Polar Explorer Icebreaker
Polar Explorer Icebreaker
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Polar Explorer Icebreaker
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
103 reviews
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79
Very good
12
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2
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Melissa V
Port Lavaca, TX4 contributions
Feb 2022
We weren't sure about booking this excursion but are so happy we did! It was fantastic. We were picked up in the morning from Rovaniemi. The guide and driver were extremely professional and very helpful. We stopped in Sweden for lunch and arrived at the Polar Explorer right in time to board. We did the upgrade to the VIP (which I highly recommend). With the upgrade, we had our own guide Patrycja. She was fabulous! She showed us to our private area stocked with snacks, beer, wine, our own restroom and along with a great view, it was heated! The cookies were so good!! We were given a private tour of the ship and Patrycia gave us details of the history and functions of the ship during the tour. The best part was when we got to swim! We were first in and were allowed to swim for more than 20 minutes. There was a professional photographer that took our photos which we purchased for 15 euros. I highly recommend this tour. I can't say enough great things about the experience and the crew who worked so hard to make this an amazing experience!
Written March 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P G
Whittier, CA739 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Riding on the boat was a dream come true! We had an exceptional experience with vip access which was worth every penny!
One of the most notable features of the Polar Explorer is its ability to break through thick layers of ice with ease. The ship’s powerful engines and reinforced hulls allow it to plow through the ice, creating a channel that enables other ships to navigate through. This makes it an essential tool for scientific expeditions, as well as for commercial activities such as oil drilling and mining.
In addition to its scientific capabilities, the Polar Explorer is also a comfortable and luxurious ship, offering passengers a unique and unforgettable experience. The ship is equipped with spacious cabins, dining areas, and recreational facilities, making it an ideal platform for polar expeditions and cruises.
One of the most notable features of the Polar Explorer is its ability to break through thick layers of ice with ease. The ship’s powerful engines and reinforced hulls allow it to plow through the ice, creating a channel that enables other ships to navigate through. This makes it an essential tool for scientific expeditions, as well as for commercial activities such as oil drilling and mining.
In addition to its scientific capabilities, the Polar Explorer is also a comfortable and luxurious ship, offering passengers a unique and unforgettable experience. The ship is equipped with spacious cabins, dining areas, and recreational facilities, making it an ideal platform for polar expeditions and cruises.
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe calven
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Family
It was a very unique and refreshing experience at the Polar Explorer Icebreaker. Our guide Avi was talented multilingual who helped us a lot together with the entire team. Thank you for this great experience and everlasting memories!
Written February 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stelios V
Kifissia, Greece17 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
It was a wonderful experience. They took us by bus from Rovaniemi, drove till Sweden and then got in the icebreaker. Walked on ice and swam in the frozen waters. The kids were amazed and want to do it again. Very professional experience. Well done!!
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JP Vann
Manila, Philippines247 contributions
I could not think of any better place in the world to experience an icebreaker cruise than in Lapland! As soon as I started planning on my winter holiday, I did some readings about the 2 companies offering this unique experience. I chose the Polar Explorer Icebreaker after confirming they offer photography services during the ice swimming portion of the cruise. I am a solo traveler and I wish to have some keepsake of this once in a lifetime ice floating moment. What convinced me even more is the lunch at a restaurant in a Swedish fishing village after the cruise. I think it was lovely to dine not in the ship but in a small town of Kukkolaforsen, at the boundary of Finland and Sweden.
Prior to the cruise day, I received email reminder about my pick up time and what to wear. Pick up from Rovaniemi was smooth and on time. From 7:00AM, we traveled about 120 km southwest to the Swedish border and another 40 km to reach the port at 10:00AM. Once onboard, color coded wrist bands were distributed to determine your group and time for vessel tour and ice swimming. There was free flowing hot drinks during the entire 3-hour cruise.
When the ship anchored to a point, it was time for the most awaited moment... ice swimming! Passengers were provided with impermeable floating survival suits. Getting dressed wasn't difficult, the staff were there to assist. Floating on the icy arctic water of the Bothnian Gulf wasn't that scary. Don't panic! The water is warmer than you'd think. The staff were around to make sure everybody was all right in the water. The in-house photographer was busy capturing momentos of the guests. Photos were sold before the end of the cruise. You can buy printouts and link for your photos.
