2025 Reunion FAQ

May 22–25, 2025, at the Higgins Hotel in New Orleans

Please read this carefully before registering. Most questions are answered here.

Last updated: June 17, 2024

Registration form and hotel booking link are found below this FAQ.

Q: Who chose New Orleans and why?

A: The reunion committee, which is the board of directors of the USS South Carolina Association, chose the location after evaluating several options. Reunion organizers for the past few years have been asked to choose a location that shipmates who live further west would be able to attend more easily. We also felt that a “destination city” would encourage more people to come.

Q: Why did you choose Memorial Day weekend?

A: It had the best rates and options available. Based on feedback we received from several shipmates, we have scheduled the reunion on the same timeline as in the past (Thursday check-in, Sunday check-out) so that those who take part in Memorial Day events at home are able to do so, although you may choose to come earlier or stay longer. We are hoping to find a local Memorial Day ceremony option for those who stay through.

Q: What is the cost?

A: Full-price registration is $159 for crew members and $139 for guests, including taxes and fees. There is an “early bird” discount of $10 per crew member for those who register prior to December 1, 2024. In addition, any crew member who is an active member (donor) of the association at the time of registration will receive an additional $10 discount on their crew registration via a coupon code that is valid through Nov. 30 of the donation year. A penalty rate of $169 per person (crew or guest) will be in force after April 30, 2025, until registration closes on May 16, 2025.

NO REGISTRATION CAN BE ACCEPTED AFTER FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025.

We have negotiated a hotel group rate of $169 per night (plus tax) at the Higgins Hotel, which is affiliated with the National World War II Museum. The Higgins offered us a substantial discount as a military group — lower than any other rate we were offered by as much as $50 per night. A link to book our discounted hotel rate follows the registration form below and will be included in your confirmation email.

Q: When is the discounted hotel rate valid?

A: The discounted group rate is valid for check-in as early as Monday, May 19, and check-out as late as Wednesday, May 28. Regular rates apply outside those dates. The regular rate at the Higgins ranges from $250 to more than $500 per night. Reservations must be made by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, April 22. After that, it will be at the discretion of the hotel to offer rooms at our discounted rate.

Q: Can I pay offline, without a credit card?

A: The preferred method of registration is via our Ticketspice.com web form below. If you wish to pay by check, please email info@socar37.org for instructions. Offline payment will not be accepted after April 18, 2025.

Q: What does my registration fee include?

A: Attendance at the Saturday night banquet and full access to our hospitality suite, as well as a complementary admission ticket for our group outing to the National World War II Museum on Friday, May 23, provided by Warrior Reunion Foundation (for those who book by March 28, 2025). Snacks and beverages, including beer and liquor, will be provided. Note, the room rate does not include breakfast for this reunion. See below for more information on the museum visit. If you register after March 28, you may purchase a museum ticket at our discounted group rate.

Q: Why is it more expensive than past years?

A: Most venues are much higher in cost than they were just a few years ago. The anticipated cost to the association to produce this event is more than $2,000, plus the per-person cost for the banquet. The association does have funds from the 2021 silent auction, membership and other donations, and at least some of that will be used for this reunion (for example, we had to make a down payment before registration for this reunion opened). The cost was calculated to ensure the reunion could be paid for even with minimal turnout — the association does not “break even” unless we have numbers similar to the 2023 event. We were able to control costs in 2023 because we were working with a hotel which had hosted us previously, and because we had financial support from the Warrior Reunion Foundation, which is again assisting the association in offering a more comprehensive reunion experience.

Q: What is the refund policy?

A: Refunds are not available unless you choose to add optional purchase protection at time of registration, or unless the Association or the hotel cancels the event entirely.

When purchasing your ticket(s), you will be offered the option of purchasing a protection plan. A protection plan will refund you 100% of your event fees should you be prevented from attending the reunion due to covered, unforeseen circumstances as defined by the plan. Covered situations include death in the family; emergency health issues; home emergencies, including crime against your family; transportation failure; severe weather and other acts of nature; legal, employment and public service obligations. Purchase protection cannot be added after completing your registration. Purchase protection is from a separate company and is optional. Please read purchase protection terms and conditions.

In the unlikely event that the reunion is canceled by the Association or the venue, and purchase protection does not apply, you will receive a refund of the amount you paid for registration minus $10 per person (to offset non-recoverable and non-refundable fees paid by the Association).

