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The Icebreaker Sampo Cruise in Kemi, Finland provides an experience that few can say they’ve achieved – jumping into the frigid waters near the Arctic Circle! Now if you want to count yourself as one of those who’s done it, or simply want bragging rights in front of your friends, look no further than this ultimate guide.
1 What is the Icebreaker Sampo and why is it so special?
The Icebreaker Sampo is a former icebreaker for the Finnish government that was built in 1960 and operated until 1987. It was then converted into a tourist attraction, and since 1988, it has been offering unique cruise experiences on the Gulf of Bothnia, the northernmost part of the Baltic Sea.
The Icebreaker Sampo is an A1 Super class passenger icebreaker, which means it can break through any ice conditions. It’s an incredible feeling watching the ship tear through thick layers of ice so effortlessly. It’s no wonder why the cruise is one of the most famous and popular tourist attractions in Finland, attracting thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.
But the most exciting part of the cruise is the ice floating activity, where you can wear a survival suit and jump into the icy water next to the ship. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget!
2 Where and when can you join the cruise?
The Icebreaker Sampo is in the port of Kemi, a town in the Lapland region of Finland. Kemi is about 110 km from Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and the home of the Santa Claus Village – the official home of Santa Claus. We took a train from Rovaniemi to Kemi the day before our cruise and stayed at the Seaside Glass Villa. There’s also the option to be picked up from Rovaniemi directly (more on that in the booking section below). Alternatively, you can also drive between the two cities.
The Icebreaker Sampo operates from December to April, when the sea is frozen enough for the ship to break through. The cruise season may vary depending on the weather and ice conditions, so it is advisable to check the availability before you plan your trip.
The Icebreaker Sampo offers two types of cruises: the morning cruise and the afternoon cruise.
- The morning cruise departs at 8:30 am and returns by 12:00 pm.
- The afternoon cruise departs at 1:00 pm and returns by 4:30 pm.
Each cruise lasts for 3.5 hours, and includes the bus pick-up to the terminal, the tour of the ship, the ice floating activity, and the access to the SnowCastle of Kemi.
I recommend doing the morning session since winter daylight hours in Kemi are short, and you will have the greatest daylight hours in this session.
3 Checking in on the day
There are 4 pick-up areas you can choose from after making your booking. The bus will initially take you to the SnowCastle of Kemi to check in.
At the SnowCastle of Kemi, you will need to present your booking confirmation to get your activity wristband. You will get a briefing about the safety rules, as well as the schedule of the cruise. You can also store your luggage here if you’ve checked out from your hotel that morning.
Note that your activity wristband dictates the time you will be doing the ice floating activity. The best colours to get are silver, green, yellow, and red. If you get blue, purple, or white, politely ask if you can change to an earlier time when they give you the band.
A couple that we met on the cruise unfortunately got the purple band, and since the cruise was running behind schedule, they got just 4-5 mins in the water before we had to turn back. People in earlier batches got to spend 15 to 20 minutes in the water!
After everyone is done checking in, the shuttle bus will take you to the cruise terminal, which is about a 15-minute drive from the SnowCastle of Kemi. The shuttle bus is included in the price of the cruise, and it runs according to the departure and arrival times of the cruise.
After being dropped off at the port, we were super excited to make our way onto the icebreaker!
4 Tour of the Ship
Once the ship departs, you are free to roam the ship and take photos outside. However, note that the ship tour takes place about 20 to 30 minutes into the journey. The tour is broken up into smaller groups and you will need to meet your guide at the restaurant area.
If you aren’t at the meeting point when the tour starts, the guide will not wait for you since they are on a tight schedule.
The guided ship tour takes you to the most interesting and important parts of the Icebreaker Sampo. You will learn about the history, the features, the operations of the ship, as well as see how it works and what it can do. The tour of the ship includes the following stops:
The bridge
The bridge is where you can meet the captain and the first officer, and see the navigation and communication systems of the ship. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of the sea and the ice from the windows of the bridge.
The crew were all very kind and more than happy to take photos with everyone.
While most of the ship’s original equipment from its inception is still visible, parts of the ship have been equipped with modern navigational hardware.
The engine room
Here, you can see the powerful engines and generators that propel the ship and provide electricity. You can also hear the loud noise and feel the vibration of the machinery.
The ship’s engineers gave us a brief description of the equipment they use and what they do.
The communications room
Whilst this room is no longer used, it serves as a museum of sorts to showcase the equipment that was installed with the ship at inception.
The original ship logs and journals are also on display for you to flip through.
The deck
At the end of the guide, you can freely roam around the deck. You can also take some amazing photos and videos of the scenery and the ship.
5 Ice Floating in the Gulf of Bothnia
The ice floating in the Gulf of Bothnia is the highlight of the cruise, and the most exciting and memorable part of the experience. You will have the opportunity to wear a special survival suit that will keep you warm and dry, and jump into the freezing water next to the ship. We start by watching a safety instructional video in one of the change rooms.
Once done, it’s time to suit up and make your way onto the ice.
The ice-floating activity is done in small groups, and it is supervised by trained and experienced staff. You will receive instructions on how to enter and exit the water, and how to float safely and comfortably. Before you head in, time for a quick photo!
I have to admit, stepping into the water was a bit scary because it feels like you’re about to sink. Thankfully, the survival suit is very buoyant and you will instantly float. The instructor will also hold on to the handle on the back of your suit to make sure you enter the water at a safe pace.
