Recently, we added land-based excursions to our programming on several cruises. Sometimes words are used to describe something without regard to their true meaning. I wondered if “excursion” was one of those words. It was not. The Oxford Dictionary defines “excursion” as “a short journey or trip, especially one engaged in as a leisure activity.” Accurate, but, for us, not quite complete.
At Signature Cruise Experiences what we offer goes beyond that definition. Across our upcoming sailings, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, Botti at Sea ’26 and Journey of Jazz ’27, we are curating moments that reflect the jazz life. Some are jazzy all by themselves and some reflect the types of activities that jazz fans adore.
Many of these offerings were created by us. All were chosen by us and we will escort our guests on every event. This is not new to us, as many years agoin New Orleans, The Jazz Cruise connected guests with the city’s finest dining and unforgettable local tours. But more recently, Journey of Jazz ’25 elevated the idea entirely.
Sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles, with a full day in Victoria and an overnight in San Francisco, Journey of Jazz ’25 offered more immersive jazz shows, fine dining, visits to Napa and Sonoma, a culinary tour of San Francisco and more. Our guests didn’t just visit these places. They experienced them.
This Fall, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 will follow that same itinerary with Chris Botti at Sea III retracing the journey north back from Los Angeles to Vancouver. In each case, our guests will be able to enjoy the wonderful opportunities in San Francisco and Victoria.
Then comes Journey of Jazz ’27. Having spoiled our Journey of Jazz ’25 guests, we have made sure that the next sailing of that program continues our jazz journey. Mission accomplished. From Tampa to an overnight stay in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, Journey Of Jazz ’27 is writing an entirely new chapter.
Private jazz shows. Iconic dining at Arnaud’s, Commander’s Palace and Antoines. We have rented out the entire premises of Brennan’s for a New Orleans style brunch event. There will be tours galore, a steamboat trip and more.
Having now buried the lead, our guest host for New Orleans is Wynton Marsalis, the undisputed spokesperson for the Crescent City and its population. What more appropriate subject to be discussed during Jazz Appreciation Month than how we are going to bring our guests together with Wynton in New Orleans.
Since 2001, SCE has presented the “jazz life ”at sea. Good food, warm receptions, camaraderie, late night jam sessions, fine wine and lots of laughter. Those elements will always be a part of our cruise programs, but now we are extending that life beyond the ship to the ports of call.
Whether these activities on land can truly be called “excursions” depends upon how you define “leisure activity.” I prefer “experiences,” the “direct observation, participation, or undergoing of events, sensations or emotions.”
When we sat down to rename our company to reflect that we were producing a variety of cruise programs, we knew that “cruise” would be at the center of the name. To convey the high-end nature of our cruises, the term ”signature” made the most sense. The phrase “I will sign my name to that” provided the inspiration.
But, when it came to telling people what our “Signature Cruise” offerings would entail, “experiences” was the only answer! Our goal is to create experiences that are true to the “jazz life” and provide both immediate joy and long time memories.
We have conquered providing those experiences at sea and on a ship. Land events as part of our cruise programs are next.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti 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.
Livestream Updates
Want to Learn More About Chris Botti at Sea III?
Step Inside the “Perfect” Cruise Livestream
4.23.26 / 7PM ET
Join us for a special livestream on April 23 at 7 PM ET to learn more about the Perfect Cruise Experience on Botti at Sea III. Get an inside look at our exciting lineup of world-class talent, explore the beautiful ports of call and discover the unforgettable shore excursions that make this year’s sailing truly special. Don’t miss this opportunity to see what makes Botti at Sea III so exceptional.
Journey of Jazz ’27 Livestream
4.23.26 / 4PM ET
Join us for a special livestream on April 23 at 4 PM ET to explore the Journey of Jazz. We’ll showcase our incredible lineup of world-class jazz artists, explore exciting ports of call, and uncover unforgettable shore excursions to experience the best of the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans! Don’t miss this chance to learn more about the Journey of Jazz.
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Livestream
5.14.26 / 4PM ET
Join us for the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Livestream to meet the lineup, including exciting new additions, learn about the ports, get the details about events performances and learn why one sailing is never enough!
Jazz Appreciation Month
SCE Artists on Jazz
In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, we asked 30 artists who sail on our programs what jazz means to them. We’ll be posting a new one to our social media pages every day in April. You can read each artist’s entire essay here.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s We The People
We The People, the newest recording from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, is the first in a series of albums released by Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Blue Engine Records that articulate jazz’s ethical relationship to democracy, freedom and collective life. We The People emerged from a collaboration with the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra reflected on the unfolding story of our nation by writing twelve original compositions inspired by works from the Crystal Bridges collection. Recorded in 2018 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater in NYC, We The People pays tribute to the diversity and complexity of the American experience on display in the museum.
Tierney Sutton’s Spring
Tierney Sutton, who has sailed on The Jazz Cruise numerous times, has just released her 17th album as leader or co-leader and her first voice-and-piano duo project. For the recording Spring she collaborated with pianist Tamir Hendelman who also has sailed with us on The Jazz Cruise over the years. “There are only a couple of pianists I really love to work with in a duo setting,” Tierney said. “Tamir is one of my favorites. He’s an encyclopedia of songs, and nobody swings harder.”
