SMHS Italy River Cruise + Concert Tour

Cantiamo

Sing in Italy & San Marino 

What’s so great about river cruising in Europe? A lot. Plus, you’ll unpack once during your journey and still see many new places.

Imagine falling asleep in Mantova, an Italian Renaissance gem and UNESCO World Heritage sight after the SMHS Choirs sang at the stunning cathedral or beautiful city palace— and then waking up to the beautiful countryside of the Venetian Lagoon? That’s just two of many magical places in Northern Italy you’ll be experiencing with Derek Jamieson and his singers on the 2025 “Cantiamo” spring break river cruise concert tour.

We love traveling on beautiful ships that become your floating hotel, restaurant, café, lecture hall perfect pre-concert rehearsal space for the musicians, and so much more. Like our classic land-based journeys, we’ve already been aboard and checked everything out before you embark. That’s why with Inside Travel Experiences, you’ll travel better together.

Embarking on a fully customized cruise with just your people on a full charter makes for even smoother sailing for everyone—the students, staff, chaperones, and family or friends seeking to come along for the ride. You’ll make memories that will last a lifetime as you visit the Veneto region of Northern Italy, plus the country of San Marino,  in six days without being exhausted or ever feeling rushed: comfortably and safely aboard the  MS Michelangelo.

So, please look at what awaits you and yours on this incredible performance tour created just for San Marino High School’s excellent choirs and ‘groupies.’ With 60+ students eligible to join and lots of interest from immediate family to come along, the 100 traveler mark to make this dream trip a reality at a lower price than a bus-hotel land tour is within reach.

Sea you soon on the Canale Bianco?

Registration is now open for eligible students, parents and immediate family.

Register here for the 2025 SMHS Choir Italy River Cruise Concert Tour

A preview of your Italian experiences

The Cantiamo Italy river cruise will take SMHS on the Canale Bianco across Northern Italy, plus your group stays in the heart of Venice for a few nights. A memorable day trip to the Republic of San Marino is also planned. -- along with up to three formal concerts for the choirs.

FAQ SMHS 2025 Europe Tour

  • Who can register for the SMHS 2025 Italy Tour

    Initially, only student performers and immediate family members are welcome to register — to ensure that all eligible singers have a spot on the ship. Immediate family includes parents/guardians, siblings, and grandparents. It is essential to understand that this journey is, first and foremost, a performance tour and that the concert opportunities are the most important events. Sightseeing comes secondary. The ship schedule is subject to change based on the timing of the performances.

  • Can student/s stay in upgraded cabins?

    Yes, if parents or guardians are traveling alongside on the cruise, their student/s may stay in upgraded upper deck cabins — either with the parent or guardian or adjacent. Kindly check with your student/s’ teacher for approval.

  • Are selected options binding?

    Your selected options become binding on Monday, September 9, 2024 — assuming the SMHS river cruise + concert tour is proceeding (with the minimum number of 100 travelers reached by that date at the latest).

    Air Add-ons require a minimum of 15 travelers for each group flight.

    Do not select Air Add-on if you plan to leave earlier, return later, from a different airport than LAX, or upgrade or require a specific seat.

    Once payment is applied to your package, options are confirmed and selections are binding.

    Changing options after 9/9/24 results in change fees and/or penalties, especially from the airlines.

  • Cruise-Only or Cruise + Air-Add-on

    When selecting the Air-Cruise from LAX to Venice, with two return flights to LAX from Venice on April 10, 2025 and one returning from Rome on April 13, 2025 (extension option for student/s traveling with adult/guardian).

    The Air-Cruise add-on includes one checked bag and airport transfers in Europe. You cannot deviate from the group air schedule, use mileage points towards your ticket, or upgrade your economy class ticket.

    When selecting the Cruise-Only package, flights are not included, and no airport transfers are offered.

    Jennifer at Nonstop Travel is happy to help with non-mileage flight bookings. She has access to special fares, including premium economy, business, and first class. We recommend booking through Jennifer to ensure seamless communication — or a travel agent of your choice. We advise against booking airfare through an OTA.

    Important Reminder: Students traveling without a parent or guardian must select one of the group flights. 

  • Air Add-On Group Flight Information

    We’ve confirmed three group flight options for the SMHS 2025 Italy Tour.

    Students traveling without a parent or guardian must select one of the main group flights, they cannot be on the extended Rome return.

    Adding a group flight add-on allows you to travel with the group in economy class.
    Group flights cannot be changed or upgraded.

    Soon we will share the three group flight options and current schedules. Schedules are subject to change.

    All airline itineraries are subject to change; pricing may also change until ticketing (December 2024 or January 2025).
    Airlines may increase or decrease the taxes and fuel surcharges.

    Group flights include one checked bag and a guaranteed seat; however, a specific seat assignment is usually not available until check-in at LAX. Group flights are non-changeable and non-refundable. Mileage earnings are also not guaranteed.

    If you’re looking for a specific seat, hope to collect miles or benefit from your airline status, we recommend making an individual flight booking either on your own or via our travel agency partner Nonstop Travel. Flight booking fees apply when working with Nonstop Travel and vary by the number of travelers, your flight itinerary and class of travel. Please do not add a group flight if you plan to leave earlier or return later.

    Travelers with Air-Add-On have transportation to/from the cruise ship included from Venice VCE airport.

Ready to Come Aboard in Italy?

The San Marino High School Choirs will sound incredible, performing in stunning Italian churches, cathedrals, and palazzi. Registering your student/s and immediate family for “Cantiamo”, the SMHS Italy river cruise + concert tour can help make a full ship charter possible.
Save the dates April 3 to April 10, 2025; hopefully, 100 or more travelers will ‘come aboard’ by the latest 9/9/24 to make the full ship charter happen.

Pre-Register eligible students and interested family travelers here.

  • Cruise Comforts

    Sea-ing is believing. Once you’ve embarked on a river cruise for a choir tour, you may never want to check in or check out of a hotel again. The MS Michelangelo is your floating hotel, restaurant, rehearsal space etc.

  • Amazing Venues

    Hearing the SMHS students concertize in prime Italian venues is priceless. Amazing acoustics are guaranteed. Plus, we’ll reserve the best seats for families and friends coming along.

  • Journey of a Lifetime

    Italy is THE destination for performers and music-loving travelers. Experience major musical cities like Venice and Verona, plus hidden Italian gems without any hassle or extra long bus rides. You’ll make memories of a lifetime together.

What's Italy and Traveling Like with Inside Europe: #nofilterneeded

Not only have we been where we're taking you, we're also showing you what it experiencing Italy is like: through the eyes of our travelers. Our pictures and videos are usually taken on an iPhone, with the occasional professional capture added to the mix.

Candids from Venice Italy taken by our Team

  • The MS Michelangelo at night in the heart of Venice

  • An Upper Deck Cabin

  • Look into the private bathroom

  • Breakfast

  • Squid Ink pasta with local fish

  • Easter pastries at the bakery

  • The MS Michelangelo in Venice

  • Burano by Day

  • Burano by Night

Let's Make Ship Happen

Registering students and family for “CANTIAMO  can help make this full ship charter possible.

Save the dates April 3 to April 10, 2025, and come aboard by 9/9/24 at the latest (for reduced early rates).

The Air-Cruise student & chaperone package costs $4,540 and this lowest-price all-inclusive option is limited to 65 travelers. Click pre-register to see all options and detailed pricing.

Register here for the 2025 SMHS Choir Italy River Cruise Concert Tour

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