During this brief hiatus, besides the usual mid-summer activities, we will be preparing for our mid-2025 meetings during which we will be assessing our ’26 Programs and planning for our ’27 Programs. Doing so causes me to reflect upon the 25+ years of producing our programs, the musicians we have known and the amazing guests that we have met, befriended and enjoyed. We are very fortunate to be doing something that we love, with people that we respect, and for people whom we wish to make happy at all times. If you have to toil, it makes it so much easier when you love doing it.

As you know, we have expanded our cruise programs to include additional jazz programs (Journey of Jazz and Christian McBride’s World at Sea) together with some entertainment programs that are outside of the world of jazz. Some, like Botti at Sea and David Foster: The Hitman Cruise, though not entirely jazzy, are within the general vicinity of the jazz world. Others, like Top Shelf Country Cruise and past programs like NASCAR and Star Trek are far from striking distance of our music. Since we will be heading into a planning phase for our next set of programs, we thought it would be interesting if we asked our most loyal fans, the readers of The Weekender, to weigh in and suggest what types of cruise programs they would like us to tackle.

You see, we love our music more than anything in the world, but our singular skill is being able to produce a charter theme cruise. Very few people know how to do that and we believe that we do it better than anyone else. Applying that skill set to any theme is doable for us. One of our mission statements is to add a different theme cruise each year. Top Shelf Country Cruise was the choice for ’26. We are excited to announce that there will be a ’27 sailing of Top Shelf Country Cruise. I should have bought those boots instead of renting them!

Back to our request of you. If you have a cruise concept in mind for us to consider producing, please let us know by sending the information to info@scecruises.com. If we select your theme and it becomes a cruise, not only will you sail on the cruise for life for free, but you will be an “owner”!   

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.

Samara Joy’s New Single and BBC Orchestral Debut

The jazz vocal star Samara Joy, who will be performing during McBride’s World at Sea, has just released a new single, “Flor de Lis,” a Portuguese outtake from her 2024 album Portrait, on June 27 In the lead up to her upcoming South American dates in Argentina and Brazil.

In addition, Samara will perform with her octet and the BBC Concert Orchestra on July 19. Her first time performing with a full orchestra, the concert will be broadcast live on BBC4.

LEARN MORE

Christian McBride Big Band Album

Samara will also appear on the upcoming recording from the Christian McBride Big Band, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, singing “Old Folks.” Released on Mack Avenue on August. 29, the album features classic jazz and pop standards sung by Samara and other special guest vocalists, including Cécile McLorin Salvant, Dianne Reeves, José James, Jeffrey Osborne and Antoinette Henry. The first single from the album has just been released and it features Sting and Andy Summers performing “Murder By Numbers,” their tune from The Police’s 1982 multi-platinum Synchronicity.

“This album has been a fantastic opportunity to record some of my favorite big band arrangements, with some of my favorite singers,” Christian said.

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Mid-Summer Break

As we mentioned in the Our Take, our office will be closed from Monday, June 30 through Friday, July 4. We will be open as usual starting at 10 AM ET on Monday, July 7. Though away from the office, we remain available via email at info@scecruises.com. 

All of us at Signature Cruise Experiences wish you and yours a happy, fun and safe July 4th holiday. Whether you spend it on the beach, at a pool, on the deck or just lounging, every holiday deserves a few hours of great jazz! Do not live without it!

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

Journey of Jazz ’25 – Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Journey of Jazz is more than 97% reserved! There are less than 40 available staterooms consisting of Veranda and Inside Staterooms. These remaining staterooms are currently at their final, lowest price. Don’t miss your chance – join us on our Journey this September! *New reservations only

BOOK NOW

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

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise will deliver five incredible days and nights of five-star entertainment, all centered around the music and career of 16-time GRAMMY® winner David Foster. Michael McDonald, Babyface, Katharine McPhee and other preeminent talents will join us aboard. Open Booking has begun and staterooms are already moving fast! Act soon to reserve your stateroom of choice.

BOOK NOW

Christian McBride’s World at Sea – Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Open Booking has begun! Special pricing available for a limited time on Ocean View & 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

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are Fully Reserved

Of course, you may join the Waitlist. Or, if you’d prefer to sail the West Coast this fall (two novel concepts for this program), consider joining us on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3.

JOIN WAITLIST

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

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, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26 in Fall 2026. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

The post Our Take: Is it a June Swoon or Just a Nice Break? 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.

Nowadays, horses are bred and trained specifically for the shorter distance of The Preakness and the longer route of the Belmont Stakes. Optimism wanes as the races move on which reduces the fields considerably. Famously, only four horses competed against Secretariat as he captured the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown.

I know what you are thinking…when will he stop horsing around and talk about jazz. I had no idea that he was a racetrack junkie. Well, I am not a horse racing fan. Actually, I am afraid of horses and do not understand why people wait around for 30 – 45 minutes between races and wager money on animals they do not know and on jockeys they have never met.

In high school, my friends and I went to a local racetrack, snuck in with fake I.D.’s and bet on a horse called Oklahoma Miss. The bet was prompted by a lowlife we called Shooter who told us “the only way this horse loses is if he dies.” Shooter was dead on! The horse died somewhere in the back stretch. Too much “energy” was the proclaimed cause of death.

Heading for home, it is time to “shoe” horn in a jazz analogy. Just like the Kentucky Derby, lots of musicians with high hopes begin careers in jazz. They train. They workout. They have handlers and teachers. Then they play in small clubs, just like the horses run in small races. Finally, one day they have a chance to show their stuff and complete with the other young musicians who have been groomed and trained the same way. The results are always the same. There is one winner, a handful of others who showed well and a larger group of also-rans.

When it is time for the next race, The Preakness for horses, another festival or concert for the musicians, the cadre of those who did well before gather and a couple new guys are added, guys who are specialists and have trained just for this event. Finally, when you get to the big time, the Belmont Stakes or Carnegie Hall, the many have become the few. There may be a ringer or two, but, for the most part, this battle of attrition leads to one winner.

Becoming a top jazz musician is a long and difficult road. You have to fight and scrape every inch of the way. Yes, there is some luck involved, but without talent and hard work, luck will never be enough. Like I said above, I know little about horses, so I cannot discern the gleam in their eyes or the detect the burning in their hearts, but I can detect those feelings when I watch a young musician soaking up the chops of a true star. I have joked that if you wanted to have a gathering of pianists on one of our cruises, all you need to do is schedule a Brad Mehldau gig. We have to issue special talent passes when Michael McDonald sings or when Lewis Nash/Herlin Riley/Jeff Hamilton square off.

In horse racing, getting to the top is winning the Triple Crown. In jazz, it may be induction as a NEA Jazz Master. The path to that glory is the same. Many start out trying. Very few succeed.

