Last night, we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale. On Tuesday, we will board the Celebrity Summit for the 25th Anniversary Sailing of The Jazz Cruise. The time in between will be spent visiting with some guests who arrived early, chatting it up with Christian McBride and Melissa Walker and being a runner for my wife as she greets the musicians on the cruise at the Musicians’ Hotel as they arrive for the cruise.
Besides getting out of the cold, I am thrilled to be this close to great music, great guests, and 28 days of showing folks how Signature Cruise Experiences produces a cruise. Since we last sailed, we have added a number of sailings, a host of personnel and a boatload of extra enthusiasm.
The first sailing of The Jazz Cruise was in the Fall of 2001, just a few weeks after the 9/11 tragedy. My mother, Anita Berry, who was 72 at the time, was 100% financially responsible for that sailing. There were more than a few shaky moments in advance of that sailing. Were planes going to fly? Were guests willing to board the planes? Would the musicians be concerned?
Remember, corresponding by email or text in those days was not common, particularly among jazz musicians and fans. Most of the cajoling was done by telephone and most of those calls were made by Mom. It all worked out, of course, and now we will soon be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of this iconic program.
I have been asked several times to share my favorite moments on the cruise. I have never done that, but, in honor of Mom and all the guests and musicians that have made The Jazz Cruise so wonderful, here is my list of the 10 most memorable events on the cruise.
10. Watching Frank Manning dance as he was inducted into The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame.
9. Any and all memories of Jeff Clayton, Red Holloway, Keter Betts and Joe Ascione.
8. Spending time with my father at the Ocean Bar on Holland America, particularly the night when Richie Cole lost his demeanor.
7. Anytime John Clayton led the Big Band.
6. Listening to Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves or Kurt Elling.
5. All editions of the Gospel Hour with Wycliffe Gordon and Niki Haris.
4. When the entire Big Band stood up and applauded as Johnny Mandel came up to conduct.
3. Being behind the scenes with Shelly Berg, Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Miller, Arturo Sandoval and Lewis Nash as they discussed what tunes they were going to play. Then listening to them play only one of the tunes discussed and taking turns trying to stump the others with their on-the-fly selections.
2. The late-night piano solos performed in the Rendezvous Lounge that provided solace, comfort and time to reflect on how amazing life on the cruise has been.
1. By far, reading notes from guests thanking us for the cruise, telling us how meaningful the cruise is to them, and how their lives have been impacted by these experiences.
On six occasions, guests have chosen to sail on The Jazz Cruise as their last act of life. One guest had the following inscribed on his tombstone: “I’d Rather Be On The Jazz Cruise.” Very touching, indeed.
Not so touching was a phone call from a long-time guest. She called to tell us that her husband of 45 years had died. Since The Jazz Cruise was fewer than two weeks away, I told her that we would, of course, refund her payments. I can still hear her response: “No darling, I will be there. I just wanted to let you know that Ralph will not.”
I believe in the box theory of life. Every deed, every statement, every action belongs in a particular box. A box that defines the item for the sake of clarity and understanding.
The interaction above with our guest was more than 15 years ago. I am still hunting for a box in which to place her comment.
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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com
While We Are At Sea
After reading “Our Take” some may ask “What if I want to contact the office from January 28 – February 25?” No worries! Our office will be fully staffed to assist you with any questions you may have about your ’25 Sailing or with reserving a stateroom for one of the eight ’26 Sailings. Check your email on Monday, January 27, 2025 for an in depth “While We Are At Sea” memo. We got this!
Carl Allen’s Trippin’
Veteran drummer Carl Allen, who will be sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’25 and McBride’s World at Sea ’26 with Inside Straight, has just released Tippin’, his first album as a leader in more than 20 years. Appearing on the recording with Carl is his longtime friend and bandmate Christian McBride, as well as saxophonist Chris Potter. This chordless trio approach originated from Carl’s desire to come up with something different for collaborating with Christian and also from playing with Chris on a recent Renee Rosnes album.
