Tuesday marked the last day of The Jazz Cruise ’25 and the first day of Chris Botti at Sea II (’25). Musically, we moved from a week of 100 of the world’s best jazz musicians to the virtuosity and big show grandeur of the performers chosen by Chris Botti for his cruise.
Highlights of the last few days of The Jazz Cruise included appearances by two legends, Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, and perhaps the most beloved female vocalist performing, Dianne Reeves. In different ways, each wowed the crowd with their award-winning talents and music.
To most, The Jazz Cruise ’25 was the very best sailing of the program in many years, perhaps ever. The “why” for that claim is being dissected as we speak. Great weather, great music, great food and accommodations and a warm and congenial guest group are the likely components that made the cruise amazing.
Chris Botti at Sea II (’25) began with a bang. Chris and his talented team performed the first night and every guest walked away with a smile. The combination of his talent, song selection and skillful sharing of the stage with the other performers should be a textbook for any performer. Always cool, always focused, Chris killed it.
It was exciting to hear Veronica Swift perform on our cruises once again. She was a runaway hit on The Jazz Cruise years ago, but since then her passion has been more in the contemporary music world. Listening to her jazz it up was thrilling to say the least. That lady can sing!
Night two belonged to the entertainment power couple, David Foster and Katharine McPhee. Every song was familiar. Every song was a hit. David would spin the yarn about how the tune came to be and Katharine would present it with charm and a wonderful voice. I am not a fan of the word “enchanting,” but there was a magical tone and spirit in their show.
Shifting gears quite a bit, Kool & the Gang were our special guests in Cozumel on Day 3. As one of the most recent additions to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Kool & the Gang played the part and showed us why they are a Celebration all their own. The night included a round of Kool’s new champagne for anyone wishing to imbibe.
Returning to jazz, last night featured a very special show. esperanza spalding graced our stage with a masterfully produced and executed showing that featured her amazing instrumental and vocal talents. Earlier in the week, I had the privilege of interviewing her in the Sky Lounge. Her humanity, intelligence and purpose in life were in full bloom during one of the most captivating hours of the cruise.
Tonight is our Diana Krall night. 13 years in the making, we are so excited to have her on the ship and performing for our guests. John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton, her sidemen from her early days, will be accompanying her along with guitarist Anthony Wilson, so it should be a very special evening.
Hope everyone is doing well while we are at sea. Next week I will share the final thoughts about Botti at Sea II and report on the first edition of The Greatest Party at Sea, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1.
If you have not guessed by now, being at sea with our musicians and guests is my favorite time of the year.
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.
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
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Stateroom Availability
Cruise Programs 2025
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.2 | Cancellation Staterooms Available – Call Office |
| Journey of Jazz ’25 | Balcony Staterooms Available – Inside Stateroom Special Pricing (Lowest Price Ever – Promo Code “ATSEA”) |
Cruise Programs 2026
| Homecoming: The Cruise | Open Booking Now |
| 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 5,500 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 ends on 2.11 Pre-Sail Reservations Activated on 2.17 Open Booking Starts on 2.28 |
Hot Deals
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.
Joe Alterman & Houston Person’s Brisket for Breakfast
The pianist Joe Alterman has just released Brisket for Breakfast, an album with a longtime favorite of The Jazz Cruise, Houston Person. This joyous live recording pairs Alterman and his Atlanta-based trio with Houston’s unique and powerful tenor sound. The recording lives up to the down-home bonhomie and southern-fried soul suggested by its title. “Joe keeps that southern heritage alive,” Houston explains. “You get a little bit of country and western, a little bit of gospel, he plays all of that stuff with feeling. We have a wonderful time recreating those older sounds.”
Alterman is just as effusive about Houston’s musical presence. “Every time we’re on stage together, from the first note I hear I feel so lucky to be in the room with Houston, let alone playing with him,” he says. “His sound makes me realize how great it is to be alive.”
Mug Shots of the Week
George Arias
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.