Not sure how many of you have been on a metal cruise before... but I've been asked and emailed easily 40-50x 'how they go'. There is some variability and this is somewhat tongue in cheek itinerary. Yet for some of you would only be the tip of the iceberg. (if you don't drink- then this doesn't apply- just sub in more diet coke and the rest will still remain the same)
As long as nothing is intentionally destroyed this WILL BE an annual Spring event with different destinations every year.
Essentially- this is what to expect over the 3-4 days doing Triton. TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE and INDIVIDUALS AND MAY VARY SOME- so this is not a full on timeline but will serve as a guide. : )
Photos being taken the entire time if you're smart...
Thursday, April 29, 2010- Arrive Miami whatever time.
Check into the hotel (we're setting up a room block)
Identify other metalheads by the blue jeans/black shirt uniform.
Nod.
Gather- decide to eat.
Drink more than you eat, we're ready to rock.
Head over to club for free show/stuff preparty.
Drink.
Meet more people, yep this is going to be a good time.
We're all cruising for the same show- what excursion did you pick?
Pleasantries.
Shots ordered.
Music jams. Hard.
Drink more.
Club closes at 2am.
Realize- ouch, this might be a long and very rockin weekend.
Roll back to hotel with new friends.
Someone remembered to buy beer before heading out. This is your new party buddy who is the smart one. Identify them on day 1.
Sit on front patio
Drink more.
Notice bands rolling in, realize there are a few unannounced surprise guests taking this trip- mental note!
5am. Bed!
Noon- awake- time to head to the docks.
Friday, April 30,2010
Noon- stand in line to get on the ship. Sunglasses on. It's bright. Ouch.
Hair of the dog woulda been smart.
3pm- onboard, they have your luggage.
See bands all over the place, ponder autograph/photo ops.
Find top pool deck. Find bar. Find cabin. (in that order) See others who were at the preparty- excitement brews we're going to the fucking Bahammmmmmmasssss!!!!
4pm, ship pulls out.
Find registration, get bag, credentials etc.
430pm- you're required to do a safety class. Go BACK to cabin coz you need your life vest and have to find your "pod station"
515pm- done iwth that, where's the bar.
TOP DECK!!!!!!!!!!!
Drop off life vest in cabin- luggage is magically there. Yep, this is kinda cool.
Shots ordered.
More introductions. Everyone's finding their favorite bartender/bar/haunt to hang out.
Notice hot guys/girls.
People see you.
Ask realllllllly old person if they dig progressive and power metal.
More drinks. Sit, chill, relax. Warm breeze and ocean air is relaxing.
What? Buckets of beer. Order one. Order another.
Promise to roll one another over in the sun over the weekend. A true cruising friend will not let you fry one-sided.
Optional clinic- hmmm. Yeah- let's check it out. Holy shit is that ??!!_______ (gonna make yall happy with a 2nd announcement to come)
Order more drinks.
Clinic over. 7pm.
Dinner. You mean, we can have a choice- big meal or about 5 different buffets?
Change for a nice dinner? Eat at buffet? (you decide)
Drink over dinner. Meet more people, discuss ship's finer aspects, who you're here to see.
Shots ordered.
930pm dinner over- head to concert hall. (Xanadu Lounge)
It's comfy- nice and intimate. A metalhead's dream to be in a great proximity to these acts.
Order more drinks. Decide whether to take a table or stand.
Bands on- major 5-6 hours of metal madness.
Drink more. Meet more people.
Other bands hanging around.
High five your friends for being smart enough to get on this cruise because it's a full house yet a limited size. (I promise you WILL think this! I genuinely did on another cruise)
3am ISH- show's over.
Realize it's all one big venue- walk straight back to room and thankful it's not far.
Notice a few more bands, celebs hanging around just chatting it up. It's a good time for all. See friends from past fests. Stop. Visit. Can't drink anymore.
SHIT!
4am- order pizza from room service.
5am- bed.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
8am- banging on door "Dude in we're in the Bahamaaaaaaaaas!!!!"
Crack eye open.
Scratch ass.
Ponder whether to shower.
Did we pick an excursion or are we just going to sightsee? Someone be my brain!
Exit ship- do what you do all day in the Bahamas. Snorkel, eat, drink, sightsee, parasail, jet ski, etc. etc.
Watch sun go down as you head ot the party there.
What's this? Free shit? ROCK!
Drink, mingle, be entertained.
Bands are there, everyone is now all friends.
Shots ordered.
Midnight-1am. Find yourself near the water making out with spouse/cute person- both? (kidding!)
