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 30+ sailings, more than 60,000 guests have experienced this amazing music cruise vacation and more than 17,500 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.
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.
Music hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James, special guest Kenny G, and headliners like Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler and Candy Dulfer, are joined by talented performers and incredible bands. 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! Whether it’s in passing at the Oceanview Cafe or organized Artist-Hosted Events, 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 • Show Us Your Talent Competition judged by Artists • Album Listening Parties
DAYTIME ENTERTAINMENT
On The Smooth Jazz Cruise, a Day at Sea offers more than relaxation. Enjoy special interviews, Artist-Hosted Events, pool parties, lunch events and, of course, great music. Daytime shows in venues like The Theatre, Rendezvous Lounge, Sky Lounge, pool deck or The Cosmopolitan Restaurant 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 attending the 1st Show (starting around 5:15PM), enjoy dinner after the show. The other half of the guests dine first and then attend the 2nd Show (starting around 8:45PM). Each guest’s show selection is confirmed by the color of their Cruise Identification Card (BLUE – 1st Show / RED – 2nd Show).
CRUISING AFTER DARK
Jazz Cruises’ 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, cool food selections and revelry until the wee hours of the morning.
Beyond The Music
“LEARN” Events
Though music is the main event on the ship, The Smooth Jazz Cruise offers a series of “Learn” events, which include one-on-one musician interviews, panel discussions, instrument seminars and tutorials, and presentations of special topics for our music lovers.
MASTERCLASS
Our guests have the unique opportunity to learn from the best in the industry! Whether it’s a rockin’ guitar lesson or working out the basics on the keyboard, there’s plenty of fun to be had while learning from the greats.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Don’t miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear firsthand about the lives and careers of some of our top artists, interviewed by other musicians or industry experts like Talaya. Our frequent and well-coordinated artist spotlights are always popular among our guests.
COFFEE TALK
Calling all The Weekender fans! Grab your newly gifted mug, pour some coffee and kickstart your morning with an engaging discussion of all things jazz. Join Michael Lazaroff, Jazz Cruises’ Executive Director and author of the weekly newsletter, The Weekender, as he and guest musicians discuss a wide variety of topics in an intimate setting.
“Enjoy” Events
Sometimes, The Smooth Jazz Cruise presents events just to have fun. No serious element or meaningful goal. Just fun for the sake of fun. We try not to share too much of this information now as it undermines the surprise element, but here are three types of events we produce just for the sheer enjoyment of doing so. There’s something special for everyone.
GAMES
Have you ever wanted to see your favorite Artists compete against each other in a Family Feud style gameshow? Or perhaps participate in the annual Boney James vs. Brian Culbertson Ping-Pong tournament on the pool deck? These are just a couple of the events that take place over the course of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Be sure to bring your basketball shoes and pickleball paddles, as the Summit is equipped with an interactive sports court.
cocktail, WINE & FOOD EVENTS
No cool jazz program would be complete without cocktails, wine and food. The Smooth Jazz Cruise takes that to another level by pairing these events with performers who serve as hosts. It may be a Happy Hour Hang or a wine tasting, but you can be there with your favorite performer.
THE COMEDY OF
ALONZO BODDEN
Alonzo Bodden, winner of Last Comic Standing and Jazz Cruises’ 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, some of the best people-watching is found during an Alonzo Bodden show.