Reporting from The Jazz Cruise ’25. Today is day five of the cruise and I am thrilled to report that the week thus far has been wonderful. The ship is filled to the brim with great jazz fans from around the world and 100 of the very best jazz musicians on the planet. The sheer joy that both groups have for their fellow guests and musicians is surpassed only by the admiration of the guests for the musicians and the musicians for the guests.
Keeping with the St. Louis Blues 25th Anniversary theme, The Jazz Cruise Welcome Show, produced by Ken Peplowski, was a tribute to some of the most beloved former musicians and personalities involved with the cruise. Songs were selected to honor Eddie Higgins, Ray Evans, James Moody, Clark Terry, Jeff Clayton and more.
The first song was. Though many guests thought that was a nod to the hometown of Signature Cruise Experiences, but, the selection was a tribute to one of Eddie’s top recordings. With Catherine Russell singing “Unforgettable” and Kurt Elling performing “Mona Lisa” each backed by Shelly Berg (piano), Lewis Nash (drums), John Pizzarelli (guitar), Terell Stafford (trumpet), John Clayton (bass) and Ken on reeds, the musicianship was out of this world.
Music Director Eric Marienthal was a huge contributor as well. His rendition of “Moody4Love” was spot on and very moving. The crowd was spellbound, speechless and so very excited.
Recounting other events that reflect the anniversary aspect of our cruise, first-day highlights included another stunning Gospel Hour produced and directed by Wycliffe Gordon and brought to its knees by the strong and talented voice of Niki Haris. Her sincerity melted the monument to gospel that Wycliffe built in the first half of the show.
Shelly’s Sing, Sing, Sing, which featured a number of topflight guests along with our world-renowned vocalists, and John Clayton’s Big Band continued the march of great music steeped in the tradition of The Jazz Cruise. Top-notch All Star Sets and special shows from Pizzarelli, next year’s sole host, Emmet Cohen, and others rounded out our celebration of 25 years of great music at sea.
Long time guests were treated to a very special show featuring Houston Person. For those who do not know Eddie Higgins and Houston were the favorite musicians of the founder of the company whose presence was felt despite not being there, but observing from above

At the heart of every event was a remembrance of Anita E. Berry, founder of The Jazz Cruise. You can read the entire story of her development of the program on our website, but each performer recalled her contribution to the world of jazz when she created The Jazz Cruise. Musicians took turns saying how much they respected her and how much they enjoyed performing on her cruise.
We still have a few days to go for the cruise and I will share the highlights with you next Saturday, along with a report on the first few days of Botti at Sea II. Lots going on…stay tuned.
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.
Don’t Miss It: Ledisi Joins Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26!
GRAMMY® winner and two-time Soul Train Music Awards winner Ledisi will be joining Christian McBride and the legions of other talented musicians for Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26! A native New Orleanian, she’s set to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” on February 9, 2025 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans to kick off Super Bowl LIX.
Ledisi will undoubtedly bring the same powerhouse vocal acumen from her Super Bowl appearance to the inaugural sailing of Christian McBride’s World at Sea. Don’t miss your chance to see her in a much more intimate venue on Celebrity Summit in 2026. Click here to book your stateroom today.

