The age curve for every music cruise skews to the upper end with income and time availability being the main factors. Our programs reflect that demographic in terms of music selection, manner of presentation, non-music events and ship selection. Even the choice of mealtimes, menu, pillow gifts, Artist Hosted Events, showtimes and more are driven by the nature of our guests.

This should not be surprising as the cruises we present are 100% guest-oriented. The programs are for the guests, based upon their interests and requests. Keeping up with the nuances and propensities of our guests is a full-time job, one that we intend to augment in the upcoming year. We want to know what you are thinking.

Let’s talk about our findings. More and more, guests from The Jazz Cruise, our most “in the pocket” jazz program, are adding other cruises to their Sailing Histories. Granted, adding Journey of Jazz is not a huge leap of faith, but those guests are also drawn to Botti at Sea and David Foster: The Hitman Cruise. When asked why, guests call out specific performers and, in the case of Botti at Sea, the spectacular itinerary and excursions being offered.

Which artists stoke the moves? Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot are mentioned frequently when folks are taking in the Botti cruise. And Michael McDonald, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Dianne Reeves have jazz fans reserving staterooms on the Foster cruise. Do you see the pattern? It is the Hunt for Mature Music that moves the needle.

Journey of Jazz has its own set of stalwarts (Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Wynton Marsalis, Ledisi), but those artists are much closer to the core of our guests than the others mentioned above.

At this point, we need to point out that Top Shelf Country Cruise, while presenting superstar Keith Urban last cruise and meteorically rising Riley Green on the next cruise, is outside of our revolving door of cruise programs. Of the 2,500 guests on Top Shelf Country Cruise ’26, only three guests had sailed on other Signature Cruise Experiences programs. It may be time to either jazz up the country cruise or country up the jazz cruises. Guitarist Bruce Forman performed a cowboy jazz set on The Jazz Cruise many years ago.

For those still trying to guess who the new guest on the Botti cruise is, they fit right in the middle of this illustrious grouping of performers. I love a good riddle, particularly when I know that the answer will elicit a “Wow!”

Basically, our jazz fans, when not listening to jazz, seem to favor Adult Contemporary (AC) music. A wide range of AC music to be sure, but their tastes are not Pop or gimmicky. They enjoy great vocalists who present with substance and style. Musicians who separate themselves by the significance of their playing.

In short, our jazz fans are music snobs – in a good way. As we have heard so many times over the years, there are only two kinds of music: good and bad. When we ask our guests, “when you are not listening to Jazz, what is your music?” the answer is an easy one. 

They listen to good music.

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti 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.

Journey of Jazz Welcomes John Pizzarelli

Journey of Jazz ’27 is a cruise that entertains, excites and educates. We’ve already spent time sharing the entertainment and excitement portions of the cruise, so let’s explore the educational aspects.

It begins the very first night, when Marcus Miller takes you on a musical journey sharing the history of jazz from all angles. Not only does he share rare insights on the musicians that have paved the way for jazz, but he examines how the music itself was born, raised and matured. To quote the tagline from Marcus’ Real Jazz Marcus Time show, his History of Jazz cruise show is the “full 360 degrees.”

Gregory Porter and Ledisi will have their own tribute shows and, of course, Wynton Marsalis will be the conductor of History of Jazz – New Orleans style. There will be several other shows of this type, including our most recent addition: the great John Pizzarelli. Longtime member of the core of The Jazz Cruise, John will be bringing his Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington tribute shows to Journey of Jazz ’27.

Jazz’ #1 raconteur is also one of the most talented musicians in the genre who takes pride in his dedication to the music and his knowledge of our history is as deep as his affection for it.

Peabo Bryson on Watercolors

In the wake of Peabo Bryson‘s untimely passing, it is a balm to so many of us that his legacy lives on in our memories and in the music he left behind.

In the spirit of his memory living on, it means a great deal to us that Sirius XM’s Watercolors with Talaya will be rebroadcasting Peabo’s 2016 performance from The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Remember him in music this Saturday, June 6 at 4 PM ET

Last Chance to Sail in ’26: Chris Botti at Sea III

Since January, Signature Cruise Experiences has produced six sailings, serving well over 13,000 guests. The last two sailings are in September, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 (SJC ’26.3) and Chris Botti at Sea III. SJC ’26.3 is fully reserved. You may join the Waitlist for the sailing, but there are nearly 1,000 entrants at this time.

Your last chance to sail with us in ’26 is Chris Botti at Sea III and that sailing has a limited number of staterooms remaining. Due to the significant planning required to set up the Signature Cruise Experiences’ excursions that are being offered in San Francisco and Victoria, BC, the guest manifest for Chris Botti at Sea III will need to be finalized sooner than normal.

