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Begin your day with round‑trip transportation from Rovaniemi to Kemi. Upon arrival, you will check in for your icebreaker cruise and have free time to explore the included exhibitions in the main building area.
After your visit, a shuttle transfer takes you to Kemi’s 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 Rovaniemi.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The shuttle will pick you up outside at the front entrance of your selected pickup location. Please be ready well before your scheduled pickup time and wait outside no later than 5 minutes before the pick up time.
The shuttle works on a fixed timetable and may have many other passengers to collect. For this reason, the driver cannot wait for late arrivals. If you are not present at pickup time, the bus must continue to the next stop to stay on schedule. Please note that the shuttle may experience slight delays due to traffic or earlier pickups.
Please note that the drive to Kemi takes approximately 1.5 hours, so plan your departure accordingly to avoid missing the shuttle.
The correct vehicle will display “Icebreaker Shuttle” on the front windshield.
If you have any issues reaching your pickup point, please contact cruise check-in. The cruise check‑in line is open whenever cruises are operating, and team can assist you with guidance if needed.
Please notice: Lunch in restaurant of Icebreaker Sampo is included to afternoon cruise price (at 13:30 pm).
❄️ Pickup morning cruise from Rovaniemi
05:45 Santa’s Igloos (Joulumaankuja 8, Rovaniemi)
05:50 Santa Claus Holiday Village (Joulumaantie 20, Rovaniemi, look for Sampo standing sign on parking area, on other side of road from cottages)
06:00 Arctic Treehouse Hotel (Tarvantie 3, Rovaniemi, wait near road leading to hotel about 30 meters from main door)
06:20 Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel (Pohjanpuistikko 2, Rovaniemi)
Please wait outside at the pickup point.
SnowCastle Area, Kemi
07:50 Arrival at SnowCastle area
07:50–08:15 Check-in for the cruise
08:30 Departure from SnowCastle area to the harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
08:45 Arrival at the harbor
09:00–12:30 Icebreaker Sampo cruise
12:40 Departure from the harbor
SnowCastle Area, 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 area
Return to Rovaniemi
16:00 Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel
16:10 Arctic Treehouse Hotel
16:20 Santa Claus Holiday Village
16:30 Santa’s Igloos
❄️ Pickup afternoon cruise from Rovaniemi
09:25 Santa’s Igloos (Joulumaankuja 8, Rovaniemi)
09:30 Santa Claus Holiday Village (Joulumaantie 20, Rovaniemi, look for Sampo standing sign on parking area, on other side of road from cottages)
09:40 Arctic Treehouse Hotel (Tarvantie 3, Rovaniemi, wait near road leading to hotel about 30 meters from main door)
10:00 Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel (Pohjanpuistikko 2, Rovaniemi)
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 time for visiting exhibitions. Entrance fee to exhibitions included in the cruise price.
13:00 Departure from SnowCastle area to the harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
13:15 Arrival at the harbor
13:30–17:30 Icebreaker Sampo cruise and lunch
17:40 Departure from the harbor
Return to Rovaniemi
17:50 Short 5-minute stop at the SnowCastle area
19:40 Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel
19:50 Arctic Treehouse Hotel
20:00 Santa Claus Holiday Village
20:10 Santa’s Igloos
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
If you have any problems with shuttle bus pick up contact our Cruise check-in.
Contact number to check in is available during cruise days and when programs are in progress.
Ticket Redemption Point
Itinerary
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1
Icebreaker Sampo experience includes a 4-hour icebreaker cruise, round-trip transfers from Rovaniemi to the harbor in Kemi, a non-alcoholic welcome drink, a guided tour of the ship, ice floating, and walking on the frozen sea (weather permitting), lunch on board, a certificate of participation. Onboard, you’ll find warm lounges and a café-restaurant for your comfort. Your cruise ticket also includes access to exhibitions and experiences at the SnowCastle area.
4 hours • Admission ticket free -
2
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
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 program is not recommended for pregnant women
- Minimum height for icefloating experience is 140 cm
- Ice floating is not recommended for pregnant travelers or traveleres with serious medical conditions
- The cruise ship has stairs. The cruise is not recommended for passengers with reduced mobility.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience 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.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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