Florida
Florida’s Gulf Coast & Keys by Sea: Art, Nature & History
Program No. 25479RJ
Sail Florida’s Gulf Coast and Keys — explore St. Petersburg’s Dalí Museum, pontoon through the Everglades and explore Key West’s Little White House and Custom House Museum.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
25 meals (
9B, 7L, 9D
)
5 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
St. Petersburg
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m
Afternoon:
Program Registration & Orientation: 4:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, check in with the Road Scholar program staff. You will get any updated information. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions you have about the program. Ground travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served at hotel this evening
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
City Field Trip, Dali Museum
Location:
St. Petersburg
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motor coach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
Morning:
With a local expert, explore St. Petersburg history and historic preservation. See some of the important city neighborhoods and landmarks while learning about the city's past and present.
Lunch:
Afterwards we’ll head to the historic Albert Whited Airport and the unique Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge for a wonderful lunch.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, walk across the street to the Salvador Dalí Museum for an expert-led field trip. There has been a Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg for more 30 years. The spectacular modern building protects the most comprehensive private collection of Dalí's work outside Europe. The entire range of his work is displayed, from early Impressionist paintings through transitional surrealist works, and into his classical period. This constantly growing and evolving artist worked in all media, leaving behind a wealth of oils, watercolors, drawings, graphics, sculptures, films, photographs, performance pieces, jewels, and objects of all descriptions.
Dinner:
We'll walk to dinner at a local downtown restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Return to the hotel, prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow. Have luggage ready for pick-up and transport to the boat in the morning.
Day
3
St. Petersburg Art, Embarkation
Location:
St. Petersburg
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
American Cruise Lines - American Patriot
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motor coach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
Morning:
Have luggage ready for pick-up and transport to the American Cruise Line - Patriot before leaving for our morning activity. We’ll take a walk to Florida CraftArt, a non-profit gallery of fine crafts created in Florida. A local expert will join us there and lead us as we encounter St. Petersburg's most beautiful and interesting murals. Artists are turning buildings into works of art, some by local artists who paint with the permission of building orders, and some as the result of an annual festival that brings famous muralists from around the world. Visit the Chihuly Collection, a permanent collection of world-renowned Dale Chihuly's unusual artwork in a setting designed to his specifications.
Lunch:
On your own to explore the many options in downtown St. Petersburg
Afternoon:
After lunch on your own we will meet up and reboard the motorcoach, ride to the port, and board the Patriot. After completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to freshen up and relax. Kick off your journey with a Welcome Aboard Reception featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and lively entertainment. Meet the crew and your onboard experts and connect with fellow Road Scholars. We will participate in the mandatory safety briefing with everyone on board when announced. Please note: In addition to Road Scholar exclusive lectures, you are welcome to enjoy activities and events separate from the Road Scholar program during free time aboard the Patriot.
Dinner:
Enjoy first dinner aboard. Meals will feature cuisine that blends local flavors and fine culinary traditions. Dinners aboard will include complimentary house wines, house-select beers, coffees, teas, soft drinks.
Day
4
Marco Island , FL - Wildlife Cruise; Road Scholar Lecture
Location:
Marco Island
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
American Cruise Lines - American Patriot
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served aboard.
Morning:
Discover paradise on Marco Island, nestled along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Famous for its white sandy beaches, clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets, this peaceful getaway blends natural beauty with rich history. Once a trading center for the Calusa Indians, the island still holds traces of their culture through ancient shell mounds. Explore the largest mangrove forest in the Western Hemisphere, home to playful dolphins, manatees, and a wide variety of birds. Hop on a narrated wildlife cruise to spot dolphins up close, learn their names, and snap incredible photos. You’ll also get the chance to collect shells on remote beaches and soak in the serene subtropical scenery.
Lunch:
Lunch will be served aboard.
Afternoon:
We’ll gather for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served aboard.
Evening:
At Leisure.
Day
5
Key West, FL - Road Scholar Lecture, Custom House Museum
Location:
Key West
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
American Cruise Lines - American Patriot
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served aboard.
Morning:
We’ll gather for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch:
Lunch will be served aboard.