3am- head back to ship.
7am ship leaves. (BE ON TIME- it won't wait for you)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
4-5am. Ponder room service or breakfast buffet?
Leave out of my beloved cabin? No way. BED!
9am- banging on door. "DUDE! Get UP! We're partying up top!"
Crawl/fall out of bed. Scratch ass. Ponder shower.
10am- Top Deck. Order bucket of beer. Pass out. Roll friend over beforehand. Wake up flipped. New friends rock.
11am- Meet and Greet OPEN BAR mingle thing!!! Can I drink more? Stop by a pizza buffet, grab two slices on the way- now I can!
12noon- regular meet greet opens-
1pm- Drum clinic with Casey Grillo.
Drink- rock.
230pm- top deck. Buckets of beer. Roll one another over, breathe warm air, relax a bit. Talk music.
6pm. Ponder dinner. Decide to actually change for this one it might be nice to see the dining hall.
(substitute grab slice of pizza and sub sandwich, cookies, chips etc off buffet and head back with mini buffet for friends and continue drinking and chilling out)
Order wine with dinner.
Head back to room- have to leave the bags out for the porters. What's this? All the liquor I bought in the Bahamas and had to declare and check is now in my room! SUHWEET! (note: they usually drop these off the night before pulling in)
Do shots.
Head to casino.
Gamble some. (win- lose)
9-10pm Head to Xanadu Lounge for show #3 of the weekend.
Order more drinks/shot.
5-6 hours MORE of metal mayhem.
Notice everyone is pink... mental high five for remembering sunblock!
New tattoos on a few people.
Buy shirts while getting next round of drinks.
Rock out.
Party with the bands who were on Friday.
Rock out more.
More shots. It's the last night and we're on vacation!
2am-3am- WHAT'S THIS?! A jam?! HELL YES!
3am- show's over... shit- head back to room.
Turkey sandwich from room service. (gotta feel healthy)
Monday, May 3, 2010
8am- Back in Miami- Banging on door "Dude. Get up. We gotta catch our flight/get to our hotel room."
Crawl out of bed. Scratch ass. Ponder shower.
9am-11am. Exit ship. Wave bye to new best friends- all 4-500 of them.
Sleep the rest of the day and wake up ready to go thru the pix and start the countdown for 2011 which is a FOUR DAY/FOUR NIGHT event.
Plan to workout- laugh off THAT idea.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Log on to UM Boards and tell folks you'll tell them how it went once you finally sober up.
As long as nothing is intentionally destroyed this WILL BE an annual Spring event with different destinations every year.
Essentially- this is what to expect over the 3-4 days doing Triton. TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE and INDIVIDUALS AND MAY VARY SOME- so this is not a full on timeline but will serve as a guide. : )
Photos being taken the entire time if you're smart...
Thursday, April 29, 2010- Arrive Miami whatever time.
Check into the hotel (we're setting up a room block)
Identify other metalheads by the blue jeans/black shirt uniform.
Nod.
Gather- decide to eat.
Drink more than you eat, we're ready to rock.
Head over to club for free show/stuff preparty.
Drink.
Meet more people, yep this is going to be a good time.
We're all cruising for the same show- what excursion did you pick?
Pleasantries.
Shots ordered.
Music jams. Hard.
Drink more.
Club closes at 2am.
Realize- ouch, this might be a long and very rockin weekend.
Roll back to hotel with new friends.
Someone remembered to buy beer before heading out. This is your new party buddy who is the smart one. Identify them on day 1.
Sit on front patio
Drink more.
Notice bands rolling in, realize there are a few unannounced surprise guests taking this trip- mental note!
5am. Bed!
Noon- awake- time to head to the docks.
Friday, April 30,2010
Noon- stand in line to get on the ship. Sunglasses on. It's bright. Ouch.
Hair of the dog woulda been smart.
3pm- onboard, they have your luggage.
See bands all over the place, ponder autograph/photo ops.
Find top pool deck. Find bar. Find cabin. (in that order) See others who were at the preparty- excitement brews we're going to the fucking Bahammmmmmmasssss!!!!
4pm, ship pulls out.
Find registration, get bag, credentials etc.
430pm- you're required to do a safety class. Go BACK to cabin coz you need your life vest and have to find your "pod station"
515pm- done iwth that, where's the bar.
TOP DECK!!!!!!!!!!!
Drop off life vest in cabin- luggage is magically there. Yep, this is kinda cool.
Shots ordered.
More introductions. Everyone's finding their favorite bartender/bar/haunt to hang out.
Notice hot guys/girls.
People see you.
