This is the article you have all been waiting for! We are going to discuss in detail the cruises on the Sampo Icebreaker and tell you what you can expect from that once-in-a-lifetime experience. Find out the best time to go on such a cruise and what the experience entails here.
History of the Sampo Icebreaker
As its name suggests, Sampo is an icebreaker or a ship whose purpose is to move along ice-covered waters and provide safe passage in hard-to-reach areas. The Sampo was assembled in 1960 in Helsinki, Finland, and it took its maiden voyage in 1961. It was named after its predecessor, the first ship of its kind in Europe, having a propeller in the bow and stern.
The second Sampo, the focus of today’s article, was used to clear shipping lanes in the Gulf of Bothnia. It did only that for about 30 years, when it was sold to the town of Kemi for around 1 million Finnish marks in 1987. Kemi sought to buy it to use it as a commercial vessel, which is its current purpose.
Sampo completed its first tourist cruise on April 14th, 1988. The number of tourists who wants to go onboard the Sampo has grown over the years. Nowadays, upwards of 10,000 tourists go on board every year.
While the Sampo’s primary purpose nowadays is to provide extraordinary cruises, it still clears shipping lanes in the Gulf of Bothnia.
Time Period
Let us start the cruise discussion by telling you when you can actually book one. Due to the specific weather and water conditions, Kemi offers cruises on the Sampo between mid-December and mid-April. You should also check if your preferred dates during that period are available. Make sure to dress warmly! If you didn’t already know that, it gets pretty cold in winter in Finland (between 0°C and -40°C). The mantra is the more layers, the better. It would help if you preferably chose clothes that are wind- and waterproof. Cover yourself from head to toe.
Getting There
The Sampo is stationed in the port of Ajos, which is 11 km away from the Kemi city centre. Depending on the cruise you book, you can be picked up from your hotel in Kemi in a car, or you might even get the fantastic experience of going there with a snowmobile.
Alternatively, you’ll also be able to get there with your own mode of transportation. You must be at the port and board the Sampo no later than 30 minutes before the ship is meant to sail.
Cruise Details
Each cruise on the Sampo lasts approximately 4 hours. The ship will take you around the gorgeous Gulf of Bothnia, where you can experience the beauty of ice-covered Finnish waters (Finland is the only country on earth, where all ports freeze in winter) and the magnificent sky over them.
Once on board, you will be treated to a delicious meal at the cozy restaurant. A three-course meal awaits you, and you can also find a vegetarian option. The lunch must also be paid for when you make your booking, but you get to try traditional Finnish soup, bread with butter and tea/coffee for free.
When you are done with your hearty meal, you can partake in the exciting ice-water swimming. That’s right, the Sampo cruise offers the extraordinary experience of dipping in the waters of the Gulf of Bothnia, and many tourists make that choice every year.
There is special gear that protects you from the extreme temperatures of the waters and which would be provided on board the Sampo. Again, you have to note your willingness to participate in advance. The minimum height for swimming is 145 cm (or 4’9”), and the minimum age is 12. Up to 15 people can swim/float simultaneously and your time slot will be given when you board.
In addition to that, once the Sampo returns to the port, you can visit the Kemi Snow Castle as some cruises have that included in the program. The castle is usually open only for two months (February and March), so check before booking.
The Kemi Snow Castle is a work of art that must be visited. As the name aptly suggests, it is a castle made of snow and ice with all the amenities you can expect from top-class hotels. You can even stay there for the night if you brave away the -5°C average temperature.
What’s even more interesting about the Snow Castle is that Finnish architects and artists build it every year, so no matter how many times you visit it, the experience will be like no other.
Thoughts
So, what are your thoughts? Are you excited to go on the Sampo, dip in the icy waters, and visit the Snow Castle? Have you done that already? Let us know!
