The Third
Wisconsin EMS Cruise
EMS Cruiser's Newsletter
August 2004
The Pre-Cruise Blues
Calm seas and smooth sailing for the Wisconsin EMS Cruise turned choppy during the first week of August as plans for a pre-cruise package began taking unexpected twists and turns. The result could leave some Wisconsin EMS Cruise passengers as cast aways, which is the reason for this article in this edition of the EMS Cruiser’s Newsletter.
First, some good news. A fabulous hotel has been made available for Friday and Saturday in Tampa. The Marriott Waterside Hotel is a first class facility that opened in 2000. This downtown hotel with its own marina rises 27 stories above the Garrison Channel where our ship will dock. The streetcar for Ybor City stops across the street, and the Channelside shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is two blocks away. It will make for an excellent stay for a one or two day pre-cruise.
Unfortunately, the good news stops here. As was reported in the December edition of the Cruiser’s Newsletter, the air travel industry has been bound and determined to screw up even the best laid travel plans. Beyond the fact that several major airlines remain in bankruptcy and several others could shut down at any moment, the booking methods they employ all but insure that a large group can’t get from point A to point B without a lot of hassle and a lot of money.
It was not for a lack of trying that nearly every option turned out to have more downsides than up. To make matters worse, after assuring us they would be able to provide us with a pre-cruise package, Carnival Cruise Lines dropped the ball before finally telling us we were on our own. It was for these reasons, and a couple of dozen others, that the Wisconsin EMS Association rejected the pre-cruise packages offered by the official travel agency for the Wisconsin EMS Cruise, Magic Carpet Travel. For reasons still unknown, they decided to ignore our rejection and move forward with announcing the pre-cruise packages anyway – without approval from the Wisconsin EMS Association.
We must first say we greatly apologize for this situation and for airing our dirty laundry in public. Wisconsin EMS Association members, and those of you who have traveled with us in the past, have grown to trust the Association and to believe that the products and services we provide or endorse have been thoroughly researched, negotiated for the best price, and represent a good value. This is a level of trust that the Wisconsin EMS Association does not take lightly. Because the prices, and in some cases the flight times and departure cities, did not meet the standards set by the Wisconsin EMS Association, we were not going to endorse these packages. Unfortunately, despite these reservations, and without the approval or endorsement of the Wisconsin EMS Association, information on these packages was prematurely distributed to passengers booked on the cruise.
By now you may be wondering where to go from here. As already stated, the hotel package is fully endorsed by the Wisconsin EMS Association. It has also been made available to anyone who is interested at the rate of $190. While that might seem expensive, it is a solid deal for the quality, location and time of year, and is better than can generally be found on your own.
The air packages remain another situation entirely. Passengers who are comfortable booking their own air tickets should start checking their regular sources right now. Be sure to stick with a major carrier, don’t mix airlines, and don’t pay more than you would through one of the packages. Look for flight times that arrive early on the day you fly to Tampa, and don’t book a flight home that leaves Tampa any earlier than 12:30. Remember, you can keep your Carnival air on hold while you look for a better deal. So keep checking your sources.
If you have never booked your own plane tickets before, don’t start with this trip! If you’re a beginner, we highly suggest that you use one of the packages or stick with the air from Carnival.
For those of you who will still book your pre-cruise with the Wisconsin EMS Association, review the latest packages on-line at www.WisconsinEMS.com/cruise or call Magic Carpet Travel and request they provide you with the latest options. We are continuing to work on additional packages. We have also been able to obtain pre-cruise flights from Carnival at no additional charge. While Carnival never provides information on the flight times until shortly before the cruise, the flights will be from Milwaukee (not Chicago) and can’t likely return much later than some of the package flight times. Above all, select a second and even third choice. In the event that your first choice is already sold out, you’ll be able to book your second or third choice.
For those of you who don’t mind flying out of Chicago or returning later at night, all of our packages will certainly meet your needs. You may even be wondering what all of the fuss is about. If that’s the case, we are happy to have met your expectations. For those of you who were hoping for more, all we can say is, so were we, and so were the travel agents.