Oscar Peterson Trio Live at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
The estate of Oscar Peterson has released another archival recording by the legendary pianist. Live at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge features Peterson performing with his famous trio of Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums at the noted Detroit jazz club. The live recording features previously unissued performances, all taped on a single Friday night in August 1960.
Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs
Sailing in the Next 12 Months
Botti at Sea III (’26)
9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Chris Botti hosts a West Coast Cruise with Amazing Talent and Fabulous Excursions & Events
Botti at Sea III (’26) is in Open Booking. Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation.
The lineup has been set for a few months. Joining Chris Botti will be Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Emmet Cohen, Veronica Swift, Candy Dulfer, John Splithoff, Morgan James, Benny Benack III, Kandace Springs, Harold Lopez-Nussa Trio ft. Gregoire Maret and more. The cruise will sail from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls in San Francisco and Victoria.
Botti at Sea III incorporates two experiences. First, is another edition of our famous cruise programs with nightly special shows, hours of additional music and intimate and insightful opportunities to learn more about our performers.
The second aspect of the programs is a robust offering of excursions and events when we dock in San Francisco (overnight) and in Victoria, BC (full day). You can visit wineries in Napa or Sonoma, tour Napa Valley on the Napa Valley Wine Train, dine at the finest restaurants, see special shows at SFJAZZ, and more. Each of these events are curated, produced and presented by us.
To learn more about the cruise and the amazing excursions, check out the Botti Cruise Livestream Video on-demand on our website and on YouTube.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
’26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)
’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
3 Sailings of “The Greatest Party at Sea”
Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise has sailed over 30 times since 2004. Year after year, there is a waitlist for staterooms and the cruises hit Fully Reserved earlier and earlier.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is fully reserved. Guests wishing to sail on the cruise should Join the Wait List now. Any cancellations by current guests will be filled by the Wait List.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 and ‘27.2 are both in Open Booking. ’27.1 is more than 80% reserved and ’27.2 is more than 90% reserved. Please note that the itineraries for both sailings have been updated.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.1
Tampa – Cozumel – Grand Cayman – Tampa
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore
1.12.27 – 1.17.27
One Sailing is Never Enough!
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 (Foster ’26) was a runaway hit program. From the first note to the last song, the brilliance of David Foster was evident in every show and event.
The lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 has been announced and includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.
Foster ’26 Guests have finalized rebooking their staterooms and Pre-Sail Reservations holders are currently selecting staterooms and completing their reservations.
Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom, begins on April 27, 2026.
The Jazz Cruise ’27
1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea
The Jazz Cruise is the first program that Signature Cruise Experiences ever produced. Since its first sailing in 2001, The Jazz Cruise has been the world leader in presenting “straight ahead” jazz at sea.
The cruise is in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.
The Jazz Cruise reaches Fully Reserved every year and staterooms for The Jazz Cruise ’27 are being reserved faster and sooner than ever.
Journey of Jazz ’27
1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Now in Open Booking
Journey of Jazz ’27 will be an amazing cruise program featuring hosts Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter, a full lineup of great musicians and vocalists and a special two days in New Orleans which features Wynton Marsalis and a group of his hand-picked musicians.
In its second season, Journey of Jazz proudly combines the very best music with opportunities to live the jazz life and learn more about the history of jazz. As an example, Journey of Jazz ’27 will present Ledisi as a main show performer on the ship. In keeping with the theme of the cruise, Ledisi will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program.
Details for the overnight stay in New Orleans are nearly complete. There will be special jazz shows in the city, dining at iconic New Orleans restaurants (Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, Arnaud’s and more), tours of the city on land and by ship and much more. Each event in New Orleans will be curated, produced and presented by Signature Cruise Experiences.
Journey of Jazz ’27 is in Open Booking. You may select and reserve any available stateroom at this time. This may be the jazz experience of the year.
Sailing in 18 Months
Botti at Sea IV (’27)
10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec
A Canadian itinerary in the Fall is one of the most popular cruise itineraries in the industry. Fall colors, beautiful scenery, hands on adventures in famous ports-of-call. If nothing else was taking place on the ship, a cruise with these features would be in high demand. So, when Chris Botti decided to take his amazing cruise program from Boston to Quebec City, with a full complement of the entertainers and performers that you have grown to love and expect, not only was he gilding the lily, but he was creating one of the top music cruise experiences ever offered.
Stay tuned for more programming and reservation procedure details. As is always the case on a Signature Cruise Experiences program, guests on Botti at Sea III (’26) (’26 Guests) will be able to rebook their current staterooms and those who are not ’26 Guests will be eligible to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation which will establish their stateroom selection priority after the ’26 Guests complete their rebooking procedure.
Look for most of this to happen around 8.15.26!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3
10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Now in Open Booking!
This program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events.
This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.