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.

Ben Williams’ Between Church and State

A veteran of several of our cruise programs, including Botti at Sea and Blue Note at Sea, Ben Williams has just released Between Church and State, a new album in which he addresses social issues. On this follow-up to his I Am a Man recording, the bassist (who has performed or recorded with Pat Metheny, George Benson, David Sanborn, Wynton Marsalis, Robert Glasper, and Jose James) explores his family history, on both sides, and discovers the rich legacy of activism from the pulpit of the Black church to the halls of Congress (and a connection to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). While telling his own story, he unpacks not only his personal experience as a Black man, but also explores broader issues such as spirituality, addiction/escapism, police brutality, anxiety, and afro-futurism. His fourth album as a leader, Between Church & State features Ben on upright and electric bass, as well as vocals, backed by a band of Justin Brown (drums), Brandon Coleman (keyboards), Hailey Niswanger (sax, flute, bass clarinet), Sasha Berliner (vibraphone), and Andrew Renfroe (guitar).  Among Ben’s special guests on the recording are Kamasi Washington, Chief Adjuah, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Sy Smith, and Keyon Harrold.

Where’s Alonzo?

Our comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden has some big shows coming up this month and next.  On May 8-9, he’ll be appearing at the prestigious Halifax Comedy Festival up in Canada.  On June 6-7, he’ll hold forth at the Comedy Bar in Toronto, followed by a show on June 8 at the Paramount Theatre in Thunder Bay.  Alonzo promises that all the shows in Canada will be tariff-free.  During June 16-22, Alonzo will be in residence at the Cellar Comedy Club at the Rio in Las Vegas. And, as always, keep an ear out for him on the popular NPR show, Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, on which he frequently appears as a panelist, offering up his informed and witty takes on current events.  

Music Legend Hosts a 5 Day/5 Night Super Cruise
featuring Michael McDonald and Babyface

Numbers can often tell the story. David Foster has 47 GRAMMY® nominations and 16 GRAMMY® Awards, including three awards for “Producer of the Year.”  He has been inducted in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, enshrined in both Canada’s and Hollywood’s Walk of Fame nominated three times for an Academy Award (Oscar) and won a Golden Globe.
 
His collaborations with vocalists and bands is extraordinary, creating hit songs and successful albums for Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs and Gloria Estefan.
 
Now, after two wonderful stints as a guest performer on our Chris Botti at Sea cruise, we are proud to announce that David Foster will be the host of our newest cruise program, David Foster, the Hitman Cruise. This five day / five night super cruise will sail from Ft. Lauderdale on Celebrity Summit from January 15 – 20, 2026.
 
Joining David for this amazing event are Michael McDonald, Babyface, Peter Cincotti, Take 6, Pia Toscano and, of course, Katharine McPhee.  More performers to be added soon.
 
Michael McDonald was recently a co-host with Patti LaBelle on a 4 day cruise that bore their names. Signature Cruise Experiences’ guests have begged for another top sailing that was fewer than a week. David Foster: The Hitman Cruise fills that request. 
 
This cruise will be the first sailing on a Signature Cruise Experiences’ program for both Babyface and Pia Toscano. Peter Cincotti and Katharine McPhee have sailed with us before and Take 6 has been on our cruise programs six times.
 
For more information, and to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation ahead of the open booking rush, go to the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise website and follow the prompts. As of yesterday, nearly 800 Pre-Sail Reservations have been completed, so act now.

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 May 15, 2025(*). Please use the promo code: PORTER. 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
Pre-Sail Registration Now Open!

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
Open Booking Now Available

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 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

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 more than 98% reserved.

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

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

Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.  Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: And They’re Off! appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Saturday mornings, when I am running errands and, in the car more than usual, I am a Real Jazz guy. I try never to miss an edition of The Lowdown with Christian McBride. Here, too, there is a direct connection, as the recent shows were recorded live on The Jazz Cruise ’25. I will cop to feeling proud that our cruises can be the backdrop to these shows. No Sunday would be complete without a full shot of Miller Time, Marcus Miller’s show where he presents a full circle of jazz. And, as often as I can, I find Mark Ruffin’s shows. They are in the afternoon for me, so I sneak him into our office when I can.

Most of what I have shared, thus far, is predictable behavior for someone whose occupation is producing jazz cruises. But there is a dark side to my radio music selections. Call them guilty pleasures, alternative listening or, as most of you would say, really bad taste in music listening, but there are two SXM channels that appear on my Favorites list that I select when the mood is right…or wrong: ’60s Gold and The Blend.

I offer no excuses or apologies for my selection of “60s Gold. They say that the music of your life is the music you listened to when you were in high school. As a ’68 graduate, I can recall vivid moments of those years by listening to the music of ’60s Gold. As that era moved from innocence to turmoil, so, too, did the music. 15 minutes of that station will sometimes allow me to relive my life from being 10 to being 20. At times I can feel my hair growing longer and my sideburns becoming more prominent.

The Blend as a selection is more difficult to explain. When I began to listen to that channel, the song mix was pretty broad, hence the name “blend.” Its eclectic array of pop hits from the ’70’s to now was a nice journey. Random as heck, but most of the time the music was appealing. That format has been refined to be hits from the ’70s and ’80s. I guess that is still a “blend.” Though what was once a sundae with syrup, nuts, cherries and whipped cream, is now ice cream with chocolate sauce. Still tasty, but not as interesting.

I continue to listen to The Blend as it has become the compromise selection if Paula (my wife) and I are in the car together. In her car alone, she selects soothing mood music to combat the world of bad drivers. Songs with words are selected in rare instances. The monotony of that music to me is noted by my wife and she will vocally change the station. The sound of her saying “Please play The Blend” makes me smile. Me doing the same when I am alone in the car is simply a sign that I wish she were there.

I cannot remember the last time she was willing to “let me drive.” I have had no accidents and I am a much better parker than she is, but, once in the car with her, I am a passenger! By the way, at home, there are no deviations from jazz, the Great American Songbook or any of our favorite cruise performers. I have no idea how our sound system works, however, so, once again, she is “driving” and I am a “passenger.”

By this time, I will assume that our female readers are smiling and nodding, and our male readers are frowning and wincing. Early warning….Mother’s Day is May 11.

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Christian McBride’s World at Sea
Join Christian for his First Ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream
Featuring Special Guests & a Major Lineup Announcement

Want to learn more about Christian McBride’s World at Sea cruise? Sign up now to join the first ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream with Christian McBride on Tuesday, April 29 at 3 PM ET for information about the cruise straight from the host!

Christian will preside over this livestream, share his thoughts, ideas and goals for this amazing cruise and talk about the first-class musicians who will be joining him. Guests will have the opportunity to send in questions and comments which will be answered in real time!

