Ever wonder how a lineup is created for a particular cruise? Lord knows, we wonder how it happens all the time. What could (and perhaps should) be a methodical, calculated process of selecting talent that works for the program and forms an identifiable karma all its own is often a random series of good luck and bad luck with a bit of ingenuity thrown in for good measure.

Take David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore ’27. This is a five day program built to reflect the image, music and taste of David Foster, a 16X GRAMMY® winner and one of the most successful and respected music producers, arrangers, musicians and composers now or ever. Having worked with David on Foster ’26, we know that he can fine-tune his concept at any time and the talent that’s ultimately needed may be different from the talent originally signed.

Of course, guests have the right to know who is performing on the cruise. The core lineup must be shared now and sufficient to draw interest, while leaving room for maneuvering as the final program is set in stone.

The first Foster cruise was simply amazing. I cannot recall a larger and more diverse array of talent on any cruise that we have ever presented. Of course, Foster’s application of the artists was brilliant. He was like a great chef taking the ingredients before him and cross-purposing them into something altogether different and wonderful. The components were very good to begin with and David’s deft touch elevated them to be more than the sum of their parts. 

This presents an age-old dilemma. When a cruise is as successful as the first Foster Cruise, there is the tendency to utter those famous words “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Please know that I loathe that phrase and do not adhere to its message at all. Taken literally, the phrase says there is no way to do better, so do not try to do so. 

I prefer to retain some portion of the grand success and then move it forward with new ideas and new horizons. In the case of the Foster lineup for ’27, the grand success being retained is Michael McDonald (pictured). As is true with the cowbell on SNL, you can never get enough Michael McDonald.

For the new, one name was easy, Katharine McPhee. Unable to join us on the first sailing, Katharine becomes a new addition to Foster ’27. The fans are so excited that she will be sailing. Her talents are so diverse that choosing her program will be the most difficult decision she has to make.

In looking for a “new” headliner voice for the cruise, we wanted to move from the Pop and Broadway world and closer to the accessible section of the jazz world. For us, that could only mean Dianne Reeves. As one of only a handful of living female vocalists who have earned the title of NEA Jazz Master, she is better than a legend. She is now.  

Dianne is a favorite of Signature Cruise Experiences and we know her show will be amazing. She will also be participating in one of the surprise events on the cruise.  As the kids say, it will be “epic.”

The final “headliner” took some time and some thought. A show-stealing facet of the first cruise was David’s musical tour of Broadway. We considered many incredible options for our third headliner, and we felt incredibly smart (and fortunate) when we thought of and booked the one and only – Leslie Odom, Jr. His turn as Aaron Burr in Hamilton is one of the legendary roles in Broadway history. We know that he will command the Celebrity Summit stage as well. (Be sure to check out Lee Mergner’s take below.)

Just as the great chefs in the world rely on certain spices or cooking methods, David’s go-to group of vocalists and performers includes Pia Toscano, Sheléa, Daniel Emmett and Erich Bergen (pictured). Each of them contributed mightily to the success of the first cruise. Watch for Erich to host several special shows and events. We only scratched the surface of his talents on the first sailing.

For the most part, the lineup for the Foster cruise is now set, but, trust me, David’s wheels are still in motion. No doubt there will be some additions or modifications before we sail! The creation of a lineup is art, not science, and we have the ultimate artist in charge of this cruise.

(Foster ’26 Guests are currently able to finalize rebooking of their staterooms through April 10, after which Pre-Sail Reservation holders will be eligible to select a stateroom and complete their Reservation. Guests who did not sail on the ’26 sailing may still complete a PRE-SAIL RESERVATION – no deposit or obligation required – through April 10.)

Leslie Odom, Jr.: A Singer’s Singer

Thanks to his Tony Award-winning role as Aaron Burr in the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. became an overnight success. Except that all that acclaim came after nearly two decades of scuffling. As reported in a 2016 profile in the New York Times, Odom was actually considering taking a job as a hotel clerk just before getting that big gig with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash show. Such is life in show business.

Make no mistake. Leslie Odom Jr. is a singer. A singer who can dance. A singer who can act. But a singer first and foremost. He was born in Queens, but when he was 7 his family moved to Philadelphia. He went to the local Fame-type school for creative types, the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), the same one that produced Boyz II Men, Christian McBride, Joey DeFrancesco and the Roots. With a keen interest in musical theatre, Odom continued that performing-arts training at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, and managed to score some jobs in the NYC theatre scene, including a stint in the company of Rent when he was only 17.

In 2003, he moved to Los Angeles where he did the usual potpourri of acting jobs, including walk-on parts in shows like Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Wife and, more notably, regular roles on CSI: Miami, Smash and Person of Interest. After coming back to NYC for a Broadway show as well as for Smash, Odom returned to live in the city in 2012.

