Here we are in November, which means we have less than four months until the second Wisconsin EMS Cruise sets sail! Can you believe it? Are you ready? Do you have everything in order?

If you’re like many other cruisers, there are probably a few loose ends that you need to tie up and a few questions that need to be answered. If you have left any of these items "up in the air" until a later date, that later date is now here.

There are many good reasons to fly to Miami the day before the cruise – not the least of which is assuring a late-winter storm doesn’t hold you captive in Wisconsin on Sunday morning. Complete details on the pre-cruise package were included in the last edition of the Cruiser’s Newsletter and are also available on-line at www.WisconsinEMS.com/cruise.

You can still take advantage of this package but you’ll have to decide now. Once your air tickets are booked for Sunday, you’ll have to pay a deviation fee to change them.

There is additional information in this issue of the Cruiser’s Newsletter. To be assured of getting a room, you should book by no later than February 1, 2003.

The seating now being recommended for Wisconsin EMS cruise passengers is the 8:00 PM late seating. There are several reasons. The Wisconsin EMS Cruise Cocktail Parties are scheduled for 7:00-8:00 during two nights of the cruise. Those taking early seating will have a hard time attending these events, or may only make it at the tail end if early seatings are chosen. Two of the three port calls are at 6:00 PM or later which makes it difficult to return to the ship and be prepared for dinner in time.

Of course, passengers are free to chose whichever seating they would like. There is no requirement to take the 8:00 PM late seating. However, if you want to have dinner with the majority of other EMS Cruise passengers and be available to attend the cocktail parties, we suggest you choose the late seating.

Some people have decided they are going to splurge on a more expensive cabin. Others are going to save money on their cabin so they can spend it on souvenirs. Whatever you decide, we just wanted you to know that, as long as cabins remain available, you can still make changes to your booking. Once again, don’t delay if you think you want to upgrade. When our block is gone, that’s it. If you have questions be sure to contact Magic Carpet Travel.

For now, anyone who wants to book on the cruise can do just that by contacting Magic Carpet Travel at 800-776-7011. Once the final payment deadline hits, our block of cabins will be released allowing the cruise line to change rates on the cabins that remain.

After booking the Wisconsin EMS Cruise, Carnival announced that they would be making a change with our second port of call. Due to some problems passengers had encountered in St. Croix, we learned we would stop in St. Maarten instead. As luck has it, many would agree St. Maarten was the better choice all along.

Whether you already know, or are a first time visitor, St Maarten (pronounced Sint Maa-hr-ten) is an island where you can have adventure, excitement and relaxation. You can windsurf, snorkel, go hiking, horseback riding, enjoy great cuisine, shop to your heart’s delight, or test lady luck in the many world-class casinos.

St. Maarten offers a unique experience for every visitor, but what truly makes this tiny paradise unique is its dual Dutch/French heritage. St. Maarten is the smallest Island in the world to be shared by two sovereign governments – namely the Dutch and French. The Dutch side, with Philipsburg as its capital, occupies the southern 17 square miles of this 37-square-mile island; St. Martin, a French dependency, occupies the northern half. The dual nationality adds variety to this most unique of island gems in the Caribbean Sea.

Sunny and warm year-round, with some cooling from trade winds, the average temperature during the time we’ll visit is 80 degrees. What could be more perfect?

The economy of St. Maarten is based almost entirely on tourism. It is estimated that 85% of all employment is related directly and indirectly to tourism. St. Maarten has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the Caribbean. It’s tourism product offers visitors one of the most diverse and exciting vacation experiences in the Caribbean. In addition to tourism, the other major forms of economic activity are financial services and trade with the neighboring islands.

There is plenty to do on the island and the Carnival Victory will offer a dozen or more options for shore excursions. Chose one of these or venture out on your own for a day of sun, fun and of course, shopping!

Taxis are ready and waiting throughout the area. The cabs have no meters, but drivers must follow official rates for travel throughout the island. Most cruise passengers rely on taxis, but public transportation also is available to all points on the island. Fares can be paid in U.S. dollars.

