hattack

if you google on You Tube "Old Movie Stars Dance to Uptown Funk" and click on "CC" (shows the movie titles) you can have a preview of a future Ultimate Disco Cruise midnight dance contest that you can start practicing for

My Parents raised us to appreciate all types of music , My Dad played a Gibson Guitar  ( Jazz & Blue Grass & loved to both Scat & Yodel )  and My Mom was a Dancer in the Chorus Line in the 30's at Harlem's Cotton Club  and loved the music of Cab Calloway & His Band)..in their view there was music you turned up the sound on the radio and music when you heard it on the radio you changed radio stations ..I was able to send My Mom on The Jazz Cruise on NCL Norway in the early 90's that feature AFI Tribute to the Big Band Music in the movies 1930's  & 40's and she was in 7th Heaven

when I watched Ken Burns documentary on PBS on  Country Music it brought back why my Dad loved both Country Music (Blue Grass) and Jazz .I'm actually thinking about doing a Country Music Theme Charter Cruise and bring my "Ray Charles Plays Country"  Album for autographs by the newer generation Country Artists 

if one is a regular (normal)  cruiser and goes on a full charter music theme cruise, it's very hard to go back to a regular cruise again, it's very boring IMHO

hopefully we will be able to join you on BNAS next year...been a rough past few years health wise and other wise so have not been able to Jazz Cruise or do much posting on CC 

hopefully the success of Rick Braun's European Jazz River Cruises will soon be duplicate in the United States 

have you attended any of Brian Culbertson's Napa or Chicago Jazz Getaway  Weekend  Festivals 

in these terribly divisive political times in Our Country a full charter music cruise is great therapy to bring music fans from diverse backgrounds together for a week of unity & breaking bread together over a late night jam session 

I am a huge Sheila E fan also

Be Blessed and thanks for missing me on these boards

I concur with George C...if you enjoy your 1st cruise you should really research a future full charter music cruise ..who are some of your husband's favorite acoustic guitar artists  (I am a huge fan of Jonathan Butler, U-Nam etc0

I've been on more than a dozen full charter music theme cruises (Jazz, Oldies, 60's, Blues, Malt Shop, Do Wop) so hopefully i can provide a perspective that might help 

- the fusion of kinetic energy between a number  your favorite artists with a ship full of like minded fans will intensify the "magic" and trigger positive endorphins in your brain at the concerts 

- the artists will do their very best to perform as much of their music as possible and you have the opportunity in the Q & A sessions to ask them to play the obscure numbers (and will probably be flattered that you remember)

- you on a full music charter with a wide variety of artists that collectively represents an era...you have the luxury of immersion to pick and choose from a litany of experiences 

- there is so much to do 24/7 that you are never in your cabin so a dirty little secret on a full charter music cruise, the inside cabins are the 1st to sell out ..

get plenty of rest before your cruise and enjoy the experience

you may want to monitor NOLA.com to find out how the Hard Rock Hotel situation will impact the Mardi Gras Parade Schedule 

also check out the legendary Rock N Bowl Zydeco Night

Rick Braun has a European Jazz River Cruise..check his website..the Delta Steamboat Mississippi Cruise Company has several Jazz Cruises

I concur especially on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas..one of the advantages of the SJC using the same cruise line and class of vessel year over year is that the dining, bar and cabin staff study the daily schedule process times closely and compile cycle movement patterns (based on the concert schedule) and dining entrée choices of their guest and "quirks" (room service, medical needs etc) and how much and what brand of liquor to overstock & store the data in their computers because they know at least 80% of the SJC guests return every year and in most cases stay in the same cabin/deck..they know to staff up their late night pizza station ..another tip, next year on the Infinity on departure day when you arrive at your cabin, seek out your cabin steward and when you introduce yourself inquire if he/she has a favorite artist that is performing during the week (you would be surprise how many of the crew are avid Smooth Jazz fans)..purchase a CD and have the artist sign the CD for your cabin steward ( or dining staff if you sit in the same area most evenings) and then on the next to last night of your cruise leave it with a nice note for providing great service just before you leave for dinner on top of your ice chest or bathroom sink/counter...since you have already prepaid your tip this is lagniappe..if the SJC uses the Infinity on future SJC and you stay in the same cabin/general area, chances are you will have the same cabin steward and they will remember you

one year my friends were on the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas..before they hit their first port of call the ship had totally ran out of a particular brand of alcohol (very high end), that they did not have stock in their distribution storage area in the port, so Royal Caribbean had to fly in enough cases to get the FOS thru the balance of the cruise..Royal Caribbean never made that same mistake for future Fantastic Voyages and when Tom switched to Carnival they already knew

