Ensemble members complete first "Further Your World" FAM with Silversea

Select Ensemble members recently completed the first trip as part of the consortium’s new FAM program, Further Your World; Exclusive Educational Trips. 

In partnership with Silversea Cruises, the 10-day trip to Iceland aboard the Silver Moon included experiences and excursions to gain firsthand knowledge about the destination, as well as the benefits and services offered by Silversea.

Among the itinerary highlights were a visit to the Faroe Islands as well as to Akureyri, located just 60 miles from the Arctic Circle where participants saw the Godafoss Waterfall and soaked in the Myvatn Nature Baths.  

Members also had the opportunity to visit the town of Siglufjogur made famous as the location for the TV show Trapped, as well as spending time in the capital city of Reykjavik with opportunities to enjoy everything from hiking to soaking in heated geothermal pools or grabbing a drink in one of the neighborhood cafes.

Members also enjoyed numerous activities aboard the Silver Moon including participating in the S.A.L.T program - Sea And Land Taste – aimed at giving Silversea passengers access to true local flavours and approaches to food based around their itinerary and ports of call. 

After enjoying Icelandic inspired cocktails at the S.A.L.T. Bar, members enjoyed a dinner with dishes inspired by the country’s heritage. 

While in Heimaey, located in the Westman Islands, they also enjoyed a S.A.L.T. excursion with the executive chef from the local family-operated Slipppurrin restaurant to harvest and forage Arctic Thyme and other indigenous plants in the lava fields that culminated in a special testing menu showcasing the best of the island’s fresh fish, shellfish, seaweeds and herbs and other ingredients that change with Heimaey’s micro seasons.

In keeping with the objective of providing in-depth destination and product knowledge, there were two onboard training sessions along with opportunities to connect with other members through organized group dinners and receptions.

“We are so grateful to our partners at Silversea for hosting our first Further Your World FAM and to our members who embraced every aspect of this journey bringing back a wealth of knowledge and deeper understanding of the destination that can be shared with clients whose bucket list includes a cruise to Iceland,” said Jenn Kotacka, senior director of training and development for Ensemble, in a press release. “The response and feedback we’ve had perfectly synthesizes what we hoped the trip would be.”

Ensemble announced the launch of the FAM trip earlier this year with a schedule that includes four other 2023 trips:

• AmaWaterways – September – Featuring a cruise along the Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam
• Egypt&Beyond – September – An immersive experience to learn about ancient Egypt
• G Adventures – October – An exploration of the culture, nature, and people of Ecuador with an optional extension to the Galapagos
• Intrepid – December – An Antarctica Adventure

 A schedule for 2024 Further Your World FAMS will be announced later this year, Ensemble says. 

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