For various reasons, we are taking inventory of our cruise programs to find common threads both in terms of “good stuff” and “bad stuff.” Those inquiries quickly lead into a deep dive, defining who our guests are in general, and who they are specifically for each cruise. I am not sure that we found anything surprising other than confirmation that even our most ardent jazz fans like other music as well.
The age curve for every music cruise skews to the upper end with income and time availability being the main factors. Our programs reflect that demographic in terms of music selection, manner of presentation, non-music events and ship selection. Even the choice of mealtimes, menu, pillow gifts, Artist Hosted Events, showtimes and more are driven by the nature of our guests.
This should not be surprising as the cruises we present are 100% guest-oriented. The programs are for the guests, based upon their interests and requests. Keeping up with the nuances and propensities of our guests is a full-time job, one that we intend to augment in the upcoming year. We want to know what you are thinking.
Let’s talk about our findings. More and more, guests from The Jazz Cruise, our most “in the pocket” jazz program, are adding other cruises to their Sailing Histories. Granted, adding Journey of Jazz is not a huge leap of faith, but those guests are also drawn to Botti at Sea and David Foster: The Hitman Cruise. When asked why, guests call out specific performers and, in the case of Botti at Sea, the spectacular itinerary and excursions being offered.
Which artists stoke the moves? Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot are mentioned frequently when folks are taking in the Botti cruise. And Michael McDonald, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Dianne Reeves have jazz fans reserving staterooms on the Foster cruise. Do you see the pattern? It is the Hunt for Mature Music that moves the needle.
Journey of Jazz has its own set of stalwarts (Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Wynton Marsalis, Ledisi), but those artists are much closer to the core of our guests than the others mentioned above.
At this point, we need to point out that Top Shelf Country Cruise, while presenting superstar Keith Urban last cruise and meteorically rising Riley Green on the next cruise, is outside of our revolving door of cruise programs. Of the 2,500 guests on Top Shelf Country Cruise ’26, only three guests had sailed on other Signature Cruise Experiences programs. It may be time to either jazz up the country cruise or country up the jazz cruises. Guitarist Bruce Forman performed a cowboy jazz set on The Jazz Cruise many years ago.
For those still trying to guess who the new guest on the Botti cruise is, they fit right in the middle of this illustrious grouping of performers. I love a good riddle, particularly when I know that the answer will elicit a “Wow!”
Basically, our jazz fans, when not listening to jazz, seem to favor Adult Contemporary (AC) music. A wide range of AC music to be sure, but their tastes are not Pop or gimmicky. They enjoy great vocalists who present with substance and style. Musicians who separate themselves by the significance of their playing.
In short, our jazz fans are music snobs – in a good way. As we have heard so many times over the years, there are only two kinds of music: good and bad. When we ask our guests, “when you are not listening to Jazz, what is your music?” the answer is an easy one.
They listen to good music.
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.
Journey of Jazz Welcomes John Pizzarelli
Journey of Jazz ’27 is a cruise that entertains, excites and educates. We’ve already spent time sharing the entertainment and excitement portions of the cruise, so let’s explore the educational aspects.
It begins the very first night, when Marcus Miller takes you on a musical journey sharing the history of jazz from all angles. Not only does he share rare insights on the musicians that have paved the way for jazz, but he examines how the music itself was born, raised and matured. To quote the tagline from Marcus’ Real Jazz Marcus Time show, his History of Jazz cruise show is the “full 360 degrees.”
Gregory Porter and Ledisi will have their own tribute shows and, of course, Wynton Marsalis will be the conductor of History of Jazz – New Orleans style. There will be several other shows of this type, including our most recent addition: the great John Pizzarelli. Longtime member of the core of The Jazz Cruise, John will be bringing his Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington tribute shows to Journey of Jazz ’27.
Jazz’ #1 raconteur is also one of the most talented musicians in the genre who takes pride in his dedication to the music and his knowledge of our history is as deep as his affection for it.
Peabo Bryson on Watercolors
In the wake of Peabo Bryson‘s untimely passing, it is a balm to so many of us that his legacy lives on in our memories and in the music he left behind.
In the spirit of his memory living on, it means a great deal to us that Sirius XM’s Watercolors with Talaya will be rebroadcasting Peabo’s 2016 performance from The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Remember him in music this Saturday, June 6 at 4 PM ET
Last Chance to Sail in ’26: Chris Botti at Sea III
Since January, Signature Cruise Experiences has produced six sailings, serving well over 13,000 guests. The last two sailings are in September, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 (SJC ’26.3) and Chris Botti at Sea III. SJC ’26.3 is fully reserved. You may join the Waitlist for the sailing, but there are nearly 1,000 entrants at this time.
Your last chance to sail with us in ’26 is Chris Botti at Sea III and that sailing has a limited number of staterooms remaining. Due to the significant planning required to set up the Signature Cruise Experiences’ excursions that are being offered in San Francisco and Victoria, BC, the guest manifest for Chris Botti at Sea III will need to be finalized sooner than normal.
To make all this happen, remaining Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms will be sold at CloseOut Cruise Prices. This offer is first come, first served.
For more information about Chris Botti at Sea III, CloseOut Cruise Prices or to learn more about the excursions available, visit www.bottiatsea.com
Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs
SCE Sailings in ’26
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3
9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles
Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.
If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.
Botti at Sea ’26
9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver
STATEROOM CLOSEOUT SALE IN EFFECT
For more information, see above.
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore
1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa
Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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 star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.
The Jazz Cruise ’27
1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa
Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms
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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.
Journey of Jazz ’27
1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa
Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms
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, 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.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa
The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.
Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are nearly 95% reserved at this time.
Botti at Sea ’27
10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City
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 (8.15.26) 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.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3
10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.
This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.