To commemorate the inaugural Special Forces Legacy Initiatives (SFLI) cruise, Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, will take on the challenge of tandem skydiving on Oct. 19. She will jump with the Round Canopy Parachute Team, a non-profit organization that celebrates the legacy of Allied Airborne Forces, alongside members of the USSOCOM Para-Commandos, the U.S. Special Operations Command’s elite parachute demonstration unit. The jump will occur as the Carnival Paradise departs from Port Tampa Bay.
Duffy aims to raise $50,000 to aid hurricane relief through the Gary Sinise Foundation, which was founded in 2011 by the acclaimed actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise. The organization has been a long-standing advocate for military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their families. The foundation’s current hurricane relief initiatives are focused on providing support for first responders and military personnel who are working around the clock to assist communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, known for performing over 40 concerts worldwide to uplift communities, will play on embarkation day.
“I have never jumped from an airplane before, so I believe this event can raise at least $50,000 for the Gary Sinise Foundation and their mission to assist military personnel and first responders engaged in hurricane relief efforts,” stated Duffy. “Claiming that Carnival is America’s Cruise Line and the preferred cruise line for active-duty military and veterans is one thing, but demonstrating that commitment is another, and I am always eager to take the leap to show it!”
She will make her jump from the “Tico Belle,” a C-47 aircraft that served in World War II and was flown during the Normandy D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. To view a video of Duffy discussing the jump, click here. To contribute and help Duffy and Carnival achieve their goal of $50,000 for the Gary Sinise Foundation, click here.
The Special Forces Legacy Initiatives cruise is a groundbreaking event, where Carnival Paradise has been chartered to provide special forces veterans, their families, Gold Star families, and friends with a five-day cruise to The Bahamas, fostering community bonds. This unique cruise will reunite Green Berets who have served from the Korean War to present times.
In partnership with Carnival, SFLI has collaborated with Dream Vacations, the Gary Sinise Foundation, the USSOCOM Para-Commandos Parachute Demonstration Team, and the Round Canopy Parachute Team to provide an unforgettable experience for all cruise attendees.
For further details about Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, please call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or reach out to your preferred travel advisor or online travel booking site. For more information about the Gary Sinise Foundation, go to www.garysinisefoundation.org.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, a segment of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), becomes the first cruise line to serve over 100 million guests and proudly claims the title of America’s Cruise Line, catering to more Americans than any other line and serving more U.S. homeports. Since its establishment in 1972, Carnival has continually transformed the cruise industry and popularized cruise vacations as a fun and affordable travel choice. The line operates from 14 U.S. and two Australian homeports and offers seasonal services from Europe, employing over 48,000 team members from 120 different nationalities.
Carnival’s fleet of 27 vessels represents a dynamic phase of growth, which will continue with an influx of seven new ships through 2033: two ships expected to join in February 2025 when P&O Cruises Australia merges with Carnival, a fourth and fifth Excel class ship set for 2027 and 2028, respectively, along with three additional new ships from an innovative class currently in development. Additionally, Carnival will introduce its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, set to open next summer on Grand Bahama.
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