Skip to main content

Global Gathering of Green Berets

SFACON 2024

5 Night Bahama Cruise on the Carnival Paradise
Ports of Call: Nassau, Bimini and Tampa, FL.

+ October 19-24, 2024 +

Click here to register

SFACON NEWS, EVENTS & INFORMATION

Event Schedule:

Download a printable PDF of the Event List here

Day -1: Thu 10/17 Tampa (Recommended arrival date)

Day 0: Fri 10/18 Tampa

  • 0900: SOCOM Command Briefing at MacDill Theater (Speaker: SOCOM Chief of Staff – MG Guillaume “Will” Beaurpere)
  • 1030: SOCOM Memorial Event (Troy Daland / Ken Wolf)
  • 1030-1530 Motorcycle Ride (POC: Adan Salas) 
  • 1500-1600 SFA NBO October Chapter Leader’s Social at the Tampa Tap Room (RSVP HEREPOC: Chris Wilkerson 
  • 1600-1700 SFA NBO October Chapter Leader’s Meeting at the Tampa Tap Room (available via VTC as well, link TBPPOC: Chris Wilkerson 
  • 1630-UTC 5th SFG Happy Hour/Gathering at the Yard House Downtown Tampa (POC: Dean Franks) +1s are welcome. Special Instructions: Please RSVP at this link so we know how much space to reserve:  https://forms.office.com/g/KAH4qH5X8s
  • 1700-1800 SFA NBO Social at the Tampa Tap Room  (POC: Chris Wilkerson) 
  • 1800-2200 1st SFG 40th Reactivation Anniversary Party at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk (Pool Deck) (POC: Phil Grounds) 
  • 1830 10th Group Link Up, Harbor Masters Tiki Grill, 4999 Harbor Lights Dr, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708 (POC Jon White)
  • 3rd SFG is planning an event as well…more TBP as I get more details.  They may be planning an event on the ship as well.

Day 1: Sat 10/19 Embarkation Day / Attire: Cruise Casual

  • 0930: Porters will start taking luggage (and continue until 1:30pm)
  • 1000-1200:  Gary Sinise & the Lt Dan Band will be playing in the parking area outside of Terminal 3. You can drop off our luggage and return to enjoy the concert before boarding the ship.
  • 1045: Passenger Boarding begins
  • 1200-1400 Sister Luv concert on the Lido Deck
  • 1300: VIPs meet with select individuals (Rex Lounge)
  • 1330: Last luggage drop off time (if you miss this time, you will have to personally carry all your luggage on board thru security)
  • 1400: Passenger Boarding complete
  • 1400: Onboard Cake cutting and Welcome/Thank you remarks/Flyover by VIPs: Special Forces Legacy Initiatives (SFLI) and other VIPs
  • 1430: VIPs not cruising prep to depart the ship (NLT 1415)
  • 1445-1600 Carnival Fun Team leads our Sail Away Party on the Lido Deck
  • 1600: Ship Departs
  • 1620: Parachute Demonstration IVO Peter O.Knight Airport (you’ll want to be outside to see this)
  • 1630: 1st SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1645: 3rd SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1700: 5th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1715: 6th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1730: Combat Divers on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)

Day 2: Sun 10/20 at Sea / Attire: Cruise Casual

  • 0800: Interdenominational Service (Chris Bell) in the Queen Mary Lounge
  • 0900: Icons of SF (Fred Rice will talk about COL Nick Rowe, Susan Rowe, COL Aaron Bank and Robin Moore) in the Queen Mary Lounge
  • 1000: Sister Luv Performance in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd 
  • 1030: Military Appreciate Gathering (Cruise Director/Sister Luv) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd 
  • 1200: Horse Soldier Story (Perry Blackburn) in the Queen Mary Lounge 8 Aft
  • 1300: SFA On-line Teamhouse Briefing / Overview (Pete Tingstrom) in the Queen Mary Lounge 8 Aft
  • 1400: SFLI/GBF/CDF/SOA Updates (20min/20min/5min/5min) 
  • 1500: Guardians of the Green Beret Presentation (Rich Lallo) in the Queen Mary Lounge
  • 1500: High Tea – Honoring our Gold Star Families (Elation Restaurant)
  • 1700: SFA Author Reading/Raffle 10 min ea (Brenda Morris, Joe Hastings, Michael Jackson, Scott Mann) in Queen Mary Lounge, 9 Aft  (Learn more about these fantastic books and possible chance (raffle ticket) to take an author personalized signed copy home)

