Home for the Holidays
Starting on Saturday, December 21, 2024, Signature Jazz Cruises’ offices will be closed until Thursday, January 2, 2025. Usually, we are unable to experience time off between Christmas and New Year’s due to the early January cruising schedule. For 2025, our ship, Celebrity Summit, will be in drydock in mid-January so our first sailing (The Jazz Cruise) will embark later than usual (January 28, 2025).
Giving our team the opportunity to spend the holidays with their friends and families is a blessing and a treat.
This schedule does not mean that you cannot connect with us.
- Zendesk, our 24/7 guest connection system will be operating as usual. If you have a question, simply contact us at info@scecruises.com and we will respond.
- Guests with active reservations can access their accounts by clicking on “Booked Guests” on the website of their cruise.
- Anyone wishing to reserve a stateroom on any cruise program may access the online reservation procedure for that program.
And, of course, if you are really stuck and need an answer, just send me an email and I will respond as soon as possible. Now, if the question is too complicated, I may need to “call a friend”!
Being on holiday does not stop The Weekender from its weekly publication. New issues will be in your email inbox on Saturday, December 21, and December 28. With all this activity going on, we will “pause” Jazz Notes until March 5, 2025, a few days after the upcoming cruises.
Final note before a quick rundown of the special events on the upcoming sailings, Christmas and Hannukah are on December 25 and Kwanzaa starts on December 26. I cannot recall all three celebrations so closely timed.
Regardless of which holiday you observe, or if you do not celebrate any holiday, take some time this season to share goodwill with as many people as you can. For us, presenting music is our gift to you and yours. Your support and participation is our reward.
Happy Holidays!
Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences
michael@scecruises.com
More Than Music: Special Events for the ’25 Sailings
The team at Signature Cruise Experiences, formerly Jazz Cruises, is very proud of the great music performed by our incredible lineup of artists, as well as of the quality of the production overseen by Brian Rachko. However, every cruise program features much more than music and we’re not talking about the food and drink.
From conversations and interviews to contests and games, there is a plethora of special events that happen off the bandstand every day. For this final edition of Jazz Notes before our sailings, we wanted to give our current (and future) guests a bit of a preview of just a few of the many opportunities to interact with both the artists and fellow guests on each sailing.
Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant
The Jazz Cruise
The flagship program now celebrating its 25th anniversary has always featured a wide variety of special events and activities, starting with the T-Shirt party on the pool deck. As an ode to our 25th anniversary, we’ll also host a Vintage TJC T-shirt Gathering where guests are encouraged to wear a t-shirt from one of the past sailings. For our ever popular conversations with the artists, we’re fortunate to have artists who deftly handle the interviewing duties. After all, there’s something unique about artists talking with one another. For the last few years, our host Christian McBride has taped editions of his SiriusXM radio show The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian. This year, he’s planning to speak (and play) with the Eubanks Brothers, Emmet Cohen and Dan Wilson. Also ably hosting interview sessions are John Clayton, Renee Rosnes, Catherine Russell and Shelly Berg (who also will present his informative JazzU session).
This past year I hosted for the first time four “Jazz on Film” sessions in which we showed archival footage of a jazz legend and had our artists talk about the subject. This year we’ll present rare footage of Oscar Peterson, Carline Ray, Peggy Lee and Wes Montgomery, with expert commentary from some special guests.
A more recent and very popular addition to the schedule of The Jazz Cruise is “Star Feud,” a game show hosted by Alonzo Bodden, that this year will pit Vocalists vs. Pianists. Betting on the results is not legal, but encouraged nonetheless.
Our cruise director Mario Vines is all over the ship hosting all sorts of activities, including “Who Wants to Be a Jazzillionaire?” and “CoffeeTalk” amongst others. Don’t forget the one-of-a-kind Passenger Jam in which our guests spend hours making their own music, often hosted by one of our artists.
There are also signings, morning stretches, pickleball, wine-tastings, martini-making and other fun events, which I’ll talk about with the other programs.
Botti at Sea
As host for Botti at Sea, Chris not only performs with his all-star band, but also interviews some of his fellow artists. This past year, he hosted engaging conversations with David Foster, Gregory Porter and Samara Joy. During the 2025 sailing, Chris will be talking with David again, as well as with Diana Krall. Chris will also do a meet-and-greet signing that is sure to be a hit with our guests. Our executive director, Michael Lazaroff, will get into the act to do an interview with esperanza spalding. And, Cameron Smith, Emmet Cohen and Benny Benack III will host conversations with Peter Cincotti, John Splithoff and a panel of vocalists, respectively. Mario will be interviewing various artists during his morning CoffeeTalks, including Sullivan Fortner, Godwin Lewis, Benny Benack III, and Antonio Sanchez & Thana Alexa. In addition to all his other duties, Mario will host fun shows like “Battle of the Sexes” and “The Marriage Game,” to name just a few.