No other refund options are offered or available. The Association offers no refunds unless the event itself is canceled. You are encouraged to consider purchase protection when you register.

Q: Can I cancel my hotel reservation without penalty?

A: Rooms booked at the Higgins using our group rate may be canceled up to 72 hours before check-in. After that, the hotel will charge your card used to guarantee the reservation for one night’s stay. The hotel also has an early departure fee of one night’s stay should you leave before your scheduled check-out date. Exceptions to these charges may be made at the discretion of the hotel in the event of an emergency.

Q: Can I attend the reunion without registering and paying the fee, or without attending the banquet?

A: No. For liability purposes, you must be a paid registrant of the reunion to take part in any activities.

Q: Will there be walk-in sales?

A: No. We must provide an accurate count for dinner prior to the event, and can only make minimal adjustments, with the hotel’s approval, as the date of the event approaches.

Q: Can I bring my own beer/liquor to the hospitality suite?

A: NO. In accordance with local statutes, only alcohol purchased at the hotel may be served in the suite or consumed in public areas of the hotel. Any alcoholic beverages you bring to the hotel may be consumed in your private room. The association will provide beverages, including beer and liquor, in the hospitality suite. You may also purchase drinks at the hotel bar.

Q: Is it true I can carry open containers of beer/liquor in the streets?

A: In the French Quarter area only, as long as it is not a glass container. Louisiana’s open container laws apply in other areas of the city (including the area where the hotel is located).

Q: May I bring memorabilia, such as my cruise book?

A: Absolutely! Please feel free to share your memories of your time onboard — not just cruise books, but photos and other mementos. Neither the association nor the hotel are responsible for damage to or loss of private property brought to the reunion.

Q: When is the hospitality suite open? 

A: The suite will be open Thursday afternoon (time TBD) and Friday no later than 4 p.m. and will remain open until at least 11 p.m. each night. The hospitality room will be open Saturday after the banquet with closing time no earlier than 11 p.m. We encourage those who bring memorabilia into the room to remove it Saturday. Personal belongings not retrieved from the suite will be turned over to hotel lost and found.

Q: What other events are planned?

A: We are planning to visit the National World War II Museum as a group on Friday, May 23. Each person registered by March 28, 2025, will receive a ticket to the museum, provided by Warrior Reunion Foundation, the same organization that assisted with our 2023 reunion. At time of registration, you also will have the opportunity to purchase add-on tickets for an additional day at the museum and either of two programs offered to enhance your museum visit (see next answer for more information).

In conjunction with the city's visitors bureau, we will provide tourism assistance to those who wish to visit historic and other sites in New Orleans. Because we cannot predict what any particular things might interest different guests, we are not offering other group outings.

The French Quarter is not far from the hotel and accessible by streetcar. The Quarter is renowned for buskers in Jackson Square, shopping in the French Market, and museums highlighting the city’s voodoo, jazz and pharmaceutical history. Mardi Gras World, on the waterfront, shows the process of building the floats for the city’s famous carnival celebrations.

We will again hold a silent auction to raise funds for the association.

Q: What are the optional museum offers?

A: Your museum group ticket is valid for admission on Friday, May 23, only. You may choose to purchase an optional return ticket valid on any day after our group visit; admission to the Victory Theater presentation of “Beyond All Boundaries;” or admission to the Freedom Theater. Each of these is normally available for $11 per event, per person, but the association will sell these optional tickets for $10 at time of registration only. With sufficient participation, the museum will consider and exclusive showing of “Beyond All Boundaries” for our group, and it is an excellent introduction to the museum. Even if you skip the other options, we encourage you to consider this film.

The Freedom Theater offers audiences a multimedia experience focused on what was at stake during World War II and the meaning of Allied victory. The production highlights how freedom almost vanished from the world in the 1930s and 1940s, efforts to protect and promote freedom during and after World War II, and how each generation has a responsibility to defend democracy, protect freedom, and advance human rights. This option is available at 20 and 50 minutes after the hour and you must reserve a time when you enter the museum. Space is extremely limited.

Beyond All Boundaries is a 4D journey through the war that changed the world. This museum-produced experience is narrated by executive producer Tom Hanks. Beyond All Boundaries features dazzling effects, CGI animation, multilayered environments, and first-person accounts from the trenches to the Home Front read by Brad Pitt, Tobey Maguire, Gary Sinise, Patricia Clarkson, Wendell Pierce and more. Depending on the number who choose this option, the museum may schedule a private showing for our group on arrival. Otherwise, it is shown once per hour and you must reserve a time when you enter the museum. Space is limited.

