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Easy Escape to Paradise

New adventures are on the horizon, with margaritaville at sea.

Margaritaville at Sea is your new off-shore resort experience, sailing from Palm Beach and Tampa to Grand Bahama Island, Mexico and Key West. On this floating island vacation, you can unwind, enjoy the endless activities and entertainment, or just relax and soak up the sun. 

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At sea experiences, hop on board, discover all the fun.

Take your Margaritaville cruise experience to the next level. Margaritaville at Sea will take you from relaxation to revelry with your choice of stops anywhere in between. Delectable food, St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, live music and shows–from sunrise to sunset and every moment in between, there’s always something exciting happening.

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Grand Bahama Island is a haven of gorgeous white sand beaches, surrounded by crystal clear waters that stretch for miles. Extend your vacation on land and stay at your choice of three gorgeous partner resorts on Grand Bahama Island for an all-inclusive experience.

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Whether you want to wind down, stop by the spa, chill by the pool, or kick back in your stateroom, every second aboard Margaritaville at Sea is a chance for adventure.

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Margaritaville at Sea

Introducing a new way to sail.

Margaritaville at Sea is an exciting new cruise line currently featuring two ships, the Islander and the Paradise. The Paradise is currently sailing and the Islander is scheduled to make its inaugural voyage in June 2024. 

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander is the newest flagship resort-at-sea perfectly designed to transport cruisers on a fun-soaked escape to an island state of mind. Sailing June 2024 from Port of Tampa Bay, Florida to Key West and Mexico on 4- and 5-night cruise itineraries. 

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is your easy escape for a Bahamas getaway where there’s always a party in the makin’. Kick back in comfort with live entertainment and performances, drinks by the pool, games of chance at the casino, and delicious food – always ready when you are. Sailing from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island on 2- and 3-night itineraries. 

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The Margaritaville at Sea Islander

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander is filled with entirely new ways to play the day away, plus your favorite Margaritaville dining and entertainment experiences among 12 newly designed passenger decks. With 12 dining venues, 13 bars and lounges, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, an all-new Margaritaville Casino, live music enclaves, all ages lounge and arcade, four distinct outdoor pool zones, and more, exploring the Islander will become an adventure all its own.

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is your easy-breezy resort at sea, with visual accents that inspire adventure. The ship’s inviting atmosphere is filled with music, lights, island-inspired sculptures, artwork, and more. Lovers of non-stop entertainment can enjoy the Margaritaville Casino, Stars on the Water Theater, and various nightclubs while wellness-enthusiasts can stop by the St. Somewhere Spa & Salon or Fins Up! Fitness Center. With pools, a retail store, and so much more, there’s something for everyone.

To me, the only thing better than being on a beach by the ocean, is to be on the ocean. Now you can follow in our wake..."

-Jimmy Buffett

Staterooms & Suites

Explore pricing and book your margaritaville at sea adventure, visit margaritaville at sea website.

Margaritaville at Sea sets sail on choppy waters: Why you should wait to book a cruise

As I stepped off the gangway and into the atrium for one of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise's first sailings, I saw a massive blue flip-flop sculpture surrounded by a white life buoy, both emblazoned with the name of the cruise line.

I knew going into this cruise that Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was a 30-year-old ship, previously run by Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line , that had received a multimillion-dollar Margaritaville-themed refurbishment. The atrium, though small, with its freshly painted light blue-and-white walls and subtle tropical theming, made the ship feel brand-new.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

As I explored the rest of the ship, my hopes were high that I would return home from my sailing with the recommendation that Margaritaville at Sea was the ideal weekend getaway for both Parrotheads and the not-yet-indoctrinated Jimmy Buffett fans alike.

By the end of my two-night voyage to Grand Bahama Island, however, I realized the best advice I could give to future cruisers is to hold off until the Margaritaville dream has been fully realized.

What I loved

It's hard to complain about a cruise that starts at just over $250 per person (before gratuities and fuel charges). That cost covers your accommodations; meals (aside from specialty dining); select nonalcoholic beverages such as water, coffee and tea; entertainment; and onboard activities.

By the end of my cruise, I had racked up roughly $300 in extra charges for a shore excursion that included a day relaxing at a nearby all-inclusive beach resort, iced coffees, a burger from the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar, a souvenir T-shirt and, yes, a few margaritas.

You could keep costs down by cutting back on the add-ons or throw caution to the wind and go all-out. After all, you're on vacation — and at least this vacation doesn't consume too much paid time off.

Related: Parrotheads can soon earn perks on Margaritaville cruises, too

The stateroom

I've never cruised before and wasn't sure what to expect from the staterooms other than assuming I'd feel like a canned sardine. I was relieved to find the cabins were spacious and bright, with crisp white bedding, tropical artwork on the walls and a large porthole that looked out over the ocean.

There was a minifridge, a flat-screen television in the corner, a large closet with plenty of storage drawers, a small seating area near the porthole and a desk with a large mirror. I found more than enough USB ports for one guest, but two or more people trying to charge their devices may get into a few scuffles.

