We at Imagine Going There hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our office will be closed from noon December 24 through Dec 25th as well as noon December 31st through January 1st. As always, we look forward to helping you create that next new memory in 2025 and beyond.
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.
IGT team member Krista & husband Ray celebrate their 20th Anniversary in Spain on Explora Journeys
Last year (2023) Krista had the opportunity to join Carol on a trip from Reykjavik, Iceland to Greenland, over to British Columbia, finally landing in New York on the wonderful all-suite cruise line called Explora Journeys. It was her first ocean cruise, and she was hooked. Shortly thereafter she convinced her husband to agree to a cruise the following year in Spain. This was no small feat as their first kid just started college this summer and they still have two teenagers at home (but only one of driving age.)
However, as we all know, you may never find the “perfect” time, so sometimes you just need to trust it will all work out and “jump on” (the boat) with two feet! And that is what Ray and Krista did, choosing a 10-day cruise on Explora 1 that left Barcelona, traveling to Cadiz, three small islands off of Africa -- Lanzarote (Spain), Santa Cruz de le Palma (Spain) and Madeira (Portugal)--Gibraltar and returning to Barcelona.
Krista had this to say about her trip:
Most people, when looking at cruises, are choosing a specific destination they would like to see, but in our case we had timing constraints (school and sports schedules, work, etc). So honestly, we ended up choosing more on the dates rather than the locations, which sounds a little strange. We were excited of course about seeing Barcelona, but we knew nothing about Santa Cruz de le Palma or Lanzarote, and Madeira was only the name of a wine in my mind.
However, these small islands we visited were surprisingly interesting with plenty of sights and activities to keep us occupied. Another aspect we specifically chose was the four sea days interspersed between the ports. We are on the go all the time during our normal lives, so having an opportunity to enjoy relaxing on board a ship that has incredible food, welcoming and abundant spaces, plus great workout facilities was a priority for me. I wanted Ray to experience the exquisite Explora 1 ship and all it had to offer.
Arrival on the ship, greeted by friendly staff and a welcome champagne.
Cadiz, Spain
This a picture from the ship at the port of Cadiz. We loved having drinks and relaxing at the many outdoor spaces at the end of the day. Explora also has amazingly friendly and attentive staff, constantly checking in to see if you need anything or if they can help. (But not in an annoying way.) One restaurant server even remembered Carol and Doug from their previous Explora travels!
The indoor pool has a retractable roof. Some nights they would have “Silent Sweet Cinema” where you could which a movie under the stars while enjoying popcorn and cookies.
There are so many beautiful spaces to spend your time on this ship - it never gets old! And sometimes work calls, but at least you can do it looking at the sea!
Tapas cooking class with sherry tasting at a bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera.
One of my favorite experiences on the ship was the opportunity to meet Mike Horn, who is one of the world’s greatest modern-day adventurer-explorers. He swam the length of the Amazon and is the first man to travel the Arctic Circle without motorized transport. Mike is a Brand Ambassador for Explora and what an amazing person to have supporting your brand. We spent the day hiking with him, his daughter Annika and his wife Cathy on Tagojaite volcano on Santa Crus de La Palma. What struck me most was the combination of how friendly and down to earth he and his family were but at the same time all they had accomplished amazing and unimaginable feats in their lives.
As Carol mentioned in her last email, boarding Explora is relaxing and peaceful with a feeling of high-end luxury. But there are educational and experiential activities as well; we loved every excursion that we took with Explora. They hire wonderful guides, and you can visit interesting local restaurants and locales in an intimate atmosphere. You can be as active or as relaxed as you like...there are all options.
So, you know Imaging Going There for our expertise in Viking cruises, but don’t forget we also represent a wonderful all-suite cruise line called Explora Journeys, too!
November's Specials
**Please note: Reduced rates are not shown on the website! For best pricing, contact Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com or call 770-421-9627**
River Cruises:
Pharaohs & Pyramids (12 days, roundtrip Cairo + optional extensions to Jordan & Petra, Istanbul, or Alexandria)
Free air and reduced rates for sailings Sept – Dec 2025
Free air and reduced fares for select Sept-Oct 2025 dates
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!
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 $200 per person (up to $400 per stateroom) shipboard credit too.
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, (770) 421-9627
