The detailed schedule for the 2024 cruise will be available about one month before we depart. In general, we have classes during days at sea (there are four days at sea) from 10am-4pm and then dances every night.
GENERAL SCHEDULE for the Lindy and Balboa Cruise to the Panama Canal:
Due to differing schedules, we will not have a block of rooms at a Tampa hotel. However, here are some six suggested Pre-Cruise Hotels in Tampa:
• Roost Tampa
• Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
• Hyatt House Tampa Airport
• Aloft Downtown Tampa
• Hilton Downtown Tampa
• Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Tampa
Check Hotwire for hotels, too: Tampa Hotels
You can also find great deals on Airbnb.com in Tampa
Events in Tampa if you come in Early:
Wednesday, February 14th (Tampa):
Valentines Day Big Band Dance
Thursday, February 15th (Tampa):
Swing dance in the evening
Friday, February 16th (Tampa):
Swimming with Manatees during the day, Swing dance in the evening
Saturday, February 17th (Tampa):
All aboard for the Lindy and Balboa Cruise! We depart at 4pm. Many of the hotel listed above have a free or inexpensive shuttle to the cruise terminal. You can also use rideshare or a taxi.
Saturday on the ship: Check in, meet and greet, and dance to DJs
Sunday, February 18th (Day at Sea):
10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm: Dance Classes
5:30-7:30pm: Dance in Lounge
7:30pm-9pm: Dinner
Monday, February 19th (Day at Sea):
10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm: Dance Classes
5:30-7:30pm: Dance in Lounge
7:30pm-9pm: Dinner
Tuesday, February 20th (Limon, Costa Rica):
11am-7pm: Explore Costa Rica - excursions available through the ship on online. Book your excursions in advances for the best options.
6pm: Dancing at the end of the pier before getting on the ship.
Wednesday, February 21st (Panama Canal Partial Transit):
10am-1pm: Dance Classes
4:00pm: Dance on the deck as we pass through part of the Panama Canal
5:30-7:30pm: Dance in Lounge
7:30pm-9pm: Dinner
Thursday, February 22nd (Day at Sea):
10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm: Dance Classes
5:30-7:30pm: Dance in Lounge
7:30pm-9pm: Dinner
Friday, February 23rd (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands):
8am-5pm: Explore Grand Cayman - excursions available through the ship on online. Book your excursions in advances for the best options.
4pm: Dancing at the end of the pier before getting on the ship.
Saturday, February 24th (Day at Sea):
10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm: Dance Classes
5:30-7:30pm: Dance in Lounge
7:30pm-9pm: Dinner
Sunday, February 25th (Return to Tampa):
8:00am - start disembarkation, off the ship by 10am
Getting from the ship to the airport (Sunday, Feb. 25th):
Since many people have different times and schedules for their return flight and many are not going straight to the airport, we are all on our own getting to the airport to leave. Carnival has buses right outside usually for around $25 so if you need to leave right away, get off the ship early and get right on a bus. Leaving the ship starts early (around 8am) and goes until about 10am. If you have an early flight or need to leave early on Sunday for any reason, do not put your bags outside your door on Saturday night. You will have to take your bags off the ship yourself but you are usually first off in the morning and can go straight to a cab or bus.
For reference, please see the full schedule below from our February 2023 cruise:
Full class and dance schedule - please save to your phone to use less paper. Large copies will be posted near class spaces, too.
DOWNLOAD PDF of SCHEDULE
Pre-Cruise Hotels: Maison Dupuy French Quarter - 1001 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter - 124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Events in New Orleans if you come in Early:
Thursday, February 2nd (New Orleans):
Sigrid & the Zig Zags
Bamboula’s (516 Frenchmen)
1:15 pm - 5:30 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
Jenavieve Cooke & the Winding Boys
Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen)
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
Swing Nights in the Quarter w/
Maison Dupuy (1001 Toulouse)
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm class w/ Gabriel Cavallini
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm music
Suggested tip $5/set to the band, tip the instructors and support the venue
-
Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band
Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen)
10:00 pm - close
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
Other things to do and see in New Orleans: We recommend the World War 2 museum, having coffee and eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde (several locations), a jazz riverboat tour (https://www.steamboatnatchez.com/) Check the calendar of live music events the day before you arrive: https://www.wwoz.org/calendar/livewire-music
This website has excursions you can book in New Orleans: https://www.projectexpedition.com/trip/MTk0MTkz/
Friday, February 3rd (New Orleans):
Hot Toddy & His Fully Dressed Po Boys
Bamboula’s (516 Frenchmen)
2:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
The Jump Hounds
d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen)
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings
Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen)
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
Shotgun Jazz Band
Maison (508 Frenchmen)
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
Paradise Swing
Favela Chic (525 Frenchmen)
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar.