Ask realllllllly old person if they dig progressive and power metal.
More drinks. Sit, chill, relax. Warm breeze and ocean air is relaxing.
What? Buckets of beer. Order one. Order another.
Promise to roll one another over in the sun over the weekend. A true cruising friend will not let you fry one-sided.
Optional clinic- hmmm. Yeah- let's check it out. Holy shit is that ??!!_______ (gonna make yall happy with a 2nd announcement to come)
Order more drinks.
Clinic over. 7pm.
Dinner. You mean, we can have a choice- big meal or about 5 different buffets?
Change for a nice dinner? Eat at buffet? (you decide)
Drink over dinner. Meet more people, discuss ship's finer aspects, who you're here to see.
Shots ordered.
930pm dinner over- head to concert hall. (Xanadu Lounge)
It's comfy- nice and intimate. A metalhead's dream to be in a great proximity to these acts.
Order more drinks. Decide whether to take a table or stand.
Bands on- major 5-6 hours of metal madness.
Drink more. Meet more people.
Other bands hanging around.
High five your friends for being smart enough to get on this cruise because it's a full house yet a limited size. (I promise you WILL think this! I genuinely did on another cruise)
3am ISH- show's over.
Realize it's all one big venue- walk straight back to room and thankful it's not far.
Notice a few more bands, celebs hanging around just chatting it up. It's a good time for all. See friends from past fests. Stop. Visit. Can't drink anymore.
SHIT!
4am- order pizza from room service.
5am- bed.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
8am- banging on door "Dude in we're in the Bahamaaaaaaaaas!!!!"
Crack eye open.
Scratch ass.
Ponder whether to shower.
Did we pick an excursion or are we just going to sightsee? Someone be my brain!
Exit ship- do what you do all day in the Bahamas. Snorkel, eat, drink, sightsee, parasail, jet ski, etc. etc.
Watch sun go down as you head ot the party there.
What's this? Free shit? ROCK!
Drink, mingle, be entertained.
Bands are there, everyone is now all friends.
Shots ordered.
Midnight-1am. Find yourself near the water making out with spouse/cute person- both? (kidding!)
3am- head back to ship.
7am ship leaves. (BE ON TIME- it won't wait for you)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
4-5am. Ponder room service or breakfast buffet?
Leave out of my beloved cabin? No way. BED!
9am- banging on door. "DUDE! Get UP! We're partying up top!"
Crawl/fall out of bed. Scratch ass. Ponder shower.
10am- Top Deck. Order bucket of beer. Pass out. Roll friend over beforehand. Wake up flipped. New friends rock.
11am- Meet and Greet OPEN BAR mingle thing!!! Can I drink more? Stop by a pizza buffet, grab two slices on the way- now I can!
12noon- regular meet greet opens-
1pm- Drum clinic with Casey Grillo.
Drink- rock.
230pm- top deck. Buckets of beer. Roll one another over, breathe warm air, relax a bit. Talk music.
6pm. Ponder dinner. Decide to actually change for this one it might be nice to see the dining hall.
(substitute grab slice of pizza and sub sandwich, cookies, chips etc off buffet and head back with mini buffet for friends and continue drinking and chilling out)
Order wine with dinner.
Head back to room- have to leave the bags out for the porters. What's this? All the liquor I bought in the Bahamas and had to declare and check is now in my room! SUHWEET! (note: they usually drop these off the night before pulling in)
Do shots.
Head to casino.
Gamble some. (win- lose)
9-10pm Head to Xanadu Lounge for show #3 of the weekend.
Order more drinks/shot.
5-6 hours MORE of metal mayhem.
Notice everyone is pink... mental high five for remembering sunblock!
New tattoos on a few people.
Buy shirts while getting next round of drinks.
Rock out.
Party with the bands who were on Friday.
Rock out more.
More shots. It's the last night and we're on vacation!
2am-3am- WHAT'S THIS?! A jam?! HELL YES!
3am- show's over... shit- head back to room.
Turkey sandwich from room service. (gotta feel healthy)
Monday, May 3, 2010
8am- Back in Miami- Banging on door "Dude. Get up. We gotta catch our flight/get to our hotel room."
Crawl out of bed. Scratch ass. Ponder shower.
9am-11am. Exit ship. Wave bye to new best friends- all 4-500 of them.
Sleep the rest of the day and wake up ready to go thru the pix and start the countdown for 2011 which is a FOUR DAY/FOUR NIGHT event.
Plan to workout- laugh off THAT idea.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Log on to UM Boards and tell folks you'll tell them how it went once you finally sober up.