Alonzo will return to host the very popular “Band Feud,” this time pitting Kamasi Washington’s band against Chris Botti’s. Kamasi’s group is hoping to improve upon their performance from a few years ago, when they were demolished by Team Robert Glasper, something Alonzo is sure to remind them about. One event that came out of The Smooth Jazz Cruise is the “Listening Party” hosted by one of our artists who plays and discusses the music from a recent or upcoming album. Mindi Abair, Morgan James and Antonio Sanchez will spotlight their music during the ’25 program. Antonio will also be my guest during a “Jazz on Film” session in which he discusses his dynamic soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film, Birdman. The other three “Jazz on Film” segments will spotlight Jaco Pastorius, Oscar Peterson and Chet Baker.
For those who want to stay fit during the week, every morning Dominique will host her “Morning Stretch” followed by a “Fitness Class” out on the pool deck. Dancing is exercise too and DJ Rio will keep the party going every night with a dance party.
Finally, Botti at Sea ’25 coincides with the Super Bowl and, on that Super Sunday, we’ll have a series of special events including a poker tournament, beer tasting, “Pick-the-Winner” session, “Tailgate Buffet” and lots more, capped by a screening of the game in various venues. And, if your team wins, you can light a victory cigar and join Wycliffe Gordon for his late night “Cigars Under the Stars.”
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
One group of events we didn’t discuss in detail is the beverage sessions, that are a regular feature on every program. On both sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, guests will have the opportunity to mix, mingle and perhaps drink with some of our artists, such as Jonathan Butler with the always popular “Walk Around The World Wine Tasting,” Vincent Ingala doing “Interactive Martini Mixing,” Candy Dulfer with “Food & Wine Pairing,” DW3 with a “Mixology Contest” and “Wine and Jazz Tasting” with vintners Mindi Abair and Eric Guerra.
Kirk Whalum, Boney James, Jonathan Butler and Judith Hill will spin some of their recent music during their immersive Listening Party sessions. Kirk, an ordained minister, will preside over the “Renewal of Vows” for those couples wanting to affirm their commitment. One tradition unique to The Smooth Jazz Cruise is the “Divine Nine Challenge” explained in detail in the latest edition of The Weekender. Read all about it here.
Another event unique to The Smooth Jazz Cruise is “Ping Pong Wars” with Boney James’ team taking on Brian Culbertson and his crew in a series of table tennis matches culminating in an always prized championship. In another don’t-miss contest, Alonzo will preside over The Smooth Jazz Cruise edition of “Band Feud,” this time featuring “The Battle of the Sexes,” with the male musicians testing their mettle against the female musicians.
Once again, our cruise director Mario Vines is running from bow to stern all week, hosting events like the “Karaoke Competition,” “Prom Night,” “The Marriage Game Show,” “Who Wants to be a Jazzillionaire?” and other fun times. For these interactive sessions, Mario will often be assisted by Dominique, who also hosts her “Morning Stretch” followed by her “Fitness Class” each day out on the pool deck. DJ Rio will spin cuts that will move you during the “Late Night Party” as well as the “Silent Disco.” It’s hoops season, so for those who love basketball there’s the “Celebrity Basketball Challenge,” also hosted by DJ Rio.
Of course, there will be interviews, several of them conducted by our host Talaya, from SiriusXM’s Watercolors channel, who will talk with Judith Hill, Brian Culbertson, Marcus Anderson and Mindi Abair. Boney, who seemingly does it all during The Smooth Jazz Cruise, will gather together a panel of his fellow saxophonists for an in-depth conversation.
Journey of Jazz
The onboard programs for Journey of Jazz ’25, which doesn’t sail until September, have not been finalized yet. However, we have already set up an exciting schedule of shore excursions, unlike any we’ve ever had before with our Caribbean-based programs.
In Victoria, you can visit Butchart Gardens or Craigdarroch Castle. Or take a whale-watching and wild life tour. Vibist Warren Wolf will present a special concert at the McPherson Playhouse in Victoria. When we are in port for two days in San Francisco, our guests have several opportunities to explore the area, from a trip to Napa wine country to a culinary excursion curated by Michael Bauer to concerts at the state-of-the-art SFJAZZ center featuring the SFJAZZ Collective and the Ron Carter Quartet. Learn more about the unique excursions on Journey of Jazz ’25 here.