Christian will be joined by a few of the musicians on the cruise and be prepared for an important announcement regarding the lineup for the cruise. Big News!

Top musicians, great ship, and fun programming are the hallmarks of this cruise. When you add in the warmth, spirit and talents of Christian, you know that something special is about to happen.

To learn more, join us for “The Cruise Lowdown” livestream on April 29.

Journey of Jazz ’25

Food Lover’s Choices

On the Ship

Besides the award winning “included” food service on Celebrity Summit, guests will be able to select among various specialty restaurants as well. Celebrity Cruises’ famous Tuscan Grille and the elegant Luminae are guest favorites and available by reservation. Sushi on Five has always been a popular hang for guests and talent. No reason to believe that will change for this sailing. Recently, we took over the menu of Blu at night and converted that restaurant to a first-class steakhouse, we call Chop’s. Almost over night that concept has become one of the most popular dining choices for guests.

Another, Signature Cruise Experiences’ concept is in the works and may be ready in time for the cruise.

In San Francisco

Brad Pavlik, who serves as our Hotel Director, has been working with Michael Bauer to curate some amazing dining experiences in San Francisco for brunch and lunch on both days we are in port and for dinner on the first night. Dinner the first night is limited in numbers so that we can ensure that guests can both dine and see the main show, that night being the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. For those unfamiliar with Michael Bauer, for 32 years he was the Food Critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Donning disguises and making reservations under false names, Michael was the most feared, revered and sometimes disliked food critic in San Francisco, a city known for high end dining and high end expectations. Telling it like it is can be a difficult road to follow when you are doing it night after night in a defined geographic area. Upsetting people is easy to do and hard to overcome.

The list of dining experiences that we are offering is amazing….we are about two weeks away from full disclosure and the opportunity to sign up.

Ron Carter Quartet Performance

At the time of contracting, NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter was not willing to sail, but was excited about performing for our guests at SFJAZZ. To make that work for SFJAZZ, a below market fee was required for our guests, together with preferred seating. Subsequently, Ron has addressed his concerns and will be sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’26. Since the plans with SFJAZZ were already completed we were compelled to go ahead with the SFJAZZ plan which includes subsequent performances of the Ron Carter Quartet at SFJAZZ.

Sailing on Journey of Jazz ’25

Journey of Jazz ’25 is nearly 92% reserved. What remains are a few Concierge Class Staterooms, 20 or so Veranda Staterooms, a few Ocean View Staterooms and a nice choice of Inside Staterooms. If you are interested in sailing, you have some new choices available.
 

• Veranda Staterooms may be reserved at the Past Guest Price, regardless of your cruise history. The promo code is PAST.
• Some Veranda Staterooms and Inside Staterooms may be reserved as singles. The promo code is SINGLE.
• And for guests who are 10+ Status or who are on the Wait List for Journey of Jazz, there are price opportunities for all remaining staterooms. The promo code is VIP.

If you act now, there is still time for you to sign up for the excursions. Only the Napa Valley Wine Train events are fully reserved.

You do not want to miss this cruise!

Guess What’s New? You Are Right With The First Guess!
Signature Cruise Experiences is Launching a New Cruise!

Check out the April 30 edition of Jazz Notes. In addition to our celebration of International Jazz Day, we will be announcing a new cruise program! It is a fun one, so stay tuned!

Newport Jazz Festival

The lineup for the iconic Newport Jazz Festival, held August 1-3 on the grounds of Fort Adams in Newport, RI, has just been announced. Curated by artistic director Christian McBride, host of McBride’s World at Sea, the festival’s lineup features many artists who have sailed on our programs in the past or will sail with us in the future, including Dianne Reeves, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Marcus Miller, esperanza spalding, Emmet Cohen, Antonio Sanchez, Ron Carter, Etienne Charles and, of course, Christian.

Also performing, will be Christian’s Big Band, as well as the Philadelphia Experiment (featuring Questlove and Uri Caine). Other headliners include The Roots, Jacob Collier, Janelle Monae, Rachael & Vilray and Hiromi.

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! 

We would like to close out the manifest as soon as possible so that we can finalize the arrangements for the amazing JOJ Excursions. Availability remains for most of the excursions, but they will close shortly.

These remaining staterooms are favorably priced through May 15, 2025(*). You can learn those prices by calling the office or starting a reservation online. Please use the promo code: PORTER. There is no obligation to complete a reservation once you learn the prices.

(*) Restrictions do apply and some selections and choices are no longer available. These prices are per person, based upon double occupancy, non-commissionable and may not be combined with other offers or discounts. For new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here!

Open Booking has begun! From now through April 30, 2025, we are offering a Jazz Appreciation Month (Super Special) for those staterooms. Use Promo Code JAM when you register online.

*Discount applies to new reservations only

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. 

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 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 97% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist.
  
Reserve your stateroom today!
 

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

Our headliners are Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton. As you can see, the lineup is Top Shelf country music star power!

When the talent is combined with the iHeartMedia Team of Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, Lunchbox, Eddie and Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase, the ultra-luxurious Celebrity Reflection cruise ship and wonderful ports of call (Key West, Nassau and Bimini), 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
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call!

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

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

Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.

Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Music in the Car appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

As a kid, I can recall receiving a basket that was filled with marshmallows encased in colorful candy coatings. I would eat them until I was sick. As I grew older, the number of those eggs needed to do the trick became fewer and fewer. Perhaps there was a cumulative effect to this special candy. I believe that the candies were Brach’s Easter Eggs. Last year, as my wife was preparing baskets for our grandchildren, I told her to add some Brach’s Easter Eggs to the bounty. The next day, she told me that she went to four different places and there were no such eggs to be found.

Though I should never have doubted her, as she is the most able finder of almost everything, I went online to see how to secure the eggs for the kids. To my surprise, I found that Brach’s had discontinued this treat in 2023. No reason was given, but the article surmised that the cost of the eggs outweighed the profits. I am hip to the “nothing lasts forever” aspect of life, but would it hurt anybody to continue to make marshmallow eggs wrapped in candy? Yes, there some impostors out there, but I miss the real thing.

Back a few years ago, Signature Cruise Experiences, for various reasons, either sold or discontinued certain cruise programs. Guests still talk about the North Sea Jazz Cruise, Playboy Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea Cruise. Those programs have given way to Journey of Jazz, Christian McBride’s World at Sea and Botti at Sea. In addition to those sailings, just as Sara Lee will always make pound cake, we will continue to share our secret recipe for The Jazz Cruise and the sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise for as long as there are guests ready to sail.

So, on this Easter Weekend, we are presenting you with the Signature Cruise Experiences’ Jazz Easter Basket, filled with candy eggs, not filled with marshmallows, but with a special holiday offering to start your Spring celebrations.

