Music fans are invited to join Mark McGrath, lead vocalist of Sugar Ray, when he and his friends set sail on the Carnival Imagination from Miami Oct. 18-21, 2013, for three music-filled days. Joining McGrath and Sugar Ray for the cruise is an all-star lineup that includes popular bands such as Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms, Cracker, Spin Doctors, Vertical Horizon, The Verve Pipe, and Marcy Playground, along with special acoustic performances by Ed Roland of Collective Soul and Ed Kowalczyk of Live.

Presented by Flying Dutchmen Travel, the Mark McGrath and Friends Cruise is a terrific opportunity for fans to get an up-close-and-personal look at their favorite bands while spending three days at sea enjoying exciting live performances, intimate concerts and much more.

A full-blown 90s musical extravaganza, the Mark McGrath and Friends Cruise features live performances each night in the Carnival Imagination’s 1,300-seat Dynasty Lounge, as well as in different venues throughout the ship.  Exclusive perks include:

    Surprise unplugged performances and jam sessions
    Question and answer sessions and photo opportunities
    Late night dance parties and other events

In addition to a stellar lineup of some of the most popular bands of the 1990s, participants can enjoy all the Carnival Imagination has to offer — an expansive water park with a 300-foot-long water slide, a completely renovated spa, a variety of delicious dining options, including a 24-hour pizzeria, a Serenity adults-only retreat, full casino gambling and more.  The ship also spends a full day in Nassau, The Bahamas, home to white-sand beaches and interesting sites and landmarks.

Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival

As Colorado completes its transformation into a winter wonderland, the destination features special celebrations and festivals, ranging from ski joring competitions to a milestone winter carnival. Following are some of the top winter festivals for Colorado in winter 2013. 

WinterBike, Copper (January 19). Winner of the NSAA’s “Most Unique Event” in 2012, the 2nd annual festival encourages participants to slip, slide and ride their way through Copper Village to a finish line celebration complete with fireworks. The kids can join in the fun this year with LittleBike, the free kids-only ride. Registration for WinterBike is $20.

Winter Brew Fest, Denver (January 25). A celebration of craft beverages from around Colorado and beyond, the Winter Brew Fest features live local music, food tastings, and other entertainment.

Snowdown, Durango (January 30 – February 3). Celebrate snow at Durango’s annual quirky winter festival, where this year’s theme is “Get Your Geek On” iSnowdown 2.0.13. Guests will enjoy more than 60 unique and zany events: evening torchlight parade, ski softball tournament, Snowdown Balloon Rally, wine tasting, beard growing contest, Snowdown Follies, Bed Race, a magnificent fireworks show and more.

Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, Steamboat Springs (February 6 – 10). This historic winter festival, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013, pays tribute to the area’s skiing and ranching heritage and is a celebration of all things winter. Events include: the snow sculpture contest, ski races, snow tubing, live entertainment and performances by the Steamboat Springs High School marching band — the world’s only marching band on skis. The event also supports continued athletic development and education for competitors involved in Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, the oldest and largest winter sports club in the country.

WinterFest Weekend, Pagosa Springs (February 7 – 10). Join in three snow-filled days of fun as Pagosa Springs celebrates winter. Some events include Nordic races for kids and adults, Anything Goes Downhill Sled Race, Snow Sculpting Contest, Snowshoe Stop and more.

Telluride’s Gay Ski Week, Telluride (February 23 – March 3). This spirited yet unpretentious week offers a unique blend of top-rate skiing and entertaining events. From the Academy Awards watching party, to the popular White Night Party, ski week guests will enjoy 10 days of skiing and events.

The Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival, Leadville (March 1 – 3). Ski joring is a competition where a horse and rider pull a skier at a fast pace through a course that features gates, jumps and rings. The skier is timed through the course, and penalties are assessed by missing gates or jumps, and by missing or dropping any of the rings. Additional activities include a children’s parade, Nordic and winter mountain bike races and more.

Big Air on Elk, Crested Butte (March 9). Each year, Crested Butte is home to an epic ski jumping competition in the middle of its downtown. A snowmobile tows top local skiers and snowboarders, launching them off of a five-story, park-style jump at Third Street and Elk Avenue.