After ice swimming or while waiting for ice swimming, passengers were free to walk outside the ship or play in the snow! A blank certificate for participating in the cruise and ice swimming were handed out as we disembarked from the ship.
Lunch at a quaint restaurant in charming Kukkolaforsen, Sweden was delightful. It was buffet style and the food was tasty.
Paying EUR350 for this day trip was indeed very costly, but the experince was really special!
Prior to the cruise day, I received email reminder about my pick up time and what to wear. Pick up from Rovaniemi was smooth and on time. From 7:00AM, we traveled about 120 km southwest to the Swedish border and another 40 km to reach the port at 10:00AM. Once onboard, color coded wrist bands were distributed to determine your group and time for vessel tour and ice swimming. There was free flowing hot drinks during the entire 3-hour cruise.
When the ship anchored to a point, it was time for the most awaited moment... ice swimming! Passengers were provided with impermeable floating survival suits. Getting dressed wasn't difficult, the staff were there to assist. Floating on the icy arctic water of the Bothnian Gulf wasn't that scary. Don't panic! The water is warmer than you'd think. The staff were around to make sure everybody was all right in the water. The in-house photographer was busy capturing momentos of the guests. Photos were sold before the end of the cruise. You can buy printouts and link for your photos.
After ice swimming or while waiting for ice swimming, passengers were free to walk outside the ship or play in the snow! A blank certificate for participating in the cruise and ice swimming were handed out as we disembarked from the ship.
Lunch at a quaint restaurant in charming Kukkolaforsen, Sweden was delightful. It was buffet style and the food was tasty.
Paying EUR350 for this day trip was indeed very costly, but the experince was really special!
Written November 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J3498CHjeans
Singapore, Singapore25 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
This was an exhilarating experience for my teenage son and daughter - bobbing around in minus 10C water in bright red survival immersion suits. For me, a trip down memory lane.
You truly get to see the whole ship. I really appreciated this because it allowed my kids to experience a typical seaman’s work environment; visit the bridge, meet the Captain (swapped a few N.Sea memorable stories), sit in the DP chair, walk around the engine room and see first hand all the equipment.
I watched and took photos / video because I used to get paid to dress up in this gear when working offshore Norway and swam in such suits when doing my survival course (many years ago).
The Chief Mate made a safe zone on the ice for us to walk around. Amazing to see the thickness of the ice pieces (27-Dec) against the ship hull.
I can sympathise with those who had a terrible experience. There were lots of people (Asian on my trip) and all are equally enthusiastic to achieve maximum experience.
Just to be clear, the ship crew are from Marine Solutions. Totally professional, competent and experienced. The rest, who you interact with, are the cruise staff.
Huge improvements have been made by cruise staff - friendly attitude, bilingual, strictly enforce allocated time slots, coloured identification bands used for each slot, 6 staff in the changing room.
Tips for a good trip:
1, pack light - leave valuables on bus with driver because no secure lockers onboard
2, get allocated different time slots so that you can video/photograph friends or family members
3, first in first out of the water is not possible (you all look the same) so stand your ground if not enough in water time
George was the cruise guide for our group. Top bloke and kept cool under pressure in the chaos - somebody missed the pickup at railway station and a few people got on the wrong bus back to Rovaniemi (only discovered 10min into journey).
So logistics could certainly be improved.
Perhaps a few Asian translators are needed at the pickup point. How about a 50% discount for those that don’t do the float swim?
Overall a fantastic activity.
You truly get to see the whole ship. I really appreciated this because it allowed my kids to experience a typical seaman’s work environment; visit the bridge, meet the Captain (swapped a few N.Sea memorable stories), sit in the DP chair, walk around the engine room and see first hand all the equipment.
I watched and took photos / video because I used to get paid to dress up in this gear when working offshore Norway and swam in such suits when doing my survival course (many years ago).
The Chief Mate made a safe zone on the ice for us to walk around. Amazing to see the thickness of the ice pieces (27-Dec) against the ship hull.
