Santa’s Icebreaker
Two icons of Finnish storytelling have joined forces. Sampo is the Official Icebreaker of Santa Claus.
Book an Arctic Icebreaker Cruise in Lapland
Welcome to experience the unique Sampo Icebreaker Cruise in Lapland on the frozen sea in Kemi, Finland. The 3.5 hour morning cruise includes ice floating experience, walking on ice, guided tour around the vessel, diploma, welcome drink and entrance to the SnowCastle Area Exhibitions. On the 4 hour afternoon cruise, you also get access to enjoy the lunch buffet on board.
Cruise with Transfer from Kemi
Cruise with Transfer from Rovaniemi
š„ Popular
Cruise with Transfer from Haparanda and Tornio
Cruise with Transfer from Oulu
āļø New
Cruise Schedules 2026-2027
We offer shuttle bus transportation from Kemi, Rovaniemi, Haparanda, Tornio and Oulu to the harbour. Sampo is located in Veitsiluoto Port, where only travelers who have registered for cruises can access during the cruise. Please read the useful information before arriving to Kemi and the Icebreaker Sampo Cruise.
- From Kemi
- From Rovaniemi
- From Haparanda and Tornio
- From Oulu
Morning Cruise from Kemi
Pick up from Kemi
07:00 Hotel Toivola (Kiveliƶnkatu 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.
See photos and locations of the pickāup points here.
SnowCastle of Kemi area
07:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area
07:30-08:15 Check-in for the cruise and optional breakfast at the restaurant (available by advance reservation only)
08:30 Shuttle bus departure to harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
08:45 Shuttle bus arrival at harbor
09:00-12:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise
12:45 Shuttle bus departure from harbor
SnowCastle of Kemi area
13:00 Arrival at SnowCastle area
13:00-14:00 Time for lunch at the restaurant (extra fee service) and visit SnowCastle area exhibitions (included in the cruise price)
14:15 Shuttle bus departure from SnowCastle area
Drop off to Kemi
14:25 Kemi railway station
14:30 Hotel Merihovi
14:35 Hotel Scandic Kemi
14:45 Hotel Toivola
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
Afternoon Cruise from Kemi
Pick up from Kemi
10:45 Hotel Toivola (Kiveliƶnkatu 1, Kemi)
10:55 Hotel Scandic Kemi (Hahtisaarenkatu 3, Kemi)
11:00 Hotel Merihovi (Keskuspuistokatu 6, Kemi)
11:05 Kemi railway station (Rautatiekatu 3, Kemi)
Please wait outside at the pickup point.
See photos and locations of the pickāup points here.
SnowCastle of Kemi area
11:15 Arrival at SnowCastle area
11:15-12:45 Check-in for the cruise and time for visit SnowCastle area exhibitions (included in the cruise price)
13:00 Shuttle bus departure to harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
13:15 Shuttle bus arrival at harbor
13:30-17:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise and lunch on board
17:40 Shuttle bus departure from harbor
Drop off 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 Toivola
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
Morning Cruise from Rovaniemi
Pick up from Rovaniemi
05:45 Santaās 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.
See photos and locations of the pickāup points here.
SnowCastle of Kemi area
07:50 Arrival at SnowCastle area
07:50ā08:15 Check-in for the cruise
08:30 Shuttle bus departure to harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
08:45 Shuttle bus arrival at harbor
09:00-12:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise
12:45 Shuttle bus departure from harbor
SnowCastle of Kemi area
13:00 Arrival at SnowCastle area
13:00-14:00 Time for lunch at the restaurant (extra fee service) and visit SnowCastle area exhibitions (included in the cruise price)
14:15 Shuttle bus departure from SnowCastle area
Drop off to Rovaniemi
16:00 Scandic Pohjanhovi Hotel
16:10 Arctic Treehouse Hotel
16:20 Santa Claus Holiday Village
16:30 Santaās Igloos
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
Afternoon Cruise from Rovaniemi
Pick up from Rovaniemi
09:25 Santaās 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 car 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.
See photos and locations of the pickāup points here.
SnowCastle of Kemi area
11:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area
11:30-12:45 Check-in for the cruise and time for visit SnowCastle area exhibitions (included in the cruise price)
13:00 Shuttle bus departure to harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
13:15 Shuttle bus arrival at harbor
13:30-17:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise and lunch on board
17:40 Shuttle bus departure from harbor
Drop off 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 Santaās Igloos
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
Morning Cruise from Haparanda and Tornio
Pick up from Haparanda and Tornio
06:35 Cape East (Sundholmen 1, Haparanda)
06:45 Haparanda Stadshotel (Torget 7, Haparanda)
06:55 Tornio Hotel Olof (Hallituskatu 16, Tornio)
Please wait outside at the pickup point.
See photos and locations of the pickāup points here.
