For those readers who are patrons of the ASPCA, this title references the arcade game in which you pound plastic moles with some kind of mallet as they pop up. The idea is that when one issue is addressed, another one always takes its place. As they say in the movies, no animals were harmed in the process of writing this edition of Our Take.
No doubt but that everyone feels that their lives mirror the Whac-A-Mole example. There is so much going on in the country and the world. At no time are all the “moles” underground. They keep popping up. Without in any way comparing the issues of the world to our jazz programs, we do have our own set of moles to address, some of which are serious and some of which are silly. Care to join me for a trip around the “mole field”?
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise
With David Foster at the helm, all the programming, shows and talent are buttoned up. I cannot remember anyone taking to producing a cruise program faster and easier than him. About the only contribution that we are making to this 5-Day Master Class of music at sea, is to describe the various venues so that he can determine where to place the shows. When he called about determining what band would back Katharine McPhee’s solo show, we mentioned that Emmet Cohen may be able to help. Within hours, they connected by phone and worked it out. Until that moment, Foster was not familiar with Emmet, but, after a few YouTube links, he was ready to place the show with Emmet and his band.
So, where is the “mole”? Simple: we do not have enough high-end staterooms for Foster fans! What remains are a handful of Veranda Staterooms and a supply of Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. (By the way, check out the FORASONG prices for those staterooms). Finding more suites is one “mole” that we cannot hammer down!
Christian McBride’s World at Sea
Christian McBride also has been hands-on with the programming. With all the bands being extensions of Christian’s amazing ensemble collection, he can simply “point” and it all happens. Arranging our amazing group of vocalists (Ledisi, Samara Joy, Cècile McLorin Salvant, Angèlique Kidjo and José James) takes a little more finesse, but no musician does “finesse” better than Christian.
Our “mole” in this case is the tragedy in Jamaica. We are working with Celebrity Cruises to determine whether that port will be good for our call or whether we will need to shuffle the itinerary. Stay tuned. The most likely result will be a change of itinerary dropping Jamaica and adding a new port.
The Jazz Cruise
This will be Emmet Cohen’s first turn as Cruise Host. Emmet’s reverence for the titans of jazz has fit in perfectly with our OG laden lineup. We have four NEA Jazz Masters (Ron Carter, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdés, Dee Dee Bridgewater) and a number of musicians who could/should be so honored (Monty Alexander, Houston Person, Catherine Russell, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski, Lewis Nash, Benny Green, Renee Rosnes, Herlin Riley and more).
The “mole” here is the annual issue of having enough staterooms for our past guests. On most cruises, the past guests are the first to rebook, but on The Jazz Cruise, many of our past guests wait until near the end of the reservation process to make their decision to sail. The last thing we want to do is upset them, but that happens.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
After 20 years of producing over 35 sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, we are able to present the one musician most identified with the brand “smooth jazz.” We are very excited that, in addition to our amazing lineup of stars, Kenny G will be performing on our ship. Some inside dope, he and his team have been amazing to work with on this gig. You would almost think that they have done this before. That was a joke of course, as Kenny G has toured the world for many years.
The “mole” for this program is availability. The Smooth Jazz Cruise becomes “fully reserved” earlier and earlier each year, so those who are just learning about the cruise or who have waited to reserve a stateroom are often disappointed when they learn that no staterooms remain available. That has been the case for both The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.1 & ’26.2! Perhaps the solution is to add another sailing. We could call it The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3! Just kidding, there is such a cruise, of course, but a “mole” exists there as well! Fewer than 60 staterooms remain!
Other “Moles”
The level of interest in these programs has never been greater. Over 40,000 people open The Weekender every Saturday morning and we hope that we continue to be responsive to your questions and concerns. Your continued input on any and all points of the programs is greatly appreciated. A couple more “moles” still need whacking.
- We owe you the full lineup for Journey of Jazz ’27, along with our plans for the overnight in New Orleans. Immediately after Thanksgiving is the timing for that notice, however, check out the November 12th edition of Jazz Notes for a very special announcement!
- November 13 is the announcement date for The Jazz Cruise ’27. 90+% of the lineup is confirmed. Rebooking and Pre-Sail Reservation information will be included.
I trust that you know how excited, grateful, and dedicated we are about the programs and your participation. The other side of hitting “moles” is being appreciative of all the good things going on in our lives As long as “moles” are the exceptions that prove how amazing our lives are and how sharing our music among friends and fans at sea is an experience like no other, we are good!
As of today, November 8, I hereby acknowledge that we are good to go…and cannot wait to sail with you.
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.