-
The Catahoulas
Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen)
10:00 pm - close
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
8pm - 10:30pm Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Tipatina's (501 Napoleon Ave.)
7pm-9:30pm Krewe de Boheme which goes right through Frenchman Street in front of Maison (https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-boheme).
Saturday, February 4th (New Orleans):
G & the Swinging Gypsies
Bamboula’s (516 Frenchmen)
2:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
James McClasky & the Rhythm Band
d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen)
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
Smoking Time Jazz Club
Maison (508 Frenchmen)
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
-
NOLA Rug Cutters
Favela Chic (525 Frenchmen)
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Suggested tip $5/set to the band and support the bar
6:30pm is the Krewe de Vieux parade (https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-du-vieux)
Sunday, February 5th: Getting on the ship
Shuttles from Maison Dupuy and Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter to the cruise terminal at 10:30am, 11:15am, and 12:00pm.
Maison Dupuy French Quarter - 1001 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter - 124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
You do not need a reservation and even if you are not staying at these hotels you can still get on one of the shuttles - just show up to one of the hotels. Cost is only $12 per person (cash only). Our ship is the Norwegian Breakaway. If not registered in advance, you are fine and can just show up to one of the hotels. The earlier shuttles are the most open. When you check in for your cruise you will need to choose a boarding time. Most are now after 12pm but you can still go earlier and check in, that system is to reduce lines.
General schedule:
Sunday 2/5: 5:30pm-7:30pm Check-in and meet and greet dance in the Bliss Lounge (Tiki Night)
Monday 2/6:
10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm: Classes in Manhattan Room & Bliss Lounge
5:30-7:30pm: Dance in Bliss Lounge (50’s Sock Hop)
7:30pm-9pm: Open dinner seating Manhattan Room
Tuesday 2/7:
11am-7pm Costa Maya, Mexico
Steve’s Pick: Chacchoben Pyramids & Lagoon Beach
Leon Tours phone or WhatsApp +52 19 84 14 26 153
6:00-7:30pm: dance on ship Mardi Gras Masquerade Formal
Wednesday 2/8: 8am-6pm Harvest Caye, Belize
Steve’s Pick: Beach by the port, snorkeling/kayaking.
6:00pm-7:30pm: dance in Bliss Lounge (Soul Night)
Thursday 2/9: 8am-5pm Roatan, Honduras.
Steve’s Pick: 10am-3pm Sloths, island tour, & beach. https://letsgoroatantours.com/lindycruise/
Let’s Go Roatan Tours on WhatsApp +504 9964 2030
5:30-7:30pm: dance in Bliss Lounge (Jungle Night)
Friday 2/10: 9am-7pm Cozumel, Mexico
Steve’s Pick: 10:30am-1:30pm Chankanaab National Marine Park.
2:30-6pm Dance in Cozumel with live band, a dance class, local food, and drinks all included for $25 Location: Salon El Encanto - Av. 85 S. & St. 21 S.
6:30pm-7:30pm: dance in Bliss Lounge (No theme)
Saturday 2/11: 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Classes in Manhattan Room & Bliss Lounge
5:30-7:30pm: Dance in Bliss Lounge (Disney Night)
7:30pm-9pm: Open dinner seating Manhattan Room
Sunday 2/12: 7am-10am Disembark in New Orleans.
EXCURSIONS:
Here are some suggestions for excursions on our cruise. You can join me for any or all of these or do your own thing. Some you can play by ear and some should be booked in advance.
