 New York, NY (TOP40 Charts/ Great Scott Productions) -- St. Louis, Missouri: Don�t miss the boat, Chicago and Los Angeles. �The Greatest Party at Sea� is heading your way. On Friday, April 30th, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will announce the unprecedented lineup of legends and luminaries that will set sail on The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2012 at launch party celebrations that are already nearly sold-out. Two-time Grammy nominee Jonathan Butler, a special surprise guest and DW3, the official party band of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, will take the stage at Spaghettini Grill & Jazz Club near Los Angeles to preview the talent that will be aboard the ship�s two 2012 sailings (January 15-22 and January 22-29). Cruise personalities Dane Butcher and comedian Alonzo Bodden will host. In Chicago, saxophonist Eric Darius will perform at Close Up 2 at a celebration hosted by The Smooth Jazz Cruise�s executive director Michael Lazaroff. �We�re thrilled about announcing the 2012 lineup, which will be our best yet, at the launch celebrations with our guests in Chicago and Los Angeles. The passengers voted on who they�d most like to see on the cruise and we listened to their suggestions. Also we�re bursting at the seams to announce a special performance by a legendary recording artist who will make his debut on The Smooth Jazz Cruise,� said Lazaroff. �Our guests are our number one priority and we do everything we can to provide them with a fun, first-class experience and an unforgettable vacation. As a company, we take great pride in the fact that nearly 60% of our guests return to sail with us on another cruise. In recognition of this loyalty, for the first time The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2012 will offer a special rate for guests who have sailed with us four or more times. The loyalty our passengers have shown us is extraordinary and we go out of our way to recognize and reward it.� The original cruise in this genre, which made its maiden voyage in 2004, The Smooth Jazz Cruise embarks on week-long vacations aboard Holland America ships to alluring ports of call in the Bahamas (Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Barths, and the private island of Half Moon Cay) while showcasing the finest artists in the genre. The cruise presents a wealth of opportunities to meet and get to know the artists personally outside of the spotlight in a unique setting. The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2011 marks the first time two sailings are offered: January 16-23 and January 23-30. Both sailings are nearly sold-out nine months before the departure dates. Additional information is available at www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com.
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