These new songs and albums are like a sneak peek into what we’re building at sea. Everything I’m doing right now, from the Big Band record to producing Ledisi’s new album, is really a part of the same vision. This cruise is a way to bring that world to life. Not just the music, but the community and artistry that fuels it.
—Christian McBride
Nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, composer and bandleader Christian McBride is giving fans a glimpse into the creative energy and collaborative spirit that will defineChristian McBride’s World at Sea, his week-long music cruise that sails from January 20-27, 2026. Starting this summer and continuing through October, McBride unveils a series of projects with artists who will join him on the cruise that will take place aboard the Celebrity Summit (departing from Ft. Lauderdale with stops in Jamaica and Grand Cayman).
Earlier this summer, Ledisi released“This Bitter Earth,” the lead single from her upcoming Dinah Washington tribute album For Dinah (due out October 3), which is produced by McBride and includes performances by both his Big Band and his intimate jazz trio. On July 30, Christian McBride Big Band released “Old Folks,” a new single featuring GRAMMY winner Samara Joy. The song is the second track from the big band’s new album, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 which also includes appearances by Cécile McLorin Salvant and José James. Order the album here.
All of these musical forces—Joy, Ledisi, Salvant, and James—will come together on Christian McBride’s World at Sea, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience their collaborative magic live and up close. With daily performances, jam sessions, conversations in front of live audiences and more, the cruise is a living, breathing version of McBride’s evolving musical universe.
“These new songs and albums are like a sneak peek into what we’re building at sea,” says McBride. “Everything I’m doing right now, from the Big Band record to producing Ledisi’s new album, is really a part of the same vision,” he adds. “This cruise is a way to bring that world to life. Not just the music, but the community and artistry that fuels it.”
More than a cruise, Christian McBride’s World at Sea is a personally curated musical experience that brings together the artists, genres and creativity that define the prolific musician’s expansive career. The lineup features McBride leading four separate groups:
McBride has partnered with Signature Cruise Experiences, the gold standard for music cruises at sea since 2001, to produce the cruise, undertake the reservation process, and provide programming and technical support. With more than 80 full-ship charters to its credit, Signature Cruise Experiences has produced themed programs of all types throughout the world, including The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Journey of Jazz, Botti at Sea, David Foster: The Hitman Cruise, the Michael McDonald & Patti LaBelle Cruise and the Top Shelf Country Cruise. Since 2001, more than 170,000 guests have sailed on Jazz Cruises programs.
Earlier this summer, Ledisi released“This Bitter Earth,” the lead single from her upcoming Dinah Washington tribute album For Dinah (due out October 3), which is produced by McBride and includes performances by both his Big Band and his intimate jazz trio. On July 30, Christian McBride Big Band released “Old Folks,” a new single featuring GRAMMY winner Samara Joy. The song is the second track from the big band’s new album, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 which also includes appearances by Cécile McLorin Salvant and José James. Order the album here.
All of these musical forces—Joy, Ledisi, Salvant, and James—will come together on Christian McBride’s World at Sea, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience their collaborative magic live and up close. With daily performances, jam sessions, conversations in front of live audiences and more, the cruise is a living, breathing version of McBride’s evolving musical universe.
“These new songs and albums are like a sneak peek into what we’re building at sea,” says McBride. “Everything I’m doing right now, from the Big Band record to producing Ledisi’s new album, is really a part of the same vision,” he adds. “This cruise is a way to bring that world to life. Not just the music, but the community and artistry that fuels it.”
More than a cruise, Christian McBride’s World at Sea is a personally curated musical experience that brings together the artists, genres and creativity that define the prolific musician’s expansive career. The lineup features McBride leading four separate groups:
- Christian McBride Big Band
- Inside Straight
- Ursa Major
- Remembering Ray Brown with Benny Green & Gregory Hutchinson
- Ledisi
- Samara Joy
- Cecile McLorin Salvant
- Angelique Kidjo
- José James
- Sullivan Fortner, Christian Sands, Julius Rodriguez, Steve Wilson, Dan Wilson, DJ Jahi Sundance, Eric Marienthal and many more top jazz musicians
- And comedians Alonzo Bodden and George Wallace
McBride has partnered with Signature Cruise Experiences, the gold standard for music cruises at sea since 2001, to produce the cruise, undertake the reservation process, and provide programming and technical support. With more than 80 full-ship charters to its credit, Signature Cruise Experiences has produced themed programs of all types throughout the world, including The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Journey of Jazz, Botti at Sea, David Foster: The Hitman Cruise, the Michael McDonald & Patti LaBelle Cruise and the Top Shelf Country Cruise. Since 2001, more than 170,000 guests have sailed on Jazz Cruises programs.
