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Martin Gerretsen and Harvey Strydhorst
Christal Bauer I have just returned from my very first experience hosting an Ensemble Travel Hosted Cruise. I had the privilege of hosting the Celebrity Mercury Jun 15, 2008 sailing to Alaska. I decided on this particular sailing because I am very familiar with the Celebrity brand and have travelled to Alaska numerous times in the last few years. It is very important for an Ensemble Host to be comfortable with their chosen cruise line and the destination, so that you gain the most benefit from their knowledge and experience. When I received the list of travellers that would be in my group, I called each of their Ensemble Travel Agents. I asked questions so that I could understand the needs and preferences of their clients ahead of time. My group consisted of 35 travellers, ranging in ages from 7 to 89 years old! There was even a couple from Scotland , who were travelling with friends from the Sunshine Coast, BC. It was truly an amazing group of travellers! Highlights of our Cruise:
My personal goal was to create a unique experience for every member of my group. I wanted them to experience more than what Celebrity typically offers, it had to be an “Ensemble Experience”.
Jim and Karen Bell Karen and I sailed Nov. 10 on Seabourn Pride from Barbados for a 7 day sailing. Along the way we stopped at: Grand Anse, Deshaies, Guadeloupe; Castries, St. Lucia; St. George's, Grenada; Kingstown, St. Vincent; Mayreau, Grenadines (Where we were served caviar in the surf!), returning to Bridgetown, Barbados. We hosted a group of 10 travellers on the Ensemble Exclusive private island tour of St. Lucia. During the tour we had the opportunity to learn to dance local steps with our private guide. One of our guests from Toronto did just that during our lunch time entertainment. While other members cheered her on, the group enjoyed local cuisine and beverages. Back on-board we hosted a private cocktail reception with senior officers from the Seabourn Pride. The whole experience was enjoyable and fun. We both felt it was a definite “do again” experience!
Book by August 31, 2008 |
We have had the pleasure to host Ensemble Travel groups on Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, and Silversea. On every sailing, we very much look forward to meeting the Ensemble cruisers at the Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party and especially enjoy introducing the guests to each other then watching friendships form. All the Ensemble Experience Shore Excursions have been unique and memorable from circling the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar with a guest in a wheelchair to visiting Mary's House in Turkey just days after a forest fire stopped meters from the small chapel. We have visited over 100 countries and love to share our experience to take you places.