SpicyP

I also was on the Summit earlier this month, in a Sky Suite, with the Retreat Team and they were indeed excellent. We didn’t lack anything. Last year we were on Edge with a personal butler so we were able to compare experiences. For us, the biggest, and probably the only, difference we felt was that our personal butler made sure we had a snifter of cognac waiting for us every evening. It was a nice touch. Now, we kind of thought that most likely if we asked the Retreat Host on Summit nicely, he probably would have made it happen for us….maybe.

However, having said that, I think the lack of a personal butler for Sky Suite-ers is unfortunate. Hope they change their minds. We don’t require a butler, either on land or on sea, to do much for us but that is us!!

7 hours ago, George C said:

We have same opinion of Chris Botti as you do , he is amazing , during one show he got off the stage in Dallas and did a solo about 5 feet from our seats , it was magical. We need to try one of his cruises.

You must!! You must!! He did the same kind of thing for us as well. He came up one side of the aisle and the violinist, Caroline Campbell, came up the other aisle and they both played. It was fantastic!!

7 hours ago, George C said:

Shame Boz Scaggs was removed we saw him on a 70’s music cruise and also in Dallas last year he was great , although I would also love to see Katherine McPhee .

We enjoyed Katherine McPhee a great deal and the interaction between her and the husband was special. What I truly appreciated about David Foster was that I came to realize how much involvement he had with the artists and songs I love.

On 2/13/2024 at 2:33 PM, NinS said:

While our Botti At Sea friends are enjoying their cruise I noticed that Boz Scaggs was removed from the 2025 lineup, while David Foster with Katherine McPhee were added for a return engagement. 

Oh My Goodness, this was an absolutely life-changing experience!! We just got off the Summit this morning. The music was mind blowing. Chris Botti is…I’m not sure I have words. The quality of the musical talent was excellent. Full Disclosure: We were not extensively familiar with all of Chris Botti’s stuff but really wanted the Jazz experience. We only recognized a few names on the lineup. But every single artist was superb.

Did not realize how amazing David Foster is, along with his lovely wife, Katherine McPhee. We had Gregory Porter, Take 6, Eric Marienthal, Randy Brecker, Samara Joy, Wycliffe Gordon and, of course, Chris Botti. All names we recognized. However, the artists we didn’t recognize turned out to be exceptional. They now have new fans!! We discovered we love music from John Splithoff, Sy Smith and Keb’ Mo’.  Then there was this truly inspiring violinist named Caroline Campbell. Her music broke your heart, it was so beautiful. The supporting musicians were so talented in their own right. 
Probably the most enjoyable part of the whole experience was the fact that all the artists were, not only extremely approachable but extremely accessible. They were at the pool, the buffets, eating in the restaurants, right along with everyone else. Met so many of the them just riding on the elevator. Everyone, including, our host, Chris Botti, was so willing to talk as well as take as many pictures with you as you wanted. The quality of the music was so incredibly high.
It was a spectacular event and we can’t wait to do it again. We do feel we’re spoiled now. We’ve been on many cruises and have felt several times that the entertainment was “the best we ever had”. WELL, I think 🤔 maybe we were wrong and, quite frankly, hope we can still enjoy the shows as in the past. After all, I’m sure those folks work very hard as well. BUT it’s gonna be hard🎭

Can’t say enough about Jazz Cruises and their Staff….so professional and yet friendly. It was an outstanding experience for our 1st!!

1 hour ago, jojo_obrien said:

 SpicyP the lineup is all time.  you're going to have a great trip!  https://2024.bottiatsea.com/daily-schedule/

 

Just an insane amount of music.   Can't wait to hear the trip report! 

 

Yeah Mon!! We are ready🎷🎺

Just arrived this morning (and do mean morning…flight landed at 8:30am) in Miami for our 1st Botti At Sea Jazz Cruise, which leaves Thursday. Very excited 😆 Looking forward to some amazing music 🎼 

1 hour ago, NinS said:

If @SpicyP and anyone else going on Botti At Sea rechecks the app (or bottiatsea.sched.com) they'll see the full schedule now. As usual there is plenty going on. Two or three of the headliners seem like they'll only be on for half of the cruise which is not surprising.

Got it….thanks so much!!

3 hours ago, wwcruisers said:

One piece of advice (which I am STILL trying to take, myself):PACE yourself. You cannot possibly attend every concert, autograph, and 'behind the scenes' session. So, look at each day's lineup, and highlight the things that are 'don't miss' for you. Most importantly, get some rest whenever you can -- 'cause you are in for some late nights!😎

Good advice because I suspect there's going to be a lotta singing & tooting going on!! I'm a 'night-bird' so should be able to keep my eyes open. My husband, not so much but I'm bringing toothpicks!!

