Saturday Dialogue: Christian McBride Navigates Global Voyage on Ocean's Expanses
Christian McBride's World at Sea: A Jazz-Filled Voyage Awaits in 2026
Christian McBride, a nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, is set to embark on a new venture with the launch of his own music-themed cruise, Christian McBride's World at Sea. Scheduled to set sail in January 2026 aboard the Celebrity Summit, the cruise promises an unforgettable experience for jazz enthusiasts and live music lovers alike.
McBride's extensive background in the jazz world and his partnership with Signature Cruise Experiences (formerly Jazz Cruises, LLC), a leading producer of music cruises since 2001, form the foundation of this exciting new event. Signature Cruise Experiences is renowned for its full-ship charters and has organised numerous successful music cruises, including The Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, and others, having served over 170,000 guests.
The purpose of Christian McBride's World at Sea is multifaceted. It aims to provide guests with an immersive, entertainment-rich experience that includes live concerts by McBride and his various ensembles, artist-hosted tastings, in-depth interviews, educational and inspirational sessions, and unique events created exclusively for the cruise. The event also serves as a platform to celebrate and promote McBride's new album with the Christian McBride Big Band, *Without Further Ado, Vol. 1*, which features guest appearances by notable artists such as Sting, Andy Summers, Jeffrey Osborne, and Samara Joy.
The cruise lineup feels similar to McBride's career snapshot, featuring a variety of musicians, including Samara Joy, Jose James, Nicole Glover, Angelique Kidjo, Ledisi, Benny Green, Brandon Lee, and others. The event will also include comedy from Alonzo Bodden and George Wallace.
McBride, who is revered as a musician's musician by his peers, sees himself as an ambassador for jazz, carrying the legacy of great jazz legends with him. He initially found the idea of a cruise with his name surprising but was flattered. Michael Lazaroff, the executive director of the cruises, suggested the idea of a McBride-branded cruise, and McBride expressed his excitement and honour for year one of McBride's World at Sea.
While the Blue Note Cruise, a combination of the Jazz Cruise and the Smooth Jazz Cruise, has set sail in the past, McBride sees no expectations for the inaugural McBride's World at Sea cruise. However, he is confident that the event will offer a blend of performance, education, and community, all set against the backdrop of a luxury sea voyage.
In the 90s, George Wein attempted a Newport Jazz Festival Cruise, which did not last long. Regardless, McBride's World at Sea seems poised to carve out its own unique niche in the world of music cruises. McBride has reunited Sting and Andy Summers from The Police for a new version of "Murder By Numbers" on his upcoming album, further underscoring the event's commitment to showcasing exceptional talent.
For jazz aficionados and live music lovers alike, Christian McBride's World at Sea promises to be an unforgettable experience, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of jazz, connect with fellow music enthusiasts, and create lasting memories on the high seas.
Entertainment lies at the heart of Christian McBride's World at Sea, a jazz-filled voyage that promises an immersive and musical journey for enthusiasts. This cruiseship, set to sail in 2026, curated by the renowned nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist Christian McBride and Signature Cruise Experiences, will feature live concerts from McBride and his ensembles, artist-hosted events, education sessions, and unique experiences designed exclusively for the cruise. It's a celebration that extends to talented artists such as Sting, Samara Joy, Ledisi, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis, among many others, making it a must-attend event for all music lovers.
