Icebreaker Sampo useful information

We offer shuttle bus transportation from Rovaniemi, Kemi, Haparanda and Tornio to the Icebreaker Sampo cruise. Please note that shuttle bus transportation is mandatory for all individual customers. Bus will pick you up from the bus stops outside, the driver will not make the pick ups from hotel reception. Please be there on time. If you arrive late for the pick up, Kemi Tourism Ltd. is not responsible for any compensation. Check out the pick-up locations and schedules on website of Icebreaker Sampo cruise.

We would like to remind that all the vehicles transporting the customers to the Icebreaker Sampo need a permission to access the harbour where Icebreaker Sampo is located. You can get the permission by filling the access request. Please read the instructions for filling out the application. Access need to be granted before the arrival. Please note that access permissions granting office is open only Mon – Fri 8:00 – 15:30. They do not handle any requests outside these hours. It takes about 10 minutes by car from the Snowcastle area to Sampo. The buses that transfer customers many times during the winter season can apply for a seasonal permit to enter the port area.

Morning cruise: Shuttle buses organized by Kemi Tourism Ltd. arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi around 7:30. Please do the check in as soon as you arrive at the Sampo check in point at the SnowCastle of Kemi.

Afternoon cruise: Shuttle buses organized by Kemi Tourism Ltd. arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi around 10:30. Please do the check in as soon as you arrive at the Sampo check in point at the SnowCastle of Kemi. After the check in you have time to visit the SnowExperience365 exhibition room and have lunch at the Lumihiutale restaurant.

Morning cruise: Please arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi latest at 7:30 to do the check in before the cruise. The check in is open from 7am. Tour leader can make the check in for the whole group. The customers can wait in the bus and the bracelets that operate as entrance tickets to the service will be given to the customers by the tour leader in the bus, while driving to the port. This will save you a lot of time.

Afternoon cruise: Please arrive at the SnowCastle of Kemi at 10:30 to do the check in before the cruise. Tour leader can make the check in for the whole group. Please do the check in as soon as you arrive at the Sampo check in point at the SnowCastle of Kemi. After the check in the customers have time to visit the SnowExperience365 exhibition room and have lunch at the Lumihiutale restaurant.

All the vehicles transporting the customers to the Icebreaker Sampo need a permission to access the harbour. Access need to be granted before the arrival. Be prepared to show your confirmation of granted access. It will be sent to the e-mail or and mobile phone number which are given when making the application. Please read the instructions how to get permission to access the harbour by transportation vehicle.

Everyone participating the Icebreaker Sampo cruise can join the ice floating event during the cruise. The activity has a controlled timetable. Colour of your bracelet will tell you when it is your turn. Check your swimming time from your tour leader or from the list on the wall on the icebreaker. We also provided floating suits for children, min. height of 130 cm.

Please note that You might get wet during the floating. The survival suit is water resistant and condition of the suits is checked after every swim. Wind or waves might splash some water to ones face, and it is possible that some water gets in to the suit. We recommend to always carry the change of clothing with you: socks, underwear, pants and shirt.

Running is not allowed when dressed in to the survival suits. The guide advices you how to move to the swimming dock and how to go to the water. Jumping is not allowed. The swimming / floating area is bordered by buyos. The guide will help you up from the water. Enter the dock only wearing a survival suit or life jacket.

Ice floating event is included in the Icebreaker experience, but requires a normal physical health. The staff ultimately has the right to assess the physical and mental condition of the customer and decide accordingly on participation in floating. Floating is not recommended for pregnant women.

We can only ensure the safety, if we do it together. So please when visiting us, arrive healthy. Let’s wash our hands and keep the distance to others. Follow the safety instruction provided by our crew members and to guarantee a pleasent and fun experience to all. Please dress warmly, because the weather on the winter sea is cold and windy. Remember to have proper winter boots. Carry a change of indoor clothing with you, just in case.

Program services can be physically demanding and the participants may be exposed to vibrations. If the customer is having any type of health problems, including but not limited to, heart disease, back problems or similar, or if the customer is pregnant, they should contact prior the participation the medical experts to make sure whether the medical experts consider them to be able or not to participate. It’s the responsibility of the customer to consult Kemi Tourism Ltd. whether they are capable to participate on health or any other point of view.

The floating is operated according to the pre-bookings, when the wind and weather conditions allow the activity to be operated safely. For example strong wind or traffic by other vessels may delay or cancel the activity. The circumstances may vary during the season, and the final decision is made by the captain on board. If possible, we will contact the pre-bookers in advance, if the activity is to be cancelled due to a storm or similar reason.

Kemi Tourism Ltd. may only be held liable for personal injuries or material damage arising from  accidents that have happened during the delivery of the offered services and which are caused by negligence of Kemi Tourism Ltd. or its employees or sub-contractors or by the provision of faulty equipment. Kemi Tourism Ltd. is not liable for any accidental damage or injury which has to be indemnified under the travel insurance of a customer. Personal travel insurance is always highly recommended.

Authorized drone usage is permitted exclusively for professionals such as TV production teams and influencers engaged in collaboration with us. Prior notification is mandatory, documented within the collaboration agreement, and subject to confirmation by the captain on the scheduled cruise date. For permissions and coordination, please liaise with the cruise host on board on the cruise date. Drones may primarily be operated during the ice-floating program when the vessel has stopped in one place. Any drone usage while the vessel is in motion must receive explicit confirmation from the captain on board. In the event of approval, Kemi Tourism Ltd. / Sampo crew assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of any equipment.

Given the proximity of the SnowCastle area to Kemi-Tornio airport, drone usage is not always feasible. Generally, due to guest privacy considerations, drone use is restricted. Authorization for drone usage in this area requires prior approval from both the airport authorities and Kemi Tourism Ltd. Filming agreements involving drone usage must be negotiated with professionals advance.