Every cruise on this site breaks through the same frozen Gulf of Bothnia, and every one includes ice floating in a survival suit. What changes from ship to ship is how long you stay on board, what the ticket covers, how tall a child has to be to float and how long the bus ride is. Our verdict rests on those facts.
Time on board and what the ticket includes
The Sampo, built in 1960, sails for 3.5 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon; the afternoon cruise includes the lunch buffet, and both include a welcome drink, the diploma and entry to the SnowExperience and the gemstone exhibition. The Arktis cruise lasts 3 hours, and lunch, exhibitions, photos and the welcome drink are extras. In Axelsvik the Polar Explorer sails for 3 hours with a cafeteria on board, the smaller Arctic Explorer for 2.5 hours with a café. More on the Sampo and the Arktis.
Height for the ice floating
There is no minimum age for the cruise itself on any ship. The floating has a height rule: 140 cm on the Sampo and the Arktis, 125 cm on the Polar Explorer and the Arctic Explorer, where children float together with their parents. For a child between those heights, this decides the ship. Icebreaker cruises with children.
Pickup town and the length of the day
From Rovaniemi the bus to Kemi takes about an hour and three quarters each way, and the Sampo day lasts 10 to 11 hours; for the afternoon cruise the first pickup is at 09:25 instead of 05:45. With pickup in Kemi the Arktis day lasts about 6 hours. Oulu has afternoon cruises on both Kemi ships, while Luleå and travellers with a car reach only the Axelsvik ships, where you need a passport or ID card. Cruises from Rovaniemi and from Kemi.
Season and ice
The Polar Explorer starts in late November, the Arktis and the Arctic Explorer on 1 December, the Sampo on 18 December. Early in the season the ice is not guaranteed and the walk on the ice may be cancelled; from January to March the chances of a solid ice field are best. Best time for an icebreaker cruise.
Cancellation terms
On the product pages the Sampo and Arktis cruises can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start, the Arctic Explorer up to 3 days and the Polar Explorer up to 45 days. If your plans may change at short notice, the Kemi ships are the more flexible booking. Booking and cancellation terms.
