and the Arctic Explorer
No winter clothing included
None of the listings include winter clothing, so bring your own. From Rovaniemi the day starts with several hours on the bus, so a layer you can take off helps. On the Sampo cruises the ticket includes the SnowExperience in Kemi, an indoor room of snow and ice kept at around minus five degrees.
FAQ
Do I wear my own clothes under the survival suit?
Yes. The suit goes on over your normal clothes and keeps the water out.
Is winter clothing provided on the icebreaker cruise?
The listings do not include winter clothing. Only the survival suit for the floating is provided.
Is it cold on the icebreaker?
Inside the ship it is warm. On deck and on the ice it is cold and often windy, so bring warm, windproof layers.