Polar Explorer Icebreaker Cruise with Ice Floating & Walking on Ice with Transfers

From the moment I boarded the , the whole adventure had me hooked. The feeling of the ship pushing through solid sea ice was next-level, and I was glued to the deck views for ages. Getting a guided walkthrough of all seven decks was fascinating—I learned a lot about icebreaking ships that I never expected! The real adrenaline rush came when it was my turn to get into a survival suit and float among the ice. It’s such a bizarre thrill to be so warm and buoyant in water you’d never survive otherwise. The staff were attentive, the film on the ship’s history was a great bonus, and the hot chocolate afterward was the cherry on top. The only small hiccup was the wait for my turn to float, but it was worth every minute. Would recommend this to anyone who loves unique experiences.

Staring out over the frozen expanse as our icebreaker heaved through sheets of ice, I kept pinching myself that this was real. My partner and I boarded in Rovaniemi and were greeted warmly, with our guide sharing all kinds of stories about the ship’s past as we explored every deck—yes, all seven, even down to the engine room. The views from the upper deck were absolutely breathtaking, and the commentary was both fun and insightful. Floating in a survival suit in the icy water was the ultimate thrill—surprisingly comfortable and something I’ll never forget. We sipped hot chocolate in the lounge after, wrapped in blankets and glowing with excitement. The included film about the icebreaker’s history was a nice touch too. This trip felt really personal and unique, perfect for solo travelers or couples looking for something out of the ordinary. If I had to nitpick, I’d say the time on board went by way too fast. Still, it’s the most memorable thing I did in Finland!

Booked solo and ended up chatting with other travelers, so it turned into a really social day. The tour of all seven decks was outstanding, and the guide made the ship’s technical side interesting even for non-engineers like me. I floated in the icy water as part of the experience—the survival suit did its job, although getting into it was awkward at first. Hot drinks on board hit the spot post-swim. My only gripe was the cruise certificate didn’t have my name (just a generic print), but I still took it home as a funny memento.

As someone traveling alone, I really enjoyed seeing the ship crush the ice and learning about its construction with the audio commentary. Walking on the frozen surface was wild, and the survival suit swim is definitely one of those bucket list things. Staff was helpful and made time for questions. Only thing I’d change was the pace—things felt rushed between activities, but still, a fantastic memory.

Jumped on board with friends, and seeing the ship break through the ice was just cool—pun intended! Touring all the decks plus the theater film gave us a new appreciation for these ships. I'd say dress warm, it gets windy up top.