CRUISE NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE – READ ALL NEWSLETTERS HERE.

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.

• 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.

Many of these events are still being coordinated.

17 Oct (Thu):  Tampa (recommended arrival day)

• Pre-Cruise Scuba Diving Trips with Trilogy Scuba Center. Refresher Courses and Dive Trips
  • Register for Day Trip
  • Register for a refresher course

18 Oct (Fri):  Tampa

• 8-12 AM: SOCOM Command Briefing , Visit to the Special Operations Forces Memorial Park and “Last Out – Elegy of a Green Beret” play by Scott Mann. All events on MacDill AFB.
• Motorcycle Ride sponsored by the Special Forces Brotherhood MC (SFBMC) MacDill Charter
• Pre-Cruise Scuba Diving Trips with Trilogy Scuba Center. Refresher Courses and Dive Trips
  • Register for Day Trip
  • Register for a refresher course
• Various Pre-Cruise Ice-Breakers by SF Group (if you have a group that plans a meeting and wants the event shared, please contact Pete Tingstrom at [email protected] .
• 1800-2200 The 1st Special Forces Group is having a gathering at the Barrymore Hotel at 6pm on 18 Oct to begin their celebration of their 40th anniversary of reactivation.   POC: Phil Grounds

19 Oct (Sat)– Board the ship and depart

Events today are at Cruise Terminal #3, Port of Tampa

• 1100: passenger loading begins
• 1000-1200:  Gary Sinise & the Lt Dan Band will be playing in the parking area outside of Terminal 3.
• 1400: passenger loading complete
• 1430: Welcome/Thank you remarks by VIPs: Special Forces Legacy Initiatives (SFLI), Carnival Cruise Executive, SFACON Chair, SOCOM CDR, Governor, Mayor, etc.
• 1500: VIPs not cruising prep to depart the ship (NLT 1530)
• 1600: Ship Departs

20 Oct (Sun): At Sea

Tentative Symposiums:

• Icons of SF (Fred Rice will talk about COL Nick Rowe, Susan Rowe, COL Aaron Bank, and Robin Moore)
• SF Liquor Tasting
• MoH Recipient Earl Plumlee tells his story
• SOCOM Command Briefing (if not on the 18th – VTC or pre-taped)
• USASOC Command Briefing (if not on the 18th – VTC or pre-taped)
• SFLI/GBF/SFCT Updates (20 min each)
• Show: Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day (The Jedburgh Podcast)
• Task Force Pineapple Story and Q&A led by Scott Mann
• SFA Teamhouse Briefing/Overview by Pete Tingstrom
• Gold Star Luncheon?
• Meetups by various Special Forces Groups. If you have a group that wants to meet up contact Pete Tingstrom to reserve a time/space.

21 Oct (Mon) Bimini

• 8am – 4pm: Bimini, The Bahamas
• TBD: Hawaiian Theme Dress Night

22 Oct (Tue): Nassau

• 8am-4pm: Nassau, The Bahamas
• Beach Party at the Bearded Clam (Facebook Page)

23 Oct (Wed): At Sea

Tentative events/Symposiums:

• Horse Soldier Story
• SF4Life Q&A (Legacy Planning, Disability, Transition, Financial, etc)
• SF Author Reading/Raffle hosted by Lyle Hendrick
• SF Berlin “Det A” movie showing & Q&A
• Son Tay Raid Movie showing
• Shane St John – “Warriors Heat” w/ Tom Spooner – help battle PTSD and addiction?
• Guardians of the Green Beret Brief
• TBA: SFA General Membership Meeting (+ Live Stream) (in the theater)
• Recognize our 30/40/50/60 year SFA members?
• SFG Reunion meet-ups (coordinate with Pete Tingstrom to reserve space for any gatherings)
• Recognize the Son Tay Raiders (1970)?
• Annual SFACON Banquet (Formal Night/Cruise Elegant)

24 Oct (Thur) Tampa

• 0800: Arrive back in Tampa, FL
• 1130: Offload by time
• TBD: Ybor City Tours, Dinner
• “Last Out – Elegy of a Green Beret” play by Scott Mann at a local Tampa Theater (working on date and location options)

25 Oct (Fri) Tampa

• “Last Out – Elegy of a Green Beret” play by Scott Mann at a local Tampa Theater (working on date and location options)

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. .

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.