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REGISTER NOW FOR 2025 FALL TOURS
Click through the slide deck below for a glimpse of some Flora & Fauna of South Florida highlights you'll experience on this tour!
Your Tour Team
Your Tour Team
Your tour team is happy to serve you. Our goals are
to communicate clearly and set appropriate expectations
to keep you connected to Christ through daily devotions
to help you connect with others through shared experiences
to help you stay safe and healthy to the greatest extent possible
L-R: Steve Balza - Director
Pastor Emeritus Bob Balza - Chaplain
Janine Enter - Social Coordinator
We are hiring! If you are a registered attendee who is physically capable and willing to serve on our baggage crew (loading and unloading bags at the airports and hotels), a $50 cash envelope will be provided in your tour folder. Contact Steve Balza if you are interested in the opportunity.
Bonuses
Bonuses
Each passenger will receive a neck lanyard name tag (with small storage pouch), a luggage tag, a drawstring backpack (great as a daypack), and a folder for your daily maps/devotion packet/etc., and a Quietvox headset (loaner) so that you can hear our various guides speaking directly into your ear at the volume of your choice. But wait, that's not all! The biggest bonus benefit of this tour is a yearlong family membership to the Edison/Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. Single travelers will get a single pass or can buy up to the family pass. It is a gift that keeps on giving as it also includes reciprocal admission to over 1000 other museum, gardens, and historical sites that are part of either NARM, AHS, or Time Travelers. But wait, that's not all! Those registering as early birds before September 15 will get an additional two months added to their passes.
Price, Inclusions, & Cancellation Policies
Price, Inclusions, & Cancellation Policies
Your tour cost is based primarily on occupancy (number of people in your hotel room). Those sharing a room with another traveler (double occupancy) have a base cost of $2395, while those choosing to have a private room start at $3195. If you forego the group flight and make your own arrangements to get to and from Ft Myers , you get a $200 reduction. Stack-able $20 discounts are also available to OWLS members, those who previously traveled on an MLC alumni tour, early birds who register before September 15, those on the November Southeast U.S. tour, and those who pay in full upon notification that they are confirmed passengers.
Items that aren’t included in your tour cost
Gratuities for hotel attendants. $1-3 per cleaning is common.
Gratuities for the bus driver/s. $2 per person per day is suggested and typically it is given at the end of the tour.
Gratuities and costs for about 8-10 meals. The six group meal costs and gratuities are covered. Tipping the breakfast attendant at the hotels is not typical, but certainly allowed.
Gratuities for the cruise staff (mandatory amounts) and optional wifi or bottled water. If you are looking to escape the digital world, avoid the pricey wifi and let people know you will be unavailable. Wifi can be found in the ports of call. You can also consider one wifi connection per room/couple and just share the wifi enabled device.
Gratuities for the tour team are appreciated but not expected.
Alcohol or beverages other than what is part of the group meal. Typically, water, iced tea, lemonade, or coffee are included.
Optional activities or excursions that you may select while off the ship in Key West or Cozumel.
A deposit of $500 per person is due within 7 days of being notified that you are a confirmed passenger. The remaining balance is due by November 15, 2023. Once confirmed, cancellations will receive refunds according to the schedule below:
Cancellation Date Penalty
Deposit through November 15 $50
Between November 16-30 $750
Between December 1-15 $1500
After December 15 $2000
If a waitlist exists and a replacement traveler is found, only a $50 penalty will be assessed.
Tour operators are no longer allowed to “package” travel insurance into a trip cost. It has to be extra and optional. Typically, it isn’t as critical for domestic trips since your health insurance is valid and the amount of potential loss is not as significant. That said, if you feel that there is a good chance that you will need to cancel your plans somewhat late (within 45 days of departure), it may be wise to purchase Trip Cancellation insurance from a local or online insurance agent. There are many reputable companies. Forbes has a nice summary of Travel Insurance options and what each type of insurance covers.
NOTE: IN SPITE OF THE COZUMEL STOP, U.S. passengers who depart from and return to the same domestic port (Miami in our case) do not need a possport. If one or both stops are not appealing to you, you are welcome to stay on the cruise ship and enjoy the uncrowded amenities and food.
How to Register and Pay
How to Register and Pay
To sign up, simply click on the buttons that say Register Here throughout this website (including just below). If you have trouble or need assistance, you can leave a message for Steve Balza at 507-217-1731 and he will call you back and assist you in getting registered. Information you will need to register includes:
Your full name as it appears on the government ID (drivers license or passport even if you aren’t taking the group flight).
Your contact information…phone, email address, mailing address
Your choice of Single Occupancy ($3195 base cost) or Double Occupancy ($2395 base cost)
Your date of birth and the W/ELS church where you are a member
The name, relationship to you, and phone number for your Emergency Contact (cannot be someone on the tour with you).
Any severe allergies or dietary restrictions we should be aware of for group meals.
