The best city in the world during the Holiday Season is New York City. No contest. Prior to the Pandemic, my wife and I always found a reason, some good and some not so good, to enjoy a few days in the city. We shopped, dined, walked up and down 5th Avenue and took in the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. And virtually every visit was highlighted by an evening at Café Carlyle, the quintessential dining/drinking/music establishment in NYC, particularly during the holidays.
I was first introduced to Café Carlyle by my father, back when I was in college. Bobby Short ruled the roost back then. Sitting there, watching and listening to him perform, is probably the fondest memory I have of my father.
As I have shared before, if Bobby Short played alto saxophone, he would have been a clone of my father. There was no tune from the Great American Songbook that Dad could not play or sing. With his “cheat music” book and instrument in his car, Dad was always ready, willing and very able to entertain you.
Dad and his buddies had a standing gig for New Year’s Eve at the very best restaurant in St. Louis. The 2004 new year celebration would be his final appearance as a performer as he died just a few weeks afterwards. I have a photo of him performing in the sport coat, tie and pants that were his signature “music man” look. He is buried in that outfit, along with some cigars, Music Minus One albums and believe it or not, a vintage Selmer Alto Saxophone. I know the horn was valuable; when Dad and David Sanborn met, they exchanged serial numbers of their saxophones and David offered to purchase the instrument.
The first time that Paula and I went to Café Carlyle together was during the reign of Steve Tyrell. Steve had been on our cruises by then and Paula was a big fan. Still, she was surprised that Café Carlyle not only lived up to the “over the top” hoopla I was offering but exceeded her expectations. That Steve dedicated a song to her helped the cause greatly.
Well, yesterday, I flew to New York City in the morning and returned home last night. No shopping. No tourist attractions. And, unfortunately, no Café Carlyle. Strictly business, but important business, nonetheless. Still I made sure to check in on what was happening at Café Carlyle during this holiday season. I was thrilled to see that Peter Cincotti was the headliner for Christmas week and beyond. Peter sailed with us recently on Chris Botti at Sea and will take another turn in a few weeks on David Foster: The Hitman Cruise. Speaking of Chris Botti, Chris has begun his annual holiday show run at Blue Note NYC which continues through December 19, 2025.
I may be back in St. Louis right now, but my heart and my holiday spirit are in the Big Apple!
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.
Lafayette Harris, Jr.’s All In Good Time
In the follow-up to his 2023 album Swingin’ Up in Harlem, pianist Lafayette Harris, Jr. has released All In Good Time, which features his longtime friend and ours, Houston Person, as a special guest. Recorded at the famous Van Gelder Studio, the album features Lafayette with a rhythm section of Kenny Davis (bass) and Jerome Jennings (drums), as well as trumpeter Jeremy Pelt.
“This record was something I wanted to do for a long time because I really had in mind making some kind of tribute to my former employer and mentor, Max Roach,” Lafayette explains. “That’s why I chose Jerome for the drums. He has an affinity for the style of playing by Max, plus he does his own particular take on that style. Houston Person helped me pick out some selections, particularly the song called ‘Time’ by Richie Powell. Before we picked the title of the CD, I noticed that there were several songs that had the word time or a message about time in the title.”
Signature Cruise Experiences Programs
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26
Sailing Dates: 1.15.26 – 1.20.26
Staterooms Available: Veranda, Ocean View and Inside
Special Offer: FOV Cruise Prices
Best Prices on Ocean View Staterooms
SAILS IN 33 DAYS!
Christian McBride’s World at Sea
Sailing Dates: 1.20.26 – 1.27.26
Staterooms Available: Limited Availability in Most Categories
Special Offer: FINAL Cruise Prices! Best Offer in Years
SAILS IN 38 DAYS!
The Jazz Cruise
Sailing Dates: 1.27.26 – 2.3.26
Nearly Fully Reserved
Staterooms Available: Fewer than 30 Remain; 7 Staterooms with Balconies, 22 Ocean View & Inside Staterooms
SAILS IN 45 DAYS!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2
Sailing Dates:
2.3.26 – 2.10.26
2.10.26 – 2.17.26
Fully Reserved; JOIN WAITLIST
SJC ‘26.1 SAILS IN 52 DAYS!
SJC ‘26.2 SAILS IN 59 DAYS!
Top Shelf Country Cruise ’26
Sailing Dates: 2.27.26 – 3.6.26
82% Reserved
Staterooms Available: Concierge, AquaClass & Veranda
Promo Code: COUNTDOWN
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3
Sailing Dates: 9.11.26 – 9.18.26
96% Reserved; fewer than 60 Staterooms remain
Staterooms Available: Fewer than 45 Staterooms Remain; 21 Concierge Staterooms; 9 Veranda Staterooms; 15 Inside Staterooms
Botti at Sea III (’26)
Sailing Dates: 9.18.26 – 9.25.26
65% Reserved
Staterooms Available:
Concierge, AquaClass and Veranda (with balconies); Ocean View and Inside
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27
Sailing Dates: 1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Lineup Announcement: TBD
The Jazz Cruise ’27
Sailing Dates: 1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Guests on TJC ’26: Now through 1.30.26, Guests may Rebook their ’26 Stateroom
Guests Not on TJC ’26: New Guests may complete a Pre-Sail Reservation
Guests with Pre-Sail Reservations may start to select Staterooms on 2.6.26
Journey of Jazz ’27
Sailing Dates: 1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Guests on Journey of Jazz ’25: Now through 12.12.25, Guests may Rebook Stateroom from Journey of Jazz ‘25
Guests Not on Journey of Jazz ’25: Now through 12.12.25, New Guests may complete a Pre-Sail Reservation
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1
Sailing Dates: 1.31.27 – 2.7.27
Open Booking Starts: 12.29.25
Cruise Prices: As shown on website
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2
Sailing Dates: 2.7.27 – 2.14.27
Open Booking Starts: 12.29.25
Cruise Prices: As shown on website
Top Shelf Country Cruise ’27
Sailing Dates: TBD
Announcement: TBD
Botti at Sea IV (’27)
Sailing Dates: 10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Announcement: TBD
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.3
Sailing Dates: 10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Announcement: TBD