Today is Day five of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.2, the final program of our run of four cruises this Winter Season. Our last Our Take was on Day five of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1. Though the programming for both weeks varies slightly, for the most part they are identical, risking writing about what happened on ’25.1 to be a spoiler alert for those sailing on ’25.2.
Given the special nature of what I would like to share with those not sailing on either cruise, I will take that risk.
For as long as I can remember, the entertainment for the final night of The Smooth Jazz Cruise was an All-Star Show that featured one song by every major performer on the cruise. Besides being a fun show for everyone, this format avoids having one of the headliners being on the ship all week and performing last.
The ’25 Sailings took this concept one step (or more) further as Marcus Miller hosted a touching musical tribute to our good friend, David Sanborn. The show weaved through his entire career, starting with Kirk Whalum providing a nod to David’s love of blues by playing the King Curtis tune, Soul Serenade. Candy Dulfer then performed David’s first big hit, the title track from Straight to the Heart.
Peter White talked about asking David to record a song he wrote just for him and then played that tune (Here We Go) with such heart and soul. Co-Host Boney James joined the celebration performing the very delicate and emotional Lotus Blossom.
Next came Can’t Get Next to You starring Larry Braggs, Ms. Monet and Mindi Abair, followed by Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler and Candy bringing down the house with Leslie Ann. Whatever may have been left after that tune was certainly destroyed when Eric Darius and Dave Weckl completed a rousing rendition of Run for Cover.
With Bob James onboard, tunes from the iconic album, Double Vision, were front and center. Eric Marienthal nailed the sax part for Maputo and Larry Braggs stood in for Al Jarreau with Since I Fell For You.
Patti Austin and Lee Ritenour did a very campy version of Spooky, while Mindi Abair brought tears to the eyes of all when she played The Dream.
Eric Darius, Vincent Ingala and Marcus Anderson combined their considerable talents to perform Chicago Song, with Marcus Miller sharing how that song was named. The tune had no name but was first performed in Chicago. When creating the next playlist, David called out that we should play that song we played in Chicago…hence, the Chicago Song.
Then, with laughter and tenderness, the entire cast of performers finished the show with Bang, Bang! Virtually every show that David did on our ships over the years ended with that song. The lyrics are silly. The melody is simple. But the song allows everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves.
How else would you end a tribute to David Sanborn! He is always on my mind.
In his memory, Signature Cruise Experiences has set up a memorial fund through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can donate by clicking the button below. No amount is too small. Thank you for donating, and thank you, David.
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.
Jazz Fans Going Country
Many of our jazz fans are asking about our upcoming country music cruise, Top Shelf Country Cruise (www.topshelfcountrycruise.com). Working with iHeart Media, this program, which sails from February 27 – March 6, 2026, is our first country music cruise in many years.
Hosted by Bobby Bones and featuring Keith Urban, several of you have asked about the cruise and whether being a past guest on an SCE Cruise Program will entitle you to a special price.
Yes, there is an SCE Guest Price for Top Shelf Country Cruise. SCE Guests calling the office to complete a reservation need to ask for the discount when calling. Those wishing to complete their reservation online will need a password which may only be obtained by contacting us directly.
We know that we are risking our place at the jazz club by doing this, but the number of calls requesting information was quite impressive.
Polish your boots, primp your hat and don your jeans.
Jazz Festivals in March
Florida is the setting for two jazz festivals next month, one on the Atlantic side and one on the Gulf side of the state. Both feature artists very familiar to guests of our programs.
Sarasota Jazz Festival
Date: March 17-22
Location: Sarasota Municipal Auditorium & more, Sarasota, FL
Lineup: Terell Stafford (music director); Emmet Cohen; Marcus Miller; Eric Alexander; Tony Monaco; Georgia Heers; others
Daytona Jazz Weekend
Date: March 27-30
Location: One Daytona, Daytona Beach, FL
Lineup: Mindi Abair; Gerald Albright; Randy Jacobs; Paul Taylor & Adam Hawley; Rick Braun, Peter White & Vincent Ingala; others
While We Are At Sea
Though we are at sea for the next several weeks (January 28 – February 25), please know that while some of us are away, our office will be open during normal business hours, our email lines will be open and the websites for each of our cruise programs will be available 24/7.
These services are available to guests who have questions about their upcoming ’25 Sailings and those who wish to complete or discuss a ’26 Reservation. To contact us, you may choose among the following:
Call the Office:
Toll Free US & Canada – 888.852.9987
Toll Free International – 01.800.852.99872
Monday – Thursday: 10 AM ET – 6 PM ET
Friday: 10 AM ET – 5 PM ET
Inquire by E – Mail:
info@scecruises.com
Learn More or Make a Reservation:
www.scecruises.com or review SCE Brand Book
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Stateroom Availability
With 9 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 2025
| Journey of Jazz ’25 | Balcony Staterooms Available – Inside Stateroom Special Pricing (Lowest Price Ever – Promo Code “ATSEA”) |
Cruise Programs 2026
| Homecoming: The Cruise | Open Booking Now |
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea | Open Booking Now |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | On-Going Activation of Pre-Sail Reservations Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | 80% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | 90% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Top Shelf Country Cruise | Over 6,000 Pre-Sail Reservations Received Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | 70% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Botti at Sea ’26 | Pre-Sail Reservations Activated on 2.17 Open Booking Begins 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).
Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs
JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing
Now through February 28, or until fully reserved, promotional pricing is available on 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 Now Available!
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. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise 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. Reserve Your Stateroom Today!
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
Open Booking 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 who registered for the Pre-Sail are selecting their staterooms now, and Open Booking will begin on February 19!
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 85% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!
THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now!
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 headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Pre-Sail reservations are open now through tomorrow, February 9! Visit topshelfcountrycruise.com for more information and join the Pre-Sail today!
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available
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’25 is Fully Reserved!
Pre-Sail Reservations Accepted Until February 11!
Open Booking Begins February 28
We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard the Botti at Sea ’26 . 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.