Update on Reservations for ’26 Cruise Programs
Journey of Jazz ’25
9.12.25 – 9.19.25
Our first West Coast sailing in more than a decade is hosted by Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter, features a trio of top female vocalists (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Krall and Cecile McLorin Salvant) and on land excursions to Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco and Victoria is well over 70% reserved. Staterooms with verandas do remain available and check out special pricing for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.
Christian McBride’s World at Sea
1.20.26 – 1.27.26
The inaugural sailing of Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26, our newest jazz cruise offering, will be available for Open Booking on Friday, December 20. For years, Christian McBride has served as a co-host of The Jazz Cruise, a role that he will be performing for the last time on The Jazz Cruise ’25. His participation on The Jazz Cruise has proven to whet his, and our, appetites for a cruise that features the many ensembles that Christian leads, as well as a taste of other music, events, and undertakings that comprise his amazing world.
Many guests, particularly our International jazz fans, are booking both Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26 and The Jazz Cruise ’26, creating a two week, back-to-back cruise experience that presents nearly 160 of the top jazz musicians in the world. An amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in the very best of jazz music and lifestyle.
Open Booking begins on December 20 at 10AM ET, allowing anyone to select any available stateroom and complete a reservation.
The Jazz Cruise ’25
1.27.26 – 2.3.26
Last week, The Jazz Cruise ’26 was announced! The lineup is amazing. The procedure for reserving a stateroom on the cruise depends upon your current cruise status.
- Guests on The Jazz Cruise ’25 have the opportunity to rebook their current stateroom for the ’26 program, an exclusive right that expires after the third day of the ’25 program. On November 26, 2024, each guest on the ’25 Cruise received an email including a unique Online Reservation Token and Cruise Price based on their Signature Jazz Cruises’ Sailing History. If you are a ’25 Guest wishing to rebook your current stateroom, click on RESERVATION PROCEDURE and follow the prompts.
For those not sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’25, NOW is the best time to plant your flag for The Jazz Cruise ’26. By completing a Pre-Sail Reservation, you can establish your priority to select a Stateroom when that process begins immediately after The Jazz Cruise ’25 is completed, around February 7, 2025. (The Pre-Sail Reservation does not obligate you to complete a reservation. The process simply queues you up for the opportunity to enjoy Straight Ahead Jazz Heaven in ’26.)
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25
’25.1: 2.11.25 – 2.18.25
’25.2: 2.18.25 – 2.25.25
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26
’26.1: 2.3.26 – 2.10.26
’26.2: 2.10.26 – 2.17.26
’26.3: 9.11.26 – 9.18.26
All three sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise in ’26 are available on Open Booking. Anyone may reserve any available stateroom on any of the three dates. In total, the cruises are 80% reserved, so we urge you to go online or call the office to complete a reservation at your earliest convenience.
Still arranging your travel plans for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1? Good news: We’ve managed to reserve another room block at a special rate for our guests at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina! The even better news is that we will also be offering coach transportation from the hotel to the pier on Embarkation Day. Guests may register for this service ($30/person) now by completing the transportation form.
There are a limited number of rooms available, so make sure you book soon. Just click the button below to get started.
Botti at Sea ‘26
9.18.26 – 9.25.26
For Botti at Sea ’26, Chris Botti has elected to sail on the West Coast in the fall. The cruise will embark in Los Angeles, sail to San Francisco, where it will remain overnight, then head to Victoria, BC before disembarkation in Vancouver, BC.
This itinerary allows us to provide first class excursions in San Francisco and Victoria. Day trips to Napa and Sonoma, culinary events and on land concerts in San Francisco and, shows, whale watching and more, in Victoria.
The lineup is being constructed now, but, since Botti at Sea ’26 sails 584 days after Botti at Sea ’25 docks, there is ample time to attract one of the very best lineups ever. A lot more information about the lineup will be announced in late January ’25.
In terms of completing a reservation for Botti at Sea ’26, your path depends upon your cruise status.
- If you are sailing on Botti at Sea ’25, you have the exclusive opportunity to rebook your current stateroom at favorable prices. You will be able to exercise that right between the announcement of the cruise and the third day of Botti at Sea ’25.
- If you are NOT sailing on Botti at Sea ’25, we urge you to establish your priority for selecting a stateroom by completing a Pre-Sail Reservation now. Holders of Pre-Sail Reservations will be able to select staterooms soon after Botti at Sea ’25 is completed. The order in which you complete your Pre-Sail Reservation is an important factor in determining your priority in this process.
Botti at Sea ’26 is over 20 months from now, but the reservation process has started now.