The excursions

When we docked in Freeport, some guests grabbed a taxi to one of the island's public beaches, some stayed on the ship to enjoy an uncrowded pool deck and others, including myself, boarded a shuttle bus for one of the ship's prearranged excursions.

You could swim with dolphins or the famous Bahamian pigs or visit one of two nearby all-inclusive resorts. I paid $99 for a day at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Resort, which included beach and pool access, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, lunch and use of kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear.

Our excursion left the ship around 9:15 a.m. and we had to be back on the bus at 3:15 p.m. to be back at the boat by 4 p.m. All in all, I felt it was a good value for a day on the beach and an escape from the crowds on the ship. The ship never felt too crowded (unless you were standing in line at the bar), but nothing feels as secluded as a long stretch of sandy beach.

The onboard entertainment

Aside from a day spent reading and collecting shells on the beach, the absolute highlight of my cruise was "Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy's Ship Show," a musical production based on Buffett's bestselling book, "Tales from Margaritaville."

The performers were phenomenal, the musical numbers hit all of Buffett's most popular tunes and audience participation was encouraged. The show even ended with a conga line through the theater. I was such a fan that I watched the show both nights and would do so again were I to sail with Margaritaville in the future.

"Tales from Margaritaville" was certainly the headlining act, but it was far from the only live entertainment on the ship. Both days were packed with live musical acts, dancing, trivia and game shows, family programming and more.

I'm not much of a gambler, but I did walk away with close to $100 from the ship's Par-A-Dice Casino after spending about 10 minutes at the penny slots, so the casino gets a thumbs-up from me.

The food and drink

Aside from the less-than-exciting buffet, which I can only assume is par for the course on most cruise lines , the food on Margaritaville at Sea was delicious and plated with care.

To be fair to the buffet, breakfast was totally acceptable, especially the made-to-order omelets. But after one lunch at the buffet, I knew it would be my last. The food that was meant to be hot was lukewarm at best and the food that was meant to be cold was room temperature.

One night, I had dinner at Fins, the included sit-down restaurant, and on the second night, I ate at the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill.

The fried cauliflower starter and braised short rib entree I ate at Fins were tasty and well cooked. Because it was included, I said yes to dessert and had a creamy, tangy lemon meringue tart.

My $15 burger and fries from the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill were equally delicious and I loved the addition of the shark fin toothpick in my burger. The menu also had nachos and a few other burger and sandwich options, all priced a la carte.

Aside from the buffet or the add-on breakfast at JWB Prime Steakhouse, it was tough to find food and drinks until late afternoon when the lounges, coffee shop and other dining venues opened for the day.

I was told by my steward there was room service, but I never received any information about hours or what was on the menu. I had the lunch that was included as part of my second-day excursion and I was glad I did. When I returned to the ship around 4 p.m., my only choices until dinner were pizza, salad or cupcakes from the coffee shop (or a margarita, I guess).

I'm more of an IPA gal than a cocktail drinker , but I was a big fan of the margaritas (both frozen and on the rocks) on board the ship. The bars were almost always busy, but the bartenders were friendly and fast and the drinks didn't have that "straight out of a bottle of cocktail mix" flavor that makes me shy away from cocktails in the first place.

What I didn't love

The ship is still actively being refurbished.

Though I hadn't sailed on this ship (or any ship) before, I could easily pick out which carpeting, furniture and wall colors were left over from the ship's prior life as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica. In fact, painters were actively updating the ship's Euphoria Lounge during my cruise (which I could both see and smell, though no areas were closed due to ongoing work.)

After chatting with other passengers, I learned that the ship is currently only in phase one of a three-phase refurbishment.

Because the inaugural sailing had already been delayed, I assumed that meant the ship would be fully renovated when I stepped on board. Because that wasn't the case, I asked the cruise line's public relations team what the timeline was for completion.

Updates are ongoing, they told me, such as the painting I witnessed during my trip. Here's what's changed in the couple of weeks since my cruise:

• New carpet has been installed in the Euphoria Lounge.
• Smokers were installed to provide cruisers with barbecue lunch options when they return from their shore excursions.
• The styling of the buffet has been updated to match the Margaritaville vibe.
• Back-of-house updates have been made to improve the guest experience in terms of air conditioning and sanitation.
• Upgraded kitchen equipment has been installed to enhance the JWB Prime Steakhouse experience.

Margaritaville at Sea is also in the process of implementing wristband technology that guests can use to redeem drink packages on board and for entry into VIP "ticket-only" functions the cruise line has planned for holidays such as New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. They are also installing a mobile pool bar for guests.

If I'd known this in advance of my cruise, I would have waited to book until the rebranding process was complete for the full Margaritaville experience.

The ship is showing its age

On top of being nowhere near finished with renovations, or maybe because work is ongoing, this 30-year-old ship is showing its age, both in style and wear and tear.

