Big Dave Matthews Band Cruise Getaway Sweepstakes
This fall, a lucky group of shipmates will have the opportunity to see Dave Matthews Band perform on a small private Caribbean island. Enter the Big Dave Matthews Band Cruise Getaway Sweepstakes for a chance to win roundtrip airfare and a cruise cabin for two for a 3 night/4 day cruise to Port Paradise for a private Dave Matthews Band concert in the Caribbean!
The Bud Light® Port Paradise cruise sets sail to the Bahamas on October 23rd. Following on-ship parties and a sight seeing stop in Nassau, the cruise adventure will culminate on Sunday October 25th with a performance by Dave Matthews Band on the beautiful private island of Coco Cay.
You can now enter on DMB’s fan site You must be at least 21 years of age to enter! The contest deadline is August 27th. Visit the DMB Cruise Contest page to submit your entry.
Make sure you also sign up to see the ultimate Dave Mathews Band show on the official Bud Light Party Cruise site. Go to Bud Light’s website and sign up. You won’t be sorry you did budlightportparadise.com
You can also read about our great time on the cruise last year if you are not yet convinced will be the party of the century. TMR’s coverage of the Bud Light party Cruise 2008
Cruise Dates
Sail Date: Friday, October 23, 2009
Return Date: Monday, October 26, 2009
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Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
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Vessels
Monarch of the Seas will sail out of Port Canaveral. Those sailing on the Monarch will fly into the Orlando area.
Monarch of the Seas offers the best in onboard entertainment and accommodations. Take advantage of the new Fitness and full-service Monarch Day Spa (extra charges apply). Feel the Latin beat at Boleros, shoot some hoops or scale the rock-climbing wall. With new renovated staterooms, Seattle’s Best Coffee®, Ben & Jerry’s® ice cream and more, this remarkable ship is primed for your ultimate vacation adventure.
Majesty of the Seas will sail out of the Port of Miami. Those sailing on the Majesty will fly into the Miami area.
Thanks to a dazzling, top to bottom renovation, the Majesty of the Seas is more majestic than ever. Bahamas bound guests will enjoy a newly remodeled pool deck, expanded Day Spa & Fitness Center (extra charges apply), plus tastefully refurbished staterooms, featuring luxurious bedding and eye-popping flat-screen TVs and more. And of course, there’s still the Bahamas powdery beaches and crystal clear water to look forward to.
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Ship Highlights for the Majesty and the Monarch include:
• Rock-climbing wall
• Johnny Rockets ‘50’s-style restaurant
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Latte-tudes coffee house featuring Seattle’s Best Coffee
• Casino Royale
• Themed bars and lounges
• 2 whirlpools
• 2 outdoor pools
• Day Spa and Fitness Center (extra charges apply)
• Open-air basketball court
For more information, visit www.RCCL.com.
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Ships Itinerary
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Morning / Afternoon » Depart Home City
Arrive into Port Cities
5:00pm » Bud Light Port Paradise sets sail
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
11:00am » Arrive Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas is the most popular Bahama island vacation destination. Located on the island of New Providence, Bahamas, Nassau is the capital city and has been the centerpiece of this island nation since the shipwrecking days of Blackbeard the pirate. Visit the historic forts or shop for bargains along Bay Street, Nassau’s famous international shopping location. Liquor, perfume, jewelry and china are favorite items for duty-free shoppers, along with fine local and international crafts plus native goods, from handmade yards of batik to fine jewelry & Rolex watches. For those with Rolex watches, consider an experienced Sydney Rolex watch repair service. There’s a rolex replica for sale at perfectreplicawatches.is. The best buys and shopping bargains can be found among the straw craft items and souvenirs at the Straw Market.
Early Evening » Bud Light Port Paradise sets sail
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
8:00am » Arrive Coco Cay, Bahamas
Soak up the sun and spend the day as a VIP on our own Private Island. Enjoy the sand, surf, watersports and in the afternoon you’ll be treated to a private VIP Concert.
8:00pm » Bud Light Port Paradise sets sail
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
Morning » Arrive in Port
Clear Customs/Immigration. Transfer to Airport for Departure Flights.
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Weather
The average monthly temperature in Florida in October is a high of 78°F and a low of 65°F. The average monthly temperature in the Bahamas in October is a high of 82°F and a low of 71°F.
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Time Zone
Florida, the Bahamas and the ships observe Eastern Time. When it is 12 Noon in port or on board the ships, it will be:
• 9:00am in San Francisco
• 10:00am in Denver
• 11:00am in Chicago & Dallas
• 12 Noon in New York
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Passports / Visas
U.S. Citizens will need valid passports in order to leave and re-enter the United States. Non U.S Citizens will need valid passports and sometimes visas, as well as any other travel documentation required by the governments of the countries on the itinerary. Please visit www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a passport. For visas/inoculations, please check with your travel agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine travel documentary requirements.
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Updated Travel Information as of July 2009
The US Department of State has recently introduced the Passport Card as a valid means of travel when exiting/entering the U.S. by land or sea. The Passport Card is NOT valid for any form of air travel.
