Quote: Added November 24, 2007. Sad to report that the M/S Explorer sank in Antarctic waters after hitting ice. All on board were rescued, but the Little Red Ship is gone. We will miss her very much!

The M/S Explorer is the very first of the Expedition Class ships. The very first ship to take passengers to Antarctica. At around 2,398 grt, she's not a luxury ship, but certainly is a good goer in rough waters. Since 1969 she has had over 150 voyages to Antarctica. Designed by Lars-Eric Lindblad, her ice-strengthened hull gives you a feeling of confidence in polar waters. Our tiny but comfortable room and even smaller bathroom likely prevented falling in rough seas. I think a fall in that room was impossible! We'd been advised to take a clothes line along, and we used it to dry our clothing, jackets, and gloves. I'm telling you the truth when I say that they slung ropes across the already narrow hallways so that we always had one hand on something when moving about. I'll take a small, darn good ship over a big luxury model when things get rough.

Limited to no more than 100 passengers, you really have a chance to talk to officers, crew and expert guides. Called the 'little red ship' by those who love her, I would travel again on this ship whenever possible.

We fetched Iceland at Hofn. Isafjordur is about 1/2 way around on the north west side of Iceland. The meals served on the M.V. Explorer were excellent; however there were times when many of the passengers couldn't enjoy food. We had a wonderful captain, officers and crew. An international bunch, many of whom had spent years going here and there in the Atlantic Ocean. The dining room was large enough so that we could all eat together and thus take our time. The bar was tiny, but did a brisk business. The rumor was going about that single malt Scotch was a remedy for seasickness. If you ever have the chance to travel on this ship--do it! Abercrombie and Kent.

From journals Isafjordur, Iceland by ship