PRNewswire MINNEAPOLIS Nov. 5 :

Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced the first four winners of the
Patriot Perks sweepstakes. The sweepstakes is a component of the Patriot
Perks offer from Carlson which extends the hotel government rate through
December 30, 2003, to include families of U.S. military personnel,
civilian government employees and veterans. Traditionally, the government
rate is only available for military and government staff traveling for
business.
Since the start of the Patriot Perks offer in June, military personnel and
government employees have also been invited to enter a sweepstakes for the
chance to win an eight-day, seven-night Radisson Seven Seas cruise for
two- including airfare. A total of eight cruise winners will be drawn
during the course of the sweepstakes. Sweepstakes entry forms are
available for qualifying personnel at participating hotels.

The first four cruise sweepstakes winners are:—Diane Cross, Green Bay,
Wis. Guest at the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee West, Wauwatosa, Wis.—Marty
Simonsen, West Point, Utah Guest at the Country Inns & Suites in Benson,
Minn.—Michael Barnett, Loganville, Ga. Guest at the Country Inns &
Suites in Chanhassen and Cottage Grove, Minn.—Gary Frisque, Red
Springs, N.C. Write-in entry
Gary Frisque, a cruise sweepstakes winner stationed at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina, entered the sweepstakes while serving his second tour of duty in
Afghanistan. Frisque, who was married in October of 2002, returned from
Afghanistan in early October 2003 after spending the past seven months as
a chaplain`s assistant in the war-torn country.

“I was deployed to Afghanistan less than six months after the wedding, so
it was a great addition to my homecoming to find that a second honeymoon
was waiting for us thanks to the cruise sweepstakes,” Frisque said.

A number of luxury cruise options are available to the sweepstakes winners
for cruises departing from U.S. ports. Cruise winners must depart on the
selected cruise within two years of winning.

“It is very heartwarming to hear about winners such as Mr. Frisque, as
well as the many people who have taken well-deserved vacations and
holidays using the Patriot Perks offer,” said Trudy Rautio, president of
Carlson Hotels Worldwide in the Americas. “With the holiday season
approaching, we hope Patriot Perks provides even more opportunities for
military and government families to re-connect with extended families and
friends.”
The Patriot Perks rate is available at all U.S. locations (including
Puerto Rico) for the following hotel brands: Radisson Hotels & Resorts,
Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park
Inn. Patriot Perks is offered seven days a week, based on availability,
for all eligible participants whether traveling for business or leisure.
Negotiated government rates vary by location and are subject to
availability.

Details on the Patriot Perks Offer and the cruise sweepstakes are
available at http://www.carlsonhotels.com/patriot , from your travel
professional or via individual hotel brand toll-free numbers: Radisson
Hotels & Resorts - 800-333-3333, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts -
800-814-7000, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson - 800-456-4000, and Park
Inn - 800-670-7275. Other discount rates may be available, depending on
dates and locations.
——-