The final segment of the Iron & Ice Enrichment Voyage sailed into Southampton, England this past Sunday, June 15, 2014. The MV Explorer visited the ports of Stockholm, Sweden, Lerwick, Scotland, Reykjavik, Ísafjörður, and Akureyri, Iceland, Belfast, Ireland, and disembarked in Southampton, England. The shipboard community was comprised of educators, scholars, and learners of all ages who attended lectures and seminars, reconnected with shipmates, and explored the vast landscapes of Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Take a moment to look at some special moments from the Iron & Ice voyage below.
Two passengers are excited to reconnect as the MV Explorer sailed out of the port of Stockholm, Sweden to kick off the second segment of the Enrichment Voyage.Captain Kostas Siamantas proudly announces the ship’s officers on board the MV Explorer.The MV Explorer sits by the cobblestoned streets while docked in the port of Copenhagen, Denmark. The Kastellet fortress and the Little Mermaid Statue dedicated to Hans Christian Anderson were a just a short walk away.Passengers listen intently to lecturer Dr. Mark J. Magenheim speak on the similarities, differences, and innovations in healthcare systems of Scandinavia in comparison to the United States.While in Lerwick, Scotland, participants visited the Jarlshof archeological site, one of the oldest and most intact ancient farm settlements in Scotland, dating back to 2500 BC.Entertainer Jimmy Nairn blew away the crowd with his musical performance on board the ship, treating the audience to a variety of songs with the clarinet, saxophone, and bagpipes.There were many small rooms and windows to peer through as passengers explored the Jarlshof ruins in Scotland.A participant asks a question about the ship’s navigation system as a group takes a tour of the bridge of the MV Explorer.An Icelandic historian invited a young volunteer on stage to help illustrate the ancient ways of the Icelandic people to the shipboard community.The view from the MV Explorer as the ship docked in Reykjavik, Iceland.A passenger smiles as she returns home from a relaxing day at the Blue Lagoon spa in Iceland.Passengers awoke to a stunning landscape as the ship pulled into its second port in Iceland, the small fishing city of √çsafj√∂r√∞ur.A local musician in traditional clothing treated participants to Icelandic lullabies as they toured the maritime museum in √çsafj√∂r√∞ur, Iceland.A passenger stands near a massive waterfall in √çsafj√∂r√∞ur, Iceland. A local guide filled a pitcher with water directly from the falls and everyone drank the ice cold water.A passenger sang an original folk song to the packed Union during the talent show.The shipboard community included several young children who treated the passengers to a special Enrichment Voyages version of “Yellow Submarine” during the talent show.The MV Explorer in the port of Akeryrui, Iceland
While the Enrichment Voyages program is ending, opportunities for continuing education with ISE will continue through the Lifelong Learning program on Semester at Sea voyages.
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