March 17 through April 3. –  There are trips you take… and then there are trips that take something out of you—in the best possible way. The kind where you come home a little sunburned, a few pounds heavier, slightly sleep-deprived, and completely convinced you’ve been doing life wrong the rest of the year. The  Dave Koz & Friends at Sea 2026 South American Cruise was exactly that. Gina and I are now officially into our seventh decade (which sounds older than it feels), and somehow this turned into our longest trip outside the U.S.—17 days. At this point, we don’t pack for trips anymore… we pack like we’re relocating.

The Koz cruise has quietly become one of the anchors of our travel life over the past decade. And honestly, it’s not just the music—it’s the people. Traveling with our core group—Keneth and Jayne, Keith and Shelly, Ivan and Eileen, Jon and Joy—is like a rolling family reunion with better food and fewer responsibilities. There’s something about sharing these trips later in life that hits differently. You realize you’re not just taking vacations anymore—you’re collecting chapters.  Gina absolutely lights up when she gets the chance to dress up, step out, and enjoy a beautiful evening—nice dinner, a little wine, and if there’s a dance floor nearby, even better. There’s something about those nights that just resets everything.    This annual cruise has honestly, become our own personal fountain of youth. The music hits you right in that sweet spot of nostalgia, the kind that instantly takes you back to when life felt a little lighter and the nights lasted a little longer. You look around and it’s a ship full of people our age, all smiling, dancing, and just flat-out enjoying themselves like we’re all 30 again.   It’s not just a trip—it’s a vibe. Great music, great people, and that shared feeling of, “yeah… we’ve still got it.”

I’ll admit, I had a moment where I wondered if smooth jazz might be aging out with us. But then you see younger artists like Cory Wong pulling in crowds and lighting it up, and you realize—okay, maybe the genre’s not dying… it’s just evolving. Either way, I’m good as long as I can keep using it as the soundtrack to my fishing videos for the rest of my life.

This eight-night run aboard the Celebrity Equinox (built in 2009, and yes—you can tell) took us from Santos (São Paulo) down through Rio, Ilhabela, Montevideo, and into Buenos Aires. Two overnight stays—Rio and Buenos Aires—which is cruise-speak for “you actually get to enjoy the city instead of sprinting back to the ship like it’s the last helicopter out of Saigon.”   We decided to stay two days in Sau Paulo and fly to Iguazu National Park for a couple day after the cruise making out entire trip 17 days which was one of the longest ones we have taken.

Now let’s talk about the ship… because this is where I get slightly cranky. This was our first time with Celebrity after years of Holland America, and let’s just say… there were some “opportunities for improvement.” No outlets by the bed (who designs that in the iPhone era?), surprise charges popping up like whack-a-mole, a drink package that somehow didn’t exist until we paid for it twice, and a $47 corkage fee that made me consider just drinking the wine straight out of the bottle in protest. The beds were firm enough to qualify as orthopedic devices, and the pillows were the size of carry-on luggage.

But… (and this is important)… once you get past that, the ship actually works. It feels big, but never crowded. And for a music cruise, layout is everything—and they nailed that. Our room on Deck 5 was right near the library, which turned into this accidental VIP listening lounge where we could hear live performances drifting up from the atrium below. Basically front-row seats without having to stand.

The music setup? Outstanding. Pool deck for the big party energy, theater for headline shows, smaller venues for those “how am I sitting this close to these people?” moments. And the best part—no one cares if you record it. In fact, it’s encouraged. Keneth and I have basically become unofficial archivists of smooth jazz history at this point. Although next time, I may skip the gear and just tap straight into the stateroom TV feed like a civilized pirate.

Now… São Paulo. Let’s just say this part of the trip came with a little more excitement than advertised. The food? Amazing. The wine? Fantastic. The street art? Some of the best I’ve ever seen. But the crime? Also very… interactive. Within 24 hours, we had a guy on a bike try to snatch my phone out of my hand (rookie mistake—I had it out while walking), and another friend had his gold chain ripped off his neck—with his wedding ring attached—while stepping into an Uber. Gone. Just like that.

At that point, I basically shifted into what I can only describe as “retired dentist meets tactical perimeter security.” Heads on a swivel, no phones out, girls inside, move with purpose. I even accidentally pulled off a Wing Chun move on the guy who came after my phone—more reflex than skill, but I’ll take the win. It also made me realize just how much I casually walk around staring at my phone like a human appetizer. São Paulo will cure you of that habit real fast.

The rest of the trip? Much safer—and honestly spectacular.

Rio is exactly what you think it is—stunning, vibrant, and worth every minute of the overnight stay. Ilhabela is that hidden gem that makes you wonder why more people don’t go… and then you realize you kind of hope they don’t. Montevideo is quietly elegant, like the friend who doesn’t say much but turns out to be the most interesting person at dinner. And Buenos Aires? That city just grabs you—architecture, food, wine, tango… it’s like Europe with better steak.

And through all of it—the music.  Over 150 performers, nonstop shows, collaborations you’ll never see anywhere else. The kind of moments where a song you’ve heard a hundred times suddenly feels brand new because of who’s on stage together. Those are the ones you try to capture… knowing you probably can’t fully.

But here’s the real secret to the Koz cruise—and it’s not the itinerary or even the music. It’s the people. By the end of the week, you’re not just surrounded by strangers—you’re surrounded by your kind of people. The ones who love music, travel, good food, good conversation, and squeezing every last drop out of life while we’re still able to. For two weeks, none of the usual noise matters—politics, differences, all of it fades into the background. What’s left is just… connection.  And honestly, that might be the best part of the whole thing. We’re already booked for Japan next year. It sold out for a reason.  And if you’re even thinking about it—don’t think too long.  The world is out there. The music is playing.  All you have to do… is get on the ship.

More Media coming soon. !