Drift Ice Cruise in Hokkaido

Hi. I'll be in Hokkaido end of January to 1st week of February and was wondering about the drift ice cruise in Abashiri. Online reviews are quite mixed. Would like to know if anyone here has done the cruise before? Am I too early for the season? Is it worth the long travel from Sapporo?
Thank you!

It all depends on the weather. No drift ice when we went on 9th February 2016. There was a bucket of drift ice collected from 3rd February on the cruise boat. Then the entire sea was covered with drift ice when my friends went about a week to ten days later than us.

I was there 8th Feb 2010. The drift ice was there and no issue getting the tickets on the spot for the afternoon cruise. 2019 could be different, it is wise to check before you go.

Thanks for the feedback. It is better not to purchase tickets ahead of time then. I do hope it's better next year.

Monbetsu is another option for drift ice:
https://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/1411_driftice.html

Thanks! Will look into Monbetsu as well.