From Kemi: Icebreaker Sampo Cruise with icefloating program
Overview
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 harbor in Kemi 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 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.
What's Included
- Lunch Lunch on board (for Sampo afternoon cruise)
- Ice floating in a special survival suit in the icy Bothnian bay
- Visit exhibitions in SnowCastle area, Snowexperience & Gemstone Exhibition
- Transfer from Kemi to Sampo and back
- Non-alcoholic Welcome Drinks
- Receive a certificate of participating Sampo icebreaker cruise!
- Discover the legendary 1960 Icebreaker Sampo with an expert-led guided tour!
- Drinks & snacks on board
Meeting and Pickup
The bus will pick you up outside at the front of your pickup place. Please be ready and wait outside at the location latest 5 minutes before marked pick up time.Notice that shuttle bus might have delays depending on traffic and departure from earlier pick up location. Shuttlebus has "Icebreaker shuttle bus" reading at the front of the windshield.If you're travelling by car, you can start your journey at Kemi's SnowCastle area, where there's plenty of free parking. Be sure to arrive well on time for cruise check-in. Driving your own car to the harbour is not allowed.Lunch in restaurant of Icebreaker Sampo is included to afternoon cruise price (at 13:30 pm).❄️ Morning Cruise with transfer from Kemi Pick-up from Kemi: 07:00 Hotel Toivola (Kiveliönkatu 1, Kemi) 07:10 Hotel Scandic Kemi (Hahtisaarenkatu 3, Kemi) 07:15 Hotel Merihovi (Keskuspuistokatu 6, Kemi) 07:20 Kemi Railway Station (Rautatiekatu 3, Kemi) Please wait outside at the pickup point.SnowCastle of Kemi: 07:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area 07:30–08:15 Check-in for the cruise and optional breakfast at SnowCastle area’s restaurant (available by advance reservation only) 08:30 Departure from SnowCastle area to the harborIcebreaker Cruise 08:45 Arrival at the harbor 09:00–12:30 Icebreaker Sampo cruise 12:40 Departure from the harborSnowCastle of Kemi: 12:55 Arrival at SnowCastle area 12:55–14:00 Optional lunch at the restaurant (extra service, book in advance or purchase tickets at the SnowCastle area’s reception) 12:55-14:00 Time for visiting exhibitions. Entrance to exhibitions is included in the cruise price 14:15 Departure from the SnowCastle areaReturn to Kemi: 14:25 Kemi Railway Station 14:30 Hotel Merihovi 14:35 Hotel Scandic Kemi❄️ Afternoon Cruise with transfer from Kemi Pick-up in Kemi: 10:45 Hotel Toivola 10:55 Hotel Scandic Kemi 11:00 Hotel Merihovi 11:05 Kemi Railway Station Please wait outside at the pickup point.SnowCastle Area, Kemi 11:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area 11:30–12:45 Check-in for the cruise and additional time for visiting exhibitions. Entrance fee to exhibitions including in the cruise price. 13:00 Departure from SnowCastle area to the harborIcebreaker Cruise 13:15 Arrival at the harbor 13:30–17:30 Icebreaker Sampo cruise and lunch 17:40 Departure from the harborReturn to Kemi: 17:50 Short 5-minute stop at the SnowCastle area 18:05 Kemi Railway Station 18:10 Hotel Merihovi 18:15 Hotel Scandic Kemi 18:25 Hotel ToivolaNote: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.If you have problems with arriving to cruise please contact our Cruise check-in. Contact number to check in is available during cruise days and when programs are in progress.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Kemi
4 hours Admission Ticket Free
Kemi Tourism Ltd
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- 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.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please notice that walking on ice is dependent of weather conditions on the sea.
- Ice floating is included in the Icebreaker experience and is optional to program to join. Floating programd requires normal physical health, the staff have the right to assess the physical and mental condition of each customer and decide on participation. Floating program is not recommended for pregnant women
- Minimum height for icefloating experience is 140 cm
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q: Will I get seasick on From Kemi: Icebreaker Sampo Cruise with icefloating program?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-455816P1
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Reviews
Average 4.53 out of 5 stars based on 17 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (9)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
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If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Lunch. Lunch on board (for Sampo afternoon cruise).
- Ice floating in a special survival suit in the icy Bothnian bay.
- Visit exhibitions in SnowCastle area, Snowexperience & Gemstone Exhibition.
- Transfer from Kemi to Sampo and back.
- Non-alcoholic Welcome Drinks.
- Receive a certificate of participating Sampo icebreaker cruise!.
- Discover the legendary 1960 Icebreaker Sampo with an expert-led guided tour!.
- Drinks & snacks on board.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the From Kemi: Icebreaker Sampo Cruise with icefloating program is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- 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.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for From Kemi: Icebreaker Sampo Cruise with icefloating program will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- LunchLunch on board (for Sampo afternoon cruise)
- Ice floating in a special survival suit in the icy Bothnian bay
- Visit exhibitions in SnowCastle area, Snowexperience & Gemstone Exhibition
- Transfer from Kemi to Sampo and back
- Non-alcoholic Welcome Drinks
- Receive a certificate of participating Sampo icebreaker cruise!
- Discover the legendary 1960 Icebreaker Sampo with an expert-led guided tour!
- Drinks & snacks on board
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- 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.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please notice that walking on ice is dependent of weather conditions on the sea.
- Ice floating is included in the Icebreaker experience and is optional to program to join. Floating programd requires normal physical health, the staff have the right to assess the physical and mental condition of each customer and decide on participation. Floating program is not recommended for pregnant women
- Minimum height for icefloating experience is 140 cm
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 travelers
