2025 has begun with a bang. Some of it good. Some of it bad. Some of it great. Some of it tragic.
Let’s start with the “good.” We are 17 days from the sailing of The Jazz Cruise ‘25, 24 days from the sailing of Botti at Sea ’25, 31 days from the sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 and 38 days from the sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.2. Souvenir Programs and Daily Programs are nearly completed, production materials are on hand and the Performance Schedules are ready to be shared with our guests.
This pre-cruising period is both exciting and exasperating. “Exciting” because you know that the sailings are right around the corner. “Exasperating” as the number of last-minute changes, issues and undertakings seem to grow each year.
Now, some “bad.” As it happens every year, January sees a few of our guests having to cancel their reservations due to illness, family matters or business commitments. Since all four of the upcoming sailings (The Jazz Cruise ‘25/Botti at Sea ‘25/The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1/The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.2) were sold out, having a few staterooms become available may be what some guests are looking for. Check out the Cancellation Staterooms chart below for stateroom availability.
Thank goodness for the “great.” Last Wednesday, John Clayton, one of the true pillars of our programs for 25 years, will receive the Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award at the 2025 Jazz Congress at Lincoln Center (NYC). Lundvall was the legendary President of Blue Note Records and heralded by many as a jazz genius. Keeping it in the family, Gerald Clayton, John’s son, amazing performer and recurring musician on our cruises, presented the award.
Sadly, the “tragic.” The fires in California have devastated many families. Our hearts and prayers go out to anyone impacted. None more so than John Clayton whose home was destroyed as he was receiving his Lundvall award. Why bad things happen to good people is one of the most compelling mysteries in life.
John Clayton would give you the shirt off his back if that was needed. He is always there for his fellow musicians and the guests on our cruises. No job is too big or too small for him to undertake. Though he may be upset inside, there is always a kind word from his mouth and a smile on his face. That fate chose to cause tragedy to this man is inexplicable.
As I write this edition of Our Take, I realize that all the “good” and all the “great” things in life can balance out, or even surpass, the “bad,” but there is no cure for the “tragic.” At best, you can “cope” and, over time, repair and move on, but most of the scars incurred will remain in some form or another.
John, I know that you read this column every week. If you found the time to do so amid all that is happening, please know that every asset of Signature Cruise Experiences is here to help you. For nearly 25 years now, you have stood tall and strong for our cruises, our guests, and, most of all, for our music. Lean on us now, please.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World at Sea, Journey of Jazz, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.
ALLBLK to be the Title Sponsor of
Homecoming: The Cruise
Media powerhouse, ALLBLK, will be the Title Sponsor of Homecoming: The Cruise!
ALLBLK is a star in the world of streaming, being the first streaming entertainment service that is inclusively, but unapologetically – Black. Featuring a diverse lineup of content that spans across genres and generations, the ALLBLK library includes exclusive original series, must-see independent films, nostalgic Black cinema, popular We TV originals, lively stage plays and so much more.
Formed by Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), in November 2014, ALLBLK’s growth and influence in the entertainment world has been phenomenal.
Signature Cruise Experiences welcomes ALLBLK to Homecoming: The Cruise and wishes to thank Brett Dismuke, Head of Content for ALLBLK & We TV, and his entire team for their commitment to the program and its goals of Excellence, Education & Entertainment. For more information about ALLBLK, visit https://allblk.tv/.
To join the Homecoming: The Cruise Pre-Sail click here. Pre-Sail Reservations for Homecoming: The Cruise will be accepted through Wednesday, January 15! Guests holding Pre-Sail Reservations will receive information and directions for selecting a stateroom and completing a Reservation soon thereafter. As of now, Pre-Sail Reservations will be activated starting on Monday, January 20.
Cancellation Staterooms: Last Chance to Sail in ’25
Below, you can find a list of staterooms that are now available due to cancellations as of today (1.11.25). With limited time before sailing, these staterooms can be reserved at prices less than previously quoted. Since Your Cruise History will be a factor in determining the Cruise Price, you must contact the office during normal business hours to learn your Cruise Price and to complete a reservation. Cancellation Staterooms may not be reserved online.
| Cancellation Staterooms | Concierge Class | Aqua Class | Veranda | Ocean View | Inside |
| The Jazz Cruise ’25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Botti at Sea II (’25) | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 | 3 | 1 | |||
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.2 | 1 |
Reveal Dates for ’25 Cruises’ Performance Schedules
We know that our guests love to review the Performance Schedules for their cruise programs well in advance of sailing. Not only does doing so build excitement and energy for the cruise, but many guests use the schedules to develop their personal plans for shows, dining and more.