The wood paneling found throughout the ship, for example, felt dated and out of line with the beachy Margaritaville style. Paired with the matching furniture in the staterooms and common areas, it was a bit of oak-wood overload.

Though the staterooms had been completely overhauled, it was obvious the bathrooms hadn't been touched.

Related: 22 cruise ship cabin hacks that will transform your voyage

Everything was in working order, but the bathroom fixtures and colors looked the same as photos I had seen of the ship prior to being refurbished. Even a palm tree-dotted shower curtain would have made the room feel fresh and on brand.

It wasn't just the style of the ship that snapped me out of my Parrothead paradise. Each time I passed through the buffet, I saw buckets catching water from ceiling leaks in different spots. On its own, I wouldn't have thought much of a little leak, but when combined with the ship's other shortcomings, it stuck out as yet another issue to address.

As with any new experience, changes are often made in the early days as customer feedback rolls in and real-time issues are addressed. The cruise line did not share specific details on plans to update the bathrooms or other cosmetic features of the ship, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen in the future.

The pools were tiny

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise has two pools on board — the all-ages License to Chill pool and the adults-only 12 Volt pool. Both are small and square, and once 10 or so people were in the water, I felt there wasn't much room for anyone else. I loved that Margaritaville at Sea provided beach balls and floats (cheeseburger- and parrot-shaped inflatables, of course), but they took up most of the pool's real estate.

The atmosphere was not so family-friendly

While there were a few families with young kids on board, most passengers were couples, friend groups or families with adult children. There were three kids clubs for children of various age groups and a few family-centered activities each day, but this was definitely an adult-oriented ship.

It was also obvious most people were there to party. Nobody was out of control, but the activities and dancing later in the evening were aimed at a mature audience. My kids aren't quite ready to see people "showing off their sexiest dance moves" or "pretending to give birth" — both of which were directives in the team scavenger hunt on the second evening.

Between the lack of swimming space and the dearth of activities until later in the evening, I'd be hesitant to set sail with my kids.

Who goes on a Margaritaville cruise (and what did they think of it)?

I spoke with a lot of my shipmates during the cruise. (They all hailed from Florida, by the way.) I wanted to know what drew people to Margaritaville at Sea and how they felt about the experience.

Some had been on the ship prior to the rebranding and wanted to sail again now that it had been updated. Some were celebrating birthdays or anniversaries and wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. A few lived so close to the beach that they could go whenever they wanted and were looking to shake things up.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time and enjoying their "floating island vacation," but some were less impressed by the ship than others.

One guest told me she missed the "French elegance" the ship had before the rebrand. It is true that most ships have a formal dress-up night, which Margaritaville at Sea Paradise does not. In fact, save for Fins and the JWB Prime Steakhouse, there weren't any other areas where guests were required to change out of their swimsuits and flip-flops.

A casual vibe is on brand for Margaritaville, but if you're used to how other cruise lines do things, you might be in for a surprise.

When a certificate for a free cruise showed up in my stateroom on the final evening, along with a letter inviting me back to "experience everything the ship had to offer," I wondered if this was normal for a cruise and asked other passengers if they received one, as well.

The general consensus was that there had been so many complaints during our cruise that everyone was given a certificate to come back and see it once more work has been done, though the cruise line said this was a special offering for guests who sailed over Memorial Day weekend in order to "recognize the holiday and delight guests."

Bottom line

I can have fun anywhere, and I had more than my fair share on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, but I'd want the ship's upgrade and rebranding to be fully finished before I cruise on that ship again.

I'd also do a few things differently if I were to sail on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise again. I would choose a cabin more toward the front of the ship to avoid some of the vibrations I could feel in my room and I'd pack snacks to make up for the lack of midday dining availability.

I'd love to see the ship again once the renovations are complete. I was told that the ship's phased refurbishment should be completely finished in the coming weeks, though no specific date was provided, and I'd have to recommend that other cruisers find out if the ship is fully renovated before going "Fins Up" with Margaritaville at Sea.

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Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Review

Back from the inaugural cruise, we have our honest Margaritaville at Sea Paradise scorecard review for this new cruise line's first ship.

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Margaritaville is known for its high-end resorts, funky restaurants, and island vibes. So, it seemed like a natural fit that the brand would launch a cruise line, the new Margaritaville at Sea. How well does the brand’s laid-back lifestyle translate to cruising? Well, we have just returned from the inaugural sailing and have our honest Margaritaville at Sea Paradise scorecard review for this new cruise line’s first ship.

Watch our deck-by-deck ship tour of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Cruise Scorecard Review

Outdoor decks.

There are 10 public decks on the 52K gross ton Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which is the former Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Grand Classica.

While this 31-year old ship did undergo a multi-million dollar update, the pool deck and outdoor spaces did not see much renovation.

On Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, there are two pools, including the adults only 12-Volt Bar and Pool aft on Deck 11. The main pool, located in the center of this deck, is a rather small sunken pool. These pool areas feature chairs, loungers, and daybeds that are a mix of old and new.