SnowCastle of Kemi area
07:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area
07:30-08:15 Check-in for the cruise and optional breakfast at the restaurant (available by advance reservation only)
08:30 Shuttle bus departure to harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
08:45 Shuttle bus arrival at harbor
09:00-12:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise
12:45 Shuttle bus departure from harbor
SnowCastle of Kemi area
13:00 Arrival at SnowCastle area
13:00-14:00 Time for lunch at the restaurant (extra fee service) and visit SnowCastle area exhibitions (included in the cruise price)
14:15 Shuttle bus departure from SnowCastle area
Drop off to Haparanda and Tornio
14:50 Tornio Hotel Olof
15:00 Haparanda Stadshotel
15:10 Cape East
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
Afternoon Cruise from Haparanda and Tornio
Pick up from Haparanda and Tornio
10:20 Cape East (Sundholmen 1, Haparanda)
10:30 Haparanda Stadshotel (Torget 7, Haparanda)
10:40 Tornio Hotel Olof (Hallituskatu 16, Tornio)
Please wait outside at the pickup point.
See photos and locations of the pickāup points here.
SnowCastle of Kemi area
11:15 Arrival at SnowCastle area
11:15-12:45 Check-in for the cruise and time for visit SnowCastle area exhibitions (included in the cruise price)
13:00 Shuttle bus departure to harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
13:15 Shuttle bus arrival at harbor
13:30-17:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise and lunch on board
17:40 Shuttle bus departure from harbor
Drop off to Haparanda and Tornio
17:50 Short 5-minute stop at the SnowCastle area
18:30 Tornio Hotel Olof
18:40 Haparanda Stadshotel
18:50 Cape East
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
Afternoon Cruise from Oulu
Pick up from Oulu
09:40 Oulu City Hall (Kirkkokatu 2, Oulu)
09:45 Scandic Oulu City Hotel (Saaristonkatu 4, Oulu)
10:00 Nallikari, turning point / bus stop at Aalto Hotel (Nallikarinranta 10, Oulu)
Please wait outside at the pickup point.
See photos and locations of the pickāup points here.
SnowCastle of Kemi area
11:30 Arrival at SnowCastle area
11:30-12:45 Check-in for the cruise and time for visit SnowCastle area exhibitions (included in the cruise price)
13:00 Shuttle bus departure to harbor
Icebreaker Cruise
13:15 Shuttle bus arrival at harbor
13:30-17:30 Icebreaker Sampo Cruise and lunch on board
17:45 Shuttle bus departure from harbor
Drop off to Oulu
19:30 Nallikari, turning point / bus stop at Aalto Hotel
19:40 Oulu City Hall
19:45 Scandic Oulu City Hotel
Note: Return times are estimates and might vary slightly depending on traffic.
Whatās included in the Icebreaker Sampo Cruise?
Ice Floating Experience
The Icebreaker Sampo cruise includes an ice floating experience. A safe survival suite keeps you warm in freezing water.
Walk on the Frozen Sea
Walking on the frozen sea is an amazing experience. You can to take amazing pictures of the vessel while standing on the ice.
Guided Tour on Board
The cruise includes a guided tour on board. Our guides provide versatile information about the technicals and history of the vessel.
SnowCastle Exhibitions
Experience unforgettable moments of snow, ice, and gemstones in Kemi. Cruise includes a day ticket to all the exhibitions in the SnowCastle area.
Welcome Drink
We would like to warmly welcome our customers to the cruise. A cup of hot juice will be served in the Icebreaker Sampo restaurant upon arrival.
Diploma
Each cruise passenger receives their own Icebreaker Sampo diploma after the cruise. The diploma is a perfect keepsake of a unique adventure in the frozen Gulf of Bothnia.
Lunch Buffet on Board
A tasty lunch buffet is included in the price of the afternoon cruise. The lunch buffet is served in the restaurant of the Icebreaker Sampo during the cruise.
Afternoon cruise
Souvenirs
Shop unique souvenirs in advance and pick them up at the SnowCastle area.
Additional services for the Icebreaker Sampo Cruise
Breakfast at SnowCastle Restaurant
Complete your travel experience with a quality breakfast at SnowCastle Restaurant before your cruise on the Icebreaker Sampo.
Lunch at SnowCastle Restaurant
Enjoy a delicious lunch at the SnowCastle Restaurant. Our cozy sea view restaurant is located on the second floor of the main building in the SnowCastle area.
Photography Service
The frozen sea is a beautiful environment to take amazing pictures. Focus on enjoying your cruise and let our professionals take the most amazing photos of your vacation.
Feedback from our customers
Read what our customers thought about the Icebreaker Sampo Cruise in Kemi.
Contact information
Icebreaker Sampo check-in is located in the SnowCastle area at Lumilinnankatu 15, 94100 Kemi. For reservations, please contact our sales by email at sales@icebreaking.com or by calling +358 16 258 878. For transportation or check-in, please call +358 44 752 6848.