Icebreaker Sampo Cruise with transfer from Kemi
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Your experience begins with a choice of pickup from selected locations in central Kemi or direct arrival at the main building, where a large free parking area is available. After check‑in you have time to visit the area before the included transfer brings you to Kemi Harbor to board the Icebreaker Sampo.
Once on board, you will be welcomed with a non‑alcoholic drink before joining a guided tour that introduces the vessel’s history and operations. The four‑hour cruise travels through the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, where you can experience floating among the ice in a thermal survival suit. When conditions permit, you may also step out onto the frozen sea.
Throughout the cruise, warm indoor lounges and an onboard café‑restaurant offer comfortable spaces to relax. Lunch is included on afternoon departures and served in the ship’s restaurant. At the end of the experience, you will receive a participation certificate as a keepsake before returning to drop of locations.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All programs have weather permitting. Walking on the ice might not be available in early winter season cruises.
Ice floating is included in the Icebreaker experience but is optional and requires normal physical health, the staff have the right to assess the physical and mental condition of each customer and decide on participation, floating is not recommended for pregnant women
Minimum height for icefloating experience is 140 cm
Ice floating is not recommended for pregnant travelers or travelers with serious medical conditions
The cruise ship has stairs. This cruise is not recommended for passengers with reduced mobility.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Kemi
Welcome to a unique arctic adventure from Kemi! The Icebreaker Sampo cruises on the frozen sea in Kemi during the winter season with over 35 years of experience. Icebreaker Sampo Cruise includes 4h icebreaker cruise, ice floating experience, walking on ice, guided tour around the vessel, diploma, welcome drink, lunch buffet on board and entrance to the SnowExperience365 exhibition room.
Kemi SnowCastle
Kemi's SnowCastle area gives visitors the chance to experience snow and ice architecture in a comfortable and accessible way. Ticket includes entrance to the SnowExperience room and to GemstoneExhibition which are located in the main building. Exhibitions are open throughout the year and features detailed ice sculptures, an ice slide, an ice bar, and ice tables, allowing guests to enjoy an Arctic‑style environment regardless of the season. From 15 January to 6 April 2026, the outdoor Winter Park is also available behind the main building. Fully constructed from snow, this seasonal area offers traditional Finnish winter activities suitable for visitors of all ages. Guests can try the ice tube slide, toboggan slide, and a classic Finnish carousel sleigh. The Winter Park also includes a small indoor area displaying additional ice sculptures. This experience allows travelers to explore both indoor and outdoor elements of the SnowCastle area at their own pace.
What‘s Included
Visit exhibitions in SnowCastle area, Snowexperience365 & Gemstone Exhibition
Ice floating in a special survival suit in the icy Bothnian bay
Transfer from Kemi to Sampo and back
Lunch on board (for Sampo afternoon cruise)
Discover the legendary 1960 Icebreaker Sampo with an expert-led guided tour!
Non-alcoholic Welcome Drinks
Receive a certificate of participating Sampo icebreaker cruise!
Drinks & snacks on board
Pickup points
Hotelli Toivola
Kivelionkatu 1 Kemi Finland
Hotel Merihovi
Keskuspuistokatu 6-8, Kemi Finland
Scandic Kemi
Hahtisaarenkatu 3, Kemi Finland
Options
Pick-up 12:30 SnowCastle Kemi
12:45 SnowCastle of Kemi : SnowCastle of Kemi (Lumilinnankatu 15, Kemi)
11:30–12:45 Check-in for the cruise. Bus departure 13:00.
Drop off 18:00.
Pickup included
Pick up 11:05 railway station
11:05 Kemi railway station: Kemi railway station (Rautatiekatu 3, Kemi)
Pick-up 11:05. Please wait for the bus outside.
Drop off 18:00.
Pickup included
Pick-up 10:55 Scandic Kemi
10:55 Hotel Scandic Kemi: Hotel Scandic Kemi (Hahtisaarenkatu 3, Kemi)
Pick-up 10:55
Drop off 18:10
Please wait for the bus outside.
Pickup included
Pick-up 11:00 Hotel Merihovi
11:00 Hotel Merihovi, Kemi: Hotel Merihovi (Keskuspuistokatu 6, Kemi)
Pick-up 11:00
Drop off 18:05
Please wait for the bus outside.
Pickup included
Reviews
16 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Unique experience
Anto924,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful 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
4.00I 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
5.00A 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
5.00Had 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
5.00Everything 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
5.00Very 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
1.00This 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
This is a must do tour!!
JOhn f,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A must do! The icebreaker is so cool! This is a bucket list item that you have to do! The staff are so friendly and helpful. The ice floating was so amazing, even with some weather issues they made it perfect!!!
Once in a lifetime experience
Kellymicaela,Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Took a 4-hour cruise on the Sampo into the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. Got a tour of the ship and had some snacks and hot drinks while we cruised through the ice. My favorite part of the excursion was when the ship anchored and we got out to walk around on the ice and take turns floating in the icy waters wearing dry suits. It was truly an unforgettable experience!
Icebreaker experience
625cz,Mar 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00My husband and I had a great time on the Sampo Icebreaker! The check-in had a small queue, and we also wait abit for the bus to the ship, but it was okay. This was really a special experience because in Switzerland, our lakes dont freeze like this. The restaurant staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was good, but it can be abit better. Our guide Jesper was really great, she speak perfect English and know a lot about everything. We like her a lot. The ice floating was exciting! In the beginning, the suit was little bit tight, but our guide explain everything very well, so we know exactly what to do. It was easy to follow, but still some people dont understand. Some was splashing and shouting, which was abit too much, but otherwise it was fun. Mario the Italian and the other crew was also very nice, what they do is really hard work! Unfortunatly, there was no photographer, but we take some nice pictures with the friends we made in our group. Very nice experience and we recommend!
Related Experiences
Operated by Icebreaking Company