The deck 12 sundeck also features loungers all the way forward as well as overlooking the midship pool. Oddly, this deck has Astro Turf flooring, which was a bit of a turn off for us. Not to mention, the deck plans label this area as the jogging track.

There is no sports deck or similar amenities on the outdoor decks of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Although, you will still find a spa and fitness center on the ship. The fitness center has newer cardio equipment, free weights, and some weight machines.  

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Complimentary Restaurants

As part of our Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise scorecard review, we dined at several of the ship’s restaurants to get a complete overview of the food on this new cruise line. The Port of Indecision on Deck 10 aft is your traditional cruise ship buffet.

It was open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The buffet served up typical selections and was on par with other contemporary cruise lines.

For breakfast, you could enjoy eggs, bacon and sausage, pancakes, waffles, continental items, and even a custom omelet bar. For lunch and dinner, there was a salad bar, a pasta bar, and a decent selection of warm entrees that varied each day.

There are two sit-down options for dinner on Deck 8. The complimentary restaurant is the large main dining room, Fins. This venue looks like a pretty typical main dining room on a cruise ship. We suspect this restaurant was not updated much during the refurb.

During our cruise, Fins served a sit-down dinner (unlike the buffet we had during the prior media sailing). Some menu items include short rib, ginger glazed salmon, jerk chicken, pasta dishes, and a vegetarian option.

The Fins dining room offered your traditional early and late dining times of 6 pm and 8:30 pm.

Since this was the inaugural cruise, service was predictably slow. Further, the food quality was average at best.

Specialty Dining Venues

The second dining venue on Deck 8 is the up-charge specialty restaurant, JWB Steakhouse. As part of this Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise review, we dined here on the second night of our cruise.

This restaurant, actually a small curtained off section of the main dining room, serves up prime cuts and seafood selections. The up-charge to dine at JWB Steakhouse is $58 per person, and reservations are required. Currently, reservations can be made in the terminal prior to boarding the ship.

For appetizers, we enjoyed the fried oysters and deviled eggs. The wife’s chicken entrée was your typical steakhouse selection, while my filet was tender and cooked medium-rare as ordered. The banana cream pie and key lime pie desserts were both quite tasty as well.

While service here was also slow, the food was served warm and the waitstaff were personable.

Additionally, you will find the casual, yet up-charge, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria on deck 9. This venue offers sit-down dining, or you can get one of the custom pizzas to go. The menu features 14″ pizzas at a la carte pricing. Pricing ranged from $12.99 to $16.99. The cruise line indicated it does have plans to expand the offerings to include salads, sandwiches, and more at this venue.

Right next door to the pizzeria, there is the Margaritaville Coffee Shop. This venue serves up espresso-based drinks, along with sweet treats. Items like croissants, cinnamon buns, doughnuts, and ice cream are all an up-charge. Of course, the coffee drinks will cost you extra too.

Finally, there is the 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar and Grill located aft on deck 10. Again, food from the Grill is an up-charge. Menu items included burgers, tacos, chicken wings, and more at a la carte prices. Given the short duration of our cruise, we did not have time to dine here.

In our opinion, it’s rather unfortunate that all the signature Margaritaville dining options are up-charges. They also come at a higher price than you might expect for a cruise line.

Related Post: Day-By-Day Margaritaville Inaugural Cruise Review

Nightlife and Entertainment

For a short cruise, there were a variety of onboard activities. Jeffy, the cruise director, and his Fins Up Crew, were high energy and visible throughout the vessel. They made the entertainment that much more enjoyable.

The main theater on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, Stars on the Water, is located on decks 8 and 9. This venue is home to the signature production show Tales from Margaritaville: “Jimmy’s Ship Show”.

The aptly named 45-minute production occurred each evening at 7:45 pm. Even though we are not huge fans of the musician, I found the show entertaining and very interactive. This was exactly what I expected to find on a ship barring the Margaritaville name.

Other entertainment included live music and game shows in several venues around the ship.

At night, there was live music at the centrally located Euphoria Lounge on deck 8. The Sunset Band played an eclectic mix from ABBA, to Bruno Mars, and Latin hits.

The Euphoria Lounge was also home to games shows, like trivia, the Love and Marriage show, and Battle of the Sexes. Even though the cruise was just two days, the Fins Up Crew fit it all in, even the popular adult scavenger hunt “The Quest”.

Of course, there was also a bar here to enjoy a drink during your favorite activities.

The Oasis Lounge on deck 9 aft is another venue with live music. The Oasis Lounge hosted karaoke, dance classes, a piano performer, and a musical duo, along with a bar.

Oddly, the ship was missing a pub, or bar featuring live acoustic music. The outdoor 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar advertised such a performance; although, it never occurred during our cruise.

