2023 Roll-Out Timeline: 

  • Now: 2023 Trips that take place through March 2023 can be booked.
  • Thanksgiving Eve/Black Friday: All 2023 Trips
    • In conjunction with our annual Black Friday Sale and Online Party
    • All trips go on sale at their lowest prices
  • December/January: New website launch

Download a PDF with all 2023 Departures so you can start planning HERE. 

 

Hi Explorer Chicks,

Nicki here! I wanted to share some exciting Explorer Chick updates with you along with a timeline for when everything will roll out so you can plan accordingly.

First, if you’re in our Facebook Group, you’ve seen me post several sneak peeks of our new website while also asking for your input on how our website can better serve you. The website is looking pretty dang swanky if I do say myself. Check out the pictures below. A few of the highlights:

  • New Trip Filters including by Physical Demands
  • Filter by custom date range
  • Cleaner look and easier to read
  • Intuitive navigation
  • Search boxes
  • New colors!

 

Next, we’re also implementing a new Reservation System. This is a massive update and probably the one we are MOST excited about. Yes, this new software has a ton of new features for our staff to help with our day-to-day. But, most importantly, it has quite a few new bells and whistles for all of you!

  • Social Site – Each trip will have a private social site where you can share photos, messages, videos, etc. before and after your trip
  • Personal Accounts – You’ll have the option to create an account that will store all of your trips, your social sites, your travel forms, Travel Guides, sign waivers, payments etc.
  • Payments – Your personal accounts will have payment links. You can go in at any time to make payments for any amount until your final balance is due. Or you can still set up payment plans with us to make automatic payments.

Okay, Nicki, but when will this launch and when can I book my 2023 trip?

Alright, now to the important stuff. My original goal was for everything to launch late this summer – 2023 trips, the website, the new booking software. Unfortunately, this did not happen. The website design took longer than anticipated due to my obsessive attention to detail and optimizing YOUR experience with it.

I also did not want to launch the 2023 trips on the old/current Reservation Software. Migrating the 2023 bookings and adjusting availabilities made me too nervous. With over 165 departures scheduled, there was too much room for error. It was a risk I wasn’t willing to take.

Instead, we have a PDF with all of our 2023 departures listed that you can download HERE.

Below is our confirmed timeline for the roll out.

Timeline for Roll Out:

  • Now: 2023 Trips that take place through March 2023 can be booked.
  • Thanksgiving Eve/Black Friday: All 2023 Trips with new Booking Software
    • In conjunction with our annual Black Friday Sale and Online Party
    • All trips go on sale at their lowest prices
  • December/January: New website launch