Looking for something unique? You can experience the thrill of racing the famous 12-meter race boats "Stars & Stripes", "Canada II" and "True North". These are the actual yachts raced in previous America’s Cups. You can take the opportunity to compete in your own race around a shortened America’s Cup course. No experience is necessary to participate.

Looking for something else? Take an island tour, ride a catamaran, book a snorkel tour, visit the Butterfly Farm, go parasailing, play a round of golf, go fishing, rent a jet ski, walk through the city or go shopping... have you found something that interests you yet?

If you get the feeling that St. Maarten will be a paradise to explore and treasure, you are right. A stark contrast from our first stop in San Juan, but just as much fun, we are sure that Wednesday on the EMS Cruise will be one of the more memorable days. St. Maarten is sure to be a hit with everyone, young and old alike, no matter how you spend your day.

Count Down the Days and More On-Line

If you have Internet access, you’ll want to be sure to visit www.WisconsinEMS.com/cruise for the latest information on the cruise. In fact, the main page now has a counter that will let you know just how many days are left until we set sail!

The web site has all sorts of other information as well including past issues of the EMS Cruiser’s Newsletter, a video of our ship, the Carnival Victory, pictures of the ship and links to other web sites that contain even more information including reviews from other cruisers who have sailed on this very ship.

If you don’t have Internet access, you may want to sneak a peek the next time you are at a location that does. A few minutes spent on-line will have you coming back to count down the days until we set sail!

Four Points by Sheraton Offers Stay and Park Package

If you are like most Wisconsin EMS Cruise passengers, you’ll have to arrive at the airport bright and early in order to make your flight to Miami. Unless you can arrange for someone to drop you off and pick you up, you’ll have to park your car at the airport and pay anywhere from $40 to over $100 in parking fees.

Why not travel to Milwaukee on Friday or Saturday, spend some time getting to know other EMS Cruise passengers, and then get a fresh start the next morning? This option worked out wonderfully for passengers on the first EMS cruise and is expected to be at least 15% better this time. That’s because we have negotiated an even lower rate with the Four Points by Shearton hotel, across from Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport, than we did last time!

Stay either Friday night (for pre-cruise passengers with Saturday flights) or Saturday night, leave your car safely parked at the hotel while you are gone and pay only $65 double occupancy for the whole package! You read that right! Your hotel room, parking and even some complimentary snacks and drink specials is only $65. Compare that to no less than $40 in parking charges at the airport alone, and it’s easy to see what a great deal this is.

The majority of travellers on the EMS Cruise are departing from Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport. This includes passengers who do not live in southeastern Wisconsin. For many, this might mean a very early start to the first day of your vacation as you head to Milwaukee to meet your airline departure time. Even if you arrive late the night before, you’ll find this package worth its weight in gold the next morning.

More than half of the cruisers will gather at the Four Points Hotel on Friday, March 7th, have some fun Friday evening at the hotel, spend the night, leave our cars in the parking lot, take the shuttle to the airport ticket gate, and depart for the pre-cruise. The others will arrive at the Four Points Saturday, March 8th in preparation for the start of the cruise on Sunday. What could be better?

If you’d like to take advantage of this great offer, you can book your room right now by calling the Four Points Sheraton at 800-558-3862. Tell the hotel operator you are booking as part of the Wisconsin EMS Cruise block (not the EMS conference).

Join us for a great night of fun. You can either relax, retire to your room early, and get a good nights sleep before your vacation or set the pace for the week to come!

Don’t forget the Wisconsin EMS Cruise as you continue to shop for Christmas this year. Surprise your special someone with a new swim suit, party clothes, a camera, video recorder, books... the list really is endless when it comes to items you can take with you on the cruise.

Are you traveling with family or friends? A small gift they can take on the cruise might make a great Christmas gift. By the time Christmas rolls around, the Wisconsin EMS Cruise will be only a few months away. What better way to say Merry Christmas, and we can’t wait for the cruise, all at the same time!