What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Check this off your bucket list.

  Susann206,Mar 30, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  This is an all-day adventure. It took several hours to get here from our hotel. Once we did, we were ready to be on our way, but we were kept for nearly an hour in their terminal to give us the opportunity to shop. We were anxious to get underway as the shopping was pretty much restricted to tourist tchotchkes. Arrival at the terminal seemed pretty chaotic as you had to check in and instructions were not very clear. Our ticket included a lunch, which considering how many passengers on the ship had to be fed, was pretty good. The most exciting part was seeing all the ice and then going way north to the arctic. Those who wanted could descend down to the ice and walk on the frozen Baltic Sea. There was also an option to put on special protective suits and float in the icy water. This experience was well supervised by the staff. A long day, but worth the trip.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Cross one off your bucket list

  sandynJ4684EG,Mar 30, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  Overall, this experience was worthwhile. It was something to be up in the Arctic on an icebreaker. It started off on the rocky side, however. One we arrived at the terminal, we were kept waiting for nearly an hour to give us time to shop. We were not interested in the tourist tchotchkes. A few minutes would have been plenty, especially since it took several hours by bus to get there. Lunch was included, and considering they were serving a large group, it was pretty good. A highlight was being able to get out and walk on the frozen Baltic Sea. If you wanted to, you could also sign up for a dip in the water wearing the provided protective gear. Participants were monitored closely for safety.

  

  

  

  

  

• Sampo Breaks the Ice!!

  JOe-Paula2014,Mar 20, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  A very nice experience of being on an ice breaking ship, touring the bridge, and getting in the icy waters in the survival suit for a short period of time. Lunch was included on ship and it was plentiful and delicious. There is a bar to get drinks too. After your plunge, you are treated to a taste of certain liquors/gin/vodka in an ice shot glass. When the ship stopped in/on the ice, you could go outside and take pictures, play cornhole, push a sled, etc for a bit of time.

  

• Unique experience

  Anto924,Mar 10, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Beautiful experience on icebreaker. A tour of the ship is made (commander's room, radar, electrical app., engines). Stop on the pack where you can walk, and bathe with thermal suits in the Arctic sea. Beautiful landscape.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Even if we return after so many years it is one of those few cases where you are not disappointed! Ice castle aside!

  Storyteller557767,Mar 6, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  I had already had this experience in 1991 and remarkably since then nothing has changed in the organization of the cruise. Punctual and well organized also the transfer by coach from the hotel. Instead, the ice castle has changed, which at the time was much more impressive and located in an area closer to the boarding. Now it's a bit disappointing and the ice sculptures are in a covered and refrigerated area inside the building from which you leave for the cruise. They confirmed to me that they have reduced everything because of the costs and because in any case from other parts of the world there are similar constructions. So it's time to stop saying it's the greatest ice construction, because it's not like that anymore. As far as shipping is concerned, I have been confirmed that at present the ship can only travel pre-established corridors for technical reasons, as the depth of the sea has decreased over the years and would risk reaching the bottom. The experience is still very nice, however, and even floating disguised as a conduit is fun.

• A must do activity ! It...

  Aurelien M,Feb 18, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  A must do activity ! It is an awesome experience to be traveling through ice on this 1960 ship that you can extensively visit during the cruise. Ice floating was relaxing and a very unique thing to do.

• Excellent experience

  shantig2026,Jan 22, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Had a really wonderful experience 🙏🇫🇮🙏 highly recommend for everyone to have once in a lifetime experience ✌️👍.I recommend to go for at least once.

  

• Excellent

  samirt935,Jan 22, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Everything good experience especially the ice floating and the crew were down to earth. Had good experience to learn more about the legendary ice breaker.

• Very good experience

  Voyager44684502529,Jan 22, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Very good experience. The staffs are very helpful and friendly. Everyone should experience this once in life.

  

  

  

• Scam cruise! - Terrible experience!

  Apostologlou,Jan 16, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  This cruise is a scam! On the 1st of January 2026, I took the SAMPO cruise with my family. Recently, contrary to what is advertised by the agency that organizes the daily cruises, because the thickness of the ice in the Baltic Sea does not allow it, the floating takes place after the ship returns to the port of Kemi. As a result, instead of floating in the clear waters of the sea in daylight, it takes place at night, in the dark and possibly dirty waters of the harbor and under the industrial smokestacks that emit exhaust gases (see photos). The worst thing of all is that there is no information about this at check-in and therefore the customer does not have the opportunity to decide whether to take the cruise with conditions much worse than those advertised. When I complained afterwards in writing, claiming my money back (price at check-in: € 481/person) the Agency's response was: “The cruise has been realized and the floatation has been realized”. This is the reason why I strongly recommend that potential customers interested in the cruise make sure that it will be done in the manner and under the conditions advertised before paying this high amount and becoming dissatisfied, like me and my family. Last but not least, the food on the ship was so bad that none of us, despite our hunger, managed to eat it. George Apostologlou

  

  

  
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