Since 2001, The Jazz Cruise has presented the very best in “straight-ahead” jazz. The secret to its success is simple: great musicians, great production, great guest experience and the greatest guests in the world of jazz.
These benchmarks were created by Anita E. Berry, founder of The Jazz Cruise, during her participation in cruise line sponsored jazz cruise programs during the 1980’s and 1990’s. When learning that the cruise lines were abandoning these programs, Anita took up the challenge of producing the very first full ship charter dedicated to “straight-ahead” jazz. More than 20 years later, The Jazz Cruise remains the only full ship charter of that theme.
Programming the Cruise starts with over 100 world-class musicians, scheduled in many exciting configurations for over 200 hours of music, presented festival-style over 7 jam-packed days.
After a very special and exciting return to sea in 2023, The Jazz Cruise will raise the bar even higher in 2024. Departing ever so modestly from its customary programming, The Jazz Cruise’24 will present more headliner performers than ever before and many of them will be participating in the legendary jam and all-star sessions making The Jazz Cruise the place Where The Stars Shine Brighter Than Ever!
Daytime Entertainment
When in port, lectures and other events are planned for the early part of the day and the music typically starts around 4 pm. When “at sea”, there are events and music all day. Daytime music shows may be presented in any of the music venues (Celebrity Theatre, Rendezvous Lounge or Sky Lounge). Special shows may also be seen and heard in The Cosmopolitan Restaurant, the main dining room of the ship, which converts brilliantly into a cabaret-style music venue. Some of the most revered shows on the cruise (The Jazz Cruise T-Shirt Party, Wycliffe Gordon’s Gospel Show and Keyboard Capers) are performed during the daytime hours.
Nighttime Shows
On two nights of the Cruise (the 1st Night and Formal Night), special shows (“The Jazz Cruise Welcome Show” and “The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame Show”) are presented in the Celebrity Theatre. Each such show will be performed twice, with half of the guests attending the 1st Show and the other half attending the 2nd Show. Which show you attend is determined when you complete your Reservation and is reflected in the color of your Cruise Identification Card (BLUE or RED). On all other nights, the Celebrity Theatre hosts large group presentations and special shows that require greater seating capacity. For these shows, the “Festival Style” open entry and seating procedures are in effect with the same regulations as those in any other venue.
It's Never Too Late For Jazz
The Jazz Cruise is renowned for providing guests with special late-night entertainment called “It’s Never Too Late for Jazz.” Starting around 10:30PM, Throughout the entire ship, there will be more music, parties, autograph sessions, comedy, dancing and much more. Besides concerts in the Celebrity Theatre and Sky Lounge, The Cosmopolitan Restaurant becomes a lovely late-night, cabaret-style venue which we call “Birdland at The Cosmopolitan.” The first show there every night features one of the vocalists on the Cruise. The Rendezvous Lounge hosts a special solo piano event each night.
"Learn" Events
Another specialty of The Jazz Cruise is our 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. Though music is the main event on the ship, “Learn” events may also include cooking demonstrations, wine or whiskey tastings, and more. There's always something for everyone.
"Enjoy" Events
Sometimes events are presented on the Cruise just to have fun. We are careful not to share too much of this information now as the element of surprise is part of the excitement, but here are three types of events we produce just for the sheer enjoyment of doing so.
Fun and Games
Daily bridge, presented by certified bridge coordinators, is offered daily. Trivia contests, Name That Tune events and various dancing events are plentiful during the week. The Houston Person Dance Party is one of the great events of the Cruise.
Cocktail, Wine, Food Events
No jazz program would be complete without cocktails, wine and food. The 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 fine dining experience, but you can be there with your favorite performer.
The Comedy of Alonzo Bodden
Alonzo Bodden, winner of Last Comic Standing and Jazz Cruise s' Comedian-in-Chief, will perform his hilarious show for an additional two nights of "It’s Never Too Late for Jazz." 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.