With this background, no one should be surprised that my gravesite visit on Sunday was interrupted by a soft voice that only I could hear. At first, I did not understand the words nor could I recognize the voice. As the message continued, the words became clear and the identity of the speaker was unmistakable. Mom was admonishing me for spending too much time on The Weekender talking about all the other cruises we present and not enough time on The Jazz Cruise! Her criticism of my running of The Jazz Cruise was not new. If it were up to her, the cruise would never change. New ideas were met with skepticism, if met at all.

Her desire for sameness would sometimes apply to musician’s fees. There was the time that she asked me what we were paying a certain musician, only to be upset that the current fee was higher than what she had paid in the past. When I told her that the amount she was quoting was at least four years old, she exclaimed, “he hasn’t gotten any better!” Mom was not a comedian, but she said some truly funny things. 

The one innovation of mine that Mom liked from the start was The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame Concert and Induction. Mom loved honoring musicians, colleagues and music people who were important contributors to The Jazz Cruise. The one privilege that she held onto until her death was naming the annual recipients. Only once did we deny her choices. That was the year that she would be our sole honoree. Once she knew it was her, she happily demurred.

If she were still in charge of The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame, she would love the choices for The Jazz Cruise ’26. We are proud to announce that Paquito D’Rivera and Chucho Valdés will be the ’26 inductees.

Having shared much of their professional and personal lives, it is only right that they enter our shrine together. For those who have not seen them perform together, you will be in for a great treat. The mutual admiration and respect, coupled with their amazing musicianship, always produces something wonderful. Speaking of something special, the entire lineup for The Jazz Cruise ’26 is amazing.

The highest honor in jazz is being an NEA Jazz Master. The Jazz Cruise ’26 features three such members, Paquito, Chucho and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Other icons of jazz onboard are Monty Alexander, Houston Person, Randy Brecker, Herlin Riley, Jeff Hamilton, Lewis Nash, John Clayton, Renee Rosnes and Benny Green. We also welcome back our annual heroes, Ken Peplowski, James Morrison, Eric Marienthal, Shelly Berg, Wycliffe Gordon and Rickey Woodard.

For those guests who love their jazz in vocal form, we are loaded: Dee Dee, Catherine Russell, Janis Siegel, Bria Skonberg, Veronica Swift, Niki Haris, Kurt Elling, John Pizzarelli and Benny Benack III. The ship is full of talented sidemen, Big Band Members and All Stars. Nearly 100 jazz musicians in all.

Of course, we have our Cruise Host, Emmet Cohen, to set the tone and the vibe for the cruise. Always friendly. Always engaged (no, not that kind of engaged). Emmet combines the very best in chops and charisma. 

In honor of the circle of life, it is only fitting that one of Mom’s picks for future stardom, a teenage Emmet Cohen when first onboard, would become the host of “her cruise”! Next time I visit the cemetery, I am sure she will tell me how much she loves The Jazz Cruise and how pleased she is that I have not buggered it up…yet.

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.

James Moody’s 80 Year’s Young: Live at the Blue Note

Linda Moody, the wife of the late great James Moody, is releasing a live recording of Moody’s
80th birthday celebration at the Blue Note in New York City in 2005. This was the grand finale of a week-long celebration that had already featured amazing performances from jazz giants like Jimmy Heath, Ray Barretto, Mike Long, and George Wein. The live recording features Jon Faddis, Paquito D’Rivera, Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker, Roberta Gambarini and Cedar Walton. Featured in the set was “Moody’s Mood for Love,” over a half-century since it was a major hit for King Pleasure and Moody’s signature tune over the decades. 

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James Moody’s 100th Birthday Concert

On May 27, an all-star collection of jazz artists will celebrate Moody’s centennial in a concert at Sony Hall as part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival in NYC.

Performing music by and associated with Moody are Randy Brecker, Terri Lyne Carrington, Todd Coolman, Paquito D’Rivera, Jon Faddis, Roberta Gambarini, Christian McBride, Elena Pinderhughes, Madeleine Peyroux, Adam Nussbaum and Renee Rosnes.

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Jose James’ 1978: Revenge of the Dragon

Set against the backdrop of his birth year, Jose James’ new album, 1978: Revenge of The Dragon, captures the electric tension of a transformative cultural moment. Jose, who will be sailing on McBride’s World at Sea in 2026, draws from the swirl of influences that defined the late ’70s: the experimental edge of New York’s loft and jazz scenes, the pop brilliance of Elton John and Billy Joel, the revolutionary pulse of Bob Marley and the Isley Brothers, the cosmic funk of Parliament-Funkadelic and the unstoppable rise of punk and disco.

Beneath it all was a sense of convergence—genres colliding, boundaries dissolving. Jose channels that restless spirit into a bold, cinematic sound that feels both timeless and radical. Jose will be touring the U.S. and Europe this summer.

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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 94% 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.

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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

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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! 

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The post Our Take: The Jazz Cruise ’26 – Bigger & Better Than Ever appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.