Icebreaker Sampo Useful Information

We offer shuttle bus transportation from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Haparanda and Tornio to the Icebreaker Sampo cruise. Please note that shuttle bus transportation is mandatory for all individual customers. Bus will pick you up from the bus stops outside, the driver will not make the pick ups from hotel reception. Please be there on time. If you arrive late for the pick up, The Icebreaking Company Ltd. is not responsible for any compensation. Check out the pick up locations and schedules on website of Icebreaker Sampo Cruise.

We would like to remind that all the vehicles transporting the customers to the Icebreaker Sampo need a permission to access the harbour where Icebreaker Sampo is located. Please request instructions on how to apply a permission to access the harbour by contacting our sales team via email at sales@icebreaking.com. Access need to be granted before the arrival. Please note that access permissions granting office is open only Mon – Fri 8:00 – 15:30. They do not handle any requests outside these hours. It takes about 10 minutes by car from the Snowcastle area to Sampo. The buses that transfer customers many times during the winter season can apply for a seasonal permit to enter the port area.

Morning Cruise: Shuttle buses organized by The Icebreaking Company Ltd. arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi around 07:30. Please do the check in as soon as you arrive at the Sampo check in point at the SnowCastle of Kemi. After the check in you have time to enjoy breakfast at the SnowCastle Restaurant. Please note that breakfast must be booked in advance.

Afternoon Cruise: Shuttle buses organized by The Icebreaking Company Ltd. arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi around 11:30. Please do the check in as soon as you arrive at the Sampo check in point at the SnowCastle of Kemi. After the checking in, you have time to visit the exhibitions in the SnowCastle area. Entrance to the exhibitions is included in the price of the cruise.

Morning cruise: Please arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi at 07:30 to do the check in before the cruise.

Afternoon cruise: Please arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi at 11:30 to do the check in before the cruise.

Tour leader can make the check in for the whole group. Please do the check in as soon as you arrive at the Sampo check in point at the SnowCastle of Kemi.

All the vehicles transporting the customers to the Icebreaker Sampo need a permission to access the harbour. Access need to be granted before the arrival. Be prepared to show your confirmation of granted access. It will be sent to the e-mail or and mobile phone number which are given when making the application. Please request instructions on how to apply a permission to access the harbour by contacting our sales team via email at sales@icebreaking.com.

Everyone participating the Icebreaker Sampo Cruise can join the ice floating event during the cruise. The activity has a controlled timetable. Colour of your bracelet will tell you when it is your turn. Check your swimming time from your tour leader or from the list on the wall on the icebreaker. We also provided floating suits for children, min. height of 140 cm.

Please note that You might get wet during the floating. The survival suit is water resistant and condition of the suits is checked after every swim. Wind or waves might splash some water to ones face, and it is possible that some water gets in to the suit. We recommend to always carry the change of clothing with you: socks, underwear, pants and shirt.

Running is not allowed when dressed in to the survival suits. The guide advices you how to move to the swimming dock and how to go to the water. Jumping is not allowed. The swimming / floating area is bordered by buyos. The guide will help you up from the water. Enter the dock only wearing a survival suit or life jacket.

Ice floating event is included in the Icebreaker experience, but requires a normal physical health and basic water‑safety skills. The staff ultimately has the right to assess the physical and mental condition of the customer and decide accordingly on participation in floating. Floating is not recommended for pregnant women.

We can only ensure the safety, if we do it together. So please when visiting us, arrive healthy. Let’s wash our hands and keep the distance to others. Follow the safety instruction provided by our crew members and to guarantee a pleasent and fun experience to all. Please dress warmly, because the weather on the winter sea is cold and windy. Remember to have proper winter boots. Carry a change of indoor clothing with you, just in case.

Program services can be physically demanding and the participants may be exposed to vibrations. If the customer is having any type of health problems, including but not limited to, heart disease, back problems or similar, or if the customer is pregnant, they should contact prior the participation the medical experts to make sure whether the medical experts consider them to be able or not to participate. It’s the responsibility of the customer to consult The Icebreaking Company Ltd. whether they are capable to participate on health or any other point of view.

