Our Take: So You Think '26 is Going to be a Good Year

Nothing in The Who’s Tommy is jazz, yet whenever New Year’s rolls around, the line from the tune “1921” pops into my head. I simply change the “’21” to whatever the new year is and I sing that lyric 100 or more times.

“Got a feeling (’26) is going to be a good year,
Especially if you and me see it in together.”

By all accounts, ’25 was tumultuous. Wars, fires, hurricanes, scandals, hate crimes and more. I don’t know whether they are covering the news better and showing us stuff that has gone unnoticed or the volume of catastrophes has doubled. I believe it to be the latter, which is upsetting to say the least. What can we do to cope and to make our world better in ’26? Here is where we can learn from lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon (a/k/a The Who).

“If you and me see it in together” can be spun 1,000 ways from the personal one-on-one, to a gathering of families, communities or nations. My takeaway is that you are not alone unless you choose to be and, once you begin to share and take in others, life and times will be better.

Listening to music by yourself can be relaxing, but sharing the experience with a small group, in a jazz club, at a festival or on a cruise ship takes the experience to another level. (Note: I understand that the cruise ship experience is particularly rewarding…just saying.)

To follow the advice of The Who, let’s list a few New Year’s Resolutions that will encourage us to “see it in together.”

Take in one live music event every month. The sense of community will make you feel hopeful and alive.
Read The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Accept others as they are and take responsibility for your own actions. Your number of friends will double and your stress will halve.
Concentrate on the donut, not the hole. Stop worrying about what you do not have or cannot do. You will become more tolerant and easier to like.
Walk in the other guy’s shoes. Before judging or acting out, take a moment to understand what the other person is going through. Then ask how you would be acting if it were you in the same situation.
Pass it on…with compassion. Advice, by itself, even good advice, can be a dangerous act. Some people know how to gently urge or politely show someone a better way. Most are heavy handed to the point where the “cure” is worse than the “disease.”

No one needs to adhere to this list of to-do’s more than me. No issue with #1, of course, and #3 is generally in check, but #2, #4 and #5 will require concerted effort and diligence to make headway. I am gearing up for the fight!

Before the ball drops on ’25, I want to take a moment to thank the staff and members of Signature Cruise Experiences for their dedication and devotion to our mission to make every cruise experience perfect for every guest. To those we failed, all four “I’m Sorry” cards are in the mail!

Next, to the hundreds of performers who went on stage and in the lounges for us in ’25. There were many unforgettable moments, epic performances and once-in-a lifetime shows. Your professionalism is surpassed only by your talent and respect for your fellow performers.

Finally, to the fans & guests. Over 10,000 people sailed with us in ’25. People from all over the world, of all ages, backgrounds and stations in life. Many of you have sailed with us numerous times and are part of our community, while some are new to the programs. Whether we’ve known you for years or we’re still learning “Who” you are, you’ve already shown you learned from the teachings of The Who and you’re dedicated to “see[ing] it in together.

To that point, we have 8 sailings in ’26 and nearly 17,000 guests are expected to join us. Would you believe that nearly 90% of them have already reserved their staterooms? Now that is a serious “see it in together” effort.

Happy New Year. Be Safe. Be Well. And do it all with great music!

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.

New Year’s Eve with SCE Artists

Several of our artists are hosting New Year’s Eve’s shows or events, which we’ve listed below.

Mindi Abair’s Wine & Jazz New Year’s Eve

Held December 29-31 at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, CA, and hosted by Pat Prescott, Mindi’s three-day event includes wine tastings, as well as performances by Richard Elliot, Marcus Anderson, DW3 and Daria Biancardi.

Monty Alexander at Blues Alley

A longtime favorite of guest of The Jazz Cruise, Monty will be performing December 26-31 at the storied nightclub in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC. The shows on New Year’s Eve will feature special guest vocalist Caterina Zapponi.

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Rick Braun’s New Year’s Eve

Held in Orlando, FL, Rick’s two-day event features the trumpeter along with special guests Peter White, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Vincent Ingala, Nicole Henry, Paul Jackson, Jr., Everette Harp and Jeff Lorber.

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Brian Culbertson’s New Year’s Celebration

On the heels of his recent Day Trip tour, the dynamic keyboardist performs for three nights, December 29-31, at the Blue Note Napa in Napa, CA.

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Emmet Cohen at Blue Note Tokyo

Emmet Cohen, the host of The Jazz Cruise brings his trio for five nights to the Blue Note in Tokyo, Japan.

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Eric Darius at Spaghettini

The saxophonist will be doing two shows on New Year’s Eve at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA.

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Boney James at Yoshi’s

The co-host of The Smooth Jazz Cruise will perform for three nights (December 29-31) at Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA

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Lest You Forget…Special Opportunities

A more complete listing of cruise programs and reservation information is described below or can be found at www.scecruises.com, but here are few special opportunities that are time sensitive:

David Foster Cruise
(1.15.26 – 1.20.26)
Special Offer on Ocean View Staterooms

Christian McBride’s World at Sea
(1.20.26 – 1.27.26)
Special Offers on Remaining Staterooms

The Jazz Cruise ‘26
(1.27.26 – 2.3.26)
Around 20 Staterooms Remain Available
Past Guests: Your Sailing History Individual Price is Available

Robert Fogle’s My 8 Decade Musical Journey

Robert Fogle, a longtime guest on The Jazz Cruise, has just published My 8 Decade Musical Journey: Musical Events, Stories, and Interviews, a book of interviews and reflections from his life in jazz. Having done a jazz radio show in Toronto, Canada for over 27 years and following jazz as a passion and hobby for almost 80, Robert had the opportunity to interview over 700 musicians, including Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Count Basie and Joe Williams. Known as “Canada’s Jazz Historian,” Robert reveals behind-the-scenes facts, personal insights and anecdotes, helping shed new light on their lives and careers.

“My inspiration for the book came from my collection of interviews, stories and histories of musicians, many of them taken from my radio show on a local university station in Toronto over a 28-year career,” Robert explains. “Along with the radio show, my lifelong love of jazz provided the opportunity for me to meet and get to know many of the legendary performers and these memories are the basis of the book. It is my way to share unique insights and experiences with other fellow music lovers.”

PURCHASE THE BOOK

Signature Cruise Experiences End of the Year Program Update

Including our Top Shelf Country Cruises in ’26 and ’27, Signature Cruise Experiences is producing eight cruise programs in ’26 and another eight cruise programs in ’27. Half of the ’26 programs are either fully reserved or nearly so. Information is available now for several of the ’27 programs. The others will be announced soon.

For complete lineups, sailing dates, reservation procedures and Cruise Prices, go to www.scecruises.com and click on the cruise program you desire.