The ice floating activity is optional, and you can choose to participate or not. However, if you’ve paid for this activity then of course you shouldn’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Expect the floating to last about 15 minutes. It might not seem long, but there’s a fair amount of ab crunching and you start to get tired pretty quickly.
With the survival suit on, you do not feel cold at all. You may get the occasional splash of water onto your face, but the survival suit is sealed pretty tightly around your face, so there’s a lower chance of water getting in.
6 Walking on the Frozen Sea and Towing the Ship
Once we finished our ice-floating dip, we got changed and quickly headed out onto the ice. A fun and unique activity they let you do is tow the ship! How cool is that? Here you can see me giving it my all. The ship obviously moved forward.
7 Returning to the Port
As the icebreaker headed back to port, we spent more time on the deck of the ship taking photos for our new friends, and they helped us as well.
Upon disembarking the ship, you get a certificate stating that you’ve completed the Sampo Icebreaker Cruise activity. Time to file this away with my degree.
8 Tips for a Successful Visit
- Try and get a wristband with an earlier ice-floating slot
- Make sure you’re on time for the guided tour. Ask your guide exactly what time the tour starts and where you should meet.
- Make friends with someone preferably in a different timeslot. Help each other take photos during the ice floating. The guide may help you take a few photos, but chances are they will be busy helping others too! We got plenty of photos because we made friends that helped us!
- You don’t need a spare change of clothes. However, if you are wearing thermals underneath, the guides will ask you to take off your outer clothes when getting into the survival suit. Don’t worry, we didn’t feel cold at all!
- There is a restaurant onboard, but you can always bring some snacks or drinks if you so choose.
- Bonus: As the ship heads back, there will be a scavenger hunt for the foldable Sampo cup pictured below. If you find it, you get to keep the cup as a souvenir and you can get a free hot chocolate or coffee from the café. The TVs will show where in the ship they’ve been hidden. Make sure to be quick before they’re all gone!
9 How to Book the Cruise?
If you are interested in joining the Icebreaker Sampo Cruise with Ice Floating, make sure to book through one of the widgets below to get the best price and free cancellation up to 30 days before the cruise.
Make sure to book early as tour groups can book out the entire cruise during the peak December to February season.
The prices include the following services:
- The 3.5-hour cruise on the Icebreaker Sampo
- The guided tour of the ship
- The ice-floating activity with the survival suit
- The shuttle bus transportation from the pick-up area to the port and back
- The entrance to the SnowCastle of Kemi
- Insurance
Icebreaker Sampo Cruise from Kemi
We decided to stay in Kemi overnight so we could visit the Ice Castle and SnowExperience 365 without the worry of being rushed back onto the bus to Rovaniemi.
The hotel we stayed at was the Seaside Glass Villas, which is the same location as where the cruise check-in point is located. This hotel is essentially a glass box, and provides a clear view of the entire frozen sea. If you’re lucky, you just might catch the northern lights from here!
Icebreaker Sampo Cruise from Rovaniemi
If you’d prefer to do a day trip directly from Rovaniemi, that works as well. You should still have sufficient time to visit the Ice Castle and SnowExperience 365 if you book the morning cruise. However, if you book the afternoon cruise, the bus will be waiting at the port to bring you back to Rovaniemi immediately after the cruise.
10 Difference Between Icebreaker Sampo Cruise and Polar Express Icebreaker
When researching the icebreaker cruise, we noticed that there were two operators. We opted for the Icebreaker Sampo Cruise instead of the Polar Express. As you can see from the table below, the Polar Express departs from Sweden!
This means you have to spend roughly 2 to 3 hours each way on the bus. We also wanted to experience the Ice Castle in Kemi, which comes included in the price of the Sampo Cruise but not with the Polar Express Icebreaker.
Aspect | Icebreaker Sampo Cruise (Kemi) | Polar Express Icebreaker Cruise |
---|---|---|
Pick-up Location | Kemi & Rovaniemi | Kemi & Rovaniemi |
Port Location | Port of Kemi | Axelsvik, Sweden |
Operator | Kemi Tourism Ltd | Polar Explorer Oy |
Activities | Icebreaker ship tours, ice floating, Ship towing Access to Snow Experience 365 | Icebreaker ship tour, ice floating |
Duration and Itinerary | From Kemi: 4 hours From Rovaniemi: 6 hours | From Kemi: 8 hours From Rovaniemi: 10 hours |
Meals included | Hot drink (from Kemi) Buffet lunch (from Rovaniemi) | 3 course meal |
11 FAQs
Is the Icebreaker Sampo suitable for children?
Children are permitted on the cruise. However, they must be at least 140 cm tall (4 ft 6 inch) to fit into the survival suits.
What should I wear during the cruise?
Make sure to wear plenty of layers, including waterproof and windproof outerwear. Comfortable and insulated footwear, gloves, a hat, and other winter accessories are also recommended.
Is the Icebreaker Sampo cruise available year-round?
No, the cruise is a seasonal activity offered during the winter months when the sea is frozen. The exact operational period may vary, so it’s recommended to check the booking slots to see if the cruise is operating.
Our Verdict
Icebreaker Sampo Cruise
The Icebreaker Sampo Cruise with Ice Floating is a unique and amazing experience that you should not miss if you are visiting Finland in the winter. I know it's a bit on the pricier side of things, but we saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and would have 100% regretted if we didn't do it.
PROS
- Unique icebreaking journey
- Once-in-a-lifetime memory
- Bonus Kemi Snowcastle tickets
- Friendly crew and guides
CONS
- A bit pricey