Afternoon:
Explore Key West by Trolley. We will go on a field trip to the Custom House Museum. This living link to Key West’s historic past was built in 1891 to house the island’s customs office, postal service, and district courts. “Old 91” is now the headquarters of the Key West Art and Historical Society that maintains a collection of artifacts and art significant to the Florida Keys. A local expert will lead us through this amazing space.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served aboard.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy a stroll to view the passing parade, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, wet your whistle in one of Hemingway's favorite hangouts. Hint: Two local bars lay claim to being his “real” favorite. Again, you have the suggestion to check-out the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square Dock. In Key West, watching the sun go down is a daily ritual accompanied by a festival with arts and crafts exhibitors, street performers, vendors, and a crowd of thousands of locals and visitors alike. People begin gathering about two hours before sunset for this multicultural “happening” that embodies the spirit of Key West.
Day
6
Key West, FL - Hemingway, Free Time
Location:
Key West
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
American Cruise Lines - American Patriot
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served aboard.
Morning:
Learn about some Key West's notable residents by visiting their homes. We will go on a literary journey of Key West starting with the Hemingway House, which we’ll reach by trolley. There, a local expert will lead us through the former residence of one of America’s most iconic writers, whose personal life was as colorful as any of his characters. Ernest Hemingway first visited Key West in 1928, arriving from Havana. We will learn about the lives and times of Hemingway and his wife, Pauline, in Key West, and about the house itself. Personal touches are still visible throughout the house, from European antiques to trophies and skins which are the legacy of Hemingway’s African safaris. It was at the house that Hemingway produced some of his best known works including “To Have And Have Not,” which is set in Key West. Descendants of his six-toed cat still flourish there. Afterwards, we will learn about Key West literary figure Tennessee Williams during an expert-led visit to an exhibit dedicated to the playwright. Afterwards, we will learn about Key West literary figure Tennessee Williams during an expert-led visit to an exhibit dedicated to the playwright.
Lunch:
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, off a select menu.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served aboard.
Evening:
At leisure
Day
7
Cruising, Road Scholar Lectures
Location:
Day at Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
American Cruise Lines - American Patriot
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served aboard.
Morning:
We’ll gather for another Road Scholar exclusive lecture. The rest of the morning is free for you to relax or engage in activities of your choice.
Lunch:
Lunch will be served aboard.
Afternoon:
We’ll gather for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture. The rest of the afternoon is free time to relax. Take in the breathtaking views from your private balcony, head to the sun deck to feel the fresh breeze as we sail onward or enjoy the onboard entertainment.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served aboard.
Day
8
Punta Gorda, FL - Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Garden
Location:
Punta Gorda
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
American Cruise Lines - American Patriot
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served aboard.
Morning:
Punta Gorda is a picturesque waterfront town on Florida's Gulf Coast with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. Once a fishing and farming hub, it played a key role in the phosphate industry, with railroads built to move the valuable minerals. Visitors can stroll through wide, historic streets designed by Colonel Isaac Trabue, shaded by moss-draped oaks and lined with charming Victorian homes. Set where the Peace River meets Charlotte Harbor, it offers stunning water views and plenty of boating, fishing, and eco-adventures. With year-round festivals and a vibrant historic district, Punta Gorda is a must-visit for history lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Visit the The Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda, Florida, is a 30-acre waterfront sanctuary where art and nature harmoniously blend. With a local expert, explore diverse ecosystems—marshlands, wetlands, mangroves, uplands, and a tidal basin—connected by winding trails. The gardens feature a year-round display of flowering plants alongside impressive sculptures from international artists.
Lunch:
Lunch will be served aboard.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Punta Gorda. Walk along the wharf and visit the Fisherman's village for an ice cream or visit the Military Heritage Museum’s on the waterfront.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served aboard.
Day
9
St. Petersburg, FL - Sunken Gardens
Location:
St. Petersburg
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
American Cruise Lines - American Patriot
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be served aboard.
Morning:
This morning, discover the beauty of the Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg’s oldest living museum and a lush, 100-year-old botanical haven. This tranquil escape in the heart of the city is home to thousands of tropical plants and flowers, including rare and exotic species planted over a century ago. Wander through winding paths on a self-guided tour and encounter colorful flamingos, rescued tropical birds, turtles, tortoises, and vibrant koi, all set within a stunning, historic landscape.
Lunch:
Lunch will be served aboard.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore St. Petersburg. Explore the St. Pete Pier and relax with a stunning view of the bay or learn about the local ecosystems at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
Dinner:
Dinner will be served aboard.
Day
10
St. Petersburg, FL --Disembarkation, Program Concludes
Location:
St. Petersburg
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out and disembarkation, followed by motorcoach transfer to the Tampa Airport
Breakfast:
Aboard in the dining room
Morning:
After disembarking, we’ll board a motorcoach and transfer to Tampa International Airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys back home!
