Isn’t it always nice to be the first in line; to have all of the information before everyone else does; to be treated like a VIP? As a past cruiser with the Wisconsin EMS Association, you’re about to get all of these things and more.

The Wisconsin EMS Cruise was first conceived back in 1999 when the association’s executive director visited a local travel agency. Just for the fun of it, he asked the agents what they thought of creating a cruise that would be for Wisconsin EMTs, First Responders and Firefighters, along with their family and friends. They didn’t know it at the time, but the Wisconsin EMS Cruise was about to be born.

Over 500 people took part in the first cruise in March of 2001. Cruise number two took place this past March with about 400 travelers taking part.

Whether the Wisconsin EMS Association was first or not, there are now several other state EMS associations starting to run their own cruises including Michigan and Ohio. Clearly the idea has caught on, but just like nearly everything else the Wisconsin EMS Association does, it’s going to be hard to beat. There is nothing quite like a Wisconsin EMS Cruise!

If you’ve been wondering if there will be a third EMS Cruise, wonder no more. The next Wisconsin EMS Cruise is set to sail March 13-20, 2005. Most of the details have been worked out, although there are still a few items that continue to be fine-tuned. That’s why nobody else other than past EMS Cruiser’s even know about it at this point.

This edition of the Cruiser’s Newsletter is being sent to all past cruisers to give them the first opportunity to get booked on the cruise. But, something this big won’t be kept quiet very long. In fact, the third Wisconsin EMS Cruise looks to be bigger than either of the previous two and will include advertising in several trade publications, not to mention on-line on two web sites and as part of the Working Together Emergency Services Midwest Conference & Exposition at the end of January.

Why should you get signed up right away? There are several reasons. First, we have already had dozens of calls and E-mails asking if there will be a third EMS Cruise. Clearly, there is quite a bit of interest in this event. Second, the marketing for the third cruise will include advertising in several EMS and fire publications with a combined circulation of over 20,000. Third, both the Wisconsin EMS Association web site and the brand new Magic Carpet Travel site will contain information on the cruise. The WEMSA site currently has over 4,000 visitors stop by every month. Finally, between 2,000 and 3,000 people are expected to attend the upcoming EMS conference at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee where a booth announcing the event will be located. So, while for the moment only past cruisers know about the event, quite a few people are going to find out about it in the next month or so.

As usual, we are somewhat limited in the amount of cabins that have been made available at the introductory price. Carnival Cruise Line has provided us with a total of 200 cabins in various categories. However, the ship we will sail on has a very limited amount of inside cabins, which means we have a limited amount to sell. The ship has mostly ocean-view and balcony cabins available. We have been given 100 balcony cabins at the least expensive category.

The rates for the third EMS Cruise are truly a bargain. In fact, the cabins on this cruise are cheaper than either of our previous cruises even though the ship is newer and is actually still being built! What all of this means is once the first block of cabins are sold, the cruise line could raise our rates for the next block, which means the next cabins will likely sell at higher rates than the first ones did.

So, isn’t it nice to be the first in line? As a past Wisconsin EMS Cruiser, we really value your previous participation. We wanted to make sure that you have the first shot at booking this third event.

Having sailed both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, we looked to find some new ports of call to visit while still escaping the Wisconsin winter for a warm location. What we came up with is a trip to the Exotic Western Caribbean. Exotic because several of the ports are not typical cruise ship stops. We’ll visit such exciting places as Belize and Costa Maya along with a return to the two most popular ports from our first cruise, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The cruise will depart from Tampa, Florida and sail from Sunday to Sunday. One and two day pre-cruise packages will be made available next summer.

More details on the cruise are contained in this edition of the Cruiser’s Newsletter, but since we know you’re wondering just how much this cruise will cost, here are the details. These prices are cruise only, not including port charges, taxes or air fare. An inside cabin is priced at only $490 which is $50 less than the last cruise and $130 less than the first cruise. A balcony cabin will cost $740 which is $170 less than the last cruise. Balcony cabins were not available on the first cruise. Even when you add in the port charges and air fare, the rates for this cruise still beat the first two events. The rates also beat those on-line travel discounters. Clearly the buying power of the Wisconsin EMS Association continues to make a difference!

