Ponant's Jazz-Themed Cruise Sets Sail Again in Fall 2025

A jazz musician playing the trombone
The Americas Cruise Industry
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Updated Published

Ponant Explorations is once again teaming up with the Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents Festival to bring back its music-focused cruise, following the success of the inaugural 2023 voyage.

This second edition is scheduled to depart on September 28 and return on October 10, 2025. Over the course of 12 nights, passengers aboard Le Lyrial will journey from Montreal to New York City, retracing the roots and influence of North American jazz.

Ports of Call and Cultural Significance

The itinerary includes culturally rich stops in Cap-aux-Meules, Halifax, and Boston—home to the renowned Berklee College of Music—highlighting destinations with deep musical heritage.

Ponant has announced that during the voyage, Le Lyrial will be transformed into a refined floating jazz venue, with live performances in both the onboard theater and lounges.

Musical Highlights and Guest Artists

The program will offer eight concerts, spontaneous jam sessions, and opportunities for passengers to mingle informally with musicians. Featured acts include:

  • The Oscar Peterson Centennial Trio
  • The Papasoff Quintet with guest vocalist Dawn Tyler Watson
  • Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet

In addition to musical performances, guests will enjoy enriching lectures and masterclasses led by prominent jazz figures such as:

  • Céline Peterson, daughter of jazz icon Oscar Peterson
  • Maurin Auxéméry, artistic director of the Montreal Jazz Festival
  • Ashley Kahn, a Grammy Award-winning music historian
  • Hughes Kieffer, who directs the Marseille Jazz Festival
  • Jason Olaine, vice president of programming at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Words from a Jazz at Sea Insider

“It is my great pleasure to be a part of this exciting Festival at Sea aboard Le Lyrial, representing Jazz at Lincoln Center,” said Olaine. “This will be my first adventure on a cruise and what an introduction: aboard the luxurious Le Lyrial, surrounded by fellow Jazz enthusiasts and new friends.”

“I’m looking forward to sharing some stories and insights about my work in Jazz. I got to book some of my favorite artists, from Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins and Tony Bennett, to Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, to the debuts of Esperanza Spalding and Melody Gardot,” added Olaine.

“We’ve programmed Camille Thurman on sax, flute and vocals to lead us through the songbooks of Miles Davis and John Coltrane next year. I look forward to our week at sea, filled with Jazz and community,” Olaine said.

Exclusive Cruise Experience

Guests will also have the rare chance to observe artist rehearsals and enjoy informal hangouts with the performers.

Pricing for this all-inclusive musical experience begins at $13,110 per person (based on double occupancy). The fare includes unlimited Wi-Fi and a carefully curated shore excursion at each port of call, delivering a seamless, culturally immersive journey from Quebec to the Big Apple.