3 hours ago, NinS said:

And here's the 2024 Jazz Cruise schedule which has been officially posted on TJC website:

 

http://thejazzcruise.sched.com

 

What a packed schedule! Even though there is a 5pm dinner break I see very few evenings where I'll actually have time to go to the MDR for a full dinner. I'd rather eat at the buffet and get a good seat for some of the small venues shows that start in the 6pm hour.

 

Also, you didn't hear it here, but:

 

https://thesmoothjazzcruise1.sched.com/

 

https://thesmoothjazzcruise2.sched.com/

 

and finally, just the first day so far, but:

 

https://bottiatsea.sched.com

Ooh thanks so much. We're on the BottiAtSea and since it's our 1st of such cruises, we were anxious to see how it all works. I was able to download the app to see the schedule for the 1st day. So excited!!!

23 hours ago, SignorEggroll said:

Hi All,

My wife and I will be on Botti at Sea '24 and would like to schedule some excursions. I swear I remember reading that there are no music events while in port, but I cannot find any mention of this in the FAQs. We don't want to schedule an excursion only to find out that it conflicts with a performance. Can anybody confirm or deny that this is a standard policy on JC cruises?

Thanks!

I thought I read something similar but like you, can't find anything. This is the closest thing I did find:

Sunday – Super Bowl Sunday / Jersey Night: It’s a full day in Aruba. It’s Super Bowl Sunday. It's another night of great music. Balancing them all will be fun. So that you may enjoy Aruba, most activities for the day start in the afternoon. For those interested in the game, we have plans for you. There will be ample places to watch the game, feast on Super Bowl food and wear the jersey of your favorite sports team. But, for those wanting more music, that will be our primary focus. A full slate of music, as always.

This was from the 'Get Ready' series #4 dated 10-2-23. I'm guessing there won't be too much going on when in port. Maybe some music for those staying onboard, but I would venture to guess no Headliners though.

22 minutes ago, wwcruisers said:

Good question! Although X (and other major lines) have discontinued 'formal' nights, the various Jazz Cruises (I'm assuming Botti will too) have a 'dress-up' night -- as well as other themed evenings. You should get details on what night it will be, with your cruise info. In my experience (Smooth Jazz & Blue Note at Sea), some folks don't bother much with it -- while others go all-out. So -- like much of the jazz cruise vibe -- it's what you feel like doing! 😎

My 'ship has sailed' on the dressing up thing, honestly but I don't want to feel out of place or under dressed. Thanks for sharing your experience. I will look for more info in the coming weeks and months. 

The BottiAtSea cruise will be a 1st for us but have been on Celebrity many times. On these types of cruises, do they still have 'Formal or Evening Chic' nights? Just trying to make sure we bring the right duds!!

1 hour ago, wwcruisers said:

SpicyP -- enjoy the Botti cruise. We would have considered it, but we already booked the second week of the 2024 Smooth Jazz Cruise! Very much enjoyed seeing Chris Botti on our Blue Note at Sea Cruise, earlier this month. Your instincts on booking a suite early were spot-on -- IMHO, booking a suite is well worth it!

Enjoy the Smooth Cruise…..the lineup looks amazing!! If I had seen it before booking Botti, I would have certainly booked that one instead. I have a feeling this foray into Jazz-Cruising is going to be just the beginning for us. Going to definitely do the Smooth Jazz Cruise next, maybe 2025. We will be traveling with one other couple so far….working on the rest of our friends. This seems like something best shared!!

On 11/22/2022 at 7:17 PM, wwcruisers said:

Just signed up for the Smooth Jazz Cruise 24.2 (Feb 1-8, '24)! Suites were sold out, but managed to snag a nice aft-facing cabin. Looking forward to sailing Summit to Aruba & Curacao! 🙂

Anybody else thinking about this one?

I’m so happy I found this thread. Last October, I booked my first Jazz Cruise that I heard about on XM Watercolors. We’re doing the Botti At Sea sailing Feb 8-15, 2024. I was looking around for input from others that booked through Jazz Cruises. We have never done a charter, always booked directly with the cruise line, so was a bit nervous. But we dove right in the deep end of the pool. But after finally finding this thread, feel so much better. We booked early so was able to get a Suite but even though it was early, there were only like 2 left. We are super excited!!🎉🎉