Unfortunately, air travel has always been a thorn for the Wisconsin EMS Cruise, which is why while air is again available through the cruise line, we are not recommending that cruisers include it in their package. It is, of course, available for those who want it. For everyone else, we are recommending air purchased separately or as part of a pre-cruise package. More information on air options is available on the next page of this edition of the Cruiser’s Newsletter.

Details on the third Wisconsin EMS Cruise will be released to everyone else by the end of December. That means you only have a couple of weeks to place your $25 per person deposit and secure your spot on the ship! Check out all of the information that is available and then book on-line or call Magic Carpet Travel today. Be a part of another wonderful vacation with all of your EMS friends on the Third Wisconsin EMS Cruise.

Perhaps the hardest decision you’ll be faced with is deciding on how you’ll get to Florida to board the ship.

The past EMS Cruises included air transportation as part of the package. This cruise is no different, in that you can purchase air from the cruise line as part of your package. However, for several reasons, that might not be the best idea – at least right now.

It has become clear to the Wisconsin EMS Association that the cruise lines no longer want to be in the air travel booking business. Many previous cruisers might be surprised to learn that their airline arrangements were not made by Magic Carpet Travel. That’s right! It was the cruise line who arranged your air schedule. With all of the changes, pending bankruptcy, new air carriers, discounting, and everything else, the cruise lines appear less enthusiastic in dealing with the airlines and booking air travel. Perhaps that is why they have raised air ticket rates from Milwaukee to Tampa to an astounding $437! Imagine paying that price to fly to Tampa and then paying only $490 for your seven day cruise! If you think that’s crazy, you’re not alone.

Is there a better way? There certainly is another way. Whether it’s better or not, only you can decide.

You can book your air tickets on your own using a variety of methods. You can use frequent flyer miles that you may have coming. You can have Magic Carpet Travel book the tickets separately for you. You can use one of the popular travel web sites or the airline’s web site to obtain your tickets. You can even drive to the port, as others have done in the past.

By booking air separate from your cruise, you will likely save hundreds of dollars per ticket. In fact, you might be able to buy two round trip tickets for the same price as Carnival will sell you one.

This is not without risk. Once you book your plane tickets, the rules the airlines employ will make it impossible or at least very expensive to make any changes. The ability to cancel and obtain a refund is rare. Schedules could change and will not be available for the dates of our cruise until April, 2004 at the earliest. You’ll also have to purchase seperate transfers or take a cab from the airport to the Carnival dock at the Tampa port.

Are you more confused now than you were before? Don’t worry, we’ll help you sort it out – and so will the helpful folks at Magic Carpet.

What we suggest is that you take the cruise line air as part of your package and use it as a backup. With this option, you can always make changes as the trip gets closer, including the ability to cancel the air portion of your package. Once the airline schedules are published, start watching for travel bargains to Tampa or Orlando, Florida. Once you are sure of your plans and you find a flight schedule and price that fits your needs, go ahead and book your air tickets. If you just can’t find the schedule you need or wait too long, you’ll always have the cruise line air to fall back on.

Over 100 cruisers booked sperate air for the last cruise. While the rest of us paid $379, some cruisers were able to get tickets to Miami on their own for around $200! They then purchased transfers for about $20 round-trip.

For those who are uncomfortable booking their own air travel or just want to take the quickest, easiest option, air tickets are available as part of the initial package. We just wanted you to know that while this may be the most convenient on the front end, it clearly will not be the least expensive, and will not give you any say in the time your plane departs or in what airline your fly. Booking on your own or with the help of Magic Carpet Travel might take a little bit more time and effort, but you’ll be rewarded with cheaper fares and the ability to chose the airline you fly as well as the times you depart and arrive.

Flights to Tampa and Orlando for the third week in March 2004 are currently running between $200 and $300. As you can see, it could be well worth your while to investigate all of your options for getting there. Several pre-cruise packages will be announced in Summer of 2004 to help you plan and decide.

Only $25 Holds Your Spot on the Third Wisconsin EMS Cruise

To be a part of the third Wisconsin EMS Cruise, all it takes is a $25 nonrefundable deposit. That deposit even guarantees you current pricing on the cabin of your choice.

