Last year, on Valentine’s Day 2020, thousands of exhausted and happy rockers were disembarking from the 10th annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise, AKA MORC X. Rock legends had performed for their dedicated fans, and love was all around us.

This year, on Valentine’s Day, not so much. To help you get through, here are 14 “Be My Quarantine Valentine” collectibles for your enjoyment. Cut them out, share them with your sweetie, post them on your fridge, or email them around the world. You’ll find love again, I know. Sha-doobie, sha-doobie, sha-doobie, I know.

Be My Quarantine Valentine first appeared on Game On Media.

The 10th annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise (AKA MORC X) set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 8, 2020. The Royal Caribbean ship Independence of the Seas was the home to 50 rock and roll bands, and thousands of their fans, over 5 nights at sea. The cruise stopped in Belize and Cozumel, Mexico when it was not rocking through the high seas.

German metal queen and legend Doro Pesch and her band rocked the Studio B stage. Doro always delivers a positive message with a huge smile and killer voice. The band played songs from her band Warlock and her solo material.

The Doro band consists of Nick Douglas on bass, keyboards, backing vocals; Johnny Dee on drums, backing vocals; Luca Princiotta on guitars, keyboards, backing vocals; and Bas Maas on guitars, backing vocals.

MORC X Doro

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Doro on Monsters Of Rock Cruise X 2020 first appeared on Game On Media.

The 10th annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise (AKA MORC X) set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 8, 2020. The Royal Caribbean ship Independence of the Seas was the home to 50 rock and roll bands, and thousands of their fans, over 5 nights at sea. The cruise stopped in Belize and Cozumel, Mexico when it was not rocking through the high seas.

D-A-D is a band from Denmark that has been rocking together since 1982. They put on an exciting show, and they dress to entertain.

D-A-D consists of Jesper Binzer on lead vocals and guitar, Jacob Binzer on guitar and backing vocals, Stig Pedersen on bass and backing vocals, and drummer Laust Sonne.

MORC X DAD

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D-A-D on Monsters Of Rock Cruise X 2020 first appeared on Game On Media.

The 10th annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise (AKA MORC X) set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 8, 2020. The Royal Caribbean ship Independence of the Seas was the home to 50 rock and roll bands, and thousands of their fans, over 5 nights at sea. The cruise stopped in Belize and Cozumel, Mexico when it was not rocking through the high seas.

Burning Rain is one of the newer bands who continue the hard rock style of the 1970’s and 80’s. They have returned with a brilliant new album in 2019 titled “Face The Music”. Both of their killer sets featured music from that release along with great songs from their previous albums.

Burning Rain was created by guitarist Doug Aldrich, who has performed with Whitesnake, Dio and The Dead Daisies, and vocalist Keith St. John, who has performed with Montrose and Kingdom Come. Their current lineup features Blas Elias from Slaughter on drums and Brad Lang from Y&T on bass. If you are a fan of blues-based rock and roll, check out Burning Rain.

MORC X Burning Rain

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Burning Rain on Monsters Of Rock Cruise X 2020 first appeared on Game On Media.

The 2021 Monsters of Rock Cruise is coming soon!

Have you heard? 2021 is going to be more over-the-top incredible than ever! With a great ship, great hosts, fantastic events and a lineup that may be our best ever! Not to mention, a spectacular new stop at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, a return to a MORC fan-favorite Labadee, and topped off with two thunderous days at sea…we are not exaggerating when we tell you…2021 will be off the charts!

Check out all the details below so you are armed, ready and prepared to book when it’s your chance!

Prepare yourself for the 2021 Monsters of Rock Cruise, featuring one of Rock’s most legendary stars, ALICE COOPER. But, that’s just the beginning, as our supporting lineup will dazzle like never before! Plus more interactive events and those subtle differences that separates MORC from the rest. It’s time for you to start planning for the greatest Rock ‘N Roll adventure to ever hit the Seven Seas!Get ready to reserve your spot aboard…this will be the Greatest Floating Rock Experience of all time and we want YOU there!

 

In case you missed it, check out our initial starting lineup. This is already shaping up to be unbelievable!