Journey of Jazz ’25

Sailing in just under five months, Journey of Jazz ’25 is over 90% reserved. And why not? Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter (see video) are the hosts, the lineup is amazing, the West Coast itinerary is exciting and the on land excursions are once-in-a-lifetime events. Some Concierge and Veranda Staterooms remain available and there are Special Prices for the remaining Staterooms. The Promo Code for this offer is PORTER.

Christian McBride’s World at Sea

Multi-GRAMMY® Winner Christian McBride has gathered most of his ensembles and some amazing vocalists to join him for a cruise into his “World.”   

Learn More. Want to learn more about Christian McBride’s World at Sea cruise? Sign up now to join the first ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream with Christian McBride on Tuesday, April 29 at 3 PM ET for information about the cruise straight from the host!

Special Prices. From now through April 30, 2025, We are offering a Jazz Appreciation Month (Super Special) for those staterooms. Use Promo Code JAM when you register online.

Christian McBride’s World at Sea	Current Cruise Price	JAM Cruise Price
Ocean View Staterooms	$3,325	$2,500
Inside Staterooms	$2,975	$2,000
Inside Single Staterooms	$4,425	$3,850

The Jazz Cruise ’26

The Granddaddy of all Cruises, The Jazz Cruise has been the icon of the jazz world since 2001. Already more than 70% reserved, be on the lookout for the updated lineup and special prices for Inside Staterooms in either the 4.26.25 edition of The Weekender or the 4.30.25 edition of Jazz Notes.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1/’26.2/’26.3

The bad news is that The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.2 is fully reserved and The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.1 is 98+% reserved. The good new is that there are staterooms available for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, the first West Coast sailing of this program in more than a decade. Stay tuned for more information about the amazing excursions being offered while the ship docks in Victoria, BC and in San Francisco (Winery Tours/Napa Valley Wine Train/Culinary Events, Music Shows, etc.). Excursions will be open for reservations by the end of June ’25.

Chris Botti at Sea ’26

Moving to the West Coast, the hometown area for Chris Botti, Botti at Sea has an amazing lineup that includes Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson and more. Just like The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, there will be significant excursions in Victoria BC and San Francisco. Stay tuned for more information. Excursions will be open for reservations by the end of June ’25.

With three sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, your basket has seven eggs for you to enjoy. Unlike my Brach’s Easter Eggs, these eggs are very much in production and ready for you! Enjoy this holiday weekend and we will catch up next week on more jazz news.

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Ready for Journey of Jazz? Gregory Porter is!

Journey of Jazz ’25 sails in just under five months! Are you ready to enjoy our first West Coast jazz cruise in more than a decade? From Vancouver to Los Angeles with stops in Victoria and San Francisco, not only does this cruise present our much-heralded hours and hours of music onboard, but we are offering exciting excursions to Napa and Sonoma, special shows at SFJAZZ and in Victoria, culinary journeys in San Francisco and more!

Check out how excited Co-Host Gregory Porter is for the start of this cruise!

From NOW Through May 15: Favorable Prices on Selected Remaining Staterooms;
Most Excursions Have Openings!

The cruise is more than 90% reserved! The remaining staterooms consist, mainly, of Veranda Staterooms, Inside Staterooms and Single Inside Staterooms!

We would like to close out the manifest as soon as possible so that we can finalize the arrangements for the amazing JOJ Excursions. Availability remains for most of the excursions, but they will close shortly.

These remaining staterooms are favorably priced through May 15, 2025(*). You can learn those prices by calling the office or starting a reservation online. Please use the promo code: PORTER. There is no obligation to complete a reservation once you learn the prices.

(*) Restrictions do apply and some selections and choices are no longer available. These prices are per person, based upon double occupancy, non-commissionable and may not be combined with other offers or discounts. For new reservations only.

Gerald Clayton’s Ones & Twos

Gerald Clayton, who has performed countless times on our sailings, has just released Ones & Twos, his third album on the Blue Note label. The recording, which features vibraphonist Joel Ross, flutist Elena Pinderhughes, trumpeter Marquis Hill and drummer Kendrick Scott, with post-production work by Kassa Overall, is a very different type of recording for the pianist and composer.

“Ones & Twos is an experiment—an idea inspired by the art of turntablism,” Gerald explains. “I set out to create a record where the A side can be played simultaneously with the B side—a nod to that moment in the club when the DJ transitions from one song to the next, when you hear two separate pieces at the same time.”
 
The initial release of Ones & Twos will consist of the separated tracks and later this year Clayton will follow with a release of the combined overlayed tracks, revealing the end result of his experiment as a culmination of the project. When overlaid, the tracks transform into pieces that are both firmly rooted in the originals, yet strikingly new.

Brian Culbertson’s The Trilogy: Live from Detroit

Brian Culbertson, a longtime favorite of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, has just released the concert film The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and 2-CD set from BCM Entertainment. With Brian playing keyboards and trombone, he was accompanied on The Trilogy Tour by Darnell “Showcase” Taylor (guitar), Eddie Miller (keyboards and vocals), Chris Miskel (drums and musical director), Rishon Odel (bass), Michael “Patches” Stewart (trumpet and flugelhorn), Ronnie Gutierrez (percussion) and Walter English III (keyboards and vocals).
 
“I knew the visual was going to be something special. I try to make every tour special of course, but sometimes certain things and the music push a particular tour into another space that makes it more obvious to film. It needs to be different than a regular ‘the hits concert,’ which is just a random set of songs. This show has more of an arc and story to it,” said Brian.

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

Journey of Jazz ’25 – Be on the Lookout for a Message from Gregory Porter! JAM Prices Available! 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
is in Open Booking

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
is in Open Booking

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
is in Open booking

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 is in Open Booking; 26.2 is Fully Reserved

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Final Lineup & Itinerary Now Available

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
is in Open Booking

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
is in Open Booking

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: A (Jazzy) Easter Basket For You appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

That is not the message you want to hear from someone producing a jazz cruise, but, fortunately, the weather at the time of year we sail is customarily very good. 

Having recently completed 28 days at sea in January and February, we had only one morning of rain. It is too early to scope out the weather for our ’26 Sailings, but the weather we are expecting for Journey of Jazz ’25 (Vancouver to Los Angeles) in mid-September is expected to be lovely. Typically, 55 degrees to 70 degrees and generally dry. Perfect weather for a journey to Napa or Sonoma or a tour of the restaurants in San Francisco and Victoria. If it sounds like I am excited about that sailing, you are right! It would seem to be a perfect combination of amazing music and great on land events. Something new.

