Schedule – Lindy Cruise

The schedules will be posted closer to departure dates but the latest cruise schedule is below so you get an idea of classes and dances offered.

SCHEDULE for the 2024 Lindy and Balboa Cruise to the Panama Canal: PDF of schedule here

Wednesday, Feb. 14th 6:45pm-11pm (if you are coming in this early)
Valentine's Swing Dance - LIVE Music with TWO swing bands!
Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Boulevard South, Gulfport, Florida 33707
Get tickets in advance.
FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/394504372971351
Things to do in Tampa: https://www.visittampabay.com/things-to-do/

Tours available on Viator: https://www.viator.com/St-Petersburg/d5403-ttd
- Dolphin Shelling Snorkeling Cruise in Tampa
- Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
- Night Mangroves LED Tour on a Glass Bottom Kayak

Thursday, Feb. 15th 8pm-11pm
Dance to live music from Hot Tonic
The Floridian Social Club – 687 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL
https://www.facebook.com/events/1791746164572578
Things to do in Tampa: https://www.visittampabay.com/things-to-do/

Thursday, February 15 7pm-10:30pm
Salsa/Latin Night
Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Boulevard South, Gulfport, Florida
$10
FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/120258184419018/120258327752337

Friday, Feb. 16th
Two chances to see Manatees in Tampa:
9:30am-4:00pm

1. Kayaking with Manatees at Weeki Wachee State Park (about 45 minutes North of Tampa by Uber)

Plan Your Paddling Trip

Scroll down to “State Park Kayaking Experience” and choose the 12noon-2pm kayak adventure or anytime close to that time.
We will leave from the Godfrey Hotel in Tampa at 9:30am and return to the Godfrey around 4pm. Godfrey: 7700 W Courtney Campbell Cswy, Tampa, FL, 33607.
Note we will meet to share Uber rides. You can also just go straight to Weeki Wachee State Park for the time you book (try for noon so we can do it together) (Join Steve on this one)
This place is also a theme park with women swimming in mermaid tails and water slides.
You can use the FB event page to coordinate the group in the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/events/882298836186158

2. Swimming with Manatees in the Crystal River (about an hour and 15 minutes North of Tampa)
Steve did this for his birthday one year and it is a blast. You get in the water and swim with Manatees. You can hear them chomping on underwater grasses. Highly recommend this experience. Book with Fun 2 Dive in any open space between 11am-3pm. Those wanting to go can carpool or you will need to arrange transportation there. You can use the FB event page to coordinate the group in the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/events/882298836186158
Book here: https://www.fun2dive.com/

5pm-8pm
Swing dance in the Park to two DJ’s playing swing and soul music
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park - 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Free, all ages welcome. Come dance with cruisers and Tampa dancers.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1039722967140189

GETTING TO THE SHIP: We depart at 4pm. Many of the hotels listed above have a free or inexpensive shuttle to the cruise terminal. You can also use rideshare (Lyft/Uber) or a taxi. Carnival Cruise Port Terminal: Port Tampa Bay, 815 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Themes on the ship (optional) - so you know what to pack (not yet in order and we may update):
Crazy hair night – Hosted by Paul and Laura
Hollywood Glamour Night (formal night) Hosted by Jerry and Kat
1950's Sock Hop/Rockabilly Night – Hosted by Terry and Cindy
Disney or Disney Bounding (google what that is) - hosted by Camille and Emma
Tiki/Hawaiian Night – Hosted by Steve
Fantasy Night – Formal OR Pirates/Magical Creatures/Knights/Kings/Queens/ - think Ren Faire – Hosted by Ashley
Animal Print or Jungle Night – Hosted by Jerry and Kat
1960’s and 70’s Soul Night – Hosted by Steve

Classes in (beginning to advanced levels): Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Charleston, Line Dances, Salsa/Latin, ukulele (bring a ukulele to learn swing songs!), and so much more!!