Lastly, there is the Hangout on deck 14, which seemed like a rather hodge-podge venue. Near the entrance on both sides are arcade style games, like skee ball. Then, all the way forward is a small dance floor and a DJ booth, hosting the late night nightclub experience. There is a bar here as well, yet it never seemed to be open.

While the Stars on the Water theater was renovated, it is clear that these other venues did not receive much work during the rebranding.

Bars and Lounges

Like much of our Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise review, we found there were a mix of new and old when it came to the bars and lounges as well. First, there is the perfectly situated and rebranded 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar and Grill. This deck 10 aft venue is bright and lively, offering a bar with signature drinks.

We were informed that over the next couple of weeks each venue will receive its own signature drink menu; however, there was not a bar menu to be found onboard just yet.

One deck above, the License to Chill Bar is located on the portside of Deck 11. This bar lacked any theming. It was essentially the ship’s former pool bar, with a new sign.

The 12 Volt Bar on deck 12 is a new addition to the ship. This bar is conveniently located near the adults only pool area.

As for the two indoor lounges, Euphoria and Oasis, both of these venues’ color palette, furniture, and atmosphere felt more like Grand Classica than Margaritaville at Sea.

While these public spaces featured a variety of entertainment, some updates would have been nice. The same can be said about the Hangout on deck 14.

Finally, there is the Stars on the Water Bar, which is located in front of the theater. This venue is a pretty standard theater bar.

Most drinks averaged around $12 and are included in the Boat Drink Package. This package includes 10 alcoholic drinks for $99 (inclusive of gratuities).

For this Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise review, we stayed in an Ocean View Cabin, 7129. According to the deck plans, this portside stateroom is 176 square feet. Given the age of the ship, there are very few balcony cabins. It has been a while since we stayed in an ocean view cabin. Although, there was plenty of space for a 2-day Bahamas cruise.

The main cabin itself has been updated with a bright, yet minimalistic, island décor.

The bed was new, with signature Margaritaville bedding. There were also two new chairs near the porthole, some cheery artwork that was definitely on brand, and a new flat screen television.

This room certainly felt more complete than the cabin on deck 4 that we stayed in for the prior media event.

However, the one glaring omission to the update was the bathroom! All of the features were functional, but it certainly felt dated. While I thought it was manageable for two nights, the wife struggled with the size of the shower, which was small even by cruise ship standards.

For a new cruise line and a maiden voyage, we always expect a few hiccups. The staff were hardworking and accommodating; although, many of them had only been on the ship for a short time.

Perhaps it will be resolved once staff become more efficient in their duties, but the venues did feel understaffed.

Bar service did improve over our few days onboard; however, service in the dining rooms remained slow.

Dinner took over two hours both evenings, with very uneven pacing. At the Fins main dining room, our drinks and first course took close to an hour to arrive. At the JWB Steakhouse, our drinks did arrive quicker, but it still took quite some time for our food courses to arrive.

Despite the service being slow, the waitstaff were friendly.

Our shout-out goes to Novi at the Euphoria Lounge who was always quick to deliver the wife’s morning latte with a smile. Further, Jeffy and the Fins Up Crew were a highlight of the trip.

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Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Cruise Scorecard Review Recap

It seems like a natural fit for Margaritaville to have its own cruise line. After all, cruising delivers good food, plenty of entertainment, and island vibes. During our 3 total days on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, we certainly got a glimpse of what this cruise line could look like in the future.

The retail plaza and the 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar and Grill were exactly what we would expect to find on a cruise ship bearing this name. Not to mention, the main theater show rivaled the offerings found on other contemporary cruise lines.

Further, the ship delivered many classic cruise experiences, including trivia, game shows, and live music.

When it comes to dining, it is unfortunate to see that all the Margaritaville-inspired venues did cost extra money. Yes, there is the specialty restaurant JWB Steakhouse, but even the pizza parlor and grill came at an up-charge. In fact, even the continental items at the coffee shop cost extra.

Really, the only complimentary venue for breakfast and lunch is the buffet. It would be nice if there was an alternative venue offering small bites and snacks throughout the day similar to cafes on other cruise lines.

We also hope that the brand continues to make updates to public spaces, including the restrooms.

We understand there is only so much you can do with a 30 year old ship, so we look forward to seeing what the cruise line has in store for the future. With such potential in the cruise market, we hope the brand continues to improve and grow its fleet with newer and more innovative ships that can truly showcase the signature Margaritaville experience at sea.

Unfortunately, we had high hopes going into this sailing, and the ship did not live up to these expectations.

Did you find our Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise scorecard review helpful? Would you consider sailing with this new cruise line? Drop us an anchor below to share your upcoming cruise plans.

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Good review. Thank you. Unfortunate about most of the dining costing extra. And your review of the cabins is fair. There is only so much they can do on a 30 year old ship.

Thanks for the review. Hoping things will be improved before we sail in August.