The Wisconsin EMS Association will cruise the Exotic Western Caribbean March 13-20, 2005. Pre-cruise packages to both Tampa and Orlando are being worked out and will be announced in the summer of 2004.

Having great success with the Carnival Cruise Line on the second cruise, the third EMS Cruise will sail on the brand new Carnival Miracle. Final touches are being put on the ship which will launce in early 2004. By the time the EMS Cruise rolls around she will have only been in the water for a year.

The Carnival Miracle is a Spirit Class ship, with a capacity of 2,124 passengers and 930 crew members. Weighing 88,500 ton, she is slightly smaller than the Carnival Victory that we sailed this past March, but with all of the same amenities and fun.

The Third Wisconsin EMS Cruise will also have the same extras that EMS Cruisers have come to expect including two private cocktail parties where only EMS Cruiser’s can get together for a great time and free drinks.

The Third Wisconsin EMS Cruise includes a total of four ports of call, two of which, Belize and Costa Maya, have never been visited before on the EMS Cruise. A return to the popular ports of Cozumel and Grand Cayman along with two fun days at sea will round things out on this seven day cruise.

Sailing from Tampa, Florida gives us multiple opportunities to plan one and two day pre-cruise options. The mega-vacation destination of Orlando, Florida is just over an hour away from the port and provides multiple, daily air options, not to mention some of the best theme parks in the world. Tampa is a vacation destination in its own right and a great choice for ocean-side accommodations.

If you sailed on either of the previous EMS Cruises, you already know what cruising is all about. If you didn’t sail with us on the second EMS Cruise, you’ll be in for a change when you board a Carnival Fun Ship. While everyone had a good time on the first EMS Cruise, most agree that the atmosphere on the second cruise was much more like what Wisconsin EMS providers are used to.

The Carnival Miracle has 24-hour food service, larger cabins than other cruise lines, large decks including pool areas with a slide, unbeatable entertainment, live bands playing anything from today’s hits to the big band sounds of yesteryear and Vegas-Style shows that no other cruise line has been able to beat.

The third EMS Cruise will once again be booked by the professionals at Magic Carpet who will also accompany us on the actual trip to make things go smoothly.

All indications point to this event being the largest EMS Cruise yet. While March of 2005 seems like a long way off right now, you’ll be amazed at just how fast time will fly. Before you know it, we’ll be only a few months away from the cruise and counting down the days.

Now’s the time for you to get booked as well as to start making plans with family and friends. Remember, they don’t have to be involved in EMS or live in Wisconsin in order to participate. Everyone’s welcome on the Third Wisconsin EMS Cruise!

Information and Booking

All of the information you need for the Wisconsin EMS Cruise is only a click or telephone call away.

Information is on-line in the cruise section at www.WisconsinEMS.com. Pictures and video from previous cruises plus details on the next cruise are all a part of the site.

Magic Carpet Travel has a brand new web site at www.MagicCarpetTravel.biz. A special section of this site is dedicated to the Wisconsin EMS Cruise and includes an on-line form that you can even use a secure credit card form to enter all of the necessary information and book your cruise.

Information is also available on a variety of other web sites from direct links on the pages at WisconsinEMS.com. These include sites that review cruises, provide information on the ports of call and provide insider tips and information.

Members of the Wisconsin EMS Association will read about the cruise and see pictures in the January-February 2004 edition of EMS Professionals.

Questions on the cruise can be sent via e-mail to cruise@wisconsinems.com. Wisconsin EMS Association staff members along with Magic Carpet travel agents stand ready to answer any questions and assist with bookings.

Not set up on-line yet? That’s okay, all the information you need can be mailed to you. You can also get your questions answered or book your cruise with a toll-free phone call to Magic Carpet Travel at 800-776-7011. Normal office hours are Monday through Friday. Weekends are by appointment only.

After you book your cruise, you’ll continue to receive information and updates through the Cruiser’s Newsletter which is mailed to the lead cruiser for each cabin. Meanwhile the latest information will continue to be posted on-line and a counter will soon begin to count the days until we set sail.

With all of this information at your fingertips, booking your EMS Cruise has never been easier.