From Memorial Day to 4th of July
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Jazz Notes. This correspondence is more informal than The Weekender, our Saturday Morning Jazz Fix Since 2016. Jazz Notes is meant to share behind the scenes information about the cruises, bring you up to date with our programs and provide some insights as to the musicians performing.
We trust that everyone had a pleasant Memorial Day holiday. Not only is that weekend the traditional start of Summer, but it is also the beginning of a 38-day sprint of undertakings at Signature Cruise Experiences that only pauses for the 4th of July celebration.
We have a lot of information about our cruise programs to share with you in this edition of Jazz Notes, as well as Lee Mergner’s take on presenting four NEA Jazz Masters on The Jazz Cruise ’26 and an insider’s view as we prepare to launch sailings in ’27!
Ready to get started?
Cruise Updates
Journey of Jazz ’25
Legends, Superstars and Amazing Land Excursions Sailing in 107 Days!
Limited Staterooms Available!
In 107 days, Journey of Jazz ’25 will begin its inaugural sailing. It has been more than 10 years since Signature Cruise Experiences sailed in the Fall or on the West Coast. As noted previously, when we learned of a 7-day/7-night cruise, on our favorite ship, Celebrity Summit, from Vancouver to Los Angeles, with stops in Victoria and San Francisco, we jumped! So did our cruisers.
Fewer than 70 Staterooms (Concierge Class / Veranda / Inside Staterooms) remain available, all at favorable prices which you can see on the website. No promo codes are required. You may complete a reservation online or by calling the office.
Journey of Jazz ’25 combines the tradition of our wall-to-wall onboard performances with the very best land excursions we have ever been able to offer.
Onboard Entertainment
Our goal is always to present 200+ hours of onboard entertainment. The cruise lives up to that goal and offers a Main Show schedule that is second to none:
- Night 1: Marcus Miller’s History of Jazz Program
- Night 2: An Evening with Diana Krall
- Night 3: An Evening with Gregory Porter
- Night 4: NEA Jazz Master Night: Dee Dee Bridgewater & Chucho Valdés
- Night 5: The Big Band is Back: Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
- Night 6: Cécile McLorin Salvant / Gregory Porter’s Great American Songbook
- Night 7: Marcus Miller’s Jazz Going Forward
SCE-Curated Excursions
For only the second time in our 25+ year history, we are presenting our own produced land-based excursions.
In Victoria, we have a private jazz show featuring Warren Wolf and several tours and excursions that Celebrity Cruises will be presenting. By overnighting in San Francisco, we have two full days for events.
Guests may choose from several Napa and Sonoma wine tours, special lunches and dinners and two fabulous shows at SFJAZZ (SFJAZZ Collective and Ron Carter Quartet).
We cannot recall another “main show” lineup that has the star power of this cruise. Besides Marcus and Gregory, you have NEA Jazz Masters Dee Dee Bridgewater and Chucho Valdés, one of the top young vocalists in jazz in Cécile McLorin Salvant, and the iconic Diana Krall. And what could be more on brand than the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, perhaps the finest big band in the world. The band is led by John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton who just happen to be Ms. Krall’s bandmates, reprising a role they have played for years.
Speaking of legends and the history of jazz, our show excursion at SFJAZZ features another NEA Jazz Master – Ron Carter. Carter was a member of the second Miles Davis Quintet in the mid-1960s, which also included Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and drummer Tony Williams.
Check out the final prices on the website. It is not too late to join us on Journey of Jazz ’25.
Christian McBride’s World at Sea
We Owe You a Special Offer! Jazz Notes Patron Pricing!
With all the excitement surrounding Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26, we forgot to offer our Jazz Notes readers an introductory offer for the cruise. Normally, when a cruise is launched, those guests who sailed on the program before are provided with special privileges and pricing. With this being the first sailing of Christian McBride’s World at Sea, there are no past guests, so we have decided to make this offer to our loyal supporters who read Jazz Notes!
No new cruise we have offered has ever received the accolades and interest as Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26. Now, for a limited time, you can reserve your stateroom at the lowest price that will be offered.
| Stateroom | Current Price | JAZZNOTES* Price |
| Concierge (C2) | $4,825 | $3,700 |
| Veranda (V3, V4) | $4,375 | $3,450 |
| Oceanview (O4, O5) | $3,125 | $2,500 |
| Inside (I2) | $2,975 | $2,000 |
Here is the procedure for your Jazz Notes Patron Pricing!
STEP 1:
Either go online to www.mcbridesworldatsea.com or call the office during business hours (toll free @ 888.852.9987)
STEP 2:
Select a stateroom either online or with the assistance of our representative.
STEP 3:
Utilize the Promo Code: JAZZNOTES
STEP 4:
Get Ready for the Most Amazing Week of Music Ever!
This offer will expire on June 30, 2025 and may not be used with any other offer, discount or pricing promotion.
The Jazz Cruise ’26
NEA Masters
The NEA Jazz Masters award is the highest honor that can be given to a jazz artist. Over the years, we’ve had many NEA Jazz Masters sail with us, including living legends such as Dianne Reeves, Kenny Barron, Charles Lloyd, Gary Burton, Dick Hyman and Hubert Laws, as well as more than a dozen late greats like Tootie Heath, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Shirley Horn, James Moody, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Eddie Palmieri, Johnny Mandel, Cedar Walton, Benny Golson, Roy Haynes, Clark Terry and others.
In 2026, we’re fortunate to have four NEA Jazz Masters sailing with us on The Jazz Cruise: Ron Carter, Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Inducted as an NEA Jazz Master in 1998, Ron Carter will be making his first appearance on The Jazz Cruise. Widely recognized as the most recorded bassist not only in jazz, but in music, Ron continues to be a prolific recording artist and performer.
Paquito and Chucho, who will be inducted together into The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame, have been playing together since their early years in Cuba. “I don’t remember life without Chucho,” Paquito said. “I don’t know exactly how, but sometimes we know what each other is going to do. It’s very comfortable.”
Dee Dee, who was inducted in 2017, the year before Dianne Reeves, Admitted that she was floored by her inclusion in this prestigious group. “It was very affirming for me,” Dee Dee said. “I always knew about the NEA Jazz Masters and I saw a lot of the people who were awarded with the Jazz Masters. . But I don’t know, I never thought that I was of that ilk. It was wonderful for me because I didn’t even know that I was on the radar.”
These four NEA Jazz Masters will be joined by several other legitimate jazz masters, each of whom will likely be recognized by the NEA in the coming years. More about them in the next edition of Jazz Notes.
– Lee Mergner
Jazz Guru
Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs
JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Over 95% Reserved !
DAVID FOSTER: THE HITMAN CRUISE
Open Booking Begins 5.30.25
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
is in Open Booking
THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
is in Open Booking
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
are Fully Reserved
THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
is in Open Booking
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
is in Open Booking