Worst experience! I would give this a zero if I could. Food was awful (everyone on the cruise thought so as well.) The restaurants on site took over an hour to even get any type of food on your table. Couldn’t do anything besides swim in a tiny pool or pay $15 for a drink. Not to mention the staff wasn’t friendly. And they try charging you for absolutely everything and have the audacity to give themselves a 18% tip on your bill and then ask you if you want to give an additional tip at the bottom of the receipt. If I had to choose this cruise or jail I would rather go to jail that’s how awful this experience was for my sister and I. Everyone on this cruise was so upset and many said the same. Save your money. And if you stayed here recently check your bank statement because I have (new) charges to my account days later for unknown reasons.

Wow! This is very rude. Maybe you belong on the jail excursion.

You have to watch the waiters. They will add gratuities to your drinks if you don’t cross off the tip portion.

Got to start somewhere. The potential is great for the Margaritaville concept. It would be nice if the additonal food costs were just added into the overall cost. Hidden / surprise / additional cost always leave a bad cruise experience. The goal is for Margaritaville to workout all the issues and pursue a new experience for cruisers. It be nice with an added port stop like Key West with an additional day. Sooner or later they’ll start targeting all the parrot heads for special packages and programs. Happy cruising…..

Does “the wife” actually have a name???

you didn’t mention a casino on board that’s important to alot of people

There is a casino. I did profit on the slots. Was small but had everything you might expect at a casino. I did have one problem with the ship. I ordered my go to drink which is diserano and although they had the bottle of diserano it was cheap amaretto in the expensive bottle. His happened at every bar. I know my drink and they put a cheap version in the bottle. Very disappointing!!!

I worked on this ship on its first at sea as a Diving Instructor (we took people snorkeling in the ports). I’m glad to see the ship is still out there and not on a beach in India being taken apart piece by piece. It was a good ship and I can’t wait to sail on her again, this time as a passenger and Parrothead.

Seems as if there is an up charge on just about everything. And the ship is 30+ years old. Looks like the shower stalls have those annoying butt-clinging curtains. I guess if you like the Margaritaville experience and want to pay top dollar for it, by all means go. Me, I was not impressed to pay extra for just about everything.

I went on this cruise right before the changeover. It was great for the price. It was my first cruise, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It looks as if with the BIG Margarita name, service has become crappy. It didn’t stop them from raising the prices though. The exact cruise I booked is now $500 more for the same 30 year old room. They have lost my business. Thanks for the spot on review.

One may 16 2022 me and my fiancé is sailing on margaritaville at sea it’s the 3 sailing of the boat and employee robbed us outta our belongings we gave the Concierge our luggage around 1030am and approx 4:45pm we received ou belongings to be robbed outta out things they clam the caught suspect on camera going threw our belongings and and he was arrested this is a vacation from hell this ppl are completely full of it…. On Tuesday we arrived at the Bahamas and was escorted of the boat by the bohemian police and left in the Bahamas plz do not book wit these ppl a vacation from hell we was racial profiled

So let me start by saying this is not my first time on this cruise. I’ve previously sailed 3 times before they renovated to what now is Margaretville. My previous experiences where wonderful but on sail date 08/06/22 was anything but that. We traveled with a group of 12 people including myself for one of our groups birthday. We arrived at about 11am and everything went smooth check in/ paperwork the lady who helped us was really nice. We boarded after buying the drink package for $99 keep in mind there’s 12 of us. We boarded and went directly to have lunch at the buffet the food was very bland everything needed salt and or flavor so was not impressed. After lunch we went exploring the cruise ship and bar hopped around the cruise to different bars the bar staff would scan our bracelet and then ask different members for their room key we were all told different reasons as to why they asked for the room key, reason told to me was (because they needed to keep count of drinks per room) ended up finding out that was a LIE, they ask for the room key to charge you 18% gratitude so basically they charge you 15 dollars even though you paid $99 for a drink package they are not honest and tell you what the card is for. When we finally went to our rooms the rooms where just as pictured on the website and where very clean no complaints there. Now here is where it gets interesting and the reason for my complaint/review at around 430pm (keep in mind we had been on the cruise for hours drinking eating etc.) cruise leaves the port of palm beach at 5pm so basically 30 min before departure. The person who was traveling with me in my cabin got pulled off the cruise and told they needed to speak to them at check-in off the cruise with no explanation as to why. They removed him without his Identification, Money, Paperwork or luggage. My cabin mate calls me on the phone and states they weren’t going to let him board back on because his birth certificate is old and he doesn’t have the proper paperwork. KEEP IN MIND WE HAD ALREADY BOARDED ATE,DRANK, even taken a dump in the cabin to be specific for hours and decided to take him off 30 min before departure. I go to customer service to see what’s going on and I’m told that they were looking for me as well keep in mind I have a passport. Finally I stated we had been on here for multiple hours what’s the problem when it was their negligence in letting us board if technically we weren’t allowed. The supervisor or whoever she was kept saying it didn’t have anything to do with the cruise it was immigration and a new law as of 2010 for Puerto Ricans who traveled with birth certificates needed to have the most updated version and my cabin mate had his Original birth certificate and Drivers license from when he was born (which it state on Margaretville website that you all you need is a US ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE and ID OR PASSPORT) no where on there does it say you got to have the most updated one because from what I know we are only born once in our life and our parents info and other info stays the same, and was allowed to board but for some reason decided 30min before departure he wasn’t allowed. Finally I decided I’m disembarking too because obviously the trip was meant for my cabin mate and I didn’t want to travel without him. When I get downstairs there was about 5 female workers gossiping and looking at me funny because I was trying to once again understand what happened since they let him board hours prior, she goes through her spill making comments about how he should have a passport to travel…. ummm since when is it a requirement to have a passport its optional anyways the worker starts talking crap to another worker while I’m literally standing there so I called her out and she’s gonna stare at me like I’m supposed to be intimidated. I recorded all our the conversation an event that happened because we got treated like criminals. After seeing we weren’t going anywhere and they were refusing him

