Journey of Jazz ’25, Signature Cruise Experiences first Fall sailing in nearly two decades, sails in four weeks. For those with great memories, The Jazz Cruise began as a Fall program. That the first sailing was a few weeks after 9/11 should have taught us a lesson, but it took the threats of a hurricane to cause us to move that iconic program to January.
Finding a way to offer a cruise in the Fall has always been a goal of ours, so when we learned that Celebrity Summit, our favorite ship, was repositioning in the Fall from Alaska to the Caribbean, we became very interested in carving out a jazz lover-friendly itinerary on the West Coast.
To most, Vancouver, Victoria, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the gems of the West Coast. When you add an overnight in San Francisco, visits to Napa and Sonoma become available. For the past year, we have worked to create and curate spectacular excursions in Victoria and San Francisco. Live shows at SFJAZZ and in Victoria, winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, special dining opportunities in San Francisco and Victoria and long list of tours that include whale watching and visits to Alcatraz!
The Napa Valley Wine train tour was so popular that we had to charter the train twice to accommodate our guests.
These excursions are on top of our hours and hours of amazing music on the ship. Remember, Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter are the hosts, and they will be joined by Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chucho Valdés, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Sullivan Fortner and more.
During the week, Marcus and Gregory will take us on a “journey” highlighting much of the history of jazz. This will not be a lecture series! It will be a series of musical events, songs and presentations to provide our guests with the story of how the greatest American music form came to be.
Marcus was Miles Davis’ music director. Gregory has studied all the top vocalists in the genre. And, under the “straight from the horse’s mouth” category, we have Chris and Dan Brubeck, sons of Dave Brubeck, and Ravi Coltrane, John’s son, on board performing and sharing stories and insights into the lives and careers of their famous fathers.
The excitement among our staff, our crew, our talent and, most of all, our guests, is palpable. Journey of Jazz ’25 is the juxtaposition of great music, great food and wine, great experiences and great expectations.
Cruise Note: Journey of Jazz ’25 has been fully reserved for many weeks now. As always, there have been last minute cancellations, so a few Veranda and Inside Staterooms are available. If interested, call us (888.852.9987).
Programming Notes: Chris Botti at Sea ’26 and The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 are sailing this very itinerary. Staterooms are available currently. What about Journey of Jazz? The next sailing of Journey of Jazz will be 1.24.27 – 1.31.27, and, in keeping with our “journey” theme, the cruise will be headed to New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, for two days and one amazing night of music, dining and fun.
Lots of good things to look forward to.
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.
The Vail Jazz Festival
Our friends at Vail Jazz are getting ready for their annual festival held over Labor Day weekend. This year’s performers include several artists very familiar with guests of The Jazz Cruise, including Niki Haris, John Clayton, Gerald Clayton, Terell Stafford, Lewis Nash, René Marie and Wycliffe Gordon. Held at the Manor Vail Lodge facing Vail Mountain, the festival is the culmination of a prestigious Summer-long jazz education program with performances also featuring students, past and present, along with jazz greats. There’s even a Sunday morning gospel show. Tickets are still available for either an All-Access Pass or Individual Sessions.
Webinars
Whether you’re counting down the days to your next adventure or just daydreaming about ocean breezes and island escapes, we have upcoming cruise webinars for almost everyone. Get insider tips if you’re already booked, explore destinations and excursions if you’re still browsing or simply join us to be in the virtual presence of some of our cruise superstars.
The Jazz Cruise: Special Edition of Emmet’s Place
Since 2001, The Jazz Cruise has been the hallmark of “straight ahead” jazz, not only “at sea,” but anywhere in the world, which is why The Jazz Cruise is fully reserved every year.
Emmet Cohen, who has moved from student performer to featured performer to co-host to host of The Jazz Cruise, is presenting a special edition of his famed Emmet’s Place to talk about The Jazz Cruise ’26, which sails from 1.27.26 – 2.3.26.
DATE: AUGUST 25, 2025
TIME: 3:00 PM ET
Christian McBride World at Sea: Livestream
Back in April, Christian McBride hosted a livestream to cover all the ins and outs of Christian McBride’s World at Sea. The event was so much fun that Christian wants to do it all over again! So, as we draw closer and closer to embarkation day, we hope you’ll join us for another Christian McBride’s World at Sea Livestream event! Plus, word on the street is that Christian will be welcoming a special guest. Who will it be? Sign up to find out!
DATE: AUGUST 20, 2025
TIME: 2:00 PM ET
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Connect
Join us for programing insights, cruise news and more can’t miss information about David Foster: The Hitman Cruise! Plus, hear from The Hitman himself, David Foster, his wife, Katharine McPhee and more of the stars of David Foster: The Hitman Cruise.
Connect with us on August 26!
DATE: AUGUST 26, 2025
TIME: 3:00 PM ET
Stateroom Availability
Cruise Programs – 2025
| Journey of Jazz | Fully-Reserved. Cancellations filled from Waitlist |
Cruise Programs – 2026
| David Foster: The Hitman Cruise | Open Booking Now; End of Summer Prices on Select Stateroom Categories Available through 9.22.25 |
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea | Open Booking Now; End of Summer Prices on Select Stateroom Categories Available through 9.22.25 |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | Open Booking Now; End of Summer Prices on Select Stateroom Categories Available through 9.22.25 |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | Fully reserved; Join Waitlist |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | Fully reserved; Join Waitlist |
| Top Shelf Country Cruise | Over 75% Reserved; Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | Over 85% Reserved; Open Booking Now |
| Botti at Sea ’26 | Open Booking Now; Final Lineup and Excursions Just Announced! |
Signature Cruise Experiences Programs
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise: 5 Days, 5 Nights, 5 Star Experience
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise will deliver five incredible days and nights of five-star entertainment, all centered around the music and career of 16-time GRAMMY® winner David Foster. Michael McDonald, Babyface, Katharine McPhee and other preeminent talents will join us aboard.
Open Booking has begun and staterooms are already moving fast! Act soon to reserve your stateroom of choice using Promo Code: EOS25 for special End of Summer Pricing through September 22!
Christian McBride’s World at Sea: Limited Time Promotional Pricing
We’ve heard your requests! End of Summer Pricing is available for ALL remaining staterooms at incredible savings through the End of Summer! Use Promo Code EOS25 to book your stateroom about Christian McBride’s World at Sea at the lowest price seen! Offer good through September 22! *New Reservations Only
The Jazz Cruise ’26: Open Booking Now Available
The Jazz Cruise ’26 will be sold out before you know it. It happens every year since 2001. Book Now with Promo: EOS25 to secure the best pricing available and your place on the Greatest Jazz Festival in the World!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2: Both Sailings are Fully Reserved
Of course, you may join the Waitlist. Or, if you’d prefer to sail the West Coast this fall (two novel concepts for this program), consider joining us on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3.
Top Shelf Country Cruise: Open Booking Now Available
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: Open Booking Now Available
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 85% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!
Botti at Sea ’26: Open Booking Now Available
The full lineup of artists and excursions was announced earlier this week! Though the cruise is more than a year away, staterooms are being reserved at a record clip. Reserve your stateroom today!
Journey of Jazz ’25: Fully Reserved
Journey of Jazz is now fully reserved. All cancellations will be filled through the Waitlist.