No matter what your religious beliefs may be, sometime in your life you either gave or received an Easter Basket. Though inextricably tied to Easter, over the years Easter baskets have become a universal gift to children during Spring, with the eggs representing new life. The colors of the baskets reflect the hues of Spring and ushers in an entire set of traditions and fun. Not sure how the Easter egg hunt began or what it adds to the meaning of the event. Perhaps it is intended to hasten the need for a child to nap, thereby creating a holiday for parents.
As a kid, I can recall receiving a basket that was filled with marshmallows encased in colorful candy coatings. I would eat them until I was sick. As I grew older, the number of those eggs needed to do the trick became fewer and fewer. Perhaps there was a cumulative effect to this special candy. I believe that the candies were Brach’s Easter Eggs. Last year, as my wife was preparing baskets for our grandchildren, I told her to add some Brach’s Easter Eggs to the bounty. The next day, she told me that she went to four different places and there were no such eggs to be found.
Though I should never have doubted her, as she is the most able finder of almost everything, I went online to see how to secure the eggs for the kids. To my surprise, I found that Brach’s had discontinued this treat in 2023. No reason was given, but the article surmised that the cost of the eggs outweighed the profits. I am hip to the “nothing lasts forever” aspect of life, but would it hurt anybody to continue to make marshmallow eggs wrapped in candy? Yes, there some impostors out there, but I miss the real thing.
Back a few years ago, Signature Cruise Experiences, for various reasons, either sold or discontinued certain cruise programs. Guests still talk about the North Sea Jazz Cruise, Playboy Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea Cruise. Those programs have given way to Journey of Jazz, Christian McBride’s World at Sea and Botti at Sea. In addition to those sailings, just as Sara Lee will always make pound cake, we will continue to share our secret recipe for The Jazz Cruise and the sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise for as long as there are guests ready to sail.
So, on this Easter Weekend, we are presenting you with the Signature Cruise Experiences’ Jazz Easter Basket, filled with candy eggs, not filled with marshmallows, but with a special holiday offering to start your Spring celebrations.
Journey of Jazz ’25
Sailing in just under five months, Journey of Jazz ’25 is over 90% reserved. And why not? Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter (see video) are the hosts, the lineup is amazing, the West Coast itinerary is exciting and the on land excursions are once-in-a-lifetime events. Some Concierge and Veranda Staterooms remain available and there are Special Prices for the remaining Staterooms. The Promo Code for this offer is PORTER.
Christian McBride’s World at Sea
Multi-GRAMMY® Winner Christian McBride has gathered most of his ensembles and some amazing vocalists to join him for a cruise into his “World.”
Learn More. Want to learn more about Christian McBride’s World at Sea cruise? Sign up now to join the first ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream with Christian McBride on Tuesday, April 29 at 3 PM ET for information about the cruise straight from the host!
Special Prices. From now through April 30, 2025, We are offering a Jazz Appreciation Month (Super Special) for those staterooms. Use Promo Code JAM when you register online.
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea | Current Cruise Price | JAM Cruise Price |
| Ocean View Staterooms | $3,325 | $2,500 |
| Inside Staterooms | $2,975 | $2,000 |
| Inside Single Staterooms | $4,425 | $3,850 |
The Jazz Cruise ’26
The Granddaddy of all Cruises, The Jazz Cruise has been the icon of the jazz world since 2001. Already more than 70% reserved, be on the lookout for the updated lineup and special prices for Inside Staterooms in either the 4.26.25 edition of The Weekender or the 4.30.25 edition of Jazz Notes.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1/’26.2/’26.3
The bad news is that The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.2 is fully reserved and The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.1 is 98+% reserved. The good new is that there are staterooms available for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, the first West Coast sailing of this program in more than a decade. Stay tuned for more information about the amazing excursions being offered while the ship docks in Victoria, BC and in San Francisco (Winery Tours/Napa Valley Wine Train/Culinary Events, Music Shows, etc.). Excursions will be open for reservations by the end of June ’25.
Chris Botti at Sea ’26
Moving to the West Coast, the hometown area for Chris Botti, Botti at Sea has an amazing lineup that includes Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson and more. Just like The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, there will be significant excursions in Victoria BC and San Francisco. Stay tuned for more information. Excursions will be open for reservations by the end of June ’25.
With three sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, your basket has seven eggs for you to enjoy. Unlike my Brach’s Easter Eggs, these eggs are very much in production and ready for you! Enjoy this holiday weekend and we will catch up next week on more jazz news.
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.
Ready for Journey of Jazz? Gregory Porter is!