Tuesday, Feb. 7th
Costa Maya, Mexico 11AM - 7PM
1) Seven Color Lagoon Adventure
2) Costa Maya's Chacchoben Mayan Ruins (Mayan Pyramids)
3) Relax on the beach
4) Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Tour
5) Snorkeling - beautiful clear blue water to explore ocean life.
Join Steve at: Chacchoben Pyramids and Beach club at lagoon: https://leontours.com/en/chacchoben-beach-club/
Use code "Lindy Cruise" in notes to stay with our group
Links to other excursions: - Boat tour Bacalar lagoon: https://leontours.com/en/bacalar-lagoon/ - Mayan Ruins Chacchoben: https://leontours.com/en/chacchoben-ruins/
Use code "Lindy Cruise" in notes to group together
Wednesday, Feb. 8th
Harvest Caye, Belize 8am-8pm
This is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise line
1) Relax on the beach
2) Zip line across the Caye
3) Kayak or Paddle Board over the coral reef
4) Waterfall Swim in the rainforest of Belize
5) Silk Cayes and Turtle Alley private snorkeling trip
Join Steve at: Hanging out on the beach by the port, snorkeling, and kayaking. Possibly zip lining or jet skiing but playing that by ear.
Excursions can be booked on the Norwegian app or at www.ncl.com
Thursday, Feb. 9th
Roatan, Honduras 8AM - 5PM
1) Hold a sloth and have monkeys climb on you
2) Half-Day Horseback Riding, Zip Line, & Sloths
3) 3 Stop Snorkeling Adventure, Shipwreck, Starfish & Blue Channel
4) Superman Zip Line and Beach
5) West Bay Beach Resort Getaway at Tabyana Beach
Join Steve at: Holding sloths, a tour of the island with stops at the rum and chocolate factory, a stop for photos and dancing at the ROATAN letters, and then the beach. Disregard the price of $55. Our tour will be from 10am-3pm and we have a special rate of $35 plus you can add extras you want like horseback riding, zip line, or snorkeling. Must register in advance! A $10 deposit is needed to hold your space and pay the rest in person. Use code "Lindy Cruise" in the notes and list your extras if you want any when you sign up through here: https://letsgoroatantours.com/lindycruise/
Friday, Feb. 10th
Cozumel, Mexico
9AM - 7:00PM
1) Dolphin Swim Adventure at Chankanaab National Marine Park
2) Bus to Tulum ruins
3) Snorkel El Cielo and Colombia Reef with Playa Mia
4) Amazing Underground River/ Cenotes
5) Jeep And Snorkel Combo Tour
Join Steve at: Chankanaab National Marine Park from 10:30am-1:30pm for relaxing and dancing at the beach (swimming with dolphins or Manatees is optional here). There are shuttles right off the ship that will take you here. Then heading to the dance with a live band in Cozumel Link to tours in Cozumel: https://www.projectexpedition.com/trip/MTk0MTkz/
Cozumel, Mexico part 2:
2:30PM - 6:00PM
Local Cozumel dancers have organized a dance from 2:30-6pm.
Dance lesson with some of our instructors 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Dance to a LIVE SWING BAND from 3:15pm-6pm.
Local food, drinks, band, lesson all included. $25 fee to the local organizers. Shuttles from the ship to the venue at 2:00pm and shuttles back to the ship at 6pm. You can also go straight there from your excursion or take a taxi near the port at any time. Just give the driver the address below.
Location: Salon El Encanto - Av. 85 S. & St. 21 S.
Join Steve here and everyone is welcome at this event! Pay at the door to the local organizers, no registration required, just show up. I highly recommend attending this one!
Getting from the ship to the airport (Sunday, Feb. 12th):
Transportation from the cruise terminal to the airport on Sunday, Feb. 12th - Since many people have different times and schedules for their return flight and many are not going straight to the airport, we are all on our own getting to the airport to leave. Norwegian has buses right outside usually for around $25 so if you need to leave right away, get off the ship early and get right on a bus. Leaving the ship starts early (around 7am) and goes until about 10am. If you have an early flight or need to leave early on Sunday for any reason, do not put your bags outside your door on Saturday night. You will have to take your bags off the ship yourself but you are usually first off in the morning and can go straight to a cab or bus.