Day 3: Mon 10/21 8am – 4pm Bimini, The Bahamas (Hawaiian Theme Dress Night)

  • Upon Arrival: Golf Cart Poker Run – Chance to win $500 cabin credit – Sign Up
  • 1400: Movie “The Green Berets” w/ John Wayne in the Queen Mary Lounge
  • 1500: 7th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1530: 10th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1600: Hawaiian Themed Music (Sister Luv) in the Rex Lounge
  • 1600: SF Beer/Wine/Liquor Tasting (Kevin Harry) in Queen Mary Lounge

Day 4: Tue 10/22  8am-4pm Nassau, The Bahamas (Pirate Theme Dress Night)

  • As desired: Bearded Clam Party 
  • 1400: SF Berlin “Det A” 39th SF Movie 1 hr 17 min + Q&A (Charlie Ducket and Bob Mitchel) in Queen Mary Lounge, 9 Aft 
  • 1500: 46th Company Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1515: 8th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1530: 11th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1530: Son Tay Raid Movie 1 hr 36 min in Queen Mary Lounge, 9 Aft 1545: 12th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1600: 19th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1615: 20th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1630: SWC Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1645: Panama Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1700: MACV-SOG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck) 
  • 1715: PSSE Berlin/Det A Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)

Day 5: Wed 10/23 at Sea (Cruise Elegant/Formal Dress Night)

  • 0900: SFA General Membership Meeting (Chris Wilkerson) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1030: Operation Pineapple Express Story (Scott Mann) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd 
  • 1130: Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day Movie 25 min (GBF) in Queen Mary Lounge 8 Aft
  • 1200: Last Out – Elegy of a Green Beret Movie 2 hrs 20 min (Scott Mann) in Queen Mary Lounge 8 Aft
  • 1500: Banquet Prelude Entertainment (Sister Luv) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1530: Banquet Welcome (Chris Wilkerson) / Guest Speaker (Chris North) / St. Phillip Neri awards (SFA) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd 
  • 1625: Movement to Cocktail Hour / Photo Sessions (All)
  • 1630: Cocktail Hour / Photo Sessions (All) in Rotterdam Bar / Promenade Deck 9 Aft
  • 1730: Movement to Dining Room (All signed up) Elation/Destiny Restaurant Deck 8
  • 1800: Banquet Opening Remarks (All signed up) Elation/Destiny Restaurant Deck 8
  • 1810: Dinner (All signed up) Elation/Destiny Restaurant Deck 8

Day 6: Thu 10/24 – Ship arrives to Tampa / Attire: Cruise Casual

  • 0800: Ship arrives to Tampa
  • 1130: Be off the ship
  • 220 folks interested in Ybor City tour/lunch/etc….rotate thru tours
  • TBD: Ybor City Underworld Film (SFA Chap 11 member Steve Hollingshead Producer) maybe at The Bad Monkey Bar 
  • TBD: Mafia Tour in Ybor City Tour Guide: Scott Ditche (also Author of the book “Cigar City Mafia) start at King Corona Cafe ($35 tour price)
  • Sometime between 11am-2pm: Lunch at the Columbia Restaurant 

SFA Members: To see a list of those who have registered for the cruise, you must login at the SFA Teamhouse. The list is in the Document Library under ‘SF Cruise October 2024’.

GO TO TEAMHOUSE

CRUISE DAY - TERMINAL INFORMATION & TIMES

Luggage drop off area

  • Porters start taking luggage from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm (2 hours prior to Ship’s departure)

Terminal Main Entrance

  • Terminal doors open at 9:30 am
  • Guests are expected to arrive at their selected arrival appointment times with their printed boarding passes & Citizenship docs
  • If guests did not do “Online Check-In” or did not print their boarding passes, our agents outside will print the boarding passes for them.

