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In This Issue:

This Month’s Events & Webinars
Sailing the Panama Canal
March's Specials
“Do It Before You Wish You Had” Print Compass
Links to Past Newsletters
The Last Laugh

March's Events & Webinars

March 4 – Sun City Hilton Head

Home & Garden Expo (Great seeing old friends and meeting new clients today!)

Webinar: March 16 at 2pm

Viking Itinerary: Alaska & The Inside Passage

Zoom Registration Link: Alaska & The Inside Passage Registration

March 18 – Del Webb Cane Bay, Charleston, SC

Home & Garden Show – Noon-3pm

Webinar: March 23 at 2pm

Viking Itinerary Link: Tulips & Windmills

Zoom Registration Link: Tulips & Windmills Registration

March 25 – Cresswind Peachtree City

Vendor Fair – 11am-2pm

March 28 – Del Webb Lake Providence Singles Club

Singles & Sundaes – 6:30pm

Our Clients Explore the Panama Canal

Judy and Joe Coniglio, sailed Viking's Panama Canal & Central America and came back with this report:

This was the most relaxing cruise we have ever been on! At first we were a bit concerned about all the sea days, but it ended up being wonderful. The staff was amazing as usual for Viking. They couldn't have been more accommodating.

There was a fairly new cruise director- a young woman from Ireland named Aobihn. (Pronounced A-veen.) She was like an energizer bunny! And the entertainment was top notch. One night we had an incredible singer from London's West End- Lindsay Hamilton - outstanding.

The historian on board was great- especially as we went through the Canal. And there was a wonderful nature photographer who did many lectures on marine life.

We had some wonderful excursions. A highlight was feeding the hummingbirds in Jamaica. We also made some new friends who we plan to keep in touch with.

All in all- great cruise!

Two Imagine Going There Travel clients feeding humming birds in the Panama Canal.

Clients, Joe and Sally Brown, sailed the Classic Panama Canal Passage in November, 2022. They said they were amazed to see such large ships navigate through such a narrow waterway. Small, motorized vehicles called "mules" drove railroad tracks next to the ship to guide the mighty vessels. In the past, actual mules performed this task.

In Colon, a watercraft brought Joe and Sally back through the canal to see various wildlife, including Whiteface, Long Tailed, and Howler Monkeys. One even jumped into their boat!

The highlight of their cruise was an ATV ride in Cozumel through the jungle! At 80+ years young, the adventurous couple was hesitant but rewarded by witnessing a Mayan hut constructed as a remembrance to those who died that year (All Souls' Day).

Joe and Sally also stated that the historians and a marine biologist added another level of enrichment to their cruise. Each day they gathered in the Theater for a riveting 45-minute lecture presenting the history of each Central American country they would visit. They said they were always left looking forward to the next lecture.

Finally, clients Nancy and Gary Kantner share their memories about Viking's Panama Canal & Central America.

The picture on the right is from the Salsa by Salsa excursion in Cozumel. Nancy and Gary made 8 different salsas and enjoyed margaritas with each. At the end, they had a salsa dance lesson. They said the excursion was a lot of fun, but they did mention having to walk up two flights of stairs so if you have trouble with stairs, I might reconsider.

The following pictures are from the Gumbalima Park excursion in Honduras. Nancy and Gary said it was a wonderful experience. The animal trainers were present, knowledgeable and helpful and could control all animals/birds. They said the whole park was lush and beautiful!

This was Nany and Gary's fifth passage through the canal. Overall, they said the passage was quite enjoyable. When they sat inside on the upper level of the Explorer's Lounge, they had a great view and could easily hear the canal commentary.

They said they are ready to return!

March's Specials

VIKING SPECIALS - Select 2023 Dates (email or call for details)

Viking Ocean Cruises: Special Cruise Fares & FREE AIR

(50% Single Supplement also applies)

Ancient Mediterranean Treasures (8 days, Istanbul to Athens)

Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land (15 days, Athens to Rome)

Eastern Seaboard Explorer (13 days, Montreal, Quebec to New York City, New York)

Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada (15 days, Reykjavik to New York City)

Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer (15 days, Bergen to Reykjavik )

Into the Midnight Sun (15 days, Bergen to London)

Iceland, British Isles & Iberia (15 days, Reykjavik to Barcelona)

North Pacific Passage (23 days, Tokyo to Vancouver)

Panama Canal & the Pacific Coast (18days, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles, California)

Panama Canal & Central America (15 days, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)

Trade Routes of the Middle Ages (15 days, Bergen to Barcelona)

Viking Homelands (15 days, Stockholm to Bergen)

Viking River Cruises – Free Airfare AND Silver Spirits Beverage Package! (July-November 2023 Sailings)

Grand European Tour (15 days, Amsterdam to Basel)

Paris to the Swiss Alps (12 days, Paris to Zurich)

Danube Waltz (8 days, Passau to Budapest)

Romantic Danube (8 days, Budapest to Regensburg)

Rhine Getaway (8 days, Basel to Amsterdam)

“Do It Before You Wish You Had” Print Compass

If you missed the print edition of The Compass, click here to read this issue’s Tales from Our Sails. Our featured clients are Florence & Stan Hirschberg of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. They recently returned from the Mediterranean Odyssey where they celebrated their anniversary. Read their story about their waiter misunderstanding their order for pizza in Naples and how they graciously handled it, spreading joy to everyone in the process!

Links to Past Newsletters

The Last Laugh

About Imagine Going There Travel

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!