Stay tuned for more announcements coming soon!

The 2021 MORC will be sailing on the Independence of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida February 8 – 13, 2021 in celebration of the cruise that has become legend…It’s the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal cruise by which all others are compared!

We will all come together once again aboard Royal Caribbean’s amazing Independence of the Seas, featuring the greatest Hard Rock/Heavy Metal lineup on planet Earth! This is going to be a cruise to remember and should be attended by all!

Our new website is live NOW, with all the details on our 11th MORC Voyage! Be prepared with all the important information you need before you book by visiting: MonstersOfRockCruise.com.

Please note that the “Book Now” function will be disabled until the General On Sale begins.

Prior to booking, please familiarize yourself with Stateroom Categories & Pricing, Payment Plans, Deposit & Cancellation Policies, and Terms and Conditions at MonstersOfRockCruise.com NOW!

We are thrilled to announce that our home for the 2021 Monsters of Rock Cruise is Royal Caribbean’s amazing Independence of the Seas. With amazing music venues throughout the ship, there is truly no better place to have our 11th Anniversary Monsters of Rock Cruise!

Arguably the best part of the ship, the Independence of the Seas features the  Royal Promenade, the center and heart of the ship. Spanning the length of Deck 5, this naturally lit, four-story boardwalk allows guests to stroll into restaurants and cafés, stop in to do some shopping and of course, grab a drink before the next show. Not to mention, this vibrant and exciting hub will connect Monsters of Rock Cruisers to many of our Concert Venues, including not one, but Two Indoor Main Concert Venues to listen to the lineup we have planned! And of course…the Pool Stage is back!

To see more about the Independence of the Seas, Click Here.

DAY	DATE	PORT	ARRIVE	DEPART
Monday	February 8th	Fort Lauderdale, Florida		4:30 pm
Tuesday	February 9th	Day at Sea
Wednesday	February 10th	Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic	7:00 am	5:00 pm
Thursday	February 11th	Private Isle of Labadee	7:00 am	5:00 pm
Friday	February 12th	Day at Sea
Saturday	February 13th	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	7:00 am

Nothing can prepare you for the breath-taking beauty that is Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Being the oldest city in the north, Puerto Plata offers not only views of the sea and mountains, but so much more. Choose the adventure for the day that is right for you. Whether you prefer to spend the day traveling 2,600 feet above sea level in a cable car or perhaps you would rather hike majestic trails – both options are available if you choose to visit Monte Isabel de Torres.

If the ocean is calling your name, visit Sousa Beach where you can sunbathe, swim, snorkel or grab a bit to eat at a nearby restaurant. For those of you who want to experience the culture of the Dominican Republic, consider staying in town to explore the unique architecture, enjoy delicious Dominican cuisine, or shop for keepsakes to remind you of the amazing experiences you had in Puerto Plata.

Take a look at what Puerto Plata has to offer!

Monsters of Rock Cruisers LOVE Labadee and we know you will too! It is the ultimate private destination for MORC Cruisers…and is exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests! 

Adventure, exploration, and relaxation are just the beginning of what Labadee has to offer. Hang with your new MORC friends at one of the many bars, swim in pristine waters and don’t miss the complimentary lunch provided to keep up the blood sugar…Welcome to Paradise!

LOOKING FOR A THRILL?…strap on a helmet and harness, and soar 500 feet down on the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the World’s longest zip line over water. Want more action? Check out the Wave Jet Rides, Parasailing, Snorkel Safaris, Kayak Tours, Basketball, Soccer and much more!*

We are honored you allow us to be a part of your life year after year and we commit to continue bringing you the unbelievable lineup, sound, lighting, events and the fun you have come to know and expect from the cruise that trumps all other cruises. The one and only…Monsters of Rock Cruise!

We will continue to improve, innovate and strive for excellence and can say without any doubt that 2021 will be a testament to that commitment with arguably one of our most amazing lineups.

Don’t forget to tell your family and friends about the Monsters of Rock Cruise,  as word of mouth from our fans is what keeps us growing. Spread the word…let’s keep it going!