Security scanners & K-9 areas

  • All guests will be directed to the security scanners to be processed and then directed to the K-9 sniffing dog area

Check-in areas

  • After K-9 process, guests are directed to their respective check-in areas to verify their citizenship documentation and finalize their check-in process
  1. Guests who do “Online Check-In” and their boarding pass says “complete” are directed to the “check-in podiums.” Online check-in is available on October 5th, 2024.
  2. Guests with “Incomplete” boarding passes are directed to the “Guest Services counters”

Seating area

  • After finalizing their check-in process and boarding passes are stamped, guests are directed to the seating area to wait for boarding time

Boarding

  • Initial Boarding starts at 10:45 am
  • Guests are called to the EZ Boarding area with their boarding passes in their hands.
  • By 11:30 am our initial boarding is done
  • Then General Boarding is open to all guests who arrive throughout the afternoon.

Ship photo props area

  • After guests are processed at EZ board, they are directed to the 3 photo props.

Gangway

  • After ship photos are taken, guests are directed straight to the 1 gangway to board the ship

Ship’s departure

  • All guests must be onboard by Final Boarding time: 2:30pm
  • We close terminal doors at 2:30pm
  • Ships’ departure is at 4 pm

***Guests that have pre-requested wheelchair assistance to the ship from the terminal will be directed to the specific waiting area and given instructions to wait for a crew member to assist.

RESERVATIONS

  • Your reservation will be made through Dream Vacations. A reservation link (for the cabin category you pre-registered for) will be emailed to you from Carle Hurst at [email protected]
  • A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking your cabin category.  (This deposit is different from the fee you paid for pre-registration)
  • Once the reservation is made, you will receive an email invoice from Dream Vacations with the balance due and payment due date. An online link on the invoice can be used to make your payment.
  • Deposits and payments can be made by credit card (fee applies), Zelle, or a check can be sent (please contact Carle Hurst at [email protected] for instructions on paying by check).

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS 

  • The name and date of birth you book your cabin under MUST match the name and date of birth on the government-issued ID you use when boarding. The expiration date on your passport must be at least six months beyond the completion of travel
  • Certified Birth Certificate with state seal plus Driver’s license or Military ID or Current US Passport.
  • Physical documents are needed at the time of boarding the ship. 

Learn More about Travel Documents 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel protection will be offered to protect your cruise investment. The covered reasons for cancellation, as well as medical coverage during the cruise, will be outlined in the email you will receive regarding optional travel protection. Must be purchased within 10 days of deposit to cover pre-existing conditions.

Please download the Carnival HUB App to your cell phone. It is essential to have this app prior to and during the cruise for updates and communication with others.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Hotel options: (note, You can add extra dates at the same rate quoted; if the on-line reservation does not show rooms available, contact Pete Tingstrom ASAP at [email protected] and he will get the hotel to update their site for us)

Westshore Grand Hotel, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33609 (Kianna Selkridge Smith)

  • Reservation Links:
    Pre Cruise: https://book.passkey.com/e/50756281
    Post Cruise: https://book.passkey.com/e/50756290
    Offering Gov’t Per Diem rate of $145, choice of King (max 2 persons), or Queen (max 4 persons)
    Complimentary parking
    Complimentary shuttle to/from airport
    Free WiFi
    24 fitness center
    Pool
    Website: https://westshoregrand.com/
  • Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore, 4811 W Main Street, Tampa, FL, US, 33607 (Jim Trivers)
    Reservation Link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/TPAZW/G-SPFA
    $179 rate +13.5% tax
    Includes trans to/from airport
    Includes 10 x days of parking
    Reservations rec’d before 9/26/2024
    Cancellations 48 hrs prior
    Port is 6.5 miles away
    145 total rooms available / K or 2 Doublebeds
    hyattplace.com
  • Holiday Inn Express, 700 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL (Kimberly James)
    Reservation Links:
    Special Forces Association
    SFA Return Trip
    On site restaurants. Rate $135 (+ Tax = $153.22) a night
    $10.00 a night parking.
    King or QQ
    https://www.ihg.com/…/hotels/us/en/tampa/tpacp/hoteldetail
  • Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, 111 W Fortune St, Tampa, Fl, 33602 (Salina Lourenco)
    Link for Reservations before the cruise: http://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp…

Link for Reservations after the cruise: http://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp…Offering
a block of 100 rooms (more if needed) plus a room for registration
Complimentary parking during the cruise
Shuttle service to and from the port
This is a full service hotel located in the historical district of
Tampa and 1.9 miles from the port.
Rate $180.00 per night.
www.barrymorehotel.com/