Journey of Jazz ’25 is co-hosted by Gregory Porter and Marcus Miller. The premise of the cruise is based upon Marcus’ History of Jazz Shows which he has curated, produced, and performed on several of our cruises. Working with our Music Director, Eric Marienthal, he has expanded the concept to include additional nights of celebration of jazz. We are particularly keen to that idea during April (Jazz Appreciation Month). Hopefully, you enjoyed Thursday’s edition of Jazz Notes which highlighted the thoughts and musings of some of our musicians about the meaning of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Last night, Marcus and Eric collaborated on a different theme, that being a tribute to David Sanborn. For those who sailed on either The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 or ’25.2, you were treated to their amazing presentation, featuring the entire lineup of musicians on the ship performing the tunes that made Sanborn famous and sharing intimate and personal feelings about David and his contributions to music. Though the event last night could not include the full cavalcade of stars that were on the ship, as Adam Sandler would say, the turnout was “not too shabby!”

Performing under the direction of Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal were Eric Darius, Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Alex Han, Ricky Peterson, Arlington Jones, Nate Phillips, Jay Williams, Kevin Turner and Munyungo Jackson. Alice Soyer Sanborn, David’s widow, was a special guest and performer, providing a fitting tribute to one of the greatest musicians and people of all time. Contributions were made to the David Sanborn Foundation at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The first-year anniversary of his death will be in May. In some respects, it feels like yesterday, but the empty feeling that his absence engenders is so deep that it feels like a wound of many years. My first thought upon hearing about his death was that I would never hear that amazing sound he made again. Not live anyway. That feeling has proven to be accurate, but it gets worse. I have come to realize that my love of him and his music encompassed his entire on-stage presence. Never in a hurry. Always in control. Carefully removing the mouthpiece cover when it was time to play and replacing it on the horn when it was time to rest.

Of course, I can still imagine those movements and can see them on YouTube or other similar media. But, when the tune is over now, I cannot wait for him backstage, joke with him about the show, the size of the crowd or who was the next person we would laugh about. Nor will I be party to the hijinks between him and his techs, such as Wulle Roche, a Damon Runyon character if there ever was one. 

For those who sailed on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 or ’25.2, you were also treated to what we called The Summit Band. The group included Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Dave Weckl, Marcus Miller and Patti Austin. Patti was added when David passed and Eric Marienthal stepped in to perform the saxophone parts. The entire concept of the band was a vehicle for David Sanborn to perform on our cruises perhaps for the last time. That fact, until now, was a secret among Marcus, Eric and me. Knowing that we tried our best to honor David during his life makes honoring him upon his death a bit easier. Remember, I said “a bit.”

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Christian McBride’s World at Sea

This is Your Best Chance to Join

Christian McBride’s World at Sea is a hit with the fans! It is, perhaps, the most popular new cruise program we have ever offered. With that said, there is a large number of Ocean View and Inside Staterooms remaining. Too many!

We are offering a Jazz Appreciation Month (Super Special) for those staterooms. Use Promo Code JAM when you register online. 

All Prices are per person and non-commissionable. Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are based upon double occupancy. Guests may not apply any other promotion or discount to these prices. For new reservations only.

Check out how excited Christian McBride is for the start of his cruise:

Dave Chappelle to Host Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala

On April 30, which is International Jazz Day, Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) will present its annual star-studded Gala – “Duke Ellington at 125,” hosted by Mark Twain Prize winner Dave Chappelle. The comedian, an alumnus of Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts, has a long connection to the music. A jazz fan who cites Thelonious Monk as one of his favorite musicians, Chappelle is an amateur jazz pianist and has appeared at jazz festivals and clubs throughout the years, often with our friend Robert Glasper.  
 
The Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Gala concert will be anchored by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Special guests include members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, drummer Jeff Hamilton, flautist

Baqir Abbas, vocalist Kate Kortum, pianist Sean Mason, alongside alumni of Jazzat Lincoln Center’s signature education program, Essentially Ellington, as well as rising stars in the organization’s youth programs. In addition, JALC will honor H.E. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo with the Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz and Toshiko Akiyoshi with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Award for Artistic Excellence.

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for Journey of Jazz, our first West Coast sailing in over a decade, featuring a stop in Victoria, British Columbia and an overnight in San Francisco with shows at SFJAZZ and food and wine excursions into Sonoma and Napa Valley. If you haven’t reserved your stateroom yet, this is your cue to hop on board. Limited Time Promotional Pricing is now available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms! Make your reservation today using Promo Code JOURNEY for significant savings*! *Discount applies to new reservations only. 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Set to sail January 15-20, 2026, Homecoming: The Cruise is more than a vacation—it’s a floating cultural experience centered on Black Greek unity and HBCU pride. 100% of net proceeds from the cruise will go directly toward scholarships and support for HBCUs and members of the Divine Nine. Not only does booking a cabin help provide scholarships, but you also have the opportunity to give back even more by becoming a Cruise Crew Leader. As a Cruise Crew Leader, you gather friends or a group who wish to reserve a stateroom to join you onboard. By doing this, your cabin could be reimbursed, your crew will receive onboard credits, and a scholarship could be donated in your name. Click here to learn more about the Cruise Crew Leader program!

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here! Open Booking has begun! Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms*. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. 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 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 97% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

The inaugural sailing will feature headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking! Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation. Guests are not required to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation and may proceed directly to the Stateroom Selection process. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.  Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Hanging at Berks Jazz Fest appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

For those who bet on this week’s Our Take being a commentary on Jazz Appreciation Month, you win. For those who felt otherwise, you are invited to our weekly poker game. Bring your money and something comfortable upon which to sit.

JAM reminds me of the Star Trek Cruise we produced for years. Though our guests wore Star Trek costumes all the time, the cruise gave them the unfettered right to do so all day and all night for seven days and not feel the least guilty or self-conscious. During April, I am free to annoy my friends who are not jazz fans with stories about the music and 24/7 jazz references. Actually, I have only one friend who does not like jazz. Now, my other friend loves jazz. No worries there.

Most of my jazz world interaction is with our guests, our musicians and our team. Next week (Friday), I will be at the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania, which will be my first significant jazz interaction since the cruises. I cannot wait to see our jazz friends and to enjoy some great music. Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal will be reprising their brilliant Tribute to David Sanborn on Friday, April 11 at the Scottish Rites Cathedral. Mindi Abair and her wine expert husband, Eric Guerra, will conduct a wine tasting at the venue immediately before the show.

Signature Cruise Experiences is the sponsor of the event and the wine reception and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the David Sanborn Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. David’s widow, Alice Soyer Sanborn, will be in attendance and will participate in the show as well. If you have the opportunity to join us for this special show and for the rest of Berks Jazz Fest, by all means do so. 