Although he wasn’t part of Miranda’s usual crew of actors, Odom auditioned and campaigned for the part of Aaron Burr in Miranda’s Hamilton in 2013, when the show was being readied for its initial run off-Broadway at the Public Theater. The show’s director, Thomas Kail, told the Times that Odom “was coming to play.” The show went on to an historic run on Broadway, winning awards and selling tickets at rates heretofore unseen – all with Odom in the so-called villain role as Burr, the dramatic nemesis of Miranda’s title character.

“Coming up in Philly, it’s not a musical-theatre town,” Leslie explained. “When I was a singer, I was training with singers. I was far from the best. When I was learning dancing, I was with dancers, and those people are now with Alvin Ailey or who are Beyoncé’s choreographers. Acting was the same way. When I came into the musical theatre, I found I was a little more prepared than some people because I had been shedding with people in those individual disciplines. They were masters. To come back and remove all that and get back to singing … I wasn’t trying to be a singer on Broadway. I was just trying to be a singer.”

Since July 2016, when Miranda, Odom and Phillipa Soo – three of the principal actors from the original cast – left the show, Odom concentrated on his solo singing career in between acting stints in major movies. First, Odom re-released an eponymous album that had been quietly released in 2014 but with three newly recorded songs. In addition, he recorded a holiday EP/album, Simply Christmas, that included a sensational version of “Winter Song” by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. He also performed at jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey.

“I do reconnaissance on all these gigs,” he told me. “My parents didn’t have a whole lot of money, so we weren’t traveling the country going to jazz festivals. So I hadn’t been to many of them before. When we do these festivals, I’m always nervous. Is this the moment when we’re going to get booed off the stage? Now I can watch Herbie Hancock do his set at Newport or wherever. And what I see is people onstage being themselves.”

Odom will be certainly be himself when he performs on the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore ’27 in January. And he’ll be among other notable singers like Katharine McPhee, Michael McDonald, Erich Bergen, Morgan James, Pia Toscano and Sheléa.

Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

SCE Artists on Jazz

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, we contacted 30 artists who sail on our jazz programs to ask them about their affinity and love for jazz – from the first jazz album they bought to their first jazz concert to what jazz means to them. We hope you enjoy their reflections. Below are excerpts from the first seven we received. You can read each artist’s entire essay in the link below.

– Lee Mergner

“Jazz reflects the human spirit in all its beauty, simplicity and complexity.” 
– Bria Skonberg

“Jazz is the most wonderful portrait of true democracy and equality, I believe, that exists in the world to date.” 
– Kirk Whalum

“Jazz gives me purpose in life. It means community and mentorship.” 
– Catherine Russell

“Jazz to me is about communication. Being aware of what each member of the band has to say and responding to it.” 
– Eric Marienthal

“Jazz is a universal language people from all backgrounds and cultures of the world can speak to one another with.” 
– Benny Benack III

“Jazz is really all I know. Benny Goodman, Zoot Sims, Slam Stewart and Bucky Pizzarelli, amongst many others, were my teachers. Jazz never stops teaching me.” 
– John Pizzarelli

“Jazz to me has always meant freedom to explore.” 
– Boney James

Step Inside the “Perfect” Cruise:
Botti at Sea III Livestream on 4.23

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.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

  ’26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)

34th Sailing of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, which departs from Vancouver on 9.11.26 and sails to Victoria, BC and San Francisco, before terminating in Los Angeles on 9.18.26 is fully reserved. If you wish to try 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 III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience

When The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 docks in Los Angeles, we will turn around and head back to Vancouver (via San Francisco and Victoria BC) under the guidance of superstar Chris Botti. Chris Botti at Sea III will be the perfect combination of a topflight music cruise and exciting excursions.  

Joining Chris on the cruise are several icons of the world of music:  Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more.  

Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Encore! Encore!

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. 

As outlined above, the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

Foster ’26 Guests are currently able to finalize rebooking of their staterooms through April 10, after which Pre-Sail Reservations holders will be eligible to select a stateroom and complete their reservation. There is still time to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation (no deposit or obligation required) on the website here.

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 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. Open Booking began on February 24, 2026 and the cruise is nearly 80% reserved.  

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, 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.

Journey of Jazz ’27 is in Open Booking.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

  ’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)

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 90% reserved at this time.

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

This program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. 

The exclusive rebooking window for guests of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 closed on March 31, 2026. Guests who completed a Pre-Sail Reservation are now beginning to select their stateroom and complete their reservation. 

Pre-Sail Reservations remain open through April 10, 2026 and are the best way to reserve a stateroom prior to Open Booking, which begins April 16, 2026.

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