PRE-CRUISE EVENTS in TAMPA on FRIDAY 18 OCT:

  1. USSOCOM Memorial
    Who: Anyone
    What: Attend Memorial event at the USSOCOM Memorial
    Where: MacDill AFB USSOCOM Memorial
    When: October 18, 2024; TBD (in the am)
    Why: Learn more about the Memorial and Remember the Fallen
  1. USSOCOM Command Update
    Who: Anyone
    What: Hear the USSOCOM Chief of Staff give a SOCOM update on behalf of GEN Fenton and CSM Shorter
    Where: MacDill AFB Base Theater
    When: October 18, 2024; TBD (0900 or 1300)
    Why: Hear what USSOCOM is doing around the world.
  1. Motorcycle Ride Open to anyone:
    What: Motorcycle Ride
    Who / Why: Any motorcycle riders in the vicinity of Tampa, Florida
    When: Friday/18 October 2024 / 1030 –1530
    Where: Registration begins at 1030 at the ride start point, American Legion Post 138, 5535 W. Prescott St, Tampa, FL 33616.
    Special Instructions: Registration fee paid on site. $20 for the rider, and $10 for an additional passenger. Click on this link to register https://form.jotform.com/242624038882157
  1. What:5th Special Forces Group Happy Hour
    Who/Why: Tampa area-based 5th SFG alumni welcome our brothers who are in Tampa awaiting departure on the Global Gathering of Green Berets Cruise / Special Forces Association Annual meeting. +1’s are welcome.
    When: Friday / 18 October 2024 / 1630 – UTC
    Where: Yard House – Water Street – Downtown Tampa https://www.yardhouse.com/locations/fl/tampa/tampa-water-street/8394

    Special Instructions: Please RSVP at this link, so we know how much space to hold. https://forms.office.com/g/KAH4qH5X8s

  1. SFA Chapter Leader’s Meeting
    Who: SFA Chapter Leaders (max of two reps per chapter – Chapter President’s are the priority)
    What: SFA NBO October Chapter Leader’s Meeting (old President’s Meeting)
    Where: Tampa Tap Room, 13150 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618 (Also available via video MS Teams tele-conference – TBP)
    When: October 18, 2024; Open at 1500, meeting 1600-1700, and mingling until 1800. (All times Eastern)
    Why: This is one of our monthly meetings. We will discuss the vote of the Constitution changes and business prior to the General Membership Meeting later in the week. There will be food and beverage available.
    RSVP at: https://form.jotform.com/242656275915061

    Learn more about the Tampa Tap Room at https://tampataproom.com/

    Any questions, contact the SFA NBO President, Chris Wilkerson at president@specialforcesassociation.org

  1. 1st Special Forces Group Reactivation Party
    What: 1st Special Forces Group 40th Anniversary Reactivation Party
    Who/Why: Tampa area-based 1st SFG alumni welcome and our brothers who are in Tampa awaiting departure on the Global Gathering of Green Berets Cruise / Special Forces Association Annual meeting. +1’s are welcome.
    When: Friday / 18 October 2024 /1800-2200
    Where: Barrymore Hotel Downtown Tampa Riverwalk (Pool deck)
    Special Instructions: Food and Beverage will be provided

CRUISE EVENT CALENDAR:

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

  • Scuba-Diving Recert / Trip
  • Deep Sea Fishing (6 x slots avail) Captain Gerry Demarzo

Day 0: Fri 10/18 Tampa

  • TBD: SOCOM Command Briefing at MacDill Theater (POC: CSM Shane Shorter / USSOCOM Chief of Staff)
  • TBD: SOCOM Memorial Event (POC: Ken Wolf)
  • 1030-1530 Motorcycle Ride (POC: Adan Salas) 33 riders so far
  • 1500 / 1600-1700 / 1800 SFA NBO October Chapter Leader’s Meeting at the Tampa Tap Room (see above for RSVP) POC: Chris Wilkerson
  • 1630-UTC 5th SFG Happy Hour/Gathering at the Yard House Downtown Tampa (POC: Dean Franks)
  • 1800-2200 1st SFG 40th Reactivation Anniversary Party at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk (Pool Deck) (POC: Phil Grounds)

Day 1: Sat 10/19 Attire: Cruise Casual

  • 0800: Cruise Committee Team Meeting (in person)
  • 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
  • 1445-1600 Carnival Fun Team leads our Sail Away Party
  • 1500: VIPs not cruising prep to depart the ship (NLT 1530)
  • 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 (Hawaiian Theme Dress Night)

  • 0900: Icons of SF (Fred Rice will talk about COL Nick Rowe, Susan Rowe, COL Aaron Bank and Robin Moore) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1000: SFA Teamhouse Briefing / Overview (Pete Tingstrom) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1030: Military Appreciate Gathering (Cruise Director/Sister Luv) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1230: Horse Soldier Story (Peter Blackburn) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1330: SFLI/GBF/CDF/SOA Updates (20min/20min/5min/5min) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1430: Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day Movie 25 min (GBF) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1500: Guardians of the Green Beret Presentation (Rich Lallo) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1530: SFA Author Reading/Raffle 10 min ea (Brenda Morris, Joe Hastings, Michael Jackson, Scott Mann) in Queen Mary Lounge, 9 Aft
  • 1600: SF Berlin “Det A” 39th SF Movie 1 hr 17 min + Q&A (Charlie Ducket and Bob Mitchel) in Queen Mary Lounge, 9 Aft

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

  • 1500: 7th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1530: 10th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1600: Son Tay Raid Movie 1 hr 36 min in Queen Mary Lounge, 9 Aft
  • 1730: SF Liquor Tasting (Kevin Harry) TBD

Day 4: Tue 10/22 8am-4pm Nassau, The Bahamas

  • XXX: Bearded Clam Party / 211 signed up
  • 1515: 8th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 1530: 11th SFG Photo on Deck 15 Fwd (Sun Deck)
  • 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: 46th Company 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: Gold Star High Tea TBD
  • 1200: Last Out – Elegy of a Green Beret Movie 2 hrs 20 min (Scott Mann) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1500: Banquet Prelude Entertainment (Sister Luv) in Normandie Lounge 8 Fwd
  • 1520: Banquet Welcome/Guest Speaker/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) Elation Restaurant Deck 8
  • 1800: Banquet Opening Remarks (All) Elation Restaurant Deck 8
  • 1810: Dinner (All) Elation Restaurant Deck 8

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

  • 0800: Ship arrives to Tampa
  • 1130: Be off the ship
  • 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 (Need a POC to Chair this event)
  • TBD: Deep Sea Fishing (6 x slots avail) Captain Gerry Demarzo