The Greatest Party at Sea!
Since 2004, The Smooth Jazz Cruise has been the gold standard, not only for jazz cruises, but for all theme and music charter cruises. During its 35+ sailings, more than 70,000 guests have experienced this amazing music cruise vacation and more than 20,000 of them have sailed four or more times.
The cruise, which has earned the title of “The Greatest Party at Sea,” transports everyone to a place of true camaraderie, inclusion and respect. The guests motivate the musicians, who, in turn, up their game to further excite the guests. This upward spiral continues for 7 days and 7 nights, resulting in an immersive music and cultural experience that has created life-changing relationships among guests, musicians, and staff.
Most of the sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise have originated out of Florida and have sailed in the Caribbean. Years ago, San Diego was the port of embarkation and The Smooth Jazz Cruise visited Mexico. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.3 will depart from Quebec City for the first time and sail in the Atlantic Ocean, stopping in Charlottetown, Sydney, Saint John and Portland before disembarking in Portland.
For musicians and guests alike, sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise is the highlight of their year in music. Every year!
UNRIVALED MUSIC EXPERIENCE
With more top stars than any other cruise or festival in this genre, The Smooth Jazz Cruise continues to deliver incomparable music presentation and production. In addition to their own sets, performers often join sets of other performers for a spontaneous, one-of-a-kind musical experience.
The performers include hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James, headliners Brian Culbertson, Candy Dulfer, Jonathan Butler, Peter White, Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala, together with very talented featured performers and incredible bands. Pieces of a Dream will be our special “on and off” guest during the cruise. Music Director Eric Marienthal creates and coordinates the events, all topped off with our resident comedian, Alonzo Bodden, the funniest man on the planet.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Part of the fun of being on a star-studded cruise is that you are bound to run into your favorite artists at one point or another! Whether it’s in passing at the Oceanview Cafe or at an organized Artist-Hosted Event, the performers love interacting with and getting to know our guests. Wondering where the best places are to catch artists outside of their performances?
All Ship Pool Shows • Annual T-Shirt Party • Theme Parties • Pool Events featuring Performers • Autograph Sessions • Artist Interactive Activities • Q&As with Artists • Music Seminars • One-of-a-Kind Culinary Events • Hilarious Gameshows • Opening Act Talent Competition judged by Artists • Album Listening Parties
DAYTIME ENTERTAINMENT
Every day begins a chance for artist contact, whether through Coffee Talk, Interview or event. When in Port, onboard activities generally run 3PM past midnight. On Days at Sea, you’ll enjoy a full day of programming, including special interviews, Artist-Hosted Events, pool parties and, of course, great music. Daytime shows are presented in The Theatre, Rendezvous Lounge, Sky Lounge, pool deck or Cosmopolitan Restaurant and are first-come, first-served.
NIGHTLY MAIN SHOWS
Each night we present Main Shows in The Theatre. Each show is performed twice to ensure that every guest may attend each Main Show. Guests attend either the 1st Show (starting around 5:15PM) or the 2nd Show (starting around 8:45PM).
Guests attending the 1st Show generally dine after the show, and those attending the 2nd Show enjoy dinner before the show. Whether you attend the 1st or 2nd Show is determined at the time of your Reservation.
CRUISING AFTER DARK
Signature Cruise Experiences’ programs are renowned for special late-night entertainment called “Cruising After Dark.” Starting around 10:30PM, the entire ship will be alive with music, parties, comedy, dancing and much more. The Cosmopolitan Restaurant is seamlessly converted into a lovely late-night, cabaret-style venue while the Rendezvous Lounge becomes a “party” spot that features dancing, karaoke, silent disco, special drinking games and more until the wee hours of the morning. All events are first-come, first-served.
Beyond The Music
“LEARN” Events
While music takes center stage on The Smooth Jazz Cruise, guests are also invited to dive deeper through our “Learn” programming – an engaging series that includes one-on-one artist interviews, insightful panel discussions, hands-on instrument tutorials, and special-topic presentations designed especially for passionate music lovers.
MASTERCLASS
Our guests have the unique opportunity to learn from the best in the industry! Whether it’s a rockin’ guitar lesson, working out the basics on the keyboard or Sax Talk, there’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn tips and tricks from the incredible musicians we have onboard.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Don’t miss once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to hear firsthand about the lives and careers of our top artists, interviewed by musicians, industry experts or even our in-house comedian, Alonzo Bodden. Our frequent and well-coordinated artist spotlights are always popular among our guests.
COFFEE TALK
Calling all The Weekender fans! Grab some coffee from al Bacio and join Michael Lazaroff, Signature Cruise Experiences’ Executive Director and author of the weekly newsletter, The Weekender, for a lively wide-raging discussion about the world of jazz, cruises and life.
“Enjoy” Events
Sometimes, The Smooth Jazz Cruise presents events just to have fun. No deeper meaning, no lofty goals – just fun for fun’s sake. While we like to keep many of these surprises under wraps, here are three types of lighthearted experiences we create simply because they make people smile. There’s a little something for everyone.
GAMES
Ever dreamed of watching your favorite artists face off in a Family Feud-style game show? Or cheering as Boney James and Brian Culbertson battle it out in their legendary poolside Ping-Pong tournament?
These are just a few of the unforgettable moments that unfold aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise. And, if you’re feeling competitive yourself, don’t forget to pack your athletic shoes – the Summit features a fully equipped, interactive sports court.
cocktail, WINE & FOOD EVENTS
No cool jazz experience is complete without great cocktails, fine wine and delicious food. We take it a step further by pairing these delicious moments with the artists themselves.
Whether you’re looking for a laid-back Happy Hour hang, lessons in making the perfect cocktail or an elegant wine tasting, you’ll share the experience alongside your favorite performers, turning a simple toast into a truly unique and unforgettable memory.
THE COMEDY OF
ALONZO BODDEN
Alonzo Bodden, winner of Last Comic Standing and Signature Cruise Experiences’ Comic Host, will perform his hilarious show in The Theatre for both Blue and Red shows and for an additional night of “Cruising After Dark.”
Famous for delivering funny and pointed comments about current events and taking performers to task, Alonzo is also known for his crowd work – some audience members may even become part of the show.