Icebreaker Cruise: Finnish Lapland Adventure
3.2
6 Ratings
Kemi

Icebreaker cruise featuring incredible ice floating and the SnowExperience365 adventure:

  • The top winter adventure in Finland
  • A must-do experience in Finnish Lapland
  • Adored by everyone, a truly one-of-a-kind experience aboard the legendary vessel, Sampo
  • Ice floating in the frozen sea
  • Among the most renowned tourist attractions in Finland
Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Kemi - Embark on a distinctive Arctic journey from Kemi! The Icebreaker Sampo navigates the frozen sea in Kemi during the winter months, boasting over 35 years of expertise. The Icebreaker Sampo Cruise features a 4-hour icebreaker voyage, an ice floating experience, walking on ice, a guided tour of the vessel, a diploma, a welcome drink, a lunch…
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What's Included
  • Welcome drink and lunch on board
  • Visit in the SnowExperience365 ice and snow exhibition
  • Meet the crew
  • Ice floating in a special survival suit in the icy Bothnian bay
  • Guided tour around the majestic, historical, the world´s one and only A1 super tourism icebreaker
  • Transfer from Kemi to Sampo and back
  • Diploma
What's Not Included
  • Drinks & snacks on board
  • Entrance to the SnowCastle Winter Park
  • Entrance to the Gemstone exhibition
Additional Information
  • 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.
Location
Kemi
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.2
(6 Ratings)
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Mpierc
Jan 6, 2025
A unique experience. - Although this is very expensive, I think it is such a unique experience, we really enjoyed it. It was fascinating learning how the ice breaker works, and its history. Obviously the external activities are weather dependent, and whilst we could do the ice floating, we were not able to walk on the ice this time as it was not thick enough in a large enough area. We were fine with this, as that is only one element of the whole experience (if bring on the ice/floating are the only reasons you want to go on the boat, then you would have to consider if it would be worth it, but for us, the whole experience of being on a boat on a frozen sea is incredible, and that in itself was well worth it!). It was interesting watching them checking the depth of the ice and finding out how that worked. When it came to the ice floating, the suit is a bit awkward to walk around in, and quite tight around your face (naturally), however it is an incredible experience to float around amongst the ice. Be prepared for the less than graceful exit from the water!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Somobla
Jan 16, 2025
Unique experience of its kind - Let's be clear: if you are willing to spend 360€ on an icebreaker excursion you are aware that you are having a unique experience, however it goes. In our case, 13.1.2025 we took a day of “crazy” weather but the ship left, cracked ice up to 50 cm and came out about ten km from the coast. Interesting ship tour, hearty lunch and decent quality. The group organization of the ship is well done. EXCITING water immersion, ice walking experience km from the shore, SPECTACULAR!! TIPS: the trip does not include photos in the water so if you want to be photographed find friends or someone from previous groups (you can take an “insta 360 or gopro” if firmly on your arm). To put on the neoprene suit you will have to remove waterproof suits, shoes and jackets, so ideal that you put thermals for legs and bust. The most disappointing thing was the ice castel (and ice Experience) of Kemi: given those of Kiruna (Sweden) and Killia (Finland) this is really scarce! Strong point: the experience as a whole in my opinion once in a lifetime is to be done To be improved: for the required amount they could organize a photographer who will immortalize you when you go down and dive (putting downloadable online photos)! I also advise against the “toast with a glass of ice” - 15€ each spent badly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cheryl
Dec 26, 2024
Sampo Ice breaker experience from Kemi - It was a fun way to spend a day and do a tour, ride on the ice breaker Sampo, have lunch and then go in survival suits and float in subzero conditions in the freezing Baltic Sea . We enjoyed this a lot. What let it down was it was exponential expensive. I saw many people go in for only a minute or so and then become very panicked and wanted to come out. I observed there was a lot of people from nations where they are not taught to swim and although there is NO swimming involved, if you are not used to floating in water it could be very scary. My husband and I are from Australia where we are all taught to swim, float and are confident in the water etc so it was a great experience but I would not recommend it to everyone. Most of these people, I felt just wanted the picture perfect moment to put up on FB. It needs to be stressed to them that they won’t get any photos of the moment. unless there is a non participant willing to do this and then what is the point paying an obscene amount of money just for the lunch, your and cruise. I wish I would have had more information emails from Trip Advisor regarding the trip eg do we wear clothes under the survival suits. Yes we do wear basic thermals. What is the maximum stay - only 10 minutes as there are do ment people. Ect I felt they just took my money and kept giving me endless emails on other Trip Advisor stuff to do. Very poor Trip Advisor. The buffet lunch was ok but I felt for the price it really should have been better. It was also served lukewarm. We are adrenal junkies and enjoy this sort of thing but this experience is not for everyone and many may be better spending their money on other things in Finnish Lapland Another thing that let the trip down was the chaotic way the buses were organised. Both at Kemi Railway and at the Snow Caste. Many people were confused .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria
Dec 25, 2024
Ice floating is the highlight - Although it was the most expensive thing we did during our trip to Lapland, I would admit it was a fun and different experience. Ice floating was very cool and the main attraction. Other activities included touring around the ship and a buffet lunch. It’s a lot of fun to watch the ice break but wear warm clothes as it is very windy. Guide Mario was really nice. However I perceive there is a craze going around regarding Finland as a tourist destination and this makes it quite difficult to balance between offering authentic experiences and managing a large group of ~200 tourists. I have mixed feelings about the overall experience because of how pricey it is. Don’t know of other alternatives for ice floating but would recommend if budget allows. Snow experience 365 is a bit too touristy and not impressive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O7278rclisas
Dec 5, 2024
(Perhaps) decent experience - Our experience was bad. The exorbitant expense was reciprocated by a disappointing hike having been unable to either dive or descend to walk on ice. Despite being aware of the weather conditions they made us board to not refund the tickets even if with insurance. Most likely to have known all these things we would have avoided this expense
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ceciliacs200yc
Dec 5, 2024
Esperienza pessima, 1700€ buttati - We were a group of 6 adults and 1 child who embarked on an Arctic cruise. Upon arrival at the check-in area, we were informed that walking on the ice surface would not be permitted due to infrequent ice-breaking. Once at sea, swimming was not possible due to adverse weather conditions. (We suspect they were aware from the beginning that swimming would not be allowed, but would not have offered a refund if we had not departed.) We did not receive any refunds and lost €1700. The only compensation offered was a hot beverage. (Food and beverage prices on board were exorbitant: a slice of cake cost €7, and hot water was €3.50.) Our cruise took place on December 5th
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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