I can sympathise with those who had a terrible experience. There were lots of people (Asian on my trip) and all are equally enthusiastic to achieve maximum experience.
Just to be clear, the ship crew are from Marine Solutions. Totally professional, competent and experienced. The rest, who you interact with, are the cruise staff.
Huge improvements have been made by cruise staff - friendly attitude, bilingual, strictly enforce allocated time slots, coloured identification bands used for each slot, 6 staff in the changing room.
Tips for a good trip:
1, pack light - leave valuables on bus with driver because no secure lockers onboard
2, get allocated different time slots so that you can video/photograph friends or family members
3, first in first out of the water is not possible (you all look the same) so stand your ground if not enough in water time
George was the cruise guide for our group. Top bloke and kept cool under pressure in the chaos - somebody missed the pickup at railway station and a few people got on the wrong bus back to Rovaniemi (only discovered 10min into journey).
So logistics could certainly be improved.
Perhaps a few Asian translators are needed at the pickup point. How about a 50% discount for those that don’t do the float swim?
Overall a fantastic activity.
Written December 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theresa P
Portsmouth, UK20 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
I would start my review at the start of the process, the booking stage. The team at Polar Explorer were faultless! They answered my emails very quickly. I booked a tour for our family group of 6 (aged 21 -58 years). I choose this tour as I thought it would be interesting and different to the other tours we were doing during the holiday. Booking online and the payment process were straightforward, and receipts and email confirmations were returned quickly. Further timely updates were sent guiding us on what to bring and the parking arrangements etc. We self-drove from Rovaniemi, it was a very straightforward drive taking 2 hours 20 mins. The scenery was breath-taking along the way.
We joined the tour on Thursday 31st January 2019 and all of the staff on the tour were really fantastic, knowledgably and very friendly. As we checked in, we were given a colour band which signalled the time for us to go to the changing area in order to put on the special Survival suit in readiness for the sea floating part of the tour. This timed system meant that the changing area was not at all chaotic, It was calm with staff helping us put the suit over our own thermals. You had to take responsibility to be there at the stated time to get your full time in the water, but you had been told the time at check in and times were also clearly displayed around the ship. Maybe reviews that were less positive about the amount of time in the water arrived late, as our experience was nothing but positive. We had plenty of time floating.
We choose the afternoon tour to see the sun setting over the sea. We were not disappointed! Our tour began in daylight at 14:00hrs, we docked in the perfect spot after watching this amazing ship from the deck plough through thick ice, breaking it up without effort. We then witnessed an amazing sunset as we walked about on the frozen sea while the boat was docked. My son and his girlfriend wrote a huge Lapland in the soft snow on top of the frozen sea. This created a perfect picture when photographed from the deck.
There were guides on the ship to give you a tour of the entire ship at specific times or you could walk anywhere onboard including the engine rooms and captains deck at your leisure by using a pre-downloaded tour app. The company had sent all the app information prior to the trip. There was also WIFI on board if you hadn’t downloaded the app earlier. We choose to do the the tour with a guide as we enjoy chatting about life in Finland etc as well as learning about the ship. It was great to have both options. We did have the app as well which is interesting to listen to as well.
I loved the time in the water and found it incredibly relaxing! You are helped into the sea by the staff and if you have young children (we had none with us) they were attached to an extendable lead while in the water for additional safety. Once in the sea you just lie back and float or use your arms top move about. Its did not feel at all cold despite the air temperature that day being minus 28C. I felt warm and snug in my massive suit and I can only dare to imagine the sea temperature! A photographer took photos, we also took our GO Pro in with us. The photos could be purchased as a photo or a download.
When we got out, we were helped out of the suit again and once ready we enjoyed a complementary delicious, really warming hot berry juice. In the very unlikely event a persons thermals got wet while in the sea there are snow suits to loan while your clothes are dried in a drier. Don’t be put off by some reviews stating they were wet, you won’t get saturated, my thermals were very slightly damp, but I was the only one to be damp on the tour, I think it’s a fairly rare thing. My suit was taken aside for checking by the staff as soon as they noticed. A warm snow suit was provided, and my clothes dried! It was exceptional care! I was not really that wet.
