Sleeping in my own bed, drinking my own coffee and heading out to play tennis means we are home and back to our regular Saturday routine. That feels good, but, in all candor, I would rather be sailing still on Journey of Jazz ’25. So much happened in such a short time that my report will be made in two parts. Today, The Weekender will focus on the excursion facet of the trip and the next edition of Jazz Notes, Wednesday, September 24, 2025 will focus on the music. Our Jazz Advisor, Lee Mergner, will highlight the hours and hours of amazing music we enjoyed on the ship.
Normally, I would not spend an entire Our Take on activities OFF the ship, but a couple of them were musical highlights and most of the excursions that we curated will be repeated on both The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 and Botti at Sea III (’26). Journey of Jazz ’25 included a full day in Victoria and two days and one night in San Francisco. Both of the ’26 cruises cited above will do the same.
Victoria proved to be idyllic in terms of its gardens, architecture and ambience. Guests went whale watching and visited the Butchart Gardens. Tours of the city were popular and many guests took advantage of the weather to roam the center of the city enjoying the hundreds and hundreds of flower displays, beautiful sidewalk cafes and views of the government buildings and the Empress Hotel that define the city.
Just over 300 guests joined us at the iconic McPherson Theater in Victoria for a private afternoon concert that featured Warren Wolf with the Sullivan Fortner Trio. I attended the show and enjoyed every minute of the overlap of modern music being performed in an old-world venue. No matter what a guest chose to do that day, they were scurrying back to the ship for our Diana Krall shows. I said that I would leave that to Lee, but I cannot help myself.
A couple of days later, we arrived in San Francisco. Our crack team was ready to launch our excursion portfolio and led groups to several different wineries, the Napa Valley Wine Train, tours of Alcatraz as well as escorted visits to topflight restaurants for dim sum and seafood, curated by. Former San Francisco Chronicle food critic, Michael Bauer.
Nearly 400 guests boarded our coaches and headed to SFJAZZ, perhaps the most beautiful jazz venue in the world, for a private afternoon show featuring the SFJAZZ Collective (Chris Potter, David Sanchez, Mike Rodriguez, Warren Wolf, Edward Simon, Matt Brewer and Kendrick Scott). Besides enjoying 90 minutes of captivating music, our guests were treated to an introduction and presentation by Terence Blanchard, Executive Music Director of SFJAZZ. That was a pleasant surprise.
That night, Michael Bauer hosted several groups to exclusive dining experiences at top notch restaurants around the city. No complaints, only raves so far! In each case, we provided the transportation from the ship to the restaurant and back. The restaurants provided either private rooms or separate areas just for our guests.
Most of the tours and excursions were repeated the next day, including five winery tours, another Napa Valley Wine Train event and three dining events including a visit to Yank Sing, San Francisco’s #1 dim sum restaurant.
The show at SFJAZZ featured Ron Carter with Renee Rosnes, Jimmy Greene and Payton Crossley. Every seats in the venue were filled! Since this event was not “on the ship,” I can talk about it without breaking my promise to Lee regarding music reviews being his domain. The quartet was fabulous. Ron Carter’s aura was in full bloom. Our own Marcus Miller did the introduction as Ron Carter is one of Marcus’ idols. Heartfelt and honest as always, Marcus was the ultimate emcee.
At 6PM, we left the port of San Francisco and headed for our last stop, Los Angeles. The final day being a day at sea was filled with more music than any other day of the week, a bittersweet ending to one of the most memorable cruise programs in our 25-year history.
Journey of Jazz will sail again during the last week of January ’27. This time the “Journey” will be headed to New Orleans, the undisputed home of jazz. Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter will return as hosts and we are excited to announce our star-studded lineup soon.
Just as jazz continues to be the center of our music focus, Journey of Jazz will continue to meld the music with the jazz life experience.
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.
Signature Cruise Experiences Programs
Stateroom Availability
5 Days, 5 Nights,
5 Star Experience!
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise will deliver five incredible days & nights of five-star entertainment, centered around the music of 16-time GRAMMY® winner David Foster, including Michael McDonald, Katharine McPhee, Babyface and other incredible talents. Open Booking has begun and staterooms are moving fast! Act soon to reserve your stateroom using Promo Code: EOS25 for special End of Summer Pricing. Ends 9.22.25!
Limited Time Promotional Pricing
Join us on Christian McBride’s World at Sea to see Christian and amazing vocalists like Samara Joy, Ledisi, José James, Angélique Kidjo and more! 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
Open Booking Available
The Jazz Cruise ’26 will be sold out before you know it. It’s happened every year since 2001. Book Now with Promo Code: 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 are Both Fully Reserved
Of course, you may join the Waitlist. Or, if you’d prefer to sail the West Coast this fall, consider joining us on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3.
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!
Open Booking 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!
Open Booking Now Available
The full lineup of artists and excursions has been announced! Though the cruise is more than a year away, staterooms are going fast. Reserve your stateroom today to see Chris Botti, Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle and more!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 & ‘27.2
Marcus Miller and Boney James announced headliners and itinerary for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 and ‘27.2 in a live Lineup Reveal last week. If you missed it, catch it HERE!
Now through 11.26.25, Guests on ’26.1 & ’26.2 have the exclusive opportunity to rebook their stateroom for ‘27. During that same timeframe, all other guests may complete a Pre-Sail Reservation, giving them the opportunity to book any available stateroom after the Rebooking Period is complete.
Journey of Jazz ’27
Journey of Jazz ’27 will be announced no later than January 15, 2026. Sailing dates are 1.24.27 – 1.31.27 and will include special programming in New Orleans.