I promised you that I would take this month to detail those jazz events and jazz opportunities that I believe would enhance your knowledge and love of jazz. In thinking about this, my first thought was The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian, Christian McBride’s tour de force weekly show where he spends nearly an hour with an icon of jazz. They talk about their careers, laugh at their pitfalls, perform some live music together and play one of Christian’s quiz games. Those games include identifying musicians from recordings, a sports quiz or other mind-bending event.

The Lowdown is presented on the Real Jazz channel of SiriusXM radio, channel 67. Shows are broadcasted on Saturday mornings, but repeated throughout the week. And, like everything else in the world, you can stream the shows of your choice. About the only things that you cannot stream these days are The Weekender or one of our cruises. Which reminds me, Christian has recorded several of his shows on our cruises. Though not presented live, I have heard those shows being recorded and the on-air broadcasting sounds as live as it can be. Christian’s interview of Houston Person was particularly fun. Having known Houston for 25 years, I am hip to his funny side, which is in stark contrast to his stoic, seemingly standoffish, demeanor on stage.

Like so many of the icons of jazz, Houston takes his role very seriously and believes that the bandstand is for working, not joking. I get it, but it would be wonderful if everyone who loves jazz would be able to see Houston as the loving, caring and warm person that he is. I guess that if you listen to his music, you would know that only a truly kind person could make such beautiful music.

For those of you who are only casual jazz fans, you would love the people who love jazz and the musicians who play that music. Just as it is with Houston, it is difficult to imagine a bad person loving a music genre so beautiful. JAM is our Jam and it has only just begun.

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Christian McBride’s World at Sea

Join Christian for his First Ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream

Want to learn more about Christian McBride’s World at Sea cruise? Sign up now to join the first ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream with Christian McBride on Tuesday, April 29 at 3 PM ET for information about the cruise straight from the host!

Christian will preside over this livestream, share his thoughts, ideas and goals for this amazing cruise and talk about the first-class musicians who will be joining him. Guests will have the opportunity to send in questions and comments which will be answered in real time!

Learn why guests are calling this cruise the best of past programs such as North Sea Jazz Cruise, Playboy Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea cruise. Christian McBride is the only bandleader we know whose ensembles make that boast.

When you add in the warmth, spirit and talents of Christian, you know that something special is about to happen. Join us for “The Cruise Lowdown” livestream on April 29.

Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio’s Coast to Coast

Guests on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year were treated to performances by a new band – the Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio, featuring Jeff with organist Akiko Tsuruga and guitarist Steve Kovalcheck. They’ve just released a new album, Coast to Coast, which is Jeff’s 23rd album as a band leader.

The title comes in part from the bandmembers’ divergent geographic bases – with Akiko coming from NYC, Steve from Colorado and Jeff, of course, based in LA. The three cover some classic organ trio cuts, as well as a few new compositions by Jeff. 

“The compatibility of this trio is what reaches the ears,” Jeff told us. “There is a musical friendship of thinking the same way and trusting each other…while tapping your foot.”

LEARN MORE

Berks Jazz Fest Wine Reception with Mindi Abair

Join Mindi Abair and her husband, wine producer Eric Guerra, for a special VIP Wine Tasting Reception at Berks Jazz Fest immediately prior to the David Sanborn Tribute Concert. During the reception, you will enjoy a meet-and-greet with Eric Marienthal, Marcus Miller and other concert performers.

The reception will be held on Friday, April 11 at 4PM in the banquet area of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Tickets are $55 and all proceeds benefit the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Click below to reserve your spot today.

WINE RECEPTION RSVP

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code WEEKENDER for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available! *Discount applies to new reservations only. 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use Promo Code HTC during the booking process. Reserve Your Stateroom Today! 

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here! Open Booking has begun! Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms*. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. 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 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 96% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

The inaugural sailing will feature headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking! Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation. Guests are not required to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation and may proceed directly to the Stateroom Selection process. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.  Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shots of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: JAM is Our Jam appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

So, what type of jazz fan are you? In golf you are judged by your handicap. Tennis has numerical rankings. Other sports have beginners, novices, intermediates, advanced, etc. Let’s see if we can derive a system to measure the degree and type of jazz fan each of us are. It will not be easy nor will it be determinative, but, with any luck, it will be fun and thought provoking.

Level 1: “I Think I Know What Jazz Is”

Once people know what I do for a living, most will say (politely) “I like jazz, too.” Three ways to respond here. Smile and move on. Ask them to name their favorite jazz musicians (usually the best way to learn about the jazz tastes of someone who is, in fact, listening to jazz). Or, if you are in a diabolical mindset and wish to “out” an impostor, ask them “what type of jazz do your prefer?” If the response is on point, then you should feel badly about judging them. If not on point, then you have found a Level 1 Jazz Fan – someone who believes they know what jazz is, but simply cannot articulate it.

Level 2: “Fake It ‘Til You Make It”

Level 2 folks know a few names and may have seen a show or two. They know that being a “jazz” person is cool and will elevate their status in your eyes. It is entirely up to you as to how to handle this person. The most benevolent approach is to let them bask in the glory of making you think that they know jazz. Whether you take that approach or circle in for the kill is largely dependent upon your sense of whether the person is harmless or not. In defining “harm,” the test is whether the person is perpetrating their limited knowledge upon others, particularly those who are genuinely trying to learn.

I would argue that, in those cases, you have a duty to burst their bubble. It is hard enough to encourage folks to learn more about jazz without someone feeding them the wrong information. The unsuspecting fan may pass that wrong information on and could become embarrassed by someone who is more knowledgeable. This would likely thwart our hopeful pupil from trying to learn more.

I am reminded of the guest who grilled Freddy Cole on his latest recordings, claiming to know each of his sidemen. At one point, he asked Freddy “do you come from a musical family?” No recovery from that one.

Level 3: “I Know What I Like”

These are my favorite fans. They know what they like to hear and could care less about who wrote the song, who arranged the song and who the sidemen are on the recording. There is an authenticity and genuineness in someone who likes what they like and does not need to justify or explain it away. Hopefully, at some point, their curiosity will blossom and they will delve into the “who,” “when” and “what” of a tune. Or not!

Level 4: “Of Course I Know That One”

This fan is tricky. Not only do they love the music, but they know a lot about it. Only they do not know everything about it and are unwilling to admit that. It will take a moment to identify one of those as they will be on subject most of the time. Their fatal flaw is not that they do not know everything, it is their refusal to be okay with that. I’ve never understood why someone would fear having others know that they do not know a particular song, singer, instrumentalist, composer or arranger. Unless you selected “JAZZ” as a topic on Jeopardy!, the penalty for being wrong is minimal at best.

Level 5: “I Love Jazz. Tell Me More”

This level is sublime. You know you love the music. You know a lot about the music. Enough to be able to realize the context of the song, to identify the instruments, if not the musicians themselves, and to know that you can “feel” what is happening. If you are at a live set, you are watching the interaction of the musicians. If you are listening to a recording of the music, you are imagining what that interaction must be like.