To make all this happen, remaining Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms will be sold at CloseOut Cruise Prices. This offer is first come, first served.

For more information about Chris Botti at Sea III, CloseOut Cruise Prices or to learn more about the excursions available, visit www.bottiatsea.com 

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish 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 ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

STATEROOM CLOSEOUT SALE IN EFFECT
For more information, see above.

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David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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 star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

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The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms

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.

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Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms

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.

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

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.

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Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

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 (8.15.26) 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.

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

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

The post Our Take: What’s Your Music When Not Listening to Jazz? appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

By now, many of you may have heard the heartbreaking news. Peabo Bryson passed away and the loss is felt deeply throughout the music community and across our entire SCE family. 

Peabo sailed with us many times over the years. His performances are among the most beloved in our history. Rooms full of people who knew every word, every swell, every aching note. A Peabo show was full of smiles, tears and great memories and there will never be another quite like it. 

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and to all who loved him and his music. He will be profoundly missed. 

Signature Cruise Experiences will be adding to the lineup for Chris Botti at Sea III and will announce the changes as soon as we have confirmed offers.

The Perfect Cruise Experience

“One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be!”

From “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Such was the cry of Paul Revere, at least it was so in the mind of Longfellow as he wrote his famous poem. There would be one course of action if the British came by land and another if it were by sea.

Typically, that is how music presentations are aligned. You can present an event on land or one at sea. You must choose. Until now!

Signature Cruise Experiences has created two West Coast programs that combine the best of land and sea together with amazing events on land. Neither is shorted. Both are filled with great music and once in a lifetime excursions and programs.

Both programs are well established cruise events known for at least 200 hours of first-class musical entertainment. Typically, they sail in the Caribbean and when docked in various ports of call, passengers are free to experience these locales either on their own or by excursions created and curated by the cruise line.

This fall, both programs will be sailing on the West Coast. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 begins in Vancouver and ends in Los Angeles. Immediately upon docking in Los Angeles, Botti at Sea III (’26) begins a journey back to Vancouver. During that time at sea, both sailings will provide all day and all night programming in the manner that Signature Cruise Experiences has produced since 2001.

But, in the middle of each 7-day journey, these programs will dock for a full day in Victoria, BC and an overnight stay in San Francisco. Here is where the “land” events will be held. And not just any land events. These are excursions, shows and visits created by us just for our cruise guests. 

• Trips to wineries in Napa
• Trips to wineries in Sonoma
• Day trips on Napa Valley Wine Train
• Culinary tours of San Francisco
• Sightseeing tours of San Francisco
• Private Shows at SFJAZZ (Brian Simpson/Grace Kelly for SJC & the Branford Marsalis Quartet for Botti)
• Whale Watching in Victoria
• Butchart Gardens
• And more
  

To learn more about these excursions and others, please visit the links below.

Currently, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is fully reserved. You may sign up for the Waitlist, however, that list is extensive. Staterooms remain available in certain Stateroom Categories for Botti at Sea III (’26). So that the manifest for Botti at Sea III (’26) may be finalized, some of the remaining Stateroom Categories are being offered at CloseOut Prices. A payment plan that extends past the cruise is also available if you complete a reservation soon.

For more information about sailing on Botti at Sea III (’26) and the CloseOut Prices, visit the link below.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish 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 ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

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 music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot, 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!

SPECIAL NOTE: Chris Botti at Sea III is the only Signature Cruise Experiences’ program that has staterooms in ’26 and those are in limited supply. Act now!

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David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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 star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

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The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

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.

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Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

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.

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

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.

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Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

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

The post Jazz Notes 6.3.26 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

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.

120 Days Until Journey of Jazz

By the numbers, Journey of Jazz ’25 sails in 120 days. 78 Staterooms remain available. 2nd Show Seating is 100% filled. If you act now, and are willing to accept a few restrictions, you can save up to 20%.

Anyone reserving a stateroom now on Journey of Jazz ’25 will be part of the “BLUE” guest group. What does that mean? We divide our guests into two groups: “BLUE” and “RED.” Guests with “BLUE” Cruise Identification Cards attend the 1st main show each night and dine afterwards. Guests with “RED” Cruise Identification Cards dine first and attend the 2nd Main Show.

The “RED” option is full, so anyone reserving one of the 78 remaining staterooms will be part of the “BLUE” group. Since the element of choice is gone, we have decided to provide savings for those who book now.

*Applies to new reservations only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Pricing is per-person, based on double occupancy and does not include pass-through charges. Offer expires June 15 (or while staterooms are available). 

Openings remain on most of the excursions that Signature Cruise Experiences has curated for this cruise.

