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Icebreaker cruises from Kemi

Kemi is the home harbour of the Sampo and the Arktis, and an hour by road from the Swedish terminal in Axelsvik.

Top picks
Sampo cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company Sampo cruise from Kemi
★ 4.7 (83) from €402
Book now
Arktis cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company · 6 hours in total; 3 hours on board Arktis cruise from Kemi
★ 4.4 (227) from €307
Book now
Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker Polar Explorer cruise
★ 4.7 (490) from €325
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Compare all 4 options

If you sleep in Kemi, the icebreaker is a half-day trip rather than a full day on the bus. The Kemi listings for the Sampo and the Arktis pick you up at your hotel or the railway station and bring you back in the early afternoon after a morning cruise.

PhotoCruiseHarbourOn boardDayFloating fromPrice p.p.ReviewsBook
Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker		Axelsvik, Sweden3 h3–8.5 h125 cm€325★ 4.7 (490)Book now
Arktis cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company		Kemi, Finland3 h6 h140 cm€307★ 4.4 (227)Book now
Sampo cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company		Kemi, Finland3.5 or 4 h6.5–7 h140 cm€402★ 4.7 (83)Book now
Arctic Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker		Axelsvik, Sweden2.5 h2.5–8.5 h125 cm€250★ 4.9 (16)Book now

Cruise prices here are per adult and come live from GetYourGuide, taxes and fees included. Compare them with the Day column: the cruises with a bus from Rovaniemi or Oulu include the transfer in the price.

Cruises with pickup in Kemi

Each card shows the pickup town and time on board first. Open a card for pickup stops, inclusions and the ice conditions note.

Sampo cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company

Sampo cruise from Kemi

The shortest day on the Sampo: pickup at hotels in Kemi or the station, check-in at the SnowCastle area, 15 minutes by bus to the harbour.

  • Duration: 6.5–7 hours in total; 3.5 hours on board in the morning, 4 hours in the afternoon
  • Language: English
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
from €402 ★ 4.7 (83 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • The Sampo, which its operator describes as the only A1 Super class passenger icebreaker
  • Ice floating in a survival suit and a walk on the ice when conditions allow
  • Pickup at hotels in Kemi, the railway station or the SnowCastle area

About this cruise

The shuttle stops at Hotel Toivola, Scandic Kemi, Hotel Merihovi and Kemi railway station from 07:00 (morning) or 10:45 (afternoon). If you come by car, you can start at the SnowCastle area, which has free parking; driving to the harbour yourself is not allowed.

The lunch buffet is included on the afternoon cruise (13:30). On the morning cruise, lunch at the SnowCastle restaurant is an optional extra.

What’s included

  • Icebreaker cruise on the frozen sea
  • Welcome drink on board
  • Transfer between Kemi and the ship
  • Guided tour of the ship
  • Ice floating in a survival suit
  • Cruise diploma
  • Tickets for the SnowExperience365 and gemstone exhibitions

Pickup and check-in

Hotel Toivola (Kiveliönkatu 1), Scandic Kemi (Hahtisaarenkatu 3), Hotel Merihovi (Keskuspuistokatu 6), Kemi railway station (Rautatiekatu 3) or the SnowCastle area. The bus has “Icebreaker Shuttle Bus” on the windscreen.

What to bring

  • Warm outdoor clothing

Know before you go

  • Ice floating needs a minimum height of 140 cm.
  • Walking on the ice may not be possible on cruises early in the winter season and depends on the ice.
  • All programmes depend on the weather and can be changed to suit the conditions.
  • The cruise is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users
  • People with reduced mobility

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Arktis cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company

Arktis cruise from Kemi

A 3-hour Arktis cruise with pickup in Kemi, the shortest day of the Kemi cruises with a bus transfer.

  • Duration: 6 hours in total; 3 hours on board
  • Language: English
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
from €307 ★ 4.4 (227 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • A 3-hour Arktis cruise with ice floating
  • Pickup at Hotel Merihovi, Scandic Kemi, Hotel Toivola, the station or the SnowCastle area
  • Diploma at the end of the cruise

About this cruise

This is the shortest day among the Kemi cruises with a bus pickup. The ticket covers the transfer, the cruise, ice floating and the diploma; the buffet, exhibitions, photos and a welcome drink are extras.

What’s included

  • Return shuttle bus in Kemi
  • 3-hour cruise
  • Ice floating in the Gulf of Bothnia
  • Cruise diploma

Not included

  • Lunch or breakfast buffet
  • SnowCastle exhibition tickets
  • Photo service
  • Welcome drink

Pickup and check-in

Pickup by shuttle bus at the stop you choose. Check-in for the cruise is always at the SnowCastle area in Kemi (Lumilinnankatu 15); the bus to the harbour at Veitsiluoto takes about 15 minutes. Private cars cannot drive to the harbour.

What to bring

  • Warm clothing
  • Warm shoes

Know before you go

  • Ice floating needs a minimum height of 140 cm.
  • Walking on the ice may not be possible on cruises early in the winter season and depends on the ice.
  • All programmes depend on the weather and can be changed to suit the conditions.
  • The cruise is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users
  • People with reduced mobility

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker

Polar Explorer cruise

The larger ship of the Swedish operator: seven decks, an audio guide app, a short film in the onboard cinema. Bring a passport or ID card.