based upon service challenges that occurred on the Summit this year, Celebrity will adjust and you should see a massive improvement on the Infinity next year..by nature Smooth Jazz cruisers are pretty mellow and laid back (something about the mixture of Smooth Jazz and smooth seas) and the dining/cabin/deck crews love the break in their routine from a normal cruise

fyi, did you know that Brian Culbertson's Color of Love tour is in Salem on 6/13 and Seattle 6/14-6/17

thanks for the tip on ribs in Memphis..I will add it to my list..I was chatting with an old Jazz cruising friend this past weekend and she was ;psuggesting;p that she would love to cruise on Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship the Symphony of the Seas (6000+ guests)..prior to starting to do Jazz full charters in 2002 I might have considered it but now it is not even on my radar..I went to the Royal Caribbean website and did a virtual tour of all the bells and whistles on the SOTS (that my Grandson would love) but like yourself I have become spoiled to the rhythm of the Jazz charter total immersion into the music and the artists and renewing yearly the friendships that are formed..you will find that next year the friends you made this year will sit in the same spots that they were this year when they invited you to join them..besides on a "regular" cruise the ship "dies" after 11 pm, on the SJC cruise that's when the ship comes alive

glad you discovered New Orleans born and raised "Patches"..you may want to check out Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (if you have not already) who IMHO represents the next wave of great New Orleans Jazz Musicians who combine traditional New Orleans Jazz with a combination of other styles..he closes out the NO Jazz & Heritage Festival every year in front of a SRO crowd

thanks for reminding me about next year's SJC..my recent health challenge has caused me to reevaluate how I allocate my limited discretionary vacation $$$..I have been cruising since 1975 and Jazz Cruising since 2002 so I want to do other music experiences while I can still travel without physical limitations, so I made a "music adventure bucket list" that incorporates a major international Jazz Festival, a legendary train ride, a different form of cruising and visiting friends that I have not seen in years...top of my wish list, South Africa for 2020...so unless I hit the Lottery, or meet a very rich female travelling companion who shares my love of Smooth Jazz, I will count on you to enjoy the 2019 SJC for the both of us

I had forgotten you are from Memphis, so as my road trip gets closer I may call on your expertise..I'm trying to figure out how to do a side trip from Nashville to Kansas City ( probably fly Southwest) to visit the American Jazz Museum & the Negro League Baseball Museum and take in a midweek series between the NY Yankees and KC Royals..my Grandson has :halo:volunteered :halo: to program a road trip soundtrack in the "Cloud" for the Fender Premium Sound System in my Bug which will synch with the music venues that I hope to visit along with the music I listen to at Woodstock in 69..I had to chuckle because I remember my Dad purchased a $39 Radio Shack "sound system" for my 61 Bug in 68...big difference over 50 years

if you ever want to be reminded of the positive "vibe" on your SJC, compare it to the topics on CC's Celebrity threads Board..it is almost contrapositive in the overall cruising experience ..Alonzo is insane...did he mention he use to be an aircraft mechanic

you are very welcomed:halo:...when you least expect it, on a Sunday when you are driving home after Church on the radio will be a song played by one of the artist on your charter and your mind will trigger pleasant memories of that week and at the same time nourish your patience until next year..cruising will just not be the same again..there is something about the combination of immersion in the music that you love, with fellow cruisers who share the same passion on a cruise ship that is magical

I am planning a birthday music road trip from New Orleans to Nashville via Memphis late this summer on Old Highway 61 (Blues Alley) using the 1939 Negro Motorist Green Book as a guide to plug into my navigation system in my new VW Bug..my Son teases me that I am having a 50th Anniversary Flashback of attending Woodstock in my 61 VW Bug:D..looking forward to visiting the iconic music venues (jazz, blues, blue grass, soul and yes even Elvis) at night and the Civil Rights Museums and landmarks during the day