Q: Will I receive a shirt or other gifts, as in 2023?

A: Members of the reunion committee usually provide token gifts. The shirts, aluminum mugs and string bags at the last reunion were provided by Warrior Reunion Foundation, not the association, and will not be offered for this reunion. Commemorative items may be available for sale.

Q: Should I bring a guest?

A: Yes! Wives, girlfriends and family members (including children and grandchildren) are welcome, and tickets for guests are discounted. Some of us will come alone, others will not. Some family members enjoy the chance to meet your shipmates and learn more about your time in the Navy — especially spouses and significant others that were not in your life when you served.

Q: Does the hotel offer shuttle service?

A: No — hotels in New Orleans do not offer shuttle services. Private taxi fare from the airport is approximately $45 including tip. Ride share and third-party shuttle services may vary in price. The airport is in Kenner, about 15 miles from New Orleans.

The Amtrak station in New Orleans is about a mile from the hotel. Three long-distance train routes serve the city: the Crescent (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic states), City of New Orleans (Midwest) and Sunset Limited (Southwest). Again, you must provide your own transportation to and from the hotel; taxis generally are waiting for arriving passengers from any of these trains.

Q: How do I get around in New Orleans?

A: The city’s streetcar system serves the French Quarter, the Garden District, Canal Street and the Waterfront. There also are several bus routes in the tourism area. You can purchase rides individually or use daily, three-day or seven-day passes that can be purchased from ticket vending machines or used on your smart phone. There is a station within three blocks of our hotel. Taxis and ride share services are available but pickup and drop points may be limited based on time of day.

Q: Should I rent a car?

A: No — you are advised NOT to rent a car. Driving is difficult in central New Orleans, and parking is both limited and expensive. Traffic may be restricted at times in the French Quarter, sometimes with little or no notice. The hotel’s discounted garage parking rate is $45 per day. Open lots near the hotel are only slightly less expensive and do not include the option to come and go (the hotel garage offers in and out privilege).

Q: Will there be a “ship’s store”?

A: As at past reunions, some individuals will be authorized to sell commemorative items. In addition, the association is working on opening an online storefront through our website to sell clothing and other items, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the association.

Q: Who is going from when I was onboard?

A: This question is always asked, and we always have the same answer: We don’t control who signs up, or when. You might be the first from your division, or even your era. If you want to see particular groups represented, make that known through the reunion Facebook group or other personal connections — invite them, encourage them to join us. Sign up and YOU will be coming, and we will be glad to see you. Tell the people you want to see again to sign up and you can see them, too. The more, the merrier.

Remember, that person may be waiting on you while you wait on them, and then both of you miss out. Don’t take that chance!

All of us who attended in the past have learned that you will definitely see some old friends, and definitely make some new ones. Trust us, it’s worth coming — the small group that put this together wouldn’t do so if we didn’t believe that.

Q: What will you do with the information you collect?

A: Ticketspice.com and its payment processor, Webconnex Payments, require billing and payment information in order to charge your credit card. Payment information will NOT be shared with the USS South Carolina Association.

The Higgins Hotel requires billing and payment information for hotel reservation purposes. Reservation information will NOT be shared with the USS South Carolina Association, other than names and the number of room nights Association members have booked.

Any other information you provide to the association will be used only for reunion-related activities. None of your personal information will be shared or sold.

Q: What is the USS South Carolina Association?

A: The Association was formed and incorporated in 2023 to perpetuate the unit’s name and history, remove individual liability and, where applicable, qualify for tax-exempt status to reduce the cost of future reunions. Prior to 2022, all reunions were organized and initially funded by individual crew members who had to risk financial loss to do so.

Q: Am I a member of the Association?

A: Anyone who makes a minimum, tax-deductible donation to the association is considered a member in good standing for that year. Our donation year begins on Giving Tuesday, which immediately follows Thanksgiving. Membership is included in the registration fee for each reunion. Members at the time of registration will receive a discount on their registration to reunions. You are not required to be a member in advance to register for or attend reunions.

Q: My question is not answered here.

A: Send it to info@socar37.org. We’ll do our best to get you an answer.