You are at peace with yourself, your surroundings and your purpose in listening. As the nuances of the music are unveiled to you, you ask yourself if you have heard other renditions of this song, who performed on those recordings and whether you like the new version or the older version. Your mind wanders, relaxes and settles in to enjoy the music. Your thoughts are simplified. You love Jazz. You want more.

Even if I never reach Level 5, the Holy Grail of Jazz, I am having a great time trying!

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Hot Offers: Journey of Jazz ’25

Regardless of your Jazz Fan Level, Journey of Jazz ’25 fits your jazz acumen. In many respects, the cruise is a 7-day tutorial on the life of jazz. Marcus Miller will reprise his History of Jazz, only this time doing so in 100, not 60 minutes. Each performer has been selected to reflect one or more aspects of what makes jazz so special. 

And, the West Coast itinerary, while not customarily associated with the history of the music, is certainly in line with the music’s lifestyle. Excursions to Sonoma and Napa, shows at SFJAZZ, culinary opportunities in San Francisco. No other music would be as perfect for those settings than jazz.

Journey of Jazz ’25 sails in about 6 months and fewer than 100 staterooms remain available. While staterooms with balconies (Concierge Class/AquaClass and Veranda) remain available, the largest inventory are Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.

You can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person and there are special prices for Ocean View staterooms. Reservations may be completed online or by calling the office and are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code: JOURNEY).

Berks Jazz Fest Wine Reception with Mindi Abair

Join Mindi Abair and her husband, wine producer Eric Guerra, for a special VIP Wine Tasting Reception at Berks Jazz Fest immediately prior to the David Sanborn Tribute Concert. During the reception, you will enjoy a meet-and-greet with Eric Marienthal, Marcus Miller, and other concert performers.

The reception will be held on Friday, April 11 at 4PM in the banquet area of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Tickets are $55 and all proceeds benefit the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Click below to reserve your spot today.

WINE RECEPTION RSVP

John Splithoff’s Far From Here

Singer-songwriter John Splithoff, a regular performer on Botti at Sea, has just released Far From Here, a new album that reflects upon his move from New York to Los Angeles.  “City Days” which features Chris Botti on trumpet, pays homage to his relationship with New York City at the various stages of his life. Tracks like “Glacier” symbolize relationships growing apart against the backdrop of Montana’s natural beauty, while “Oh Betty” tells a nostalgic story about the Buick Century he drove during his college days in Miami. “Same Page” recalls a transformative camping trip in Arizona that inspired his move west, and “Kyoto Snow” transports listeners to Japan, where he saw snowfall for the first time at a temple in Kyoto.
 
“A lot of these songs are associated with a time and place that hold a lot of meaning to me,” John explained. “I also noticed, within all that change, how my relationships ebbed and flowed—I felt closer to people I didn’t know as well, and I felt distant from people who I considered my best friends and family. So it’s been an eye-opening path.”

100th Episode of Jazz Cruises’ Conversations Podcast

John Pizzarelli with Catherine Russell

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code WEEKENDER for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available! *Discount applies to new reservations only. 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use promo code HTC during the booking process. Reserve Your Stateroom Today! 

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here! Open Booking has begun! Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms*. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. 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 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 95% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Final Lineup & Itinerary Now Available!

Our headliners are Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton. As you can see, the lineup is Top Shelf country music star power. 

When the talent is combined with the iHeartMedia Team of Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, Lunchbox, Eddie and Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase, the ultra-luxurious Celebrity Reflection cruise ship and wonderful ports of call (Key West, Nassau and Bimini), 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
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.  Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Almost Jazz Appreciation Month appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

There is so much more about this great pianist for us to share, but that will have to wait for another edition of Our Take or Jazz Notes.  As you know, I write most of the articles in both publications, but Lee Mergner, the famous former publisher and editor of Jazz Times, is  a major contributor. He knows more about jazz than any person I know. Just like Benny Green drafting off the power of Oscar Peterson, I try to garner whatever I can from Lee. 

As for Lee, I would admire him more if he were not a Phillies fan. Find me one nice Phillies fan in uniform and I will show you a person who is wearing their hat because they lost a bet.

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Three Cohens’ Interaction

The 3 Cohens (Anat, Avishai and Yuvall Cohen) reunited for their fifth album together, the appropriately named Interaction, recorded from a collaborative concert with Germany’s lauded WDR Big Band. The program showcased tailored arrangements by producer Oded Lev-Ari of compositions by himself and each member of The 3 Cohens, as well as fresh takes on Gerry Mulligan’s “Festive Minor” and the Louis Armstrong hit “Tiger Rag,” two longtime family favorites for the Cohens.

“We can talk without talking,” Anat said about the threesome’s sibling rapport. “Often, we don’t even have to look at each other onstage. We have such a history together that we feel each other through the music.”

LEARN MORE

Gerald Clayton’s “Tuesday Happenings” Series at Sam First

The Los Angeles jazz club Sam First, located near the LAX Airport, presents a weekly series called “Tuesday Happenings,” curated and hosted by Gerald Clayton. Each week a house band performs one set at 7:30pm followed by a jam session from 9:30 to 11pm.

“I was inspired by all of the great jam sessions that I learned so much from coming up in the music, and I felt that it would be good to give back to the community and offer a gathering place for hungry young musicians to work on their craft and get their butt kicked on that stage and come back again and try again,” Gerald explained. “Right now, there are so many great musicians in LA, but it’s such a spread-out city that it’s not automatic that we all get to see each other or get together and play. You have to be a bit more proactive to get that sense of community. I’ve enjoyed that it’s become a great hang.”

Stateroom Availability

Having been at sea for four weeks, we thought it best to share what is new with respect to our next 9 cruise programs and to highlight special offers for select programs.

Cruise Programs ’25

Cruise Programs ’26

Hot Offers

Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are available on Journey of Jazz ’25. You can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person and there are special prices for Ocean View staterooms. Reservations may be completed online or by calling the office and are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code: JOURNEY).

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code WEEKENDER for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available! *Discount applies to new reservations only. 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use promo code HTC during the booking process. Reserve Your Stateroom Today! 

BOOK NOW

---

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here! Open Booking has begun! Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms*. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. 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 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 95% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

The inaugural sailing will feature headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking! Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation. Guests are not required to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation and may proceed directly to the Stateroom Selection process. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.  Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Oscar Peterson at 100 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Tribute to David Sanborn at Berks Jazz Fest

The amazing tribute to the late David Sanborn that Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal produced for the recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise is being repeated on Friday, April 11, 2025 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in the midst of the Berks Jazz Fest. 

