Peabo Bryson is a 2x GRAMMY® Winner known best for his ballads, duets with female vocalists and his participation in several Disney animated feature films as the lead male singer on the soundtracks.
His duet with Celine Dion on the title song of Beauty and the Beast is part of almost everyone’s memory bank, as is “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, which Peabo recorded with Regina Belle. Peabo would go on to record at least four major duet hits with Regina Belle. Plus, another set of songs with Roberta Flack.
For several years, Peabo was our R&B voice on The Smooth Jazz Cruise. His music was a walk down memory lane for us, as his timeless ballads produced a theater full of smiles every time he sailed. That facet of the programming of The Smooth Jazz Cruise gave way to more contemporary vocalists. Jeffrey Osborne was the exception that proved the rule here as his time on the ship, though reduced, was still somewhat consistent.
While on our stage one year performing with a struggling Roberta Flack, Peabo sat down next to her at the piano and walked her through the tune they were scheduled to sing. I remember tearing up at the sight of Peabo with his arm around the shoulders of his longtime friend and colleague.
For whatever reason, the scene caught us by surprise, mainly because Peabo’s self-proclaimed image was that of a man’s man, not moved to sentimentality easily. Evidently, his respect and admiration for someone close to him both personally and professionally won over.
Why are we suddenly walking down Peabo Street? Because we are thrilled to announce that he will be sailing on Botti at Sea III in September ’26. He is a perfect pairing with Chris, Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot. We told you that we were taking a moment to make sure that we have the best mix of talent possible for that amazing cruise.
We are a long way from being done, but it is comforting to know that the voice behind “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” is going to be on our ship again. Now you have to guess who will be his duet mate.
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, David Foster: The Hitman Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.
120 Days Until Journey of Jazz
By the numbers, Journey of Jazz ’25 sails in 120 days. 78 Staterooms remain available. 2nd Show Seating is 100% filled. If you act now, and are willing to accept a few restrictions, you can save up to 20%.
Anyone reserving a stateroom now on Journey of Jazz ’25 will be part of the “BLUE” guest group. What does that mean? We divide our guests into two groups: “BLUE” and “RED.” Guests with “BLUE” Cruise Identification Cards attend the 1st main show each night and dine afterwards. Guests with “RED” Cruise Identification Cards dine first and attend the 2nd Main Show.
The “RED” option is full, so anyone reserving one of the 78 remaining staterooms will be part of the “BLUE” group. Since the element of choice is gone, we have decided to provide savings for those who book now.
| Stateroom Category | # Available | Current Price | Your NOW* Price |
| Concierge (C1-C2) | 9 | $4,757 | $3,660 |
| Veranda (V3-V4) | 30 | $4,175 | $3,340 |
| Inside (I1-I2) | 25 | $2,500 | $2,000 |
| Inside Single (IS) | 14 | $4,225 | $3,380 |
*Applies to new reservations only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Pricing is per-person, based on double occupancy and does not include pass-through charges. Offer expires June 15 (or while staterooms are available).
Openings remain on most of the excursions that Signature Cruise Experiences has curated for this cruise.
David Foster: The Hitman Cometh
Signature Cruise Experiences has been fortunate through the years to be able to present some of the most respected and successful musicians and vocalists in the world. We have also worked with a few of the true legends of music in terms of writing, arranging and producing. Johnny Mandel and George Wein come to mind.
Johnny Mandel, known best for his “Suicide is Painless” theme, was a 5-time GRAMMY® Winner. He sailed on The Jazz Cruise and will forever be remembered as the man who received a standing ovation from the Big Band he was conducting as he walked onto the stage. George Wein, the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival among other jazz promotions, was a leader of a topflight band on The Jazz Cruise and is a member of that cruise program’s Hall of Fame.