This trip was something different, exciting, and relaxing. It provided a beautiful backdrop for phots and memories to treasure.
I really hope that this company continue to grow and do well. I would definitely go back and do it all again! I am going to be sharing our photos and the name Polar Explorer with all our friends!
Thanks to all the staff for an unforgettable experience.
Terri (Fareham UK)
We joined the tour on Thursday 31st January 2019 and all of the staff on the tour were really fantastic, knowledgably and very friendly. As we checked in, we were given a colour band which signalled the time for us to go to the changing area in order to put on the special Survival suit in readiness for the sea floating part of the tour. This timed system meant that the changing area was not at all chaotic, It was calm with staff helping us put the suit over our own thermals. You had to take responsibility to be there at the stated time to get your full time in the water, but you had been told the time at check in and times were also clearly displayed around the ship. Maybe reviews that were less positive about the amount of time in the water arrived late, as our experience was nothing but positive. We had plenty of time floating.
We choose the afternoon tour to see the sun setting over the sea. We were not disappointed! Our tour began in daylight at 14:00hrs, we docked in the perfect spot after watching this amazing ship from the deck plough through thick ice, breaking it up without effort. We then witnessed an amazing sunset as we walked about on the frozen sea while the boat was docked. My son and his girlfriend wrote a huge Lapland in the soft snow on top of the frozen sea. This created a perfect picture when photographed from the deck.
There were guides on the ship to give you a tour of the entire ship at specific times or you could walk anywhere onboard including the engine rooms and captains deck at your leisure by using a pre-downloaded tour app. The company had sent all the app information prior to the trip. There was also WIFI on board if you hadn’t downloaded the app earlier. We choose to do the the tour with a guide as we enjoy chatting about life in Finland etc as well as learning about the ship. It was great to have both options. We did have the app as well which is interesting to listen to as well.
I loved the time in the water and found it incredibly relaxing! You are helped into the sea by the staff and if you have young children (we had none with us) they were attached to an extendable lead while in the water for additional safety. Once in the sea you just lie back and float or use your arms top move about. Its did not feel at all cold despite the air temperature that day being minus 28C. I felt warm and snug in my massive suit and I can only dare to imagine the sea temperature! A photographer took photos, we also took our GO Pro in with us. The photos could be purchased as a photo or a download.
When we got out, we were helped out of the suit again and once ready we enjoyed a complementary delicious, really warming hot berry juice. In the very unlikely event a persons thermals got wet while in the sea there are snow suits to loan while your clothes are dried in a drier. Don’t be put off by some reviews stating they were wet, you won’t get saturated, my thermals were very slightly damp, but I was the only one to be damp on the tour, I think it’s a fairly rare thing. My suit was taken aside for checking by the staff as soon as they noticed. A warm snow suit was provided, and my clothes dried! It was exceptional care! I was not really that wet.
This trip was something different, exciting, and relaxing. It provided a beautiful backdrop for phots and memories to treasure.
I really hope that this company continue to grow and do well. I would definitely go back and do it all again! I am going to be sharing our photos and the name Polar Explorer with all our friends!
Thanks to all the staff for an unforgettable experience.
Terri (Fareham UK)
Written February 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GraceLim
Singapore, Singapore153 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
We were rather disappointed as the whole activity was so disorganized and messy even though they have given us a colored tag for different timing to ‘swim’.
Everyone was standing all over a small room where we need to change into the swim suits and many of us had to wait as there were limited pieces and need to wait for rest to return to change. Everyone was walking all around the small place and there was no sequence even we have different color tags.
We were docked where we left for the ice Breaking as was informed the ice was not thick enough... what we saw in the brochures were not what we were given... disappointment.
It was just simply a waste of money because the swim was mere few minutes and what they did - dropped you in the water and few minutes, rushed to get you out for another group to come down !
My brother suit was leaking and all they were concerned was their suit ! He was soaking WET and cold ......
For the money paid, it was not worthwhile and they should try to be more organized.
Many China tourists did not bother to queue nor return to change their suit for other user as they took those time taking photos and blocking others...!
What an experience
Everyone was standing all over a small room where we need to change into the swim suits and many of us had to wait as there were limited pieces and need to wait for rest to return to change. Everyone was walking all around the small place and there was no sequence even we have different color tags.
