Margaritaville at Sea

What We Love

Redesigned Cabins: Cabins on the line's ships were redone in a refreshing, relaxing palette of blues and teals with white walls that make everything feel bright, airy, nautical, and nowhere near their age. (The line's ships range from 21 to 34 years old.) They feature beach-themed touches like surfboard shelving, fish accents, and throw pillows with phrases like "Everlasting Moon Shining in the Sky" and "Livin' on Islander Time" that are nods to Buffett songs. As a fun touch, suites include a complimentary one-time make-your-own-margarita setup.

Creative Drinks: As is evident from the Margaritaville name, travelers who cruise with the line love a good drink. The ones on the onboard bar menus are as creative as you'll find anywhere, featuring smoke bubbles, souvenir cups that look like blenders, and options that have you roll a die to determine which drink you'll receive. There are also secret drinks you can request from the bartender at each bar if you're in the know. Plus, in true Margaritaville fashion, every bar onboard has a signature margarita, like the Big Guava Margarita at Havana Daydreamin’ Sports Bar.

Kitschy Throwbacks: Margaritaville at Sea has made its ships feel upgraded and refreshed while simultaneously retaining a lot of the quirkiness with which the vessels were originally built. You'll notice holdovers from the era when renowned architect and interior designer Joe Farcus added his unique touches in the form of mosaics, stained glass, sweeping atriums, and nightclubs with bright colors and fun themes – such as the Hot Hot Hot Nightclub on Islander, which has a light-up disco floor and a hell theme accompanied by stained-glass flames.

Best Known For

Jimmy Buffett Vibes: Jimmy Buffett has left his mark just about everywhere onboard. Some references are subtle, while others are more in-your-face, but all are fun and will appeal greatly to fans of Buffett, his music, and the toes-in-the-sand lifestyle he promoted. On the line's ships, you'll find bars named for "Far Side of the World," "Hemisphere Dancer," "Havana Daydreamin'" and "Bubbles Up," as well as the "Port of Indecision" Buffet. A giant flip-flop — a perfect photo opportunity — makes an appearance on every vessel, giant plastic cups that look like blenders are a cruiser favorite, and stairwells are adorned with pop-top cans and pop-art portraits of JB himself.

Affordable, Unpretentious Fun: Despite the line's rebrand, it's still super affordable and attracts cruisers from all walks of life who enjoy a relaxed, chill party vibe that's casual but not sloppy. If you're someone who feels at home on the beach and longs for the days when the 9-to-5 grind is a distant memory, you'll fit right in. Except during dinner, you'll mostly find passengers in flip-flops, shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits.

Who It's Good For

Cruisers on a Budget: Margaritaville at Sea sells voyages at one of the most affordable price points in the industry. During wave season — the first quarter of each new year, when cruise lines offer fare discounts and added perks and inclusions — it's not uncommon to find two-night Margaritaville cruises from $100 for four people sharing a cabin. That's just $25 per person ($12.50 per person, per night). Those prices aren't the norm, but even full-price sailings won't drain your wallet.

Large Groups: When you sail, don't be surprised if you see many fellow passengers celebrating milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and bachelor or bachelorette parties — complete with matching T-shirts. Because Margaritaville at Sea is so affordable, it lends itself to group travel, where there might be different budgets to consider. From the least expensive inside cabins to suite accommodations, there's a room type to fit just about every need. Plus, there's lots to do onboard: trivia for competitive cruisers, late-night parties for clubgoers, youth camps for the kids, and three pools for passengers who just want to kick back and relax.

Jimmy Buffett Fans: This one is obvious, but Margaritaville at Sea is a great fit for Parrotheads — fans of all things Jimmy Buffett. From the décor to replays of his concerts on the pool deck movie screens, there's lots that will make you feel right at home as you celebrate the good life. The theming isn't overkill, and passengers who know nothing about Buffett or his music will still have a good time. Cruisers can seek out as much or as little of the Buffett vibe as they'd like. On some voyages, in lieu of rubber ducks that are common other cruise lines’ ships, passengers hide faux shakers of salt — a nod to Buffett's "Margaritaville" song — for others to find, so keep an eye out. You also won't want to miss Quietly Making Noise (QMN) on Islander. It's a secret speakeasy where a guide will share a bit of Jimmy Buffett lore as you sip from a menu of exclusive cocktails you can't find anywhere else onboard.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

Cheap and Cheerful: These are not luxury cruises. You'll pay extra for things like Wi-Fi, drinks (unless you purchase a package), and gratuities, and the ships are two to three decades old. Margaritaville at Sea is a cruise line for laid-back people who are happy to get away, drink in hand, and have a great time at a reasonable price. If you're used to all-inclusives or require butler service and other exclusive high-end perks, this probably isn't the brand for you.

Hit-or-Miss Food: Food can be all over the place on Margaritaville's ships. The line is working hard to improve consistency across the board, but it isn't quite there yet. You might have a great meal at the steakhouse or in the main dining room, only to discover that the only item worth visiting the buffet for is the pizza, which is phenomenal. The onboard cafe's pastries and coffee are worth checking out, along with the pool deck burgers, but you might want to avoid the conch fritters from the adults-only area.