APRIL/MAY 2026 | 19 continued on page 20 is year’s musical guests include R&B superstar Brian McKnight, dynamic violinist Damien Escobar, jazz pianist David Benoit, South Africa guitarist-vocalist Jonathan Butler and singer Haley Reinhart. “The cruise is a luxury—it’s all about relaxation and going to these beautiful places and ports on a ship, where you will be taken care of so well. It’s the best in food and wines, and music,” said Koz recently. He added that he created the Somma experience a er listening to his patrons on his wildly popular smooth jazz-themed cruises, which sell out well in advance every year. “A er doing 20 years of the Dave Koz cruise, it was really about listening to some of our guests who were looking for a di erent experience—kind of an elevated experience, which is a bit of the antithesis of what we do on our regular cruises. On those, there’s no way you can see all the shows because they are overlapping, and you have to plan it out. “One comment I hear repeatedly from our guests is that they o en need a vacation from their vacation. ey need to relax because the cruise is a full, oating jazz festival at sea. We wanted to do something completely di erent with Somma. It’s quieter, and you can really sink into the ship experience on a smaller ship—a ship that can go into ports that big ships can’t go into, and the schedule is so much calmer with less going on.” Along with the world-class food and wine options o ered, a vital element of the Somma cruise is the attention to wellness and enlightenment. ere are numerous guest speakers from health, entertainment, humor, philosophy and other subjects that are geared toward raising consciousness. “We wanted to add this sort of health and wellness component with inspiring speakers, which is a big part of what we do. People are at the point in their lives where they are thankfully healthy and able to travel, so we wanted to add a layer to inspire people to live their best lives,” Koz said. “On Somma, the people have chosen that experience and want something on a deeper level of exploring what it means to be alive.” In the past, there have been doctors, a sommelier, nancial experts and astronauts. is year’s roster includes comedian and television writer Carol Leifer and talk show host-author Tavis Smiley. Of course, music is the central component of the Somma cruise, and Koz and his team have curated a roster of diverse artists who will perform throughout the sevenday cruise. Koz, who has his hand in choosing the musicians, was enthusiastic about this year’s lineup. “Brian (McKnight) is an old friend and collaborator, and we’ve been trying to get him for a very long time. Damien Escobar is one of Dave Koz chatting with and serenading guests on his 2025 cruise; pool deck; spa treatment; beverage service; comedian Loni Love; traditional houses in the Plaka area under Acropolis, in Athens, Greece you and music,” experience popular well of are guests vacation. full, oating jazz raising “We wanted to component with of what we where travel, people experience level sommelier, is television host-author Of course, Somma cruise, roster of diverse artists Dave Koz toasting guests on his 2025 Somma cruise Photo: Nathan Phillips Photography) Photo: Nathan Phillips Photography Photo: Nathan Phillips Photography Photo: Nathan Phillips Photography Photo: Nathan Phillips Photography
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