Check is the only form of payment being accepted for this tour. A deposit of $500 per person is due within 7 days of being notified that you are a confirmed passenger. The remaining balance is due November 15, 2023. Checks should be made payable to Father's World Tours and sent to:
Father's World Tours
214 S Highland Ave.
New Ulm, MN 56073
Accommodation and Transportation
Accommodation and Transportation
We are blessed to be spending 10 nights in just three locations (three in Port Charlotte, four on the Carnival Conquest, and three in Homestead). The two hotels both offer daily breakfast and you can have as many meals as you'd like on the cruise ship. We don’t pay for porterage so your bags will be set outside the bus each time we unload and you will be responsible to roll them to and from your room. Click on the names under the hotel and cruise ship images to read reviews and see more pictures of each.
A nonstop group flight from Eau Claire, WI EAU to and from Fort Myers, FL RSW is included. Our carrier is Sun Country Airlines and a checked bag is included (more details regarding bag size/weight, etc. will be noted in the Pre-Tour Mailing'). Those on the group flight can choose to meet us at EAU or enjoy complimentary parking and a deluxe motorcoach shuttle from New Ulm, MN; Bloomington, MN; or a WELS church near the EAU airport. Throughout the trip, we will travel by deluxe motorcoach (more details on luggage capacity, seating, etc. will be shared in the Pre-Tour Mailing.) The current flight schedule is noted below (subject to schedule changes that we will post here and note in the Pre-Tour Mailing).
Fri, Jan 12 EAU-RSW…5:30P-9:45P…Sun Country Nonstop #241
Mon, Jan 22 RSW-EAU…8:30A-11:01A…Sun Country Nonstop #242
We encourage those flying on their own to try to arrive on Friday evening as the hotel is 45 minutes from the airport. Your return flight should not depart any earlier than 8:30 AM.
Meals, Weather, and Walking
Meals, Weather, and Walking
All told, 20 of the 30 meals are included in your tour package. For the remaining meals, we typically stop in locations where multiple options are offered. Bottled water is provided whenever possible/practical The B, L, and D lettering after the daily summaries indicate which meals are provided each day.
Minnesota vs Sarasota. Mid-January typically sees the season's coldest temps in the Upper Midwest. Good news...it should be about 50 degrees warmer during our days in the Sunshine State! Another benefit is the additional daylight. Miami receives 10 hours and 45 minutes of solar goodness while those in New Ulm see just 9 hours and 18 measly minutes. Not to complain, of course.
We rate this tour a 4 on a mobility scale of 1-10. You will need to board and deboard the bus (about 4 stairs) multiple times each day that we are on land. Some of our planned stops involve a decent amount of walking (Edison/Ford Estates, Six Mile Cypress Slough, etc.). We encourage everyone to know their own limitations and, if necessary, consider "laying low" while you are on the cruise.
Daily Plans
Daily Plans
Please understand that what you see below is Plan A and that modifications may be made before the trip (or during) as God guides and/or complications arise. Clicking on the day/date will take you to a map showing the planned route. The other links will take you to TripAdvisor Reviews where you can read about and see images of the various attractions and accommodations. A printed copy of our final detailed (minute by minute) itinerary will be provided to each passenger just prior to the tour and a digital pdf version will also be available.
Fri, Jan 12. Lord willing, today we leave winter behind for a bit and journey to the Sunshine State. Those on the group flight have the option of parking their car and jumping on the bus in New Ulm (10:15A), Bloomington (1:00P), or Eau Claire (3:00P). You can also be dropped off at Eau Claire EAU and meet us at the Sun Country counter at 3:30. Barring weather delays or schedule changes, we will depart on flight #241 at 5:30, lose an hour heading east, and arrive at Ft Myers RSW at 9:45P. After we claim our one free checked bag, we’ll board our motorcoach (FL Map) and head up to Comfort Inn, Port Charlotte with an ETA of 11P to check in for a 3-night stay. (No Meals Included)
Sat, Jan 13. With a late arrival the night before, we plan to start at 9:00 and head down to Ft Myers to see the highlights of “The City of Palms”. You’ll see why it earned that name as we drive down Royal Palm lined McGregor Blvd later that afternoon. Our morning starts with a short visit to Manatee Park. The gentle giants flock to this spot due to warm water from the adjacent power plant heating the inlet. Next, you can opt for a mostly shady stroll on the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve boardwalk or head to Sun Harvest Citrus store for some tasty free juice and citrus fruit samples and/or shopping. Our afternoon activity involves a visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, home to some fascinating history and fabulous flora as well. Your annual pass to this venue (which comes with reciprocal admission privileges at thousands of gardens (AHS), museum (NARM), and historical sites (Time Travelers) across the country) also gives us a free VIP tour. Ft Myers Beach is our final destination with an opportunity to stroll in the sand, or grab dinner and a sunset over the gulf. (B)