Journey of Jazz ’25 sails in just under five months! Are you ready to enjoy our first West Coast jazz cruise in more than a decade? From Vancouver to Los Angeles with stops in Victoria and San Francisco, not only does this cruise present our much-heralded hours and hours of music onboard, but we are offering exciting excursions to Napa and Sonoma, special shows at SFJAZZ and in Victoria, culinary journeys in San Francisco and more!
Check out how excited Co-Host Gregory Porter is for the start of this cruise!
From NOW Through May 15: Favorable Prices on Selected Remaining Staterooms;
Most Excursions Have Openings!
The cruise is more than 90% reserved! The remaining staterooms consist, mainly, of Veranda Staterooms, Inside Staterooms and Single Inside Staterooms!
We would like to close out the manifest as soon as possible so that we can finalize the arrangements for the amazing JOJ Excursions. Availability remains for most of the excursions, but they will close shortly.
These remaining staterooms are favorably priced through May 15, 2025(*). You can learn those prices by calling the office or starting a reservation online. Please use the promo code: PORTER. There is no obligation to complete a reservation once you learn the prices.
(*) Restrictions do apply and some selections and choices are no longer available. These prices are per person, based upon double occupancy, non-commissionable and may not be combined with other offers or discounts. For new reservations only.
Gerald Clayton’s Ones & Twos
Gerald Clayton, who has performed countless times on our sailings, has just released Ones & Twos, his third album on the Blue Note label. The recording, which features vibraphonist Joel Ross, flutist Elena Pinderhughes, trumpeter Marquis Hill and drummer Kendrick Scott, with post-production work by Kassa Overall, is a very different type of recording for the pianist and composer.
“Ones & Twos is an experiment—an idea inspired by the art of turntablism,” Gerald explains. “I set out to create a record where the A side can be played simultaneously with the B side—a nod to that moment in the club when the DJ transitions from one song to the next, when you hear two separate pieces at the same time.”
The initial release of Ones & Twos will consist of the separated tracks and later this year Clayton will follow with a release of the combined overlayed tracks, revealing the end result of his experiment as a culmination of the project. When overlaid, the tracks transform into pieces that are both firmly rooted in the originals, yet strikingly new.
Brian Culbertson’s The Trilogy: Live from Detroit
Brian Culbertson, a longtime favorite of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, has just released the concert film The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and 2-CD set from BCM Entertainment. With Brian playing keyboards and trombone, he was accompanied on The Trilogy Tour by Darnell “Showcase” Taylor (guitar), Eddie Miller (keyboards and vocals), Chris Miskel (drums and musical director), Rishon Odel (bass), Michael “Patches” Stewart (trumpet and flugelhorn), Ronnie Gutierrez (percussion) and Walter English III (keyboards and vocals).
“I knew the visual was going to be something special. I try to make every tour special of course, but sometimes certain things and the music push a particular tour into another space that makes it more obvious to film. It needs to be different than a regular ‘the hits concert,’ which is just a random set of songs. This show has more of an arc and story to it,” said Brian.
“The phrase that everyone kept saying to me was ‘that was an experience.’ From the band at rehearsals, to the fans at the first several shows and beyond, that phrase was repeated over and over. The Trilogy Tour is not just a regular show. It truly is an experience, both musically and visually, that takes the audience on a journey. I’m glad that the film will enable people to experience that journey whenever they want to.”
Signature Cruise Experiences’ Executive Director, Michael Lazaroff, was one of four Executive Directors of the video.
Stateroom Availability
Cruise Programs – 2025
| Journey of Jazz | Over 92% Reserved. Balcony Staterooms Available – Special Pricing for Remaining Staterooms through May 15. Promo Code: PORTER |
Cruise Programs – 2026
| Homecoming: The Cruise | Open Booking Now; For Special Prices on Staterooms, use Promo Code: HTC |
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea | Open Booking Now; For Special Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, use Promo Code: JAM |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | 98%+ Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | Fully Reserved |
| Top Shelf Country Cruise | Full Lineup and Itinerary Announced Monday Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | 77% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Botti at Sea ’26 | Open Booking Now |
Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs
Journey of Jazz ’25 – Be on the Lookout for a Message from Gregory Porter! JAM Prices Available!
HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
is in Open Booking
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
is in Open Booking
THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
is in Open booking
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 is in Open Booking; 26.2 is Fully Reserved
THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Final Lineup & Itinerary Now Available
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
is in Open Booking
BOTTI AT SEA’26
is in Open Booking
Send us Your Mug Shots
We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”
If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.
Mug Shot of the Week
United Kingdom
Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.