Tomorrow evening, the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert will take place at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. It is a star-studded event that features a wide array of national and international talent, many of whom have performed on our cruises over the years.

Cruise Hosts Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter will be performing along with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Marquis Hill, Joel Ross and, native Chicagoan, Herbie Hancock. Signature Cruise Experiences’ Jazz Advisor, Lee Mergner, will be attending as well. Lee’s initial thoughts about this event are below and he will file another report in next week’s edition of Jazz Notes.

We know that the event will be special, well-attended, and musically wonderful. The perfect ending to Jazz Appreciation Month.

Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

Veranda Plus: A New Stateroom Category on the Ship! 

In The Weekender dated 4.15.26, we introduced the Veranda Plus Stateroom, the new category name for both the Concierge and AquaClass Staterooms on Botti at Sea III (’26), David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27 and Journey of Jazz ‘27. Those staterooms offered more square footage than the Veranda Staterooms and included some additional benefits.

Combining those staterooms into one new category, Veranda Plus Staterooms eliminates the minor differences between Concierge and AquaClass Staterooms and enables us to provide one set of significant extras.

Veranda Plus Stateroom Amenities

• Embarkation Day Lunch in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant (no charge)
• Daily Breakfast in Blu Restaurant (no charge)
• No Upcharge for one (1) Specialty Dining Experience – Tuscan Grille, Luminae, Signature Steakhouse and A Taste of San Francisco (up to $50/person)

Plus, for a limited time, guests reserving a Veranda Plus Stateroom will be eligible for a Reserved Seat for all Nightly Main Shows – seven nights on Botti at Sea III (’26) and Journey of Jazz ’27, and five nights on David Foster: The Hitman Cruise

Veranda Plus Stateroom Rules

Reserving a Veranda Plus Stateroom, either online or by calling the office, is subject to the following rules:
Veranda Plus Staterooms are currently available on the following programs:
Chris Botti at Sea III
 David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore
Journey of Jazz ’27
 
Guests sailing on those cruises with current Concierge or AquaClass Stateroom reservations may either:
Retain the amenities that are included in those reservations or
Convert, at no cost, to a Veranda Plus reservation at the same Cruise Price.
 
Reserved Seat eligibility expires at the earlier of:
Reserved Seat Expiration Date
The close of available inventory of Reserved Seats for the cruise selected.
 
Reserved Seat Expiration Dates:
Chris Botti at Sea III: 5.31.26
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore: 6.15.26
Journey of Jazz ’27: 6.30.26

Have questions? Contact the office for details on the Veranda Plus Stateroom program and secure your stateroom today.

International Jazz Day in Chicago

As Michael wrote above, Jazz Appreciation Month will culminate in an All-Star Global Concert held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on International Jazz Day – Thursday, April 30. That concert will be streamed online here. In addition, befitting the term “International” in the title, there will be thousands of events throughout the world on that day, from intimate performances to large-scale concerts at leading cultural institutions. Artists, educators and organizations around the globe will present masterclasses, jam sessions, panel discussions, and educational workshops. You can see a partial list of participants here.

The event’s origins go back to November 2011, when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. From the beginning International Jazz Day has been chaired and led by the UNESCO Director-General and pianist/composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and also as Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

The Institute is the nonprofit that’s charged with planning, promoting and producing this annual celebration. Over the years, the concert has been hosted in cities all over the world, including Osaka, Istanbul, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Havana, New Orleans, St. Petersburg, Melbourne, New York City and Washington, DC (at the White House).

“I’m excited that Chicago, my hometown, is hosting International Jazz Day 2026,” said Hancock. “It was in my Chicago high school auditorium that I discovered jazz, an event that sparked a lifelong passion and commitment to this powerful art form. Jazz opened doors to creativity, self-expression and freedom. I hope that this Day will inspire young artists and audiences in the same way that I was inspired during those formative years.”

Much of the credit for the IJD coming to Chicago rests with our own Kurt Elling, a native of that city, who brought together a coalition of local organizations to create the Chicago Jazz Alliance, which includes partners such as the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Ravinia Festival, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago, among many others.

“I am thrilled beyond words that IJD is originating from my home city of Chicago this year,” Kurt told us. “Chicago has served as home to generations of virtuoso masters of this music from its earliest days, when Louis Armstrong moved here to join King Oliver’s band and record his Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings. Chicagoans have played pivotal roles in the development of this music — from Meade ‘Luxe’ Lewis to Benny Goodman to Barrett Deems, Nat Cole and Franz Jackson, Ahmad Jamal, Johnny Griffin, Dorothy Donegan, Willie Pickens, Ramsey Lewis, Eddie Harris, The Freeman Family, Mel Torme, Geraldine DeHaas and Andy Bey, from Oscar Brown, Jr. to Judy Roberts to Joe Williams to Sun Ra and Muhal Richard Abrams and Lester Bowie … to Herbie Hancock.

“Beyond the obvious history in the music, I knew from the beginning that Chicago had exactly the temperament, energy, resources and heart to bring this vision to life. Take a look for yourself here and you will see that the city has brought her A-Game in response to the call for action. We are a 26.5-mile-long juggernaut of jazz action this week! I couldn’t be more delighted.”

Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

Upcoming Livestream Events

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Livestream:
5.14.26 / 4PM ET

Join us for the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Livestream on May 14 at 4PM ET to meet the lineup, including exciting new additions, learn about the ports, get the details about events performances and learn why one sailing is never enough! 

REGISTER HERE

On-Demand Livestream Events

Journey of Jazz Livestream Available On-Demand

If you missed our recent Journey of Jazz Livestream or just want to give it another watch, the livestream is now available to view on-demand. We discussed the incredible lineup, explored the exciting ports of call and discussed the unforgettable shore excursions New Orleans! Both of our hosts, Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter, made special guest appearances – you don’t want to miss this!

VIEW ON-DEMAND

Botti at Sea Livestream Available On-Demand

If you weren’t able to drop-in during this week’s Botti at Sea Livestream, it’s now available to view on demand!

This perfect cruise experience comes to life while we discussed our exciting lineup of world-class talent, explored the beautiful ports of call and introduced the unforgettable shore excursions that make this year’s sailing truly special. 

VIEW ON-DEMAND

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’27

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

Stay Tuned for the Lineup and Detail

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. 

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.

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise is now in Open Booking where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

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 nearly 95% reserved at this time.

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

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. 

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

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