Harmonic High Seas
Smooth Jazz Launches with New Cruise Line
By Amy Morgan
Warm breezes, starry nights, swaying romantically with your partner to the sound of Smooth Jazz while mingling with fellow music lovers. Who wouldn’t want to come aboard on the 7th annual BillyRay Sheppard Smooth Jazz Cruise organized by Foster Perry Travel?
Foster Perry Travel’s booking now for the seven-day cruise that will launch November 9 from Galveston on the Seascape, a newly appointed ship in the MSC cruise line. In addition to BillyRay, Foster Perry Travel has scheduled a lineup of San Antonio’s best Smooth Jazz musicians to play private concerts for their group of music lovers each night. Nathan Mitchell, Darryl Williams and JJ Sansaverino headline their own shows with the backing of San Antonio’s Main Event Band. Other activities, like a signature cocktail party, autograph session and White Night, round out the week while still leaving participants time to delight in the cruise experience.
"Our cruisers are able to enjoy all the entertainment and amenities this ship offers,” said Dionne Roberts, who owns Foster Perry Travel with fellow Smooth Jazz lover and husband, Henry Alvarez. “Many repeat attendees look forward to reconnecting with friends.”
Also exciting, the Seascape’s sailing will be the inaugural voyage for the MSC line out of Galveston. MSC is not new, just perhaps new to those accustomed to embarking from the newly expanded Galveston port. The European cruise
line started as a cargo shipping company and moved into cruises in 1988. Most recently, the Italian brand has been sailing from Miami. While part of the experience of this Smooth Jazz Cruise might reflect the line’s European heritage, MSC has prioritized appealing to Texans as the line expands their U.S. market into Galveston.
“The Seascape is only four years old and a clear sign that MSC is looking to make waves (pun intended) and disrupt the status quo in Galveston,” Dionne said. “It’s an absolutely stunning ship, and frankly some of the other cruise lines are going to have to up their game a bit since MSC is combining a beautiful ship with pricing that is absolutely meant to get you to give them a try.” Originally there were only three cruise line options out of Galveston - Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean – with none sending their top-of-the-line, most popular ships. Today Norwegian and Princess lines sail out of Galveston as well, and many of those ships are newer and more laden with amenities
than before.
“It was an easy choice to partner with MSC to create a new and amazing experience for our 7th BillyRay Sheppard Smooth Jazz Cruise,” she added. While you do need to book directly with Foster Perry Travel to participate in the special Smooth Jazz Cruize activities, it’s as easy as completing the booking form and letting us make it happen for you, Dionne said. “If you can’t make the Jazz cruise but would like to work with us for your own personal travel or join one of our other group trips, we’d love the opportunity to create an amazing journey for you.”
Dionne and Henry founded Foster Perry Travel, located in Stone Oak, in 2016. “We’re a full-service travel agency helping families and friends find fun and adventures,” Dionna said. “Travel and music are our passion. When we can, we love to bring them together.”