David Foster: The Hitman Cometh

Signature Cruise Experiences has been fortunate through the years to be able to present some of the most respected and successful musicians and vocalists in the world. We have also worked with a few of the true legends of music in terms of writing, arranging and producing. Johnny Mandel and George Wein come to mind.

Johnny Mandel, known best for his “Suicide is Painless” theme, was a 5-time GRAMMY® Winner. He sailed on The Jazz Cruise and will forever be remembered as the man who received a standing ovation from the Big Band he was conducting as he walked onto the stage. George Wein, the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival among other jazz promotions, was a leader of a topflight band on The Jazz Cruise and is a member of that cruise program’s Hall of Fame.

Our next music icon to become a part of our team is probably the most significant living music impresario in the world. Though numbers are not determinative, at some point, they matter. David Foster has won 16 GRAMMY® Awards, been nominated 47 times and has launched, catapulted or redirected the careers of countless super vocalists. At the risk of forgetting someone, that list includes Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, Joni Mitchell, Babyface, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Renee Olstead, Clarice, Kenny Rogers, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Boz Scaggs, Toni Braxton, LeAnn Rimes, Whitney Houston, Peter Cetera, Katharine McPhee, Brian McKnight, Blake Shelton, Chris Botti, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Bryan Adams, Jewel and more.

Superstar Chris Botti, when creating the lineup for his first cruise, chose David Foster (and his wife, Katharine McPhee), as his first guest. He reprised that role for the second sailing and, to our pleasant surprise, was interested in hosting his own cruise program. When a slot opened for us (January 15-20, 2026), we went to work, finalized a deal and proceeded to work with David on a lineup. Digging into his repertoire of talented friends, Babyface and Michael McDonald were called and committed. Pia Toscano, Peter Cincotti and Daniel Emmet were next, followed closely by Nathan East, Noah East, Frédéric Yonnet, Emmet Cohen, Yacht Jazz Trio (John JR Robinson, Tom Scott, Mitch Towne) and one of our all-time favorite groups, Take 6.

The cruise will sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West and Nassau. Celebrity Summit, our customary cruise ship, will be the vessel. Pre-Sail Reservations are being processed now through May 23 and Open Booking starts on May 30.

SFJAZZ Events

SFJAZZGala

On Thursday, June 12, SFJAZZ will present its annual gala that includes a VIP cocktail reception and dinner, followed by an All-Star concert featuring Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling, Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Bill Frisell, Charles Lloyd, the SFJAZZ Collective and many others. In addition, Blue Note Records President Don Was will be presented with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award.

San Francisco Jazz Festival

SFJAZZ has revamped its San Francisco Jazz Festival, held this year June 13-15 at the SFJAZZ Center and Festival Tent, featuring 35 concerts over three days, with performances by Stanley Clarke, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Patrice Rushen, Cimafunk, The Soul Rebels, Charles Lloyd, Lakecia Benjamin, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dave Holland, Lisa Fischer and many others. It will also include an outdoor festival street market with rotating DJs, food trucks, beer garden, specialty wine vendors, art and a vinyl record swap and more.

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

Journey of Jazz ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

The cruise is more than 92% reserved! The remaining staterooms consist, mainly, of Veranda Staterooms, Inside Staterooms and Single Inside Staterooms! These remaining staterooms are favorably priced through June 15, 2025(*). Please use the promo code: NOW. There is no obligation to complete a reservation once you learn the prices. *New reservations only.

BOOK NOW

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David Foster: The Hitman Cruise
5 Days, 5 Nights, 5 Star Experience

Join us aboard the luxurious Celebrity Summit for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise — five incredible days and nights celebrating timeless hits, legendary artists and 5-star entertainment, all curated by one of the greatest musical minds of our time. Join the Pre-Sail to register for first access to your stateroom of choice before Open Booking becomes available to the public. Register below! 

JOIN PRE-SAIL

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Christian McBride’s World at Sea
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Open Booking has begun! Special pricing is available for a limited time on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. Use Promo Code CMW when you make your reservation! *New reservations only

BOOK NOW

The Jazz Cruise ’26
is in Open booking

The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. This program always hits “fully reserved.” The only question is when!

BOOK NOW

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking and staterooms are 99% reserved.

BOOK NOW

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Top Shelf Country Cruise
is now in Open Booking

With premium talent like Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton, Top Shelf Country Cruise earns its title as the First-Class Country Music Cruise! Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3
is in Open Booking

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast! 

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking and staterooms are more than 75% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

Botti at Sea ’26
is in Open Booking

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello, Melody Gardot and Peabo Bryson will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. 

Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

The post Our Take: Peabo is Back! appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.