“Listening to Chris reminded me so much of the Sonny Rollins chordless trio date, Live at the Village Vanguard,” Carl explains. “That intuition solidified my decision to record with saxophone, bass and drums. I wanted the recording process to feel organic, natural, and free-flowing. We did not rehearse before entering the studio and we recorded the entire album in about five hours. I trusted the gifts that McBride and Potter brought to the table, allowing their interpretations to shape the music.”
Stateroom Availability
With 13 active cruise programs, it is difficult to keep up with Stateroom Availability. To assist you with your planning, below is a chart that we will update weekly in The Weekender.
Cruise Programs – ’25
| The Jazz Cruise ’25 | Cancellation Staterooms Available – Call Office |
| Botti at Sea ’25 | Cancellation Staterooms Available – Call Office |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 | Cancellation Staterooms Available – Call Office |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.2 | Cancellation Staterooms Available – Call Office |
| Journey of Jazz | Balcony Staterooms Available – Inside Stateroom Special Pricing (Lowest Price Ever – Promo Code “ATSEA“) |
Cruise Programs – ’26
| Homecoming: The Cruise | Pre-Sail Reservations Activated on 1.27 Open Booking Starts on 1.31 |
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea ’26 | Open Booking Now |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | Accepting Pre-Sail Reservations through 1.31 Pre-Sail Reservations Activated on 2.6 Open Booking Starts on 2.19 |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | 75% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | 80% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Top Shelf Country Cruise | Over 2,000 Pre-Sail Reservations Received Accepting Pre-Sail Reservations through 2.4 |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | 70% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Botti at Sea ’26 | Pre- Sail Reservation end on 2.11 Open Booking Starts on 2.28 |
Hot Offers
Inside Staterooms are available on Journey of Jazz ’25. From now through February 28, you can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person. Reservations are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code ATSEA).
The Jazz Cruise ’25, Botti at Sea ’25 and both The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 and ’25.2 have been fully reserved for months. Guests do cancel their reservations for various reasons and we place those staterooms with guests on the Wait List. If you are on the Wait List or wish to reserve a stateroom for one of these sailings, call the office for availability and pricing.
Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs
JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing!
Now through February 25, or until fully reserved, promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code ATSEA for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available! *Discount applies to new reservations only.
HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Coming Soon!
Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Our newest cruise, sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. ALLBLK’s Homecoming: The Cruise is produced in association with the National HBCU Alumni Alliance and features Babyface, Chanté Moore, Take 6 and more! The best part is that we will award over $200,000 in scholarships to deserving organizations.
Open Booking begins on January 31!
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Open Booking Now Available!
9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first class comedy talent. See the full lineup here!
Open Booking has begun! Reserve your stateroom today!
THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Artist Lineup Now Available!
Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here.
Guests sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’25 may reserve their current stateroom for the ’26 sailing now through Jan. 31, 2025. New guests and those not sailing in ‘25 may join the Pre-Sail now.
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Reserve Your Stateroom Today!
Both sailings for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25 are fully reserved and the Waitlist has more than 4,000 entrants.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and are over 80% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!
TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Join the Pre-Sail Today!
Fans of the country genre love the music that represents the simple, humble American lifestyle and they love to party. Top Shelf Country Cruise brings these ideas together on a luxury ship for one unforgettable week, February 27 – March 6, 2026! The inaugural sailing will feature widely popular personalities from iHeart Media’s from The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Pre-Sail reservations are open now. The artist line up is coming soon (and it’s a good one!) Visit topshelfcountrycruise.com for more information and join the Pre-Sail today.
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Now in Open Booking!
For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom.
BOTTI AT SEA ’26
Artist Lineup will Feature Boz Scaggs!
While we continue to assemble first-rate musical talent for which Signature Cruise Experiences is known to entertain you on Botti at Sea ‘26, we’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs will be onboard the ’26 Sailing. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more. Establish your priority for reserving a stateroom NOW by joining the Pre-Sail.