Sun, Jan 14. Today we gather for worship with our faith family at Christ the King, Port Charlotte. They are currently dealing with a lengthy vacancy and we will do our best to encourage them. After worship,they will feed us a nice lunch which will allow us to spend some time getting to know them. From there, it’s a quick change at the hotel and then we are off to Sarasota to visit The Ringling, a multi-faceted facility with an art gallery, circus museum, and bayfront gardens. After a dinner stop, weather permitting, it’s off to Lido Key Beach for our second consecutive sunset before returning to Comfort Inn for our final night. (B,L)
Mon, Jan 15. Today we make our way to Miami with a stop at Everglades National Park for a Shark Valley Tram Tour. We’ll then board the Carnival Conquest and settle in for a four-night journey in the Gulf of Mexico. Multiple meal options, entertainment, shopping, fitness facilities, and of course a sparkling pool are yours to use as you see fit. (B,L,D)
Tue, Jan 16. Our first opportunity to deboard and explore occurs at the southernmost point of the U.S., Key West. ETA is 7:30 and you have 6 hours to hit the town. Not the adventurous type? You’re welcome to stay close by or even on the ship (breakfast, lunch, and more are still available to you without charge on board). More adventurous? Consider one of several Carnival- sold excursions (additional $) or arrange your own. just be back on board by our 1:30 departure. Our plan is to offer a daily meeting/devotion time where we can check in with each other and perhaps schedule dinner dates, card games, and the like. Fun fact: The temperature at Key West has never experienced a recorded temperature below 41 degrees. (B,L,D)
Wed, Jan 17. High noon marks our arrival on the tropical island of Cozumel, Mexico. What? You don’t have a passport. Not a problem. U.S. cruise passengers departing from and returning to the same departure point (“closed loop”...Miami in our case) are not required to have a passport. There’s a full 8 hours to explore the island, join an excursion, or just find a nice spot to read a book. Again, you’re welcome to stay on or reboard the boat as often as you wish. Fun fact: Cozumel is located along the Mesoamerican Reef, the world’s second largest, and a very popular spot for divers. (B,L,D)
Thu, Jan 18. Today is a day of relaxation and enjoying the ship’s amenities or activities. Grab some sun…or some shade depending on your preference. Read a book. Join in an organized Carnival activity. Take a nap. Hit the spa. Play some pickleball. Work out of go for a walk on the track or treadmill. Enjoy a show. There’s plenty to do…or not. It’s up to you. If you were wondering, “formal dress” requirements are essentially a thing of the past, with the exception of some “additional pay” restaurants and optional formal nights. Fun fact: The average depth in the Gulf of Mexico is about 5300 feet with a max depth of 14,383 feet. (B,L,D)
Fri, Jan 19. Feel free to grab an early breakfast before we deboard, reunite, and continue our journey. Today’s plan includes a morning stop at the lush Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, lunch on your own at the Dadeland Mall Food Court, an afternoon tour of the quirky-cool Coral Castle, and a shop/shake stop at Robert is Here, a unique fruit stand with a fun history and tasty fruit shakes and smoothies. Go ahead…have one. It’s on the tour tab! With an ETA of 5:30 at the Hampton Inn/Homestead, you can grab dinner next door (Outback, Wendy’s, KFC) or take a 6:15 shuttle one mile down the road to Homestead Pavilion (Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, Longhorn, Raising Cane’s, etc.). (B)
Sat, Jan 20, Having seen the southernmost key on Tuesday, we’ll catch some of the northern islands in the chain with a visit to Islamorada’s Theatre of the Sea. There, we’ll view a series of native wildlife demos including fish, reptiles, parrots, dolphins, and sea lions. Publix grocery store will provide an opportunity for a quick bite before we head to Key Largo’s John Pennekamp State Park for a glass bottom boat tour to explore the coral reef. Dinner tonight provides the same options at Homestead Pavilion or the hotel’s adjacent restaurants. Not interested in the Saturday dinner crowds, several local restaurants deliver to the Hampton. (B)
Sun, Jan 21. Our final day before heading home begins with a brief tour of Divine Savior Academy and worship at the church that worships at the same site. With box lunch in hand, we’ll head to see some of our brilliant pink feathered friends at Flamingo Gardens. Our final Florida activity has us on the water once more for a tour of Ft Lauderdale on the Jungle Queen. With a 4:00 AM departure staring us down, we’ll head back to Hampton with a 5:30 ETA where pizza and pop will be provided so you can enjoy some final fellowship before you pack and call it a night. (B,L,D)
Mon, Jan 22, With sincere apologies, we will be loading the bus at 4AM today and heading to Ft Myers for our flight back to Eau Claire. Our ETA at RSW is 6:45 and Sun Country #242 departs at 8:30. We’ll gain an hour along the way and land at 11:00. Once we’ve claimed our bags, plans have us dropping off at our Eau Claire parking option at 11:45, grabbing some fast food for lunch, dropping at Bloomington about 2:30, and arriving back in New Ulm around 4:15. (B)
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