Above all else, don’t panic! There will be more than enough airline seats to get everyone to the cruise on time. While $525 for a pre-cruise package certainly is not nearly as good of a deal as our cruise rates are, and may be higher in price than through some other sources, it could be worse. Speaking of cruise rates, Wisconsin EMS Cruise passengers continue to save $100 to $150 over what nearly everyone else has paid or will pay for the same cruise!
The staff at Magic Carpet Travel assures us they will be happy to personally discuss your options and provide any assistance they can. If you have questions, need help, or would like the latest options, give them a call toll free at 800-776-7011. Assistance for Wisconsin EMS Association members is also available by sending e-mail to cruise@WisconsinEMS.com.
The pre-cruise packages will go on sale at 12:00 noon on Sunday, August 15th. All packages will be sold on a first come, first served basis and must be paid for at the time of booking with no refunds available. Be sure to book early for best availability.
Second Cruise Payments Due
Remember that old phrase: "I have some good news and I have some bad news." The good news is we are getting closer and closer to setting sail on the third Wisconsin EMS Cruise. Unfortunately that also means that second deposits to hold your cabin will be due shortly, which is, of course, the bad news.
September 1, 2004 is the deadline for providing the next payment of $225 per passenger. Invoices have been mailed to all lead cruise passengers. If you didn’t get yours, or perhaps if you misplaced it, contact Magic Carpet Travel right away and request a replacement.
When you provide your second payment is an excellent time to make any changes to your cruise. Perhaps you want to upgrade to a balcony cabin, add a third passenger, change your flight requests or change your dinning times. Any of these changes, as well many others, can be made when you send your payment. You may also complete your payment on-line using a credit card by visiting www.MagicCarpetTravel.biz. In fact, on-line completion of your second payment is preferred.
The final payment for the cruise is due on December 1, 2004. Because the cruise line requires these payments to continue to hold your cabin, it is extremely important that the next deposit is paid on time. Passengers who fail to provide their second or final cruise payment risk losing their cabins and also could lose a portion or all of their deposit. Remember that payments for pre-cruise packages are nonrefundable.
If a problem has arisen, be sure to contact Magic Carpet Travel so they can help resolve it for you. Visit www.MagicCarpetTravel.biz or call them at 800-776-7011 to speak with one of their travel professionals.
The first thing that can be said about the second port of call on the third Wisconsin EMS Cruise – all right enough with all the numbers already – is that nearly all of the passengers have never been there before. That’s because Mexico’s Costa Maya is a relatively new port of call for cruise ships.
Costa Maya is an ancient Mayan maritime trading post on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 100 miles south of Cancun. Unlike many other ports, the newly-built cruise port of Mahahual was built specifically to accommodate several large cruise ships.
Costa Maya seems to be one answer to many cruise lines’ primary dilemmas: where can an ever-expanding fleet of ships find new and interesting ports to attract new passengers as well as retain repeat cruisers?
Passengers who have been there often tell a mixed story. Because the dock area is so new, facilities, shops, restaurants and attractions are clean and in very good shape. However, they also claim that the area is clearly built for tourism and therefore lacking some of the charm of other regions.
You’ll be the judge and we’re betting you will enjoy your day exploring this new port of call. Trams run passengers back and forth between the ship and the pier complex throughout the day. There’s duty free shopping and don’t forget to bargain for a better deal, which you’ll get if you take the time to ask. One large palapa (Mexican-style pavilion) houses local craftsmen who are making and selling their wares. Another has a restaurant and bar. Folkloric groups perform in an amphitheater, and there’s a swim-up bar in a saltwater pool and a beach-style Mexican restaurant.
The Costa Maya region is home to five of the area’s ancient Mayan cities. Some of these are still being rediscovered; all are quite unspoiled. Chetumal boasts one of the best museums of Mayan culture. The impressive ruins at Oxtankah, the first Mayan city, date back to 350 A.D.