We hope you are as excited as we are about the 2021 Monsters of Rock Cruise and we can’t wait to see you aboard!

Let the countdown begin…

QUESTIONS? Email us at reservations@MonstersOfRockCruise.com

The 2021 Monsters of Rock Cruise Starring Alice Cooper is Coming Soon! first appeared on Game On Media.

The 10th annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise (AKA MORC X) set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 8, 2020. The Royal Caribbean ship Independence of the Seas was the home to 50 rock and roll bands, and thousands of their fans, over 5 nights at sea. The cruise stopped in Belize and Cozumel, Mexico when it was not rocking through the high seas.

Steelheart, featuring the pristine vocal talents of Miljenko Matijevic, put on two of the most memorable shows of the entire cruise. Few vocalists have ever reached the soaring heights that Mili continues to reach, 30 years after amazing the rock world with their debut album and the classic “I’ll Never Let You Go”. His voice is still magical and brings chills.

Steelheart played many tracks off their debut album, as well as the song that Matijevic wrote and sang for the movie Rock Star, “We All Die Young”. His was the actual voice behind Mark Wahlberg in the movie’s fictional band Steel Dragon, and they also covered “Blood Pollution” and “Livin’ The Life”. That band also included Zakk Wylde, Jeff Pilson and Jason Bonham. With the movie’s 20th anniversary looming, Mili dropped hints that there may be something in the works from that incredible lineup to commemorate.

MORC X Steelheart

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Steelheart on Monsters Of Rock Cruise X 2020 first appeared on Game On Media.

The holy trinity of guitar gods – George Lynch, Nuno Bettencourt, Reb Beach. The greatest voices in rock – Miljenko Matijevic, Gary Cherone, Kip Winger, CJ Snare, Jeff Keith. Legendary drummers – James Kottak, Brian Tichy, Rick Allen. Guitar clinics, comedy shows, artist Q&A’s, late night karaoke with rock stars. What has all of this and more?

The 10th annual Monsters Of Rock Cruise (AKA MORC X) set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 8, 2020. The Royal Caribbean ship Independence of the Seas was the home to 50 rock and roll bands, and thousands of their fans, over 5 nights at sea. The cruise stopped in Belize and Cozumel, Mexico when it was not rocking through the high seas. There were a variety of stages to host the nonstop concerts, including the large 2 level theater, a smaller theater with a large standing area surrounded by tiered seats, a club lounge, and a special pool deck stage rapidly constructed for the event which allowed fans to watch shows from the pool, hot tubs, lounge chairs, pool bar or upper level deck.

The cruise was headlined by Tesla, Krokus, Extreme and Winger, which is enough to make for a great concert right there, but that is never enough for a Monsters Of Rock Cruise. Take a deep breath, because there were 49 bands announced and one special surprise sailaway band that was only revealed when they took the stage as the ship left port. The insane lineup included Atomic Punks, Autograph, Ben Woods, Black N’ Blue, British Lion, Burning Rain, Cold Sweat, D-A-D, Diemonds, Doro, Enuff Z’nuff, Faster Pussycat, Firehouse, H.E.A.T, Hardcore Superstar, Heavens Edge, Heavy Pettin’, Honeymoon Suite, Joel Hoekstra, Keel, Kingdom Come, Kings X, KIX, Lizzy Borden, Lynch Mob, Mac Sabbath, Paradise Kitty, Raven, Richie Kotzen, Ron Keel, Russell Allen, Shiraz Lane, Simon Daniels, Slaughter, Steelheart, Stryper, The Quireboys, Thunder, Tokyo Motor Fist, Tyketto, Vixen, White Trash, Y&T, Jason Beiler, and Cold Gin.

As rock fans from around the globe boarded the ship, found their room, purchased their drink tickets, waited for their luggage and figured out the lay of the ship, the MORC Crew worked feverishly to turn one of the pools into a full sized stage, complete with lightshow and perfect sound. All of the hosts came out to welcome everyone aboard – Eddie Trunk, Nikki Blakk, Luc Carl, Don Jamieson, Jim Florentine and Metal DJ Will. Then the surprise sailaway band took the stage – BulletBoys – featuring their original lineup of Marq Torien, Lonnie Vencent, Mick Sweda and Jimmy D’Anda. From there it was an endless musical orgy of classic guitar metal, unique events, once in a lifetime selfies and shared community.