  • Hampton Inn, 1155 East Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602 (Jordan Correia) –
    Reservation Link: 
    https://group.hamptoninn.com/ikq00k
    $199/nt +13.5% tax
    20 rooms available
    Shuttle to port included
    Parking $25/nt
    Breakfast included
    www.hamptontampadowntown.com
  • Home2 Suites, 1155 East Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602 (Jordan Correia) 
    Reservation Link: 
    https://group.home2suites.com/k4pwxy
    $199/nt
    30 rooms available
    Shuttle to port included
    Breakfast included
    $25/nt parking
    www.home2tampadowntown.com
  • Residence Inn, 101 East Tyler Street, Tampa FL 33602 (Jordan Correia) 
    Reservation Link: 
    https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1705936372790&key=GRP
    $199/nt
    30 rooms available
    Breakfast included
    $25/nt parking
    www.residenceinntampadowntown.com
  • Courtyard, 102 East Cass Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (Jordan Correia) 
    Reservation Link: 
    https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1705936372790&key=GRP
    Standard 2 queen or single king
    Breakfast available for purchase
    Valet-only $35 per night
    Taxes 13.5% (unless tax exempt).
    www.marriott.com/tpadt. .
THE FINAL LOGO FOR NEWSLETTER
For more information, continue to follow us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sfacon
POINTS OF CONTACT

Pete Tingstrom
Lead Cruise Planner
[email protected]

Carle Hurst
Travel Agent
[email protected]

Kevin Harry
SFLI (Sponsor)
[email protected]

Mike Hurst
Treasurer / Donations
[email protected]

FAQ

Answers to many of your questions can be found on the Carnival Cruise Line KNOW BEFORE YOU GO PAGE.

 The Bahamas prohibit civilians wearing or possessing camouflage print clothing.

Arrival: Due to the uncertainty of air travel or auto travel, it is strongly recommended that you plan your travel to arrive in Tampa the day before the cruise. Missing the ship because of canceled flights or delays is NOT covered by travel protection.

Activities are planned for those who arrive in Tampa prior to the cruise. See Event Schedule.

Your CHECKED bags are dropped off with a porter at the port and will be delivered to your room. Please make sure that your cruise cabin luggage tags, to be provided, have your cabin number and your name and are securely attached to all checked luggage. Porters are readily available to receive luggage and a reasonable cash tip is appropriate.

Please read the Carnival Cruise Line Prohibited Items, Exemptions and Other Considerations page before packing for the cruise.  Any prohibited items found in checked baggage or carry-on baggage are subject to confiscation and held until you disembark the ship. NO WEAPONS OR AMMO can be in carry on or checked baggage.   READ HERE

Carry-on baggage should contain all necessary Identification documents, medications, medical equipment (C-pap machines, etc.), electronics such as laptops and smartwatches, and valuables such as jewelry or keepsakes. If you use a C-pap or other equipment that needs power from an outlet, you can bring a simple extension cord but NOT a surge protector power strip.

An onboard account is set up during your online check-in that will connect your sail/room card to your preferred credit card. All cash should be kept in your safe to carry with you into a port if you desire or at the end to extend an extra gratitude to your stateroom attendant. (optional) Your gratuities have already been included in your cruise so additional tipping is at your discretion.

You may carry on a sealed 750 ml. bottle of wine or champagne (if over 21) and/ or a 12 pack of canned sodas or canned waters per guest. No bottled beverages! These items will remain with you until you can enter your stateroom after 1:00 pm. Please do not bring large coolers, small soft side coolers are allowed. NO Other Alcohol is allowed to be brought onboard and will be confiscated by the port agents.

Your boarding time will be on your online check in document as well as the HUB app. Please note that your cabin will NOT be available to enter until after 1:00 PM due to the turnaround time from the previous cruise. You are welcome to swim, grab a drink at the bar and enjoy lunch at the buffet or the other open food venues. Sit back and relax and begin enjoying your cruise vacation.

Announcements will be made when cabins are available. You may then proceed to your stateroom and store valuables in the cabin safe. Do not carry identification or cash around the ship, your shipboard card is used for purchases.

Note: Instructions on the mandatory muster drill will be given over speaker. Your muster station is based on your cabin location. Please follow all crew instructions!

Note: Put your cell phone in airplane mode to avoid roaming fees. Check with your service provider for additional cruise/ foreign calling plans. Wi-Fi is available for purchase, details to follow.