The Jazz Cruises’ Artists at the GRAMMYS®

The GRAMMY® Awards always seem to fall on a day when we’re at sea with one of our programs. This year, the show happens while we (and many artists who are nominated for awards) are sailing on The Jazz Cruise. Among those artists who are onboard with us now and who will be pretending not to look at their phones tomorrow for the news are Shelly Berg, Sullivan Fortner, Catherine Russell, Kurt Elling, John Beasley, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton. Of course, there are many more who have sailed with us in the past who can watch the ceremony in real time, including Gregory Porter, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Julian Lage, Donald Vega, Eliane Elias, Taylor Eigsti, Cyrille Aimee and Chucho Valdes.
In addition, esperanza spalding, who will be performing on Botti at Sea II, was nominated for a GRAMMY® for her collaboration with Brazilian jazz legend, Milton Nascimento. Angelique Kidjo is yet another nominee who will sail with us down the line, in her case on Christian McBride’s World at Sea. From our other sailings, don’t forget Lalah Hathaway who is nominated for her album VANTABLACK, as well as for her duet with Michael McDonald on the song “No Lie.” And our old friend Robert Glasper who was nominated for Best Alternative Jazz Album.
Who are we rooting for? All of them. We’re proud to be associated with so many great artists.
While We Are At Sea
Though we are at sea for the next several weeks (January 28 – February 25), please know that while some of us are away, our office will be open during normal business hours, our email lines will be open and the websites for each of our cruise programs will be available 24/7.
These services are available to guests who have questions about their upcoming ’25 Sailings and those who wish to complete or discuss a ’26 Reservation. To contact us, you may choose among the following:
Call the Office:
Toll Free US & Canada – 888.852.9987
Toll Free International – 01.800.852.99872
Monday – Thursday: 10 AM ET – 6 PM ET
Friday: 10 AM ET – 5 PM ET
Inquire by E – Mail:
info@scecruises.com
Learn More or Make a Reservation:
www.scecruises.com or review SCE Brand Book
Select the Cruise Program You Wish
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Stateroom Availability
With 13 active cruise programs, it is difficult to keep up with Stateroom Availability. To assist you with your planning, below is a chart that we will update weekly in The Weekender.
Cruise Programs – 2025
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 | Cancellation Staterooms Available – Call Office |
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.2 | Cancellation Staterooms Available – Call Office |
Journey of Jazz | Balcony Staterooms Available! Inside Stateroom Special (Lowest Price Ever – Promo Code ATSEA) |
Cruise Programs – 2025
Homecoming: The Cruise | Open Booking Begins 2.7 |
Christian McBride’s World at Sea | Open Booking Now |
The Jazz Cruise ’26 | Pre-Sail Reservations Activated on 2.6 Open Booking Starts on 2.19 |
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | 80% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | 90% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
Top Shelf Country Cruise | Over 4,000 Pre-Sail Reservations Received Accepting Pre-Sail Reservations through 2.9 |
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | 70% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
Botti at Sea ’26 | Pre-Sail Registration End on 2.11 Pre-Sail Reservations Activated on 2.17 Open Booking Starts on 2.28 |
Hot Offers
Inside Staterooms are available on Journey of Jazz ’25. From now through February 28, you can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person. Reservations are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code: ATSEA).
Both The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 and ’25.2 have been fully reserved for months. Guests do cancel their reservations for various reasons and we place those staterooms with guests on the Wait List. If you are on the Wait List or wish to reserve a stateroom for one of these sailings, call the office for availability and pricing.
Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing!
Now through February 25, or until fully reserved, promotional pricing is available on 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
Open Booking Begins February 7
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. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. ALLBLK’s Homecoming: The Cruise is produced in association with the National HBCU Alumni Alliance and features Babyface, Chanté Moore, Take 6 and more! Open Booking Begins February 7!

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!
THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Accepting Pre-Sail Reservations Now! Open Booking Starts February 19!

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 have exclusive booking access through the end of the current sailing. New guests and those not sailing in ‘25 may join the Pre-Sail now.

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 85% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!

TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Pre-Sail Reservations Accepted Through February 9!
Fans of the country genre love the music that represents the simple, humble American lifestyle and they love to party. Top Shelf Country Cruise brings these ideas together on a luxury ship for one unforgettable week, February 27 – March 6, 2026!
The inaugural sailing will feature widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Pre-Sail reservations are open now. The artist lineup is coming soon (and it’s a good one!) Visit topshelfcountrycruise.com for more information and join the Pre-Sail today!

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available
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 ’26
Pre-Sail Reservations Accepted Until February 11!
Open Booking Begins February 28!
While we continue to assemble first-rate musical talent for which Signature Cruise Experiences is known to entertain you on Botti at Sea ‘26, we’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard the ’26 Sailing. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more. Establish your priority for reserving a stateroom NOW by joining the Pre-Sail.
Mug Shot of the Week

St. Louis, MO
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@scecruises.com.