Margaritaville at Sea
The cruise industry was skeptical when Jimmy Buffett-affiliated resort brand Margaritaville said it was taking over Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line — a two-ship brand that offered affordable two-night voyages between the Port of Palm Beach in Florida and Freeport in The Bahamas.
Since the line's 2022 rebrand to Margaritaville at Sea, it has retired its oldest ship, acquired two more vessels, and expanded its itineraries to sail from additional homeports to the Caribbean and Mexico for up to a week.
All of Margaritaville at Sea's ships formerly sailed for Costa Cruises, an Italian brand owned by Carnival Corp. & plc. Although they underwent significant refurbishments to offer a more beachy vibe, Margaritaville was careful to leave many of the unique design elements that are original to the vessels (more below).
Passengers can expect a laid-back, casual atmosphere that embraces Jimmy Buffett's sun-kissed, drink-in-hand level of escapism; excellent service; cabins that look and feel modern; and entertainment with a fun twist.
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.