Update on UK’s new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
The United Kingdom officially launched their ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) application process on November 27th for United States citizens. If you are traveling to or even through the UK after January 7th you will need to be sure to apply and obtain this authorization prior to your departure. This application costs £10 and is done online. The website states it could take up to three days to process, so don’t wait until the last minute! Click here for more information and to apply.
CAUTION: If you type in “ETA” to a Google search there are many websites that appear to be “official”. However, you might end up paying too much if you use a website other than the UK government website. You should look for the “.gov.uk” address to make sure you are finding out the correct information.
ETIAS for European Countries: We are continuing to monitor when this will start, and Viking has said they are as well. Viking has told us they will be sending out announcements to travelers once it finally goes into effect. Click here for the official ETIAS website.
From Australia → South America → A Wedding Reception!
Last month in our print newsletter, I told you about our daughter, Cherise, who moved to Australia and married Joshua in February. They were planning on returning to the States for their American version of their “Best Friend Day,” so we started off their return with a honeymoon cruise called Scenic Shores & Chilean Fjords on Viking’s expedition ship. I shared the disappointing start our Australian son-in-law Joshua had leaving the country to join us. (You can read more about the first part of our journey in the most recent print newsletter: Practically Perfect in Every Way.)
However, through a lot of prayer, persistence, and teamwork, he was cleared and arrived in Punta Arenas. Of course, Cherise was absolutely thrilled, and it felt like the whole ship was celebrating with them!
(L) large brown boat, replica of the Victoria ship
(R) the Strait of Magellan sign
Our city tour of Punta Arenas included an outdoor museum of several famous ships, including a replica of Ferdinand Magellan’s Victoria, the HMS Beagle and the ship that claimed the Strait region for Chile in 1843.
What I found fascinating was the sign near Ernest Shackleton’s lifeboat.
His goal was to cross the Antarctic continent on foot, and to find a crew to sail with him, he posted this ad:
He chose 26 men (out of thousands of volunteers!) to set sail on this dangerous journey. Unfortunately, his ship, Endurance, was trapped (and later sank) due to crushing ice floes that impaled his ship only 85 miles from their destination. The survival of these courageous men is an epic story, which I started to share in the print newsletter but ran out of space.
So, here’s the rest of the story…
With only the lifeboats left as their only hope, they abandoned the ship with enough time to offload the provisions, including three lifeboats, just hours before their former home sank into the most hostile waters on earth. After more than a year of being trapped on the ice, they launched the lifeboats toward Elephant Island and for three days fought through hurricane-force winds and 30 ft swells, finally arriving at their destination.
But their relief was short-lived, as there was no help in sight. Finally, Shackleton realized that he would have to take that 23-foot lifeboat with a few men across the dangerous Scotia Sea to get help.
The small lifeboat used to rescue Shackleton's men
To help stabilize the tiny vessel in the open ocean, they added 2000 pounds of rocks and gravel for ballast. Their best chance of reaching land was to go with the south winds toward South Georgia Island, which was 200 miles south of their intended destination.
One night freezing rain covered the deck with 15 inches of ice, and the boat was in danger of sinking under its weight. The dangerous job of chopping away the ice on the treacherous deck while being sure not to slip off or chop into the deck itself took many hours of work. The next challenge came in the form of the largest wave the crew had ever seen, which toppled the boat on its side, filling it with water almost causing it to sink, taking nearly two hours to bail the water out of the vessel.
They finally saw shore on South Georgia, but the winds were too strong; they had to wait three days in order to make a safe landing. The battle for survival was not yet over – the whaling station that would offer help was on the other side of the island, but the small lifeboat was in no condition to make that journey.
Against all odds, Shackleton and two of his men crossed the interior of the island – something no one had dared attempt before due to its vast crevices and dangerous glaciers…and they made the 36-hour journey straight through with no rest!
When they arrived, the experienced whalers couldn’t believe they had survived the journey – something no one had ever done before!
While this was an amazing feat, there were still men stranded on Elephant Island. Finally, after four failed attempts, Shackleton rescued all the men after getting assistance from the British Society of Magallanes, who offered a schooner and a tug to exit the Strait and £1500. When he arrived with his men in Punta Arenas, the town turned out to celebrate this amazing rescue. It's no surprise that Ernest Shackleton embodied the family motto: “by endurance we conquer.”
There are no shortage of great stories when taking a Viking cruise, and this was just one of them! And ours was an epic adventure in the best way!
We came home and two days later had the American “Best Friend Day” wedding reception in Atlanta.
Cherise and Joshua wanted to recreate our wedding getaway photo
in Doug’s new Corvette—
a 2024 E-Ray.
(R&L) Cherise and Josh replicating Carol and Doug's photo
It was a fabulous time together and one journey— and celebration—
we’ll always remember and treasure forever.
(A) Doug and Carol- taken after their wedding
A lovely photo during Carol and Doug's wedding taken 40 years ago
Join Us on Explora Journeys – Feb 21-28, 2025!
I’ve told you in previous newsletters how fabulous our Explora Journeys cruises have been! Well, we’re doing an Imagine Going There Travel cruise to the Caribbean on February 21-28, 2025, and would love to have you join us!
What a great way to get away from the winter blues – here's the itinerary:
Every stateroom is a gorgeous suite, and includes gratuities, the beverage package and all meals and amenities onboard the ship. It is an absolutely wonderful experience!
You can learn more about the ship by clicking here: Life Onboard Explora Journeys. Pricing starts at just $3,306 per person and includes $150 per person (up to $300 per stateroom) shipboard credit too.
*Please note: Reduced rates are not shown on the website! For best pricing, contact Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com or call 770-421-9627*
“Your Choice” Promo:
Valid on ALL 2025, 2026, & 2027 Viking cruises (except World Cruise Products) that are new bookings made in January 2025. Choose one of the following:
Double your past-guest discount
Free Beverage Package and paid gratuities (Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary not eligible for free Beverage Package)
Extra Shipboard Credit, depending on cruise length Up to 8 days, get $250 per person in SBC 9-14 days, get $375 per person in SBC 15 days and longer, get $500 per person in SBC
Not combinable with other discounts. Cannot be changed after offer expires.
Free air and reduced rates for sailing April 4, 2025
As always, if you have a Viking cruise booked that hasn’t departed yet, you are eligible for deeper discounts on a new booking. If you leave in 35 days or less, the Bon Voyage Offer provides even more benefits!
Carol is a Viking Master Cruise Expert and Group Travel Specialist, and she loves getting people together to enjoy the intimacy and hospitality unique to small ship cruising.
Consequently, our clients benefit from the “inside information” we have as a result of the great relationships we have developed over the years. They don't have to call an 800-number hoping to get a knowledgeable professional to answer their questions, and are also on the “first-to-know” list for specials and bonuses, all while receiving the signature TLC we put into every trip.
Vacations are the highlight reels of the year, and each one needs to be truly memorable.
Great Vacations Matter, Because Great Memories Matter Most
P.S. Whether you have questions about your upcoming cruise, or you have a Future Cruise Voucher you're trying to put to the best use, feel free to contact me at 770-421-9627 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com. I'll be happy to answer all of your questions and give you the best advice for your Viking dollars.
P.S.S. If you've booked direct with Viking in the last 60 days, call 770-421-9627 to get an additional $200 shipboard credit to your reservation!
Imagine Going There Travel, 3600 Dallas Hwy, Suite 230-215, Marietta, GA 30064, USA, (770) 421-9627
.png?upscale=true&width=794&upscale=true&name=Black%20Retro%20Vintage%20Tree%20Logo%20Template%20(1).png)
