If there's one thing the military community knows better than most, it's how to travel.

From first duty station to terminal leave — and all the PCSs, TDYs, liberty, passes and block-leave excursions in between — we are definitely a mobile tribe.

We excel not just in the science and skills of getting from Point A to Point Z, but also in the art and expertise of exploring and enjoying (and sometimes just enduring) everything that pops up along the way.

More often than not, our wanderings reveal some true gems, the kind of stuff you want to tell your friends about. And if you vouch for it, chances are they'll want to check it out, too.

That's the idea behind Military Waypoint, our new travel club designed exclusively for the military community — including current and former troops and their family members.

This will be the place for you not only to share your travel ideas and photos within our military travel tribe, but also snap up special military discounts, deals and money-saving tips.

As we go into beta testing for Waypoint, we're excited to launch our shakedown cruise — appropriately, we think — with a big contest to win one of three seven-day cruise trips for two valued at $6,000 each.

Here's what you need to know:

Go to MilitaryTimes.com/travelcontest to sign up. Military Times subscribers — including Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times subscribers — can enter using your digital account. For all others, register to become the first members of Waypoint. We're making it as easy as possible. For most, verification of your military affiliation will be instant. Some veterans may have to dig out a discharge or other documentation, but we're doing everything we can to make this hassle-free while still keeping the membership exclusive to the military community.

Pick a cruise. As part of the registration process, select one of three cruises to win. Sponsored by Entertainment Cruise Productions, each weeklong trip scheduled for early next year includes an ocean-view stateroom for the winner and a guest, as well as a $1,000 gift card to help cover surcharges and other incidentals. Each cruise has its own music theme, with a celebrity lineup of entertainers booked for each sailing. All three depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

  • The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Feb. 21-28
  • The 80s Cruise, Feb. 28-March 6
  • The Gospel Music Cruise, March 6-13

Start posting. Enter by posting "ideas." Share a description of your travel ideas in up to 400 words — dreams and favorite destinations, memorable experiences, tips and tricks about travel, where to get travel-related discounts, etc. — along with up to three digital photos. All travel ideas must be written in English, and photos must be the sole, original work of the entrant and posted on the "Post an Idea" page/form within Military Waypoint. All entries must be posted by this coming Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

Original photos. Every entry needs at least one good photo, but remember, you can share up to three. If it's an epic surf spot, let's see those waves. And we can't stress this enough: Any photos submitted must be yours. No online pilfering or "borrowing" someone else's shots. Each photo submission must be an authentic, original photograph taken by the contestant, and subjects must have been informed that their photo has been entered in a contest and must have no objection.

Judging. Contest entries will be judged by a panel of Military Times editors on the three things that make Waypoint the online destination for off-duty travelers plotting their next adventure: originality of the idea, quality of photo(s) and usefulness to other club members. The judging will conclude within two weeks of the end of the contest, at the time of Waypoint's official launch.

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