CE @ Sea: Where EMS Education and Networking Meets the Caribbean Ocean

In an era when professional development is evolving as rapidly as the prehospital care environment itself, EMS providers and educators are seeking more meaningful, engaging ways to earn continuing education (CE) hours. Last October, the Tennessee of EMS Providers Association (TAEMSP) offered just that—a revolutionary blend of high-quality EMS education and Caribbean adventure with the launch of CE @ Sea aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas.

This five-night cruise brought together EMS professionals from across the country for an experience that was as refreshing for the mind as it was for the soul. With a robust educational agenda and abundant opportunities for networking and personal rejuvenation, CE @ Sea proved that learning doesn't have to be confined to classrooms or conference centers.

Headlining last year’s educational lineup was none other than Tyler Christifulli, co-founder of FOAMfrat and one of the most dynamic voices in prehospital education today. Christifulli challenged attendees to think differently about airway management, resuscitation, and the cognitive processes that shape clinical decision-making in the field. His sessions, rich in evidence and packed with real-world relevance, were a highlight of the week. All attendees left rave reviews as both seasoned educators and street-level providers.

But Christifulli was just the beginning. The cruise offered a full schedule of activities on board, all delivered in a setting that encouraged reflection, discussion, and camaraderie. Clinicians from across the country spent the entire week together enjoying food, fellowship, and laughter onboard the floating hotel. When docked on land, some attendees spent time exploring international culture and cuisine while other spent time enjoying a refreshing drink at a relaxing swim up bar.  

For the educators onboard, the cruise offered something truly rare: time to reconnect with the why behind their work. Between lectures, instructors were able to relax, collaborate, and envision new ways to bring dynamic content back to their services and classrooms. Frontline providers, meanwhile, found inspiration not just in the content but in the community—sharing stories, swapping strategies, and remembering that they’re part of something bigger while soaking up the ocean breeze.

“This week allowed me to let my mind be free from the stress of running calls and just be me,” said one paramedic clinician who attended the 2024 event. “This was one of the first CE events I’ve ever been to that actually refueled me. I left excited to teach and serve again,” said another. 

CE @ Sea 2025: New Ship, Same Mission

Following last year’s success, TAEMSP is proud to announce the return of CE @ Sea, setting sail November 10–15, 2025 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas out of Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando). The upcoming cruise promises a new round of engaging speakers, high-yield topics, and shared experiences that go beyond the PowerPoint.

Whether you’re a field provider hungry for fresh clinical pearls or an educator looking to network with like-minded professionals, CE @ Sea offers a setting like no other. The days begin with world-class lectures and end with sunsets over turquoise waters. There’s space to learn, space to connect, and space to breathe. 

EMS is a profession rooted in service, adaptability, and continuous learning. But those who serve also need time to restore themselves. CE @ Sea recognizes this dual reality—and creates space for it.

More than just CE hours, this is about building professional relationships, sparking new teaching ideas, and recharging the passion that brought many of us into EMS in the first place. For EMS educators, CE @ Sea is a chance to rethink pedagogy with fresh input. For street providers, it’s a reminder that continuing education can be invigorating, relevant, and even fun. And for everyone who wears a patch, it’s a chance to connect with the national EMS community while sailing toward new horizons—literally and professionally.

Join us this November. Learn in paradise. Return renewed.

For full itinerary, registration, and payment plan information visit tnemsproviders.com/events.