Abstract: A carrier (8) is provided with one permanent tray member (30) and several tray inserts (40) and (41) that will hold vessels of different dimensions. The tray inserts (40) and (41) are placed on top of the permanent tray (30) and stay in place without movement. The carrier (8) has a solid bottom panel (10) with rigid sidewalls (20) that can be sterilized by gas, radiation, or cleaned with disinfectant. The carrier (8) can transport ice for cooling samples and/or an absorbent material for absorbing spills. The permanent tray (30) and tray inserts (40) and (41) preferably have a perforated hole design (37) throughout to conduct any spills quickly away from the user toward the bottom panel (10) of the carrier (8).