Chakchoben was one of the principal distribution centers for the region’s precious woods and jade. It dates back to 360 A.D. and was, until a few years ago, largely unexplored.
Chincorro, a coral reef, offers tremendous snorkeling and diving opportunities. Its size equals that of the island of Cozumel. Divers who explore the reef might see some traces of the wrecks of 16th-century pirate vessels.
Another excursion offers a four-hour air-conditioned bus tour to the centuries-old Mayan city of Chacchoben to explore its ruins and climb its stairs to the first plateau. You can extend the tour a few more hours and stop at the Museum of Mayan Culture, with one of the most extensive collections on the Yucatan Peninsula. A drive-yourself jeep tour in a caravan to the remote beach of Xcalak gives you a chance to play volleyball, swim and have lunch under the palms, or take a 40-minute one-way paddle in a kayak, down the winding Rio Huach River located in the heart of a tropical jungle. Don’t worry! A van will bring you back to the pier!
Snorkelers will revel in a trip to the Uvero Reef, teeming with many colorful species of reef fish and unique coral formations. A less active trip is aboard a Sub-Sea submersible craft with underwater viewing.
Like many of the other ports of call, the same or similar shore excursions are often available at the pier or in town for less cost than the cruise ship charges. For example, passengers report that snorkel and swimming trips can be booked on shore for around $20 versus twice that amount through the ship. Unless there is a special attraction or activity that you just can’t miss, you may be better off heading out on your own and booking in town..
Wednesday looks to be an enjoyable and relaxing day in a new port of call. What could be better? Enjoy!
Wisconsin EMS Association Makes News With New EMSCruise.com Web Site
With two cruises under their belts and another one on the way, the Wisconsin EMS Association has put more EMTs, First Responders and firefighters on a cruise ship than anyone else in America. According to cruise industry insiders, more than 10 million passengers will take a cruise in 2004.
Since the first Wisconsin EMS Cruise was announced in 1999, close to 1,000 different passengers have signed up for a Wisconsin EMS Cruise. Even other states are getting involved with EMS cruises planned or already completed from Ohio, Michigan and other states across the country.
Seeing an opportunity to become the clearinghouse for EMS and fire cruises, the Wisconsin EMS Association has launched a brand new web site at www.EMSCruise.com. The new web site contains information on future EMS and fire cruises, including how to book them. Information on EMS and fire educational cruises is also included.
Visitors will find photos and video clips from previous cruises along with dozens of links to help them find out more about cruising in general and EMS and fire cruises in particular. Not surprisingly, much of the content on the new web site comes from previous Wisconsin EMS cruise events. Beyond that, however, visitors will find a wealth of cruise information and resources not previously included on the cruise portion of the Wisconsin EMS Association’s main web site.
The new web site has already generated quite a bit of publicity for the Wisconsin EMS Association and the Wisconsin EMS Cruise. Articles and information on the new site have been included both on EMS and travel industry web sites and in print publications alike.
The string of mentions started with an article at www.merginet.com, followed by postings at www.cruise-addicts.com. Perhaps the largest publicity will come from an article set to appear in the September edition of JEMS - the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. The national trade magazine interviewed Wisconsin EMS Association Executive Director and creator of the Wisconsin EMS Cruise, Don Hunjadi, to get comments and information for the article. Smaller mentions have been spotted on several travel web sites as well as in print publications.
All of the publicity has resulted in over 4,000 visitors to www.EMSCruise.com since it launched only 60 days ago. Plans are to eventually move all of the cruise content from the main Wisconsin EMS Association web site to the new EMSCruise.com location. Information on any other EMS or fire cruises that are organized in the United States will appear on the new site as well photos and videos submitted from these EMS and fire cruise events.
Wisconsin EMS Cruisers are invited to check out the new site today. Previous Wisconsin EMS cruise passengers are invited to submit photos to be posted on the site, and don’t forget to send in a couple of your pictures from the upcoming Wisconsin EMS Cruise!