The floating is operated according to the pre-bookings, when the wind and weather conditions allow the activity to be operated safely. For example strong wind or traffic by other vessels may delay or cancel the activity. Walking on frozen sea is permitted only when the ice is solid enough. Early winter cruises may not allow ice-walking activities. The circumstances may vary during the season, and the final decision is made by the captain on board. If possible, we will contact the pre-bookers in advance, if the activity is to be cancelled due to a storm or similar reason.

The Icebreaking Company Ltd. may only be held liable for personal injuries or material damage arising from  accidents that have happened during the delivery of the offered services and which are caused by negligence of The Icebreaking Company Ltd. or its employees or sub-contractors or by the provision of faulty equipment. The Icebreaking Company Ltd. is not liable for any accidental damage or injury which has to be indemnified under the travel insurance of a customer. Personal travel insurance is always highly recommended.

Authorized drone usage is permitted generally only for professionals such as TV production teams and influencers engaged in collaboration with us. Drones may primarily be operated during the ice-floating program when the vessel has stopped in one place. Any drone usage while the vessel is in motion must receive explicit confirmation from the cruise host on board. In the event of approval, The Icebreaking Company Ltd. / Sampo crew assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of any equipment. A permit can also be granted to private individuals with experience of flying drones. The drone must be registered in accordance with EU regulations. Request permission to fly a drone by contacting cruisehost@icebreaking.com via email.

Given the proximity of the SnowCastle area to Kemi-Tornio airport, drone usage is not always feasible. Generally, due to guest privacy considerations, drone use is restricted. Authorization for drone usage in this area requires prior approval from both the airport authorities and The Icebreaking Company Ltd. Filming agreements involving drone usage must be negotiated with professionals advance.

Let us handle the photography while you enjoy the experience. Get your pictures from the thrilling ice-floating event plus many more taken during navigation. Book a photography service from our online store.

Here is how it works

Upon your arrival at the check-in desk in Snowcastle area, you will get a card with a neck strap holder to keep it visible with you. This way our photographer will know to take pictures of you.

Pictures taken will automatically be stored in our cloud. You have access to them through a link sent before the cruise by email. You can also register in advance, and we will inform you by e-mail or WhatsApp when your pictures are uploaded.

Take a selfie or upload a picture of your face and voilà, face recognition technology will find your pictures.

If you cannot connect through the link, do not worry! Ask our staff and scan the Qr code.

Some notes & tips

The main focus of the picture service is the ice floating activity, where we guarantee the photographer will be on the spot. As a bonus, our staff will also take pictures during the cruise, both indoors and outdoors. Please be aware that due to the nature of the cruise environment, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to always locate our photographer.

If you want pictures with your friends or family, no problem! Just stay with them when we take a picture of you. Please note that no individual pictures will be taken of those that did not purchase the service.

It’s also possible to buy the service when you arrive at the SnowCastle – before or after cruise check‑in, or once on board. Please allow enough time and book it as early as possible, always before the ice‑floating activity. Our photographers can only take photos of passengers wearing the photo tag.

During ice floating, please remember your evacuation suit number in case we need to retrieve your pictures manually.

If you have questions or need assistance. Please contact our photography service photo@icebreaking.com

Good to know

Customers must follow staff instructions regarding the photography service. No pictures will be taken, and no behaviours will be accepted that compromise the safety of passengers or crew members.

Pictures will be accessible online for 1 month. After that time, they will be permanently deleted. Pictures size is max. 3600px. The photos are downloaded from an online web gallery in .jpg format.

In case of technical problems, please contact photo@icebreaking.com for assistance.

Even the system has been tested, we cannot guarantee that all pictures taken will be readable by the face recognition technology and thus delivered to the customer, especially during challenging weather conditions such snowstorms. Kemi Tourism Ltd. will not refund the customer for the loss of individual pictures. – Please read our general terms & conditions regarding changes and cancellations.