My wife and I just spent the Memorial Day weekend on the newly refurbished Margaritaville Ship and contrary to many of the above reviews we found the experience to be a very positive one. The rooms were very clean with brand new bedding. The crew was exceptionally friendly. The musical entertainment was top notch. At first we were a bit disappointed that we couldn’t reserve a table at the upscale JWB Steakhouse, but as it turned out the food and service at the standard Finn sit down restaurant was impressive. For starters we had a choice of escargot and/or salmon tartar; for desert there was creme brulee. Not too shabby in my opinion. Admittedly this ship isn’t the caliber of Disney or Regent Seven Seas but it’s a fraction of the cost and never pretended to be on those levels. Some of the above reviews sound like they came from people who have never been on a cruise. As far as extra charges for drinks like premium coffee, please this is standard fare on most cruises. Concerning tacking on an 18% gratuity, also standard. regarding comments about the showers being too small, come on this is a cruise ship not the Waldorf Astoria. For those of your considering the Margaritaville at Sea experience, I highly recommend this 48 hour getaway without any second thoughts.

This was my first cruise, and it was the worse experience. First, I woke up with bites from bed bugs all over my legs. My room was old and nasty. The bathroom made me itch, and water goes every where. Everything cost! Check your bill at the end. I even had a fuel charge smh. Food is horrible, and not always available. Just a horrible exy

Are you serious? Bed bugs? What deck were you on? I was getting ready to book now I am terrified!!

I just read a comment about bed bugs in a cabin. Is this true? I was getting ready to book for my husband and I, but I wanted to read everyone’s experience. The only one stood out to me was about the bed bugs and I am terrified!! I know that would ruin my trip

Worst vacation experience of my life!!! My card has been charged several times without my acknowledgment and after I was told that I wouldn’t have any additional charges. They had us waiting for hours to get our rooms on the boat and at the resort. They made us get off the boat at 9 am knowing the rooms at the resort would not be ready until 3pm. We waited passed 3 pm in the blistering sun. We didn’t get our room until 6:30 and in result my husband got the worst case of sun poisoning I have ever seen. The staff was extremely rude and barely could communicate. They charged my card for every single thing when it was advertised that it was all inclusive. The food was absolutely terrible. Me and my husband do not eat beef or pork and they had minimal alternative options for us. Even Burger King offers the impossible whopper. We were not accommodated for anything at all. The servers have the audacity to ask for an additional tip when the 18% gratuity is already included. If you don’t give a extra tip they treat you even worse!! The boat had metal sticking out on the steps and my husband cut his finger. He was also stuck on the elevator for hours in the middle of the night. You think we was accommodated for that?? NOPE!!!! The worst cruise line EVER. Do not I repeat Do not waste your time or money with them. Nobody will help you at all. I NEED A REFUND ASAP! ZERO STAR RATING.

While on the cruise my room smelled like sewage that made me sick to my stomach.. The room only has one plug and a very small shower only enough to fit one person. The steak house is far from elegant please fix not waste your money. The food at the steak house was not up to standards. The asparagus is undercooked with hollanaise sauce that is horrible and the food doesn’t have seasoning. Overall I would rate this cruise a 2 star… This was the worst cruise I been on..The lady at guest services had a bad attitude when asking her questions. The staff had poor customer service.. this cruise is not fit first timers because you will not have a great experience. The best part was going on tour in Bahamas with the locals.

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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• Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line

Margaritaville Paradise

Former names: margaritaville at sea paradise, mas paradise, grand classica, costa neoclassica, costa classica.

Cruise line Margaritaville at Sea (Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line)

• West Palm Beach (Florida)

Margaritaville Paradise current position

Margaritaville Paradise current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 26.52000 N / -78.77450 W) cruising en route to WEST PALM BEACH. The AIS position was reported 31 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Margaritaville Paradise

Margaritaville Paradise current cruise is 2 days, round-trip Bahamas . Prices start from USD 229 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 03 Apr, 2024 and ends on 05 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Margaritaville Paradise

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Margaritaville Paradise Itineraries

Margaritaville paradise review, review of margaritaville paradise.