  • Duration: 3 hours on board; 3–8.5 hours in total depending on the transfer option
  • Language: Live guide in English, Chinese, French, Polish, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, Italian, Russian, Sinhala and Swedish; audio guide in further languages including German
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 45 days before the start
from €325 ★ 4.7 (490 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • A tour of all seven decks with an audio guide app
  • A short documentary film in the onboard cinema
  • Floating in a survival suit and a walk on the sea ice
  • Cruise & Swim certificate

About this cruise

The terminal is in Axelsvik near Kalix, on the Swedish side of the gulf. You can take the shuttle bus (the option sets the pickup town) or drive yourself and park at the terminal free of charge. Lunch, snacks and drinks are sold on board.

Children from 125 cm can join the floating with their parents. Ice and its thickness are not guaranteed until early January, and walking on the ice may not be possible before then.

What’s included

  • Icebreaker cruise
  • Hot drinks on board
  • Guided tour of the seven decks
  • Audio guide
  • Film in the onboard cinema
  • Floating in a survival suit
  • Cruise & Swim certificate
  • Transfer from and to Rovaniemi (optional)

Not included

  • Meals (can be bought on board)

Pickup and check-in

Depends on the option you choose: shuttle pickup or the cruise terminal at Axelsviksvägen 291 C, Båtskärsnäs, Sweden.

What to bring

  • Passport or photo ID
  • Warm clothing

Know before you go

  • Children from 125 cm can take part in the floating together with their parents.
  • Ice and its thickness are not guaranteed until early January; walking on the ice may not be possible before then.
  • Departure times at the terminal are Swedish time, one hour behind Finland.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Arctic Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker

Arctic Explorer cruise

The smaller ship from the same Swedish terminal: 2.5 hours, an e-guidebook and a small café. Times are Swedish time.

  • Duration: 2.5 hours on board; 2.5–8.5 hours in total depending on the transfer option
  • Language: Driver: English, Chinese, French, Spanish; e-guidebook in 16 languages
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start
from €250 ★ 4.9 (16 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • About 30 minutes out through the ice, 1.5 hours at the stop, 30 minutes back
  • Walk on the sea ice and float in a survival suit when conditions allow
  • Self-guided tour with an e-guidebook, small café on board

About this cruise

The Arctic Explorer leaves from the same terminal in Axelsvik as the Polar Explorer, about 40 km from the Finnish border. It is the smaller ship, with four decks and room for 80 passengers according to its operator.

Walking on the ice and floating depend on ice thickness, sea conditions and safety. If the operator limits or cancels them, the listing states that this is not a reason for a refund.

What’s included

  • 2.5-hour cruise on the Arctic Explorer
  • Hot drinks on board
  • Self-guided tour with an e-guidebook
  • Floating in a survival suit (when conditions allow)
  • Walking on the frozen sea (when conditions allow)
  • Cruise & Swim certificate signed by the captain

Not included

  • Personal travel insurance
  • Tips

Pickup and check-in

Shuttle stops depend on the option (drop-off points include Rovaniemi railway station, Santa Claus Holiday Village, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Scandic Kemi and Kemi station), or the Arctic Explorer cruise terminal in Axelsvik, Sweden.

What to bring

  • Passport or photo ID
  • Warm clothing
  • Warm shoes

Know before you go

  • All departures are in Swedish time.
  • Walking on the ice and floating can be limited or cancelled for safety without a refund.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Pickup times, inclusions and conditions as the operator lists them on the booking platform. Timetables can change from season to season.

Pickup stops in Kemi

The Sampo listing names Hotel Toivola (Kiveliönkatu 1), Scandic Kemi (Hahtisaarenkatu 3), Hotel Merihovi (Keskuspuistokatu 6) and Kemi railway station (Rautatiekatu 3). The bus has “Icebreaker Shuttle Bus” on the windscreen; be at the stop five minutes before the time on your booking.

CruisePickupOn boardBack in Kemi
Sampo, morning07:00–07:2009:00–12:3014:25–14:35
Sampo, afternoon (lunch)10:45–11:0513:30–17:3018:05–18:25

The Arktis from Kemi uses the same hotels, the station and the SnowCastle area as stops; its cruise runs 09:15–12:15 or 13:15–16:15 and the listing gives six hours for the whole trip.

Arriving by car or train

With your own car you can start at the SnowCastle area, which has free parking. You cannot drive to the harbour: Veitsiluoto is a closed area, and the bus from the SnowCastle area to the ship takes about 15 minutes. Trains run to Kemi from Rovaniemi and from the south of Finland; the station is 1.5 km from the SnowCastle area and is itself a pickup stop.

From Kemi to Axelsvik

The Swedish terminal of the Polar Explorer and the Arctic Explorer is 73 km from Kemi, about an hour by car. The operator’s shuttle stops in Kemi at the Seaside Glass Villas, Scandic Kemi, Hotel Merihovi and the railway station. On the product pages the transfer is an option you choose when booking. Times at the terminal are Swedish time, one hour behind Kemi.

FAQ

Where do I check in for the Sampo and the Arktis?

At the SnowCastle area in Kemi, Lumilinnankatu 15. A bus takes passengers from there to the ship in Veitsiluoto harbour in about 15 minutes.

How long does the icebreaker trip take from Kemi?

The Sampo listing from Kemi gives 6.5 to 7 hours, the Arktis listing 6 hours, including pickup and return.

Can I park at the harbour?

No. Park at the SnowCastle area, where parking is free, and take the bus to the ship.

Related on this site

Sampo

The 1960 icebreaker and its two daily cruises.

Arktis

Three hours, and the extras to add.

From Tornio and Haparanda

Halfway between both harbours.

A short day from Kemi

Compare the Kemi cruises with the ships across the border.

Open the ship comparison