Think about your last off-duty adventure.
Maybe it was a quick day trip or a long weekend escape — or just some cool new out-of-the-way spot you found after work recently. You know, the last thing you just had to tell your friends about.
That's the idea behind Military Waypoint, the new online community where the ever-mobile military tribe can share their adventures and travel advice with fellow off-duty travelers and discover new places to go while scoring killer deals and discounts as well.
For the past the few weeks we've been beta testing Waypoint as we prepare for our official launch early next year. To celebrate, we're giving away not one, not two, but three seven-day Caribbean cruises-for-two valued at $6,000 each.
The winners will be selected from our inaugural shakedown crew of early adopters.
Waypoint, however, is not for everyone. Only people within the military community — including current and former troops and their family members — can join.
It's not too late to enter. All you have to do is sign up for the contest, get registered at Waypoint, and start sharing ideas. But time is running out: The contest closes Dec. 25.
Winning posts will have three key components:
A great "idea." Waypoint posts are called "Ideas," which you're sharing with fellow travelers. They're places you've gone and things you've done that you personally vouch for. Ideas can be anything from favorite destinations and memorable experiences to tips and tricks about travel and where to get great deals and discounts.
Useful words. Think of a post as a quick note to a friend who's going to go check out your idea. What details, directions and advice would you want them to know? Get creative. Specifics rule, but no more than 400 words.
Good pix. Every Idea should have at least one eye-catching picture. And they must be your photos. No online pilfering or "borrowing" someone else's shots. One great way to come up with an idea is to comb through your camera roll for some of your best pictures. There's probably a good reason why you took so many shots. That's the making a great post.
To get started all you need to do is go to MilitaryTimes.com/travelcontest to sign up for the contest and get registered.
If you're a subscriber to any of the Military Times family — Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times — you can enter using your digital account. For all others, we're making registration 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.
As part of the registration process, you'll also select one of three cruises to win. Sponsored by Entertainment Cruise Productions, each weeklong trip is scheduled for early next year and 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. Headliners include George Benson, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Boney James and more.
The 80s Cruise, Feb. 28-March 6. Lineup includes Huey Lewis & The News, Richard Marx, Starship, Kool & the Gang, Was (Not Was), A Flock of Seagulls, Modern English, Naked Eyes, Tiffany, Wang Chung, Biz Markie, original MTV VJs and more.
The Gospel Music Cruise, March 6-13. Headliners include Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Shirley Caesar and more.