So that the Performance Schedules that we present are as accurate as possible, we issue the Performance Schedules 10 days before each sailing. Guests will receive an email with the appropriate link at that time and the Performance Schedule will be posted on the website (see chart below for Reveal Dates for Performance Schedules).
As always, there will be changes to the schedule. The Performance Schedule link will be updated in real time and, once again, we will be providing a mobile app that you can utilize when you are on the ship that will keep you up to date with the schedule. You will also have a Daily Program delivered to your stateroom each night that includes the Performance Schedule for the next day. Finally, when needed, we make announcement on the ship’s public address system for last minute changes.
| Cruise Programs | Performance Schedule Reveal Date |
| The Jazz Cruise ’25 | 1.18.25 |
| Botti at Sea II (’25) | 1.25.25 |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 | 2.1.25 |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.2 | 2.8.25 |
Join the Webinars
Below is the schedule for the upcoming webinars related to the ’25 Cruises. We urge you to sign up and attend. If that is not possible, each webinar will be recorded and available on the respective website of each cruise.
(Note: It is much more fun to be on the webinar. We have fun doing it.)
Botti at Sea ’25
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 & ‘25.2
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Journey of Jazz ’25
Our First West Coast Cruise in More than 10 Years!
Limited Offer/Significant Savings
With all that is happening at Signature Cruise Experiences, we have not spent much time talking about Journey of Jazz ’25, our first West Coast cruise in more than 10 years. Though we do not sail for over 9 months from now, the cruise is 80% reserved and many of the special excursions are fully subscribed.
The first excursion that filled up was the Napa Valley Wine Train, which was surprising only because it was the most expensive of all the choices. We are investigating chartering another train for those who wish to enjoy traveling through the wine country, drinking great wine and enjoying gourmet food. Reading that description takes some of the mystery out of why the excursion sold out so quickly.
Most Expensive First Offer
The “Most Expensive First” syndrome for Journey of Jazz also applies to stateroom selection. The higher end staterooms were the first to go and most of the remaining inventory are Ocean View and Inside Staterooms! Amazing! Since our entire team will soon be “at sea” for a month, we decided to offer some of these staterooms at favorable prices. From now through February 25, 2025, the day we head back home or until the staterooms are fully reserved, you can use promo code ATSEA to reserve an Ocean View or Inside Stateroom at these amazing prices.
And, with the significant savings, you can afford a luxurious excursion!
| Journey of Jazz ’25 | Current Price | Special “ATSEA” Price |
| Ocean View | $3,000 | $2,500 |
| Inside | $2,850 | $2.250 |
Cruise Prices are Per Person based on Double Occupancy
Reservations are Non-Commissionable
This Offer may not be combined with any other offer or discount
New Reservations Only
Cruise Prices do not include per person Pass Through Charges
Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs
THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Artist Lineup Now Available!
Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here.
Guests sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’25 may reserve their current stateroom for the ’26 sailing now through Jan. 31, 2025. New guests and those not sailing in ‘25 may join the Pre-Sail now.
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Reserve Your Stateroom Today!
Both sailings for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25 are fully reserved and the Waitlist has more than 4,000 entrants.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and are over 80% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Now in Open Booking!
For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom.
BOTTI AT SEA’25 is Fully Reserved!
BOTTI AT SEA ’26 Just Announced!
Sailing from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls on San Francisco and Victoria, BC, Botti at Sea III (’26) is moving to the West Coast in September ’26!
The website for the cruise will be available later this month, just before Botti at Sea II (’25) sails in February
Establish your priority for reserving a stateroom NOW by joining the Pre-Sail.
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Open Booking Now Available!
9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first class comedy talent. See the full lineup here!
Open Booking has begun! Reserve your stateroom today!
JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing!
Now through February 25, or until fully reserved, promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz!
Make your reservation today using promo code ATSEA for significant savings! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available! *Discount applies to new reservations only.
HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
New Cruise Just Announced!
Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Our newest cruise, sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment.
Homecoming: The Cruise is produced in association with the National HBCU Alumni Alliance and features Babyface, Chanté Moore, Take 6 and more! The best part is that we will award over $200,000 in scholarships to deserving organizations. Establish your priority for reserving a stateroom NOW by joining the Pre-Sail before it closes on January 15!
Mug Shot of the Week
Tony and Connie P. – Florida
Guests on the ’24 jazz cruises received The Weekender mug, which we hope you will use with your Saturday morning coffee while you read the latest edition. Please share a picture of yourself & your mug with us so that we can include it for the 100,000+ folks who receive The Weekender each Saturday.
Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #jazzcruises and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@jazzcruisesllc.com.