Saturday, February 17th (on the ship):
5:00pm-8:00pm: Check in, meet and greet, and dance to DJs
THEME: Come as you are (You might not have your luggage yet)
8:00pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9pm-midnight: Dance to bands on the ship
Midnight-2am: Late night dance on the deck – Deck 9 forward in front of the gym (may move during the week)

Sunday, February 18th (Day at Sea):
10am-3pm: Dance Classes (Two classes at a time of different levels)
3:30pm-4:30pm Ukulele class with Camille
5:30-8:00pm: Dance in Beauties Nightclub
8:15pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9:30pm-midnight: Dance to bands on the ship
Midnight-2am: Late night dance on the deck – Deck 9 forward in front of the gym (may move during the week)

Monday, February 19th (Day at Sea):
10am-3pm: Dance Classes (Two classes at a time of different levels)
3:30pm-4:30pm Ukulele class with Camille
5:30-8:00pm: Dance in Beauties Nightclub
8:15pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9:30pm-midnight: Dance to bands on the ship
Midnight-2am: Late night dance on the deck – Deck 9 forward in front of the gym (may move during the week)

Tuesday, February 20th (Limon, Costa Rica):
11am-7pm: Explore Costa Rica - excursions available through the ship or online. Book your excursions in advance for the best options. Note: We do not book excursions for anyone. This is time for you to do things on your own or form a group. Talk to people at dances if you haven’t decided.

Suggested excursions - you can book in advance, book on the ship through Carnival, or you can play by ear when you get off the ship. https://www.shoreexcursioneer.com/puerto-limon
Top choices: white water rafting or sloth encounter

6:30-8:00pm: Dance in Beauties Nightclub
8:00pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9pm-midnight: Dance to bands on the ship
Midnight-2am: Late night dance on the deck – Deck 9 forward in front of the gym (may move during the week)

Wednesday, February 21st (Panama Canal Partial Transit):
10am-12pm: Dance Classes
1:00pm: Possible dancing on the deck as we pass through part of the Panama Canal

5:30-8:00pm: Dance in Beauties Nightclub
8:15pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9:30pm-midnight: Dance to bands on the ship
Midnight-2am: Late night dance on the deck – Deck 9 forward in front of the gym (may move during the week)

Thursday, February 22nd (Day at Sea):
10am-3pm: Dance Classes (Two classes at a time of different levels)
3:00pm-4:00pm Ukulele class with Camille
4:15pm-4:30pm GROUP PHOTO in Atrium Deck 2
5:30-8:00pm: Dance in Beauties Nightclub
8:15pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9:30pm-midnight: Dance to bands on the ship

Friday, February 23rd (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands):
8am-5pm: Explore Grand Cayman - excursions available through the ship or online. Book your excursions in advance for the best options.

Suggested excursions - you can book in advance, book on the ship through Carnival, or you can play by ear when you get off the ship. https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/port/grand-cayman-excursions?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwp8OpBhAFEiwAG7NaEqQaDFLo-9S_LAttvSbm_C69NBqiz0R7xcVEktb7-_gLIG4_YUt_1hoCfIYQAvD_BwE

Top choice: swimming with Giant Sting Rays at Sting Ray City
Note: We do not book excursions for anyone. This is time for you to do things on your own or form a group. Talk to people at dances if you haven’t decided.

4pm: Dancing at the end of the pier or beach right by the pier before getting on the ship.

Saturday, February 24th (Day at Sea):
10am-3pm: Dance Classes (Two classes at a time of different levels)
3:30pm-4:30pm Ukulele class with Camille
5:30-8:00pm: Dance in Beauties Nightclub
8:15pm-9:30pm: Dinner
9:30pm-midnight: Dance to bands on the ship
Midnight-2am: Late night dance on the deck – Deck 9 forward in front of the gym (may move during the week)

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 $30 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.

The ship does have shows on board and we will do our best to get group seating for shows. It is best to get tickets for shows the moment you board the ship on Saturday.

Important links:

Please note that this schedule may change and we could get more space or less space for classes and dances once aboard the ship but this schedule is our starting point.

Please join the Facebook event page for updates and a roommate finder: https://www.facebook.com/events/882298836186158

I can't wait to see you and dance with you!

Steve Conrad