Every Monster had their own unique experience over the course of the week. On top of close to 100 concerts, MORC X offered photo opportunities with the artists, painting lessons, art exhibits from Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen and Tesla bassist Brian Wheat, dinner with bands, basketball games, surfing contests, costume contests, charity events and guitar raffles. Being a rock cruise, there were special music-themed beers available. Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon hosted a party in the promenade featuring his new Double IPA from Out of Bounds Brewing Company – Heavy Metal Hippie. Not to be outdone, Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris hosted a pub party featuring 2 brews – Trooper Premium British Beer and Sun And Steel Sake Lager.

Most bands played two 1 hour sets during the cruise, sometimes on different stages, sometimes with different setlists, sometimes with special guests. Tesla and Kix are among the greatest live rock and roll bands in history and they never disappoint. Tesla played 2 incredible theater sets, and about half of the songs differed each night. They also brought out Rick Allen, who played along with “Little Suzi” and “Signs” on a drumkit with custom MORC artwork. During the second show, Allen surprised Troy Lucketta during the set by appearing behind him and drumming along. Def Leppard helped introduce the world to Tesla, taking them along on the massive Hysteria In The Round tour in the 80’s, and has had them on numerous summer tours in recent years. It was really special to see the guys interacting and enjoying their time on stage together.

Kix is another cruise veteran who wanted to give their fans something special. Most of their set varied from show to show, with their theater show digging deep into the catalog, pulling out “Kix Are For Kids”, “The Kid”, “The Itch”, “Baby Time Bomb”, “Restless Blood”, and “Rock & Roll Overdose”. They went overboard next, bringing out the co-writer of “Bang Bang (Balls of Fire)” – none other than Kip Winger! What a treat for everyone involved. The joy that comes off the stage during a Kix show can be felt in the audience, and it gets radiated back onto the band and shows on their faces. There is no frontman more entertaining than Steve “Hey Fucker” Whiteman.

Many of the bands were celebrating the 30th anniversary of their best albums, which made for some special shows. 4 of the original members of Kingdom Come recently reunited, with Keith St. John providing vocals and a dynamic stage show. Lynch Mob was celebrating their debut album “Wicked Sensation” and vocalist Oni Logan rejoined George Lynch’s band to play the entire album front to back, with Brian Tichy on drums and Michael Devin on bass. This landmark album remains one of the best in the genre and it was so special to see it performed twice on this voyage. Extreme’s 2nd album “Pornograffitti”, another of the all time classics, also turns 30 this year and the boys from Boston pulled heavily from it. They remain an incredible live band, with perhaps the most raw talent of any band on the ship.

Really the only downside to the whole experience was #fomo – fear of missing out. I managed to photograph 30 of the 50 bands, and catch part of the sets of 5 others, leaving 15 bands missed completely. I heard great things about the peformances of Richie Kotzen, Lizzy Borden and Firehouse and would have loved to witness that. With so much going on, it would be nearly impossible to see every band, and it was important to find some time to eat a good meal once in a while and try to sleep a little bit.

Perhaps the best part of an event such as this is the combination of singing along with every word from one of your favorite bands (Winger, Steelheart), mixed with the experience of seeing a band you have loved for decades for the first time (Krokus, Kingdom Come), and the joy of discovering something new to you. The Monsters Of Rock Cruise introduces fans to newer bands, sometimes featuring familiar faces, sometimes something completely different. We came away from MORC X fascinated by The Quireboys (from London), Burning Rain (with Doug Aldrich and Keith St. John), British Lion (with Steve Harris) and H.E.A.T (from Sweden).

Next year’s celebration will star Alice Cooper. Get all the details on sale dates and lineup announcements at https://monstersofrockcruise.com/

Monsters Of Rock Cruise X 2020

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Monsters Of Rock Cruise X – 2020 first appeared on Game On Media.