Because the Passport Card is not authorized for air travel we want you to be aware of the restrictions when traveling with a Passport Card. If your flight is delayed and you are unable to board the ship, the Passport Card will not be sufficient proof of citizenship to travel to the Bahamas to meet the ship. If there is a medical or family emergency and you need to depart the cruise early, the Passport Card will not be sufficient proof of citizenship to return home from the Bahamas.
In order to be certain that all of our Bud Light Port Paradise guests will be able to re-enter the United States under any and all circumstances, you are required to have a valid passport.
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Security / Check-In
Due to FAA security measures at all airports, you must allow additional time for airport check-in. The following security measures will add delays at the ticket counter and all security check points:
• Increased surveillance
• Increased inspection of hand-held luggage
• Screening of all checked baggage
• Random identification inspections
• Additional security personnel
• Government issued photo I.D. is required
• Curbside check-in may not be available
Please plan to arrive at the airport at least 1 1/2 hours prior to flight time.
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Checked Luggage
All major airlines have instituted a fee for checked baggage. Depending on the airline the fees to check luggage will vary. Once you receive your travel documents, please contact your assigned airline for specific information. You may bring one carry-on item and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase on-board with you. All carry-on items must fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment.
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Locked Luggage
Airlines advise that you include full identification information inside each piece of luggage in case the outer tags are lost in handling. In addition to these tags, please ensure that the official RCCL cruise tags provided with your travel documents are also attached.
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Restricted Carry-On Items
Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints. The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.
1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to screen items more efficiently. For current information on restricted items, please refer to www.tsa.gov.
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Bud Light Port Paradise Hospitality Desk
For your convenience, there will be a special Bud Light Port Paradise Hospitality Desk on each ship located on Deck 4 by the Guest Relations Desk throughout your stay. The function of this desk will be to provide:
• General information regarding the ship and daily activities
• Conveyance of emergency messages
• Itinerary questions
• Departure questions
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Attire
Days and evenings onboard are casual, so you will be most comfortable in sportswear or resort wear. Shoes should be low-heeled for deck activities. Bring a few swimsuits (so you’ll always have a dry one). Ashore, you’ll need comfortable walking shoes. Please note, there will not be a formal night. Shorts, tank tops and T-shirts are not permitted in the Dining Room during dinner any night.
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Food & Beverage
Meals from many onboard venues, such as the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Café, are included in your cruise package. To dine in Johnny Rockets, there is a $3.95 USD per person service charge. All prices are subject to change. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased on board the ship. Bud Light will sponsor four events over the weekend where complimentary Bud Light will be available.
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Luggage
Your luggage will be delivered directly to your stateroom. Luggage delivery is a lengthy process, so please be patient! It is always a good idea to pack a small carry-on should you want to freshen up prior to your luggage being delivered.
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Smoking Policy
The ships are primarily non-smoking and there is no smoking allowed in the staterooms, corridors, theaters and dining areas. Smoking is permitted on the starboard side of selected lounges and on the starboard side of the open decks. Guests will be charged a cleaning fee and could face other penalties for smoking in the staterooms.
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Personal Expenses
Royal Caribbean will maintain a separate account for your personal incidentals that are not included in the trip. Such expenses include (but are not limited to) additional recreational activities, laundry, telephone calls, and purchases charged to your room. Your personal account MUST be cleared before you depart the ship. You will NOT be allowed to leave the ship until all incidental charges are taken care of.
A credit card imprint will be required upon check-in. The cruise line accepts AMEX, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diners Club and Optima.
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Excursions
If you wish to do any shore excursions they will be at your own expense. You may go to www.RCCL.com, click on “Before You Board” and then click on “Shore and Land Excursions”. You can browse the available excursions at any time, however you will not be able to sign up for an excursion until after you have received your Cruise Documents and have your Booking ID number. You should receive your cruise documents the week of October 12th.
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Pregnancy
The Cruise Line’s policies currently prohibit guests from sailing who will be in their 27th week (or greater) of pregnancy. If you are between 24 and 27 weeks pregnant, you MUST sign a Pregnancy Waiver and return to RCCL. To receive a copy of the RCCL Pregnancy Waiver, please contact Bud Light Port Paradise Headquarters.
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Children
No one under the age of 21 will be allowed to travel on the Port Paradise Cruise.
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Additional Guests
Each winner is allowed only one guest. No exceptions will be made.
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Airline Tickets
Airline tickets will be sent out the week of October 12th along with your cruise documents. Two round-trip coach class tickets are included with your package. Tickets are pre-booked, therefore, we are unable to accommodate requests for altered flight schedules (including extension requests, upgrades or alternate departure airports for winner & guest). The name you supply on the registration form for you and your guest MUST match the name on your passport.
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Cruise Documents
Cruise documents will be sent out the week of October 12th. You will find out at this time which ship you are on. Once you receive the documents, you may check-in online prior to arriving at the pier to save time. For more information, go to www.RCCL.com, click “Before You Board”, then “Online Check-In”. If you have not received your documents by October 19th, please contact Bud Light Port Paradise Travel Headquarters.
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Contact Information
After registration, if you need additional assistance, please contact the Bud Light Port Paradise Headquarters or
1-800-490-4099. Agents will be happy to assist you Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm, Central Time.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Garnett.
