The best time for an icebreaker cruise
The ships sail from late November into April. The ice under them does not follow a timetable.
An icebreaker cruise needs ice, and the northern Gulf of Bothnia freezes over gradually during the winter. Both operators start sailing before the ice is reliably thick, and both say so in their terms. For a cruise through a solid ice field with a walk on the ice, January to March is the safest choice. December can work, but you book it knowing the ice may still be thin.
Early season
The Polar Explorer starts in late November, the Arktis and the Arctic Explorer on 1 December. Polar Explorer’s terms say early December cruises run in any ice conditions, including weak or no ice. The floating is planned on every cruise; the ice walk may not be possible yet.
Ice builds up
The Sampo joins on 18 December. In recent winters the first walk on the ice from Axelsvik was possible between early December and early January. From January the chances of a solid ice field are best.
Bright late season
The ships still sail on thick ice, and the days are long. The listings recommend sunglasses in spring, when the snow reflects the light. The Arctic Explorer ends in late March, the Sampo on 3 April.
Season dates for 2026–27
| Ship | First cruise | Last cruise | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arktis | 1 Dec 2026 | 31 Mar 2027 | The Icebreaking Company |
| Sampo | 18 Dec 2026 | 3 Apr 2027 | The Icebreaking Company |
| Polar Explorer | 23 Nov | 14 Apr | Operator website, timetable labelled 2025–2026 |
| Arctic Explorer | 1 Dec | 27 Mar | Operator website |
For the Polar Explorer the sources differ: the operator’s website shows 23 November to 14 April under a timetable still labelled 2025–2026, while a recruitment notice for the 2026–27 winter names 21 November to 1 April. The date picker on the product page shows which days can actually be booked.
When walking on the ice became possible
Polar Explorer Oy publishes the first date of each winter when its guests could walk on the sea ice. The dates are for reference only and say nothing certain about the coming winter.
| Winter | First walk on the ice (Axelsvik) |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 3 December 2023 |
| 2024–25 | 19 December 2024 |
| 2025–26 | 3 January 2026 |
The terms add that ice and its thickness are not guaranteed until mid-December and that walking on the ice may not be possible until early January. The Polar Explorer product page says the same with “early January”. The Kemi operator’s listings say that walking on the ice may not be possible on early-season cruises. On the Swedish ships the walk needs solid ice at least 20 cm thick, and the captain decides on each cruise.
Book it, but read it as a cruise with floating rather than a guaranteed ice walk. On a later date in the month the chances are better, and the Sampo only starts on 18 December. When the ice is thin, the ship may follow a channel that has already been broken; the Arktis operator has said so in a reply to a reviewer. Free cancellation on the product pages ranges from 24 hours to 45 days, so check it before you book a date far ahead (see booking and cancellation).
Evening cruises in February
The Polar Explorer timetable for 2025–26 also listed evening cruises in February, from 19:00 to 21:00 Swedish time, with a late return to Rovaniemi. Whether they run again in 2027 is not stated yet; look for an evening option on the product page.
Choosing by what matters to you
- For the walk on the frozen sea, choose January to March.
- For the earliest date in the season, the Polar Explorer starts in late November and the Arktis and Arctic Explorer on 1 December.
- For a Christmas trip, the Sampo starts on 18 December and the later December dates give the ice more time.
- For long, bright days, March is the month, and the Sampo and the Polar Explorer still sail into April.
FAQ
Is there ice for the icebreaker in December?
Not always. The cruises run in December in any ice conditions, but ice and its thickness are not guaranteed until mid-December, and walking on the ice may not be possible until early January.
What is the best month for an icebreaker cruise in Lapland?
January to March give the best chance of a solid ice field and a walk on the ice. March adds long, bright days.
When does the icebreaker season start?
The Polar Explorer starts in late November, the Arktis and the Arctic Explorer on 1 December and the Sampo on 18 December.
Do the cruises run in April?
The Sampo sails until 3 April 2027. The Polar Explorer website lists cruises into April; check the dates on the product page.