Skip to content
EN

Icebreaker cruises with children

Every child can come on board. Whether they can float depends on their height and on the ship you choose.

Top picks
Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker Polar Explorer cruise
★ 4.7 (490) from €325
Book now
Arctic Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker Arctic Explorer cruise
★ 4.9 (16) from €250
Book now
Sampo cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company Sampo cruise from Kemi
★ 4.7 (83) from €402
Book now
Compare all 6 options

Neither operator sets a minimum age for the cruise itself. For the floating, height is what counts: 140 cm on the two Kemi ships, 125 cm on the two ships from Axelsvik. For a child between those heights, that difference decides the ship.

PhotoCruiseShipPickup fromIce floating fromWhole dayPriceReviewsBook
Polar Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker		Polar ExplorerOptional shuttle (e.g. Rovaniemi, Kemi) or own car125 cm3–8.5 h, by option€325per person★ 4.7 (490)Book now
Arktis cruise from Rovaniemi
Icebreaking Company		ArktisRovaniemi (4 hotel stops)140 cm10 h€411per person★ 4.4 (401)Book now
Sampo cruise from Rovaniemi
Icebreaking Company		SampoRovaniemi (4 hotel stops)140 cm10–11 h€506per person★ 4.6 (245)Book now
Arktis cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company		ArktisKemi (hotels, station, SnowCastle)140 cm6 h€307per person★ 4.4 (227)Book now
Sampo cruise from Kemi
Icebreaking Company		SampoKemi (hotels, station, SnowCastle)140 cm6.5–7 h€402per person★ 4.7 (83)Book now
Arctic Explorer cruise
Polar Explorer Icebreaker		Arctic ExplorerOptional shuttle (e.g. Rovaniemi, Kemi) or own car125 cm (operator)2.5–8.5 h, by option€250per person★ 4.9 (16)Book now

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

Cruises for families

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

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.

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.

Sampo cruise from Rovaniemi
Icebreaking Company

Sampo cruise from Rovaniemi

Bus from Rovaniemi to Kemi and back, the 1960 icebreaker Sampo, ice floating and SnowCastle exhibitions. Lunch buffet only on the afternoon cruise.

  • Duration: 10–11 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 €506 ★ 4.6 (245 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • A guided tour of the Sampo, an icebreaker built in 1960
  • Ice floating in a survival suit and, when the ice allows, a walk on the frozen sea
  • Diploma and entry to the SnowExperience and gemstone exhibitions in Kemi

About this cruise

The bus collects you at one of four stops in Rovaniemi, starting at 05:45 for the morning cruise or 09:25 for the afternoon cruise, and drives about an hour and three quarters to the SnowCastle area in Kemi. After check-in, a short bus ride takes you to the harbour.

The morning cruise runs 09:00–12:30 and has no meal included. The afternoon cruise runs 13:30–17:30 and includes the lunch buffet on board. The listing puts the whole day at 9 hours 40 minutes to 10 hours 45 minutes, depending on your stop.

What’s included

  • Return shuttle bus from Rovaniemi
  • 3.5- or 4-hour icebreaker cruise
  • Welcome drink on board
  • Ice floating in the Gulf of Bothnia
  • Cruise diploma
  • Tickets for the SnowExperience and gemstone exhibitions
  • Buffet lunch on board (afternoon cruise only)

Not included

  • Breakfast or lunch on the morning cruise

Pickup and check-in

Santa’s Igloos (Joulumaankuja 8), Santa Claus Village (Joulumaantie 20, look for the Sampo sign in the car park opposite the cottages), Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (Tarvantie 3) or Scandic Pohjanhovi (Pohjanpuistikko 2). Wait outside at the stop.

What to bring

  • Warm clothing
  • Sunglasses in spring, when the snow reflects the light

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 allowed

  • Pets
  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Smoking indoors

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 Rovaniemi
Icebreaking Company

Arktis cruise from Rovaniemi

Bus from Rovaniemi to Kemi and a 3-hour cruise on the Arktis with ice floating. Lunch, exhibitions, photos and a welcome drink cost extra.

  • Duration: 10 hours in total; 3 hours on board
  • Language: English
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
from €411 ★ 4.4 (401 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full cruise details

Highlights

  • Three hours on the Arktis, the newer of the two Kemi icebreakers
  • Ice floating and, when the weather allows, a walk on the frozen sea
  • Two indoor decks and a café on board

About this cruise

The bus leaves Rovaniemi three to four hours before the cruise: from 05:45 for the 09:15–12:15 cruise, from 09:25 for the 13:15–16:15 cruise. Back in Rovaniemi it is around 16:00–16:30 or 18:25–18:55.

The ticket covers the cruise, ice floating and the diploma. Lunch, the SnowCastle exhibitions, the photo service and a welcome drink can be added for a charge.

What’s included

  • Return shuttle bus from Rovaniemi
  • 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

Santa’s Igloos (Joulumaankuja 8), Santa Claus Village (Joulumaantie 20), Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (Tarvantie 3) or Scandic Pohjanhovi (Pohjanpuistikko 2).

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.
  • Ice floating is optional and needs normal physical health; it is not recommended during pregnancy.

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.

125 cm on the Swedish ships

On the Polar Explorer and the Arctic Explorer children from 125 cm can float together with their parents. The operator explains that its smallest survival suits are made for 125 cm, and that for a child close to that height the crew decides whether it is safe. Children of all ages are welcome on board.

140 cm on the Sampo and the Arktis

The Icebreaking Company has no age limit for floating, but every guest must be over 140 cm tall. Smaller children join the cruise, the ship tour and, on the Sampo, the exhibitions in the SnowCastle area. The SnowExperience is an indoor room of snow and ice kept at around minus five degrees.

Think about the length of the day

From Rovaniemi the Kemi buses leave at 05:45 for the morning cruise and are back around ten hours later. With small children the afternoon cruise (pickup from 09:25) or a night in Kemi or Tornio can make the day easier. On the Axelsvik ships you can also drive yourself and park at the terminal, and the cruise of the Arctic Explorer is the shortest at two and a half hours.

Child prices

Child prices, where a cruise has them, are shown on the product page when you select the number of children. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed on the Kemi cruises.

FAQ

Is there a minimum age for the icebreaker cruise?

No. Both operators welcome children of all ages on board. Only the floating has a height rule.

Can my child do the ice floating?

From 140 cm on the Sampo and the Arktis, and from 125 cm on the Polar Explorer and the Arctic Explorer, together with a parent. For children close to 125 cm the crew decides.

Which icebreaker cruise is best for young children?

For children under 140 cm who want to float, the Polar Explorer or the Arctic Explorer. For the shortest day, a cruise with pickup in Kemi or the 2.5-hour Arctic Explorer.

Related on this site

Ice floating

How the survival suit and the floating work.

Polar Explorer

The larger ship with floating from 125 cm.

What to wear

Layers for children and adults.

Floating from 125 cm or 140 cm

The table shows the height rule for every cruise.

Open the ship comparison