Botti at Sea ’25 ended on Tuesday morning and The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 was ready to go by noon that same day. Watching the transformation of the ship, the banners and the stages from one to the other is amazing. Not only are the changes seamless, but they are accomplished so quickly. Kudos to Brian Rachko and his very able staff.
When we last “spoke,” we were awaiting the arrival of Diana Krall. And, after 15 years from the first time that we requested her to perform, there she was, on stage, playing and singing with our very own John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton. Iconic guitarist Anthony Wilson came on board to round out the group.
Watching Diana with John and Jeff was an emotional experience. These two men were her first big time accompanists and the love and respect that they have for each other was very evident.
Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday. To provide ample venues for watching the game, some shows were moved to the afternoon and some moved back to the late evening. Peter Cincotti was the star of the afternoon shows and he was spectacular. The warmth of his piano, the strength of his voice and his ever-present smile won over the hearts and minds of our passengers, particularly the female cruisers.
Post-Game (Debacle) shows included a spectacular performance by John Splithoff that filled the entire Cosmopolitan Restaurant. Virtually everyone remained for a late-night comedy show with our very own Alonzo Bodden. Since the game was so one-sided, those two gentlemen provided the only real entertainment of the evening.
Kamasi Washington closed out the cruise on Monday night. His powerful and dynamic personality and superstar talents were the perfect ending to a wonderful cruise week. Of all the new wave jazz performers, Kamasi is perhaps the most identifiable and the most spirited. I enjoy him very much.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 shot to the moon on Tuesday with its traditional opening song, a parody of a R & B classic. Another Saturday Night was chosen this year to be mutilated with words that fit the cruise. The crowd loved it as always and that led them into a two hour show that featured Kirk Whalum and Peter White.
The next day was a huge hit. Jonathan Butler‘s Gospel Show, Annual T-Shirt Party and the first showtime for our very own Super Band, The Summit. What a thrill to see and hear Marcus Miller perform with Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal and Patti Austin. They killed it and the audience was on their feet for most of the show. This show may have been one of the top shows in our long history of special guests.
Before The Summit hit the stage, Alonzo Bodden made his first appearance on the cruise to the delight of everyone. More about him next week when I conclude the first week of The Smooth Jazz Cruise and head into the final week of our four week season.
Co-Host Boney James was the Thursday star and, as always, he mesmerized the crowd playing not only his famous hits, but cuts from his newest recordings. The sound of “Go Boney” rang through the auditorium.
The audiences have been so wonderful. I trust that each of them have enjoyed the cruises as much as we have.
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
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
| 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 ’26 | Open Booking Now |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | On-Going Activation of Pre-Sail Reservations 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 6,000 Pre-Sail Reservations Received Open Booking Begins 2.20 |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | 70% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Botti at Sea ’26 | 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).
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.2 has 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.
Sullivan Fortner’s Southern Nights
The pianist Sullivan Fortner, who was a big hit during the last two weeks with our guests sailing on The Jazz Cruise and Botti at Sea, has just released Southern Nights, his fifth album as a leader.
Recorded live at the iconic Village Vanguard in NYC, the album features a wide-ranging repertoire, including tunes by Allen Toussaint and Clifford Brown, and tributes to Sullivan’s late mentor Bill Lee and Lee’s sister, the underappreciated pianist and educator Consuela Lee, as well as an original from Sullivan. Accompanied by bassist Peter Washington and drummer Marcus Gilmore, Sullivan celebrates his roots in the Crescent City.
“New Orleans is at the top of the Caribbean,” he explains. “It’s definitely not America. The Spanish and Caribbean influences run deep, and you can hear that in the music.”
Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs
JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing
Now through February 28, 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 Now Available!
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! The best part is that we will award over $200,000 in scholarships to deserving organizations. Reserve Your Stateroom Today!
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
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 who registered for the Pre-Sail are selecting their staterooms now, and Open Booking will begin on February 19!
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!
THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Headline Artist Just Announced – Keith Urban
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 headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Pre-Sail reservations are open now through tomorrow, February 9! 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’25 is Fully Reserved!
Pre-Sail Reservations Accepted Until February 11!
Open Booking Begins February 28
We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard the Botti at Sea ’26 . 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
California
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.