I have found that in these terrible turbulent times, the love of the music & artists is a common bond that brings fans from all backgrounds together and overcomes what divides us..I would suspect on your SJC you found that to be valid

hmmmmm..:cool:good value:cool:where have I heard that phrase before ?:halo: post # 5 :halo:...lol...when you count in the lagniappe (artists sitting in with other artists during the shows, midnight all star jam sessions, running into your favorite artists around the ship and on the islands, artists Q & A sessions, photo ops and CD signings, CD release listening parties etc) it's an even greater value..if you are not a subscriber already, I strongly suggest you invest in a subscription to Smooth Jazz News so you can stay current with your favorite Smooth Jazz artists and sign up on each artist's website to receive their newsletter and advance notice for their upcoming CD's and possible concerts in your area..your DH would never forgive you if Keiko was performing in your area and you didn't know it...lol

maybe ECP could leverage Celebrity to give them an inducement to charter on either the Equinox or the brand new Edge (coming into the fleet Dec 2018) or risk losing the business to a competitor...I suspect because the Summit & Infinity are older (2001) and lack many of the bells and whistles, ECP receives a favorable charter rate...ECP attracts a very desirable (high yield) and loyal demographic that should appeal to Celebrity, but ECP dares not to risk a price increase (due to upgrading a charter) which they would pass on to their guests or cut into their profit margin..it will be very interesting when Richard Branson & his Virgin Brand enters the cruise fray in the next few years with brand new ships designed to capitalize on the synergy of Virgin's entertainment empire..I remember being on NCL Norway (S.S. France) in the 80's on the Jazz Cruise which had both challenges and opportunities for ECP

I went on the SJC in 2006 (when Dave Koz & Wayman Tisdale were cohost) and probably many of the same friends I made then were on yours...it is a family in the truest sense of the word...from time to time you might hear feedback that the core line up of artists stays the same year after year which is both a positive and negative but sometimes a promoter does not want to mess with a formula that works...in this case ECP introduced Blue Note at Sea two years ago which is between The Jazz Cruise and The Smooth Jazz Cruise with a line up that combines both styles and then some..the Capital Jazz Super Cruise has a broad offering off all styles (Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Opera ( 3 Mo Tenors), modern dance, comedy, Funk, 70's Horn Bands) which attracts a wider variety of guests and musical taste...as far as the ships are concerned, ECP will continue to try to find the "balance"..the service on HAL may have been better but the performing venues were lacking...on Celebrity the performing venues may be better but service lacking..on Carnival huge upside because of the large lido deck for concerts but some folks just flat out hate Carnival...the fiasco on NCL Breakaway for the Capital Jazz Super Cruise 10th Anniversary was a perfect storm of screw ups on all parties but seemed to have been worked out for last year but next year they are back on Royal Caribbean whom they started out with 12 years ago..it does not matter to me as long as the water is smooth, the concerts start on time, the food is good...service is subjective ..the staff (dining, housekeeping) LOVE the Jazz music charters because their lives are made so much easier because everything is on schedule by the concert performance times, plus they are fans of the artists .ironically the older cruise ships were not build for Jazz music charters..the new mega ships are but the venues are smaller, the lido decks are smaller, the dining venues are smaller and more of them so it is not condusive to the "family" feeling ...you are now a veteran so next year you will adjust and know the ends and outs of how to see and enjoy more of the artists,,,plus you have new best friends to sit with and your DH will be more fluent in enjoying Keiko's music...fyi Nick Colionne is on the SJC next year..you will LOVE him make sure you secure seating in the front row

I suspect it will not sink in until this upcoming Saturday what an incredible experience your first SJC was..typical 1st timers are so immersed in Smooth Jazz sensory overload that your mind/body/soul needs to have that much space to recover..your generic regular cruise vacation mentality has also been altered forever ..very different cruising experience when all 2200+ fellow cruisers are there for one common bonding theme...the love of the music and the artists ..the lagniappe is the new friends you made this year, you will see next year and pick up without missing a beat..every time you hear a song on the radio by one of the artists you saw on the Summit there will be a special connection..you might consider giving your DH the complete collection of Keiko's music for Father's Day I always enjoy wearing my Jazz Cruise t-shirt to Walmart when I am restocking groceries and having fellow shoppers asking me about the artists listed on the back of the shirt..that will start a conversation in the check out line:cool:..moving forward you might consider expanding your Smooth Jazz charter cruising palate (i.e Koz & Friends Rick Braun does a European River Cruise, Capital Jazz SuperCruise, Blue Note at Sea etc)..you might :*suggest:* to your DH to get another side gig and put the earnings aside in a special account...I suspect that now that Susan Taylor has regained the Essence Festival brand, do not be surprised in the next 2-3 years to see an "Essence Festival at Sea" in conjunction with the Essence Festival on the July 4th weekend in New Orleans..he can treat you and your GF's to your very own version of the hit summer blockbuster movie "Girl's Trip"..your DH can come hang out with me and we can do a Blues Alley road trip in my VW Bug from New Orleans to Memphis to Nashville and check out all the "Juke Joints":halo:

