Sampo Icebreaker Cruise in Kemi

The icebreaker Sampo takes its passengers aboard at the port of Veitsiluoto, in Kemi, in Finnish Lapland. The operator has published the 2026-2027 season: cruises from 18 December 2026 to 3 April 2027, in two formats, a 3.5-hour morning cruise and a 4-hour afternoon cruise. The 2026-2027 prices do not appear on the presentation page: they are on the operator’s online ticketing site.

Season and cruise length

The first cruise of the season leaves on 18 December 2026, the last on 3 April 2027. Two departures are scheduled: the morning cruise, lasting 3.5 hours, and the afternoon cruise, lasting 4 hours. The morning cruise runs from 9am to 12:30pm, the afternoon one from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, with lunch on board. The published programme includes a walk on the ice, floating in a survival suit, a tour of the ship, a welcome drink and a certificate, plus entry to the exhibitions at the SnowCastle site.

At Christmas, the SnowCastle winter park, the town’s snow castle, is still closed: it opens each year from mid-January to April.

2026-2027 prices: on the ticketing site

As of 12 October 2026, the presentation page shows no price: check the operator’s online ticketing site for fares.

Getting to Kemi

The operator runs shuttles from Kemi, Rovaniemi, Haparanda, Tornio and Oulu; for the morning cruise, pick-up in Rovaniemi starts at 5:45am. New for winter 2026-2027: Brussels Airlines opens a direct route from Brussels to Kemi-Tornio from 25 December 2026 to 10 March 2027, once or twice a week. From London, France or Switzerland, access is via Rovaniemi, served by direct flights, then the operator’s shuttle.

Our Christmas in Lapland guide gathers the winter’s direct flights and the sites open at Christmas 2026. In Rovaniemi, the Santa Claus Village is open every day.