We were docked where we left for the ice Breaking as was informed the ice was not thick enough... what we saw in the brochures were not what we were given... disappointment.
It was just simply a waste of money because the swim was mere few minutes and what they did - dropped you in the water and few minutes, rushed to get you out for another group to come down !
My brother suit was leaking and all they were concerned was their suit ! He was soaking WET and cold ......
For the money paid, it was not worthwhile and they should try to be more organized.
Many China tourists did not bother to queue nor return to change their suit for other user as they took those time taking photos and blocking others...!
What an experience
Written December 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nan
Singapore, Singapore8 contributions
My husband and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly on the icebreaker cruise. It is a once in a lifetime experience that I will recommend to all. It was truly a sight to see the icebreaker going through blocks of ice. It was very fun "swimming" (floating, actually) with our survival suits on. The swimming is safe and, the crew is friendly and reassuring. We were even given a certificate towards the end of our trip. Before heading to the cruise, we stopped over at a Swedish restaurant in Kukkola, which served good food and was situated in a scenic location. This is a must-do and a different kind of adventure for anyone visiting Lapland! :)
Written December 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shirley P
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia34 contributions
Dec 2019
Lifetime experience in the Arctic ! Coming from tourists from south east asia, this is a truly amazing experience from seeing the ice breaking of the sea to ice floating during winter ! Although the ice were not thick enough to walk on, we were still able to float on the icy Gulf of Bothnia with the safety suit, free flow of hot drinks were provided as well. The guides on board were not very friendly or polite. However, it is a must do activity during the winter !
Written December 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tougei
singapore115 contributions
From experience in past years, will there be surface ice on the sea in the period of 23 Dec? Is it true that there is no swimming if there is no surface ice? I read that there are no refunds even if there is no ice and no swimming, so it will be a huge risk for us (4adults prices).
Jody C
Toronto, Canada77 contributions
I am not quite sure that when there will be ice or not. I thought it's always cold there in the Arctic Circle and December should be winter.
JaneSmith2018
New York City, NY19 contributions
I am definitely interested in this polar experience. However, just wondering what a tourist normally do before and after this. What are other tours, towns or activities suggested? Which airport to fly in? I have my eyes on Exodus' Finnish Winter Adventure Family Holiday. However, it doesn't seem I could include this cruise with the holiday. Any advise?
Sheetal D
Ahmedabad, India1 contribution
Hello
Will be get vegetarian food option at the lunch place
Travelervg
California44 contributions
Hi did you find any vegetarian food options? I have the same question
peterspoopbox
Texas City, TX1 contribution
I was wondering if there are secure lockers on the Ice Breaker POLAR EXPRESS. I have heard there are lockers, and I have heard there is no place to store valuables. The staff told me to put my valuables in a backpack and leave it on the ice while I swim. Just need some clarification, thanks.
Joyce
Polar Explorer icebreaker
Rovaniemi, Finland1 contribution
Hello
Sorry but we don't have locker's.
You can leave your staff with our guides or friends in the dressing room or take with you under the survival suits if it is not too big.
Ale187801
Bologna, Italy9 contributions
Hi. Can't find news about cruise to Antarctica on icebreaker. I would like to go to Weddell sea and Snow Island next November and I think an icebreaker could arrive more easily than a strenthened vessel...thank for help.
eliric2018
Loreto, Provincia di Ancona, Marche148 contributions
I don't have informations regarding Antarctica. The only icebreaker that I take is the Polar explorer in Sweden, that is a touristic one.
Transcend123
Mumbai, India
Hi,
just wanted to know that if someone has a single entry visa of Finland then is it valid on this Icebreaker Trip or you need separate visas for the lunch at Swedish village ?
Thanks in advance..
Polar Explorer icebreaker
Rovaniemi, Finland1 contribution
Yes the visa is valid for Finland and Sweden.
Enjoy (-:
Polar Explorer Icebreaker - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Polar Explorer Icebreaker Information
Excellent Reviews | 56 |
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Very Good Reviews | 7 |
Polar Explorer Icebreaker Photos | 144 |