you do realize you have become :Dspoiled:D so if you went on a ;)regular;) cruise you would be bored to death..I concur with your husband about Keiko, she is incredible...I am a huge Candy Dulfer fan ever since I saw her perform with Prince at the Essence Festival in 2004...I am planning on attending the Seabreeze Smooth Jazz Festival next month in Panama City Florida where many artists that you enjoyed on the cruise will be performing..I figured you slept for 48 hours straight when you returned home on Saturday to catch up on the sleep you missed all last week...hopefully will be back in the Jazz Cruising mode in 2019..big trip planned at the end of the summer to Boston see my Son graduate from MIT/Harvard then up to Maine for a Maine Windjammer Cruise///...time will fly quickly for your 2019 installment..I bet when you show your friends/neighbors/coworkers your photos they will be jealous

welcome home..which artists did you miss seeing perform..what was your single best memory (or interaction with an artist)..did you take a selfie with Boney James..did your husband feel it was worth the extra $$$..how many hours of sleep did you average per night ..what did you think about the late night jam sessions..now that you are no longer a rookie, what single piece of advise would you give to someone who will be on the SJC next year that has never been on one before

is the Luggage Express Program offered on the Celebrity Summit partnering with Southwest Airlines..if yes, what is the current cost

we are looking at booking the Independence of the Seas for a January 2019 cruise..which deck is the best to book an inside cabin that overlooks the atrium that has a good venue to observe the parades but avoids the noise...thanks

it appears that the Attorney General of Arizona has settled the lawsuit brought against the promoter so if anyone booked on the charter that did not receive a refund to contact his office...also the promoter is banned from doing any type of business in the state

lesson learned, one should do due diligence and utilize forums such as "CC" to gain insight

since you will be in town on Sunday returning from the FV, check nola.com on March 21st for the Sunday line up for the French Quarter Festival...most locals think it's a much better Festival than the NO Jazz & Heritage Festival plus it's free...over the 4 day period easily draws over 100,000 so get there early, move around a lot and drink lots of fluids while you are enjoying the great (but not good for you) famous New Orleans cuisine

my friend is very disappointed about not clearing the WL...several of her family booked last year and she just waited to long to book and by then the WL was over 50..usually folks drop out for various reasons, but it seems this year everyone paid on time...TJFV was never on my radar because I was a Capital Jazz loyalist but after 'X" I am a free agent

have fun..if you get a chance eat at Ms. Leah Chase's place and visit Frenchmen St for the great music and stay off Bourbon St and the FQ

Saxpilot...I remember you guys :') due to a scheduling issues with my travel partner, we switch to the 2018 Koz charter out of Denmark and I am on stand bye for the 1st week of Koz for an interior..I knew you would become hooked, it's become additive..thanks for asking, yes my Son is still flying the F-22 (but I think he secretly misses flying the F-15) and can retire in 2018 so he is evaluating his options (must be nice)

Globaliser...I hear what you are saying ...interesting on the Capital Jazz Super Cruise X on NCL Getaway it was clear before we even sailed, wrong type of ship for that type of charter..it went downhill from there so not only was the presentation of the music 'whacked" (as the young folks are fond of saying), but also the "cruise" presentation was "way out of whacked", so everyone was doubly disappointed..for those reasons we elected not to go on NCL Breakaway for Super Cruise XI and will revisited if cruise lines are changed in 2018

Never cruised on MSC but feedback from my friends who haved and have been on a music charter, I think Michael L. is right not to switch...however, if MSC made him a charter discount offer that he could not resist he would switch but he may want to chat with his counterpart at Capital Jazz to understand the implications of doing so...sometimes making more $$$ because the ship can hold 4000+ is not a good thing when you "tick off 4000+, many of whom are voicing their displeasure by not booking the following years

I've always thought the Celebrity Summit (or the Century that the 2009 Smooth Music Cruise charter was on) is the perfect fit, but promoters can't resist, bigger ship, bigger profits

VTcruising...very nice review and comparison between a regular & charter cruise...on the Flower Power Cruise did you feel you received value for what you paid the higher fare for

and yet TJFV has been on Carnival for the last few years...are you ready for your FV next month...my friends did not clear the WL so they are making other plans

would not be surprise to see a change back for 2018..probably both Capital Jazz & NCL want a divorce..Carnival has bigger brand new ships with the same basic layout (only with one more passenger cabin deck) so it could work...I miss the full day at sea noon time concerts on the Lido Deck..never saw 3000+ cruisers packed in one place on a cruise shup having so much fun