Joining Marcus and Eric for the event are Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Eric Darius, Rickey Peterson, Arlington Jones, Jay Williams, Nate Phillips, Kevin Turner, and David’s widow, singer Alice Soyer Sanborn. Prior to the event, Signature Cruise Experiences will host a special wine reception for concert guests who purchase a Wine Reception Pass. The event will be conducted by Mindi and her husband, wine producer Eric Guerra. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of Wine Reception Passes will be contributed to the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

For more information about Berks Jazz Fest:

For ticket information for the David Sanborn Tribute Concert on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Berks Jazz Fest:

To make a direct contribution to the David Sanborn Memorial Fund:

Tickets to Mindi Abair and Eric Guerra’s Wine Reception event, benefiting the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, are available now. The event will take place 90 minutes before the David Sanborn Tribute Concert in the banquet area of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. A $55/person fee will be collected at the door. Email your name and the number of guests in your party to wine@scecruises.com to reserve your place now.

Berks Sails on Journey of Jazz

Per John Ernesto’s request, Signature Cruise Experiences will be auctioning a stateroom on Journey of Jazz ’25 at the Berks Jazz Fest. John selected this cruise as many of those associated with Berks Jazz Fest have expressed interest in sailing on Journey of Jazz, which departs from Vancouver on September 12 and ends in Los Angeles on September 19, with stops in Victoria BC and San Francisco.

John tells us that fans who have never visited Napa, Sonoma or San Francisco are excited to combine another first class music cruise experience with the opportunity to visit these locales using the cruise ship as their hotel. That the cruise features Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chucho Valdes, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Sullivan Fortner, Wycliffe Gordon, Emmet Cohen, Benny Benack III, Bria Skonberg and more just adds to the excitement.

Journey of Jazz ‘25 is more than 80% reserved, but we have an inventory of Ocean View Staterooms and Inside Staterooms that are being favorably priced for a limited time. To learn more about this pricing, initiate a reservation (www.journeyofjazz.com) and use the promo code: WEEKEENDER. Reserving an Ocean View or Inside Stateroom is a great way to enjoy Journey of Jazz ’25. The staterooms are large, well appointed, and the savings are significant. 

As we used to say years ago, “try it, you’ll like it.”

One Last (Albeit, Reluctant) Note

Today is my 75^th birthday. I spent my first 25 years being a kid and getting educated. The next 25 years was spent in business and practicing law. The last 25 years has been producing cruise programs, mostly jazz programs and being involved with our musicians, staff and crew. My first 25 years was necessary. The second 25 years was rewarding, but tumultuous. 

The last 25 years has been everything in life that matters to me. An amazing, loving and talented wife. Two great kids. Two magical grandchildren. Fabulous co-workers. The finest musicians and performers in the world. And, most of all, the opportunity to share the music vacations of thousands of truly wonderful guests. Some have been with us from the start. Some of those guests are no longer with us. Most come and go as their lives and interests change.

I know that I have been blessed. I trust that I have given back to each of you. Who knows what the future holds, but I promise to continue to produce great programs, treat everyone with respect and dignity and enjoy every minute, every note and every person who is associated with Signature Cruise Experiences.  At some point today, I will toast all of you and wish you the very best. 

My parting wisdom for the day is simple…..if applicable, be sure to turn your clocks forward tonight as Daylight Savings Time is back. So profound.

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Christian McBride & Angelique Kidjo Perform at Pucci Gallery for
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ Benefit

On Thursday, Christian McBride and Angelique Kidjo, the host and featured performer for Christian McBride’s World at Sea Cruise, joined forces for a priceless one-night-only evening at the exclusive Ralph Pucci Manhattan gallery, raising vital funds to support JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ mission as an instrument for change creating avenues of access, learning career development and community building. This was the 9^th Annual Ralph Pucci Annual Jazz Set during which time Christian has been joined by some of the very top musicians in the world, including Sting, Gregory Porter, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Norah Jones and John Pizzarelli.

“For over 20 years, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS has been transforming lives using the power and legacy of jazz through world-class education and performances that create avenues of access, learning, career development and community building. The organization and students have received more than 125 awards and honors for excellence in jazz and jazz education. Every day of the week through a series of in-school and out-of-school programs, the JAZZ HOUSE helps young people gain an artistic edge through music, mentoring, education and apprenticeship, building thriving communities, and fostering community leaders and global citizens. The organization’s far-reaching cultural signature program is the award-winning Montclair Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the NYC area, attracting more than 25,000 attendees to downtown Montclair each year.”

The organization is led by Melissa Walker, jazz vocalist and wife of Christian McBride. Signature Cruise Experiences has been a supporter of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and the Montclair Jazz Festival for years. The Jazz House All-Stars, the top performers from Jazz House Kids, have performed on The Jazz Cruise ’24 and The Jazz Cruise ’25.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Concerts

In the coming weeks, several artists associated with our cruises will be performing concerts in NYC at Jazz at Lincoln Center, known as the House of Swing. Among the upcoming shows at the beautiful venues there at Columbus Circle (Rose Theater, Appel Room and Dizzy’s) are performances:
 

• Anat Cohen March 14-15 
• Chris Brubeck & the Real Ambassadors April 4-5
• Paquito D’Rivera April 18-19
• Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra April 25-26
• Christian McBride & Ursa Major + Ray Brown Tribute May 2-3

SFJazz Concerts

On the West Coast, our friends at SFJAZZ will also be presenting artists with close ties to Signature Cruise Experiences programs.  Artists performing concerts at the SFJAZZ Center this Spring include:
 

• Etienne Charles March 15
• Christian McBride & Ursa Major March 22-23
• Bob James March 29-30
• Brad Mehldau/Christian McBride/Marcus Gilmore April 3-6
• Billy Hart April 10
• Herlin Riley April 11
• Marvin “Smitty” Smith April 13
• Kenny Barron April 10-13

Stateroom Availability

Having been at sea for four weeks, we thought it best to share what is new with respect to our next 9 cruise programs and to highlight special offers for select programs.

Cruise Programs 2025

Cruise Programs 2026

Hot Offers

Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are available on Journey of Jazz ’25. You can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person and there are special prices for Ocean View staterooms. Reservations may be completed online or by calling the office and are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code: WEEKENDER).

Signature Cruise Experiences ‘ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code WEEKENDER for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available!

*Discount applies to new reservations only. 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. 

For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use promo code HTC during the booking process.

Reserve Your Stateroom Today! 

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here!

Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. Open Booking has begun! Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. 

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 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 95% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist.

Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

The inaugural sailing will feature headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. 

Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking! Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation. Guests are not required to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation and may proceed directly to the Stateroom Selection process. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call!

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’25 is Fully Reserved!
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.

Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send Us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Jon & Joycelyn R.
Virginia

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

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