Our next music icon to become a part of our team is probably the most significant living music impresario in the world. Though numbers are not determinative, at some point, they matter. David Foster has won 16 GRAMMY® Awards, been nominated 47 times and has launched, catapulted or redirected the careers of countless super vocalists. At the risk of forgetting someone, that list includes Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, Joni Mitchell, Babyface, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Renee Olstead, Clarice, Kenny Rogers, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Boz Scaggs, Toni Braxton, LeAnn Rimes, Whitney Houston, Peter Cetera, Katharine McPhee, Brian McKnight, Blake Shelton, Chris Botti, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Bryan Adams, Jewel and more.
Superstar Chris Botti, when creating the lineup for his first cruise, chose David Foster (and his wife, Katharine McPhee), as his first guest. He reprised that role for the second sailing and, to our pleasant surprise, was interested in hosting his own cruise program. When a slot opened for us (January 15-20, 2026), we went to work, finalized a deal and proceeded to work with David on a lineup. Digging into his repertoire of talented friends, Babyface and Michael McDonald were called and committed. Pia Toscano, Peter Cincotti and Daniel Emmet were next, followed closely by Nathan East, Noah East, Frédéric Yonnet, Emmet Cohen, Yacht Jazz Trio (John JR Robinson, Tom Scott, Mitch Towne) and one of our all-time favorite groups, Take 6.
The cruise will sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West and Nassau. Celebrity Summit, our customary cruise ship, will be the vessel. Pre-Sail Reservations are being processed now through May 23 and Open Booking starts on May 30.
SFJAZZ Events
SFJAZZGala
On Thursday, June 12, SFJAZZ will present its annual gala that includes a VIP cocktail reception and dinner, followed by an All-Star concert featuring Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling, Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Bill Frisell, Charles Lloyd, the SFJAZZ Collective and many others. In addition, Blue Note Records President Don Was will be presented with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award.
San Francisco Jazz Festival
SFJAZZ has revamped its San Francisco Jazz Festival, held this year June 13-15 at the SFJAZZ Center and Festival Tent, featuring 35 concerts over three days, with performances by Stanley Clarke, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Patrice Rushen, Cimafunk, The Soul Rebels, Charles Lloyd, Lakecia Benjamin, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dave Holland, Lisa Fischer and many others. It will also include an outdoor festival street market with rotating DJs, food trucks, beer garden, specialty wine vendors, art and a vinyl record swap and more.
Stateroom Availability
Cruise Programs – 2025
| Journey of Jazz | Over 92% Reserved. Special Pricing for Remaining Staterooms with Promo Code: NOW |
Cruise Programs – 2026
| David Foster: The Hitman Cruise | Pre-Sail Now Open |
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26 | Open Booking Now; Special Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. Promo Code: CMW |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | Fewer than 10 Staterooms Available |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | Fully Reserved |
| Top Shelf Country Cruise | 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
Limited Time Promotional Pricing
The cruise is more than 92% reserved! The remaining staterooms consist, mainly, of Veranda Staterooms, Inside Staterooms and Single Inside Staterooms! These remaining staterooms are favorably priced through June 15, 2025(*). Please use the promo code: NOW. There is no obligation to complete a reservation once you learn the prices. *New reservations only.
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise
5 Days, 5 Nights, 5 Star Experience
Join us aboard the luxurious Celebrity Summit for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise — five incredible days and nights celebrating timeless hits, legendary artists and 5-star entertainment, all curated by one of the greatest musical minds of our time. Join the Pre-Sail to register for first access to your stateroom of choice before Open Booking becomes available to the public. Register below!
Christian McBride’s World at Sea
Limited Time Promotional Pricing
Open Booking has begun! Special pricing is available for a limited time on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. Use Promo Code CMW when you make your reservation! *New reservations only
The Jazz Cruise ’26
is in Open booking
The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. This program always hits “fully reserved.” The only question is when!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking and staterooms are 99% reserved.
Top Shelf Country Cruise
is now in Open Booking
With premium talent like Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton, Top Shelf Country Cruise earns its title as the First-Class Country Music Cruise! Reserve your stateroom today!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3
is in Open Booking
For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking and staterooms are more than 75% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!
Botti at Sea ’26
is in Open Booking
We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello, Melody Gardot and Peabo Bryson will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26.
Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today!