Brian Culbertson & Boney James on Tours (in our hometown and yours)
BC AKA Brian Culbertson has taken his Day Trip Tour around the country since October 17. Tonight, he is in Cincinnati, Sunday in Akron and on Tuesday, November 11, BC hits our hometown of St. Louis. The locale is The Factory. Brian closes his tour in Kansas City, Memphis, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
If you are headed to the St. Louis show, look around the audience and you will see many of your friends at Signature Cruise Experiences. We do not miss a Culbertson show!
And we never miss a Boney James show! Boney James, co-host of The Smooth Jazz Cruise sailings, is touring now throughout the U.S., performing at just about every major city in the country, from New York City to Seattle and ending with New Year’s Eve’s shows at Yoshi’s in Oakland. We’re excited that he’ll be visiting the home city of Signature Cruise Experiences with a concert at the Factory in St. Louis on November 23. No one cries “Go Boney!” louder than the folks at SCE!
Samara Joy On Tour and TV
The sensational vocalist Samara Joy, who will perform during McBride’s World at Sea in 2026, has been very busy this fall. In addition to touring in Australia and New Zealand for the first time, she’s made several appearances on national television, including performances on the Jennifer Hudson Show and Austin City Limits.
Samara is also featured, alongside Brooke Shields, Alan Cumming and others, in the retail store West Elm’s holiday ads, its first ever major campaign with talent. Finally, Samara will be touring Nov. 11-22 at theaters and performing arts centers throughout the country.
Jazz Congress Returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center,
Honors Our Own Lee Mergner with Award
Jazz Congress, the annual conference for the jazz community produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center, will return to their facilities there January 7-8, 2026. The event brings together hundreds of jazz artists and professionals from all over the world for a series of workshops, panels and performances, with an overall goal of increasing the audience for jazz. Among the events is the presentation of the Bruce Lundvall Visionary award, created in 2014 in recognition of someone who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and vision in expanding the audience for jazz and who has made a real difference for the artists, the music and the audience. Past recipients include Christian McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lyne Carrington and, most recently, John Clayton.
This year’s recipient is our own Lee Mergner, in recognition of his long career working with JazzTimes, WBGO, the many jazz conferences and, of course, our jazz cruise programs. Christian will present Lee with the award as part of the conference’s keynote session
Signature Cruise Experiences Program Update
’26 SAILINGS
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise
Christian McBride’s World at Sea
The Jazz Cruise
Sailing Dates: 1.15.26 – 1.20.26
Open Booking in effect
Only Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms Remain Available
Special Offer
Remaining Staterooms Are Available at FORASONG Cruise Prices!
Sailing Dates:1.20.26 – 1.27.26
Open Booking in effect
Only Concierge, Aqua Class, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms Remain Available
Remaining Staterooms Are Available at FINAL Cruise Prices!
Best Offer in Years!
Sailing Dates: 1.27.26 – 2.3.26 Open Booking in effect
SPECIAL NOTE:
Though only 50 Staterooms remain available, the inventory includes Staterooms with Balconies as well as Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.
No special pricing available.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.2
Top Shelf Country Cruise
Sailing Dates: 2.3.26 – 2.10.26
Fully Reserved
JOIN WAITLIST
No Special Pricing
Sailing Dates: 2.10.26 – 2.17.26
Fully Reserved
JOIN WAITLIST
No Special Pricing
Sailing Dates: 2.27.26 – 3.6.26
Open Booking in Effect
82% Reserved
Only Concierge, AquaClass & Veranda Staterooms Available
SPECIAL NOTE: For Special Cruise Prices, visit the website.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3
Botti at Sea ’26
Sailing Dates: 9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Open Booking in effect
96% Reserved
SPECIAL NOTE: Though only 60 Staterooms remain available, the inventory includes Staterooms with Balconies as well as Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.
No special pricing available.
Sailing Dates: 9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Open Booking in effect
65% Reserved
SPECIAL NOTE: Remaining staterooms include Concierge, AquaClass and Veranda Staterooms (all with balconies), as well as Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.
No special pricing available.
’27 SAILINGS
New Cruise Program
The Jazz Cruise ’27
Journey of Jazz ’27
Sailing Dates: 1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Announcement: 11.13.25
Sailing Dates: 1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Announcement: 11.13.25
Sailing Dates: 1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Open Booking Starts:12.30.25
Cruise Prices: As shown on website
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2
Top Shelf Country Cruise ’27
Sailing Dates: 1.31.27 – 2.7.27
Open Booking Starts: 12.29.25
Cruise Prices: As shown on website
Sailing Dates: 2.7.27 – 2.14.27
Open Booking Starts: 12.29.25
Cruise Prices: As shown on website
Sailing Dates: 4.9.27 – 4.16.27
Announcement: TBD
Botti at Sea ’27
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3
Sailing Dates: 10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Announcement: TBD
Sailing Dates: 10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Announcement: TBD