The 1991-built (as "Costa Classica") cruise ship Margaritaville At Sea Paradise (aka MAS Paradise, fka "Grand Classica") between 2014-2018 was operated under the name "Costa neoClassica". In April 2018, neoClassica was renamed to "Grand Classica" and joined the fleet of the Florida-based Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line - a company run by NCL 's former President Kevin Sheehan. Until 2020, the company's fleet consisted of two ships - Grand Classica and Grand Celebration (1987-built/2020- scrapped ). In 2023, the fleet was expanded with a second ship the 2000-built Costa Atlantica/Margaritaville Islander .

The vessel (IMO number 8716502) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311000969) and registered in Nassau .

In December 2021 was announced that Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels (Florida-based hospitality group) signed a partnership deal with Bahamas Paradise to start the new cruise brand "Margaritaville at Sea". The new travel brand is currently scheduled for inauguration on May 13, 2022 (Margaritaville Paradise's Maiden Voyage). The renamed Grand Classica starts service for Margaritaville at Sea following an extensive wetdock refit at Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport).

• The Margaritaville Cruise Line brand is expected to add more ships to its future fleet, with Margaritaville Paradise being the first one.
• The long-term ship charter was signed by John Cohlan (Margaritaville's CEO) and Oneil Khosa (Bahamas Paradise's CEO, who also serves as Margaritaville Cruise Line's CEO).
• The shipowner remains the same (Paradise Cruise Line Operator Ltd).

Margaritaville Paradise continued the regular 2-night cruise schedule from Palm Beach to Freeport, restarting operations on May 10, 2022.

History - construction and ownership

In 2018, Grand Classica joined Grand Celebration as the fleet's second ship. In 2017, the shipowner Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line signed with The Bahamas a 3-year deal (until 2020) to bring both vessels (Celebration and Classica) to Grand Bahama Island (Freeport) via 2-night roundtrip Florida-Bahamas itineraries. With both ships, the company had an annual passenger shipping capacity of over 0,5 million.

On August 2, 2017, Costa Cruises announced that neoClassica leaves the fleet in March 2018. The ship's last Costa voyage was scheduled for March 4, 2018 (7-day "India and Maldives" from Mumbai India to Male Maldives ). Last refurbished in 2014, neoClassica was Costa's oldest vessel. The decision was made following the 4 new ships order , with scheduled deliveries between 2019-2022. Costa's new boats are with GT 183,000 tons, with 2600+ cabins and max passenger capacity ~6600.

The 1680-passenger ship Grand Classica was inaugurated in 1991. In 1999 was proposed a ship-stretching project that was abandoned in favor of a later refit (in 2000 / budgeted USD 20 million).

The ship has an impressive onboard art collection of sculptures and original paintings, murals and crafts.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced the vessel's purchase from Carnival Corporation (Costa's parent company) on December 13, 2017. The ship's drydock refurbishment in 2017 (October) also included improvements required by the new shipowner Paradise Cruise Line Operator Ltd.

On December 4, 2023, the company confirmed a second ship ( Costa Atlantica/Margaritaville Islander ) scheduled for Caribbean voyages leaving roundtrip from  Tampa Florida .

Decks and Cabins

Margaritaville Paradise has 13 decks (10 passenger-accessible, 5 with cabins) and total 658 staterooms . Cabins are in 5 grades/categories and include 12x Suites (Balcony and Junior), 430x Oceanviews, 216x Inside. Costa neoClassica additionally had 10x single cabins. Only the Suites have step-out balconies.

All public spaces are located on Decks 8-14. The largest accommodations are the Grand Terrace Suites (525 ft2 / 49 m2, with balcony sized 150 ft2 / 14 m2).

All main public areas are on decks 8 through 14.

Grand Classica decks were all named after famous Italian Riviera cities. Following the ship's acquisition, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line renamed all decks after Bahamian islands.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Grand Classica has all 8 dining venues (restaurants and food bars):

• Yellow Elder is the complimentary main dining room with 2 fixed seating times plus "My Time Dining" option).
• Ocean View Buffet offers complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks.
• Admiral's Steak & Seafood is a dinner restaurant offering 5-course gourmet meals.
• Rock Grill offers gourmet burgers and meats cooked on lava rock grill.
• Crow's Nest Bar & Grill is the ship's Sports Bar / Pub serving pub fare, beers, cocktails.
• A Slice Above is an Italian pizzeria offering traditional and build-your-own gourmet pizzas by the slice.
• Grand Cafe is a cafeteria/patisserie for specialty coffee drinks, gourmet ice-cream (gelato) and desserts.
• Fins Dining (specialty restaurant)
• Hemisphere Nightclub (discotheque with DJ programming)

The cruise company also provides Room Service (at extra charge).

The ship has a bar lounge, a casino lounge, live entertainment (in the theater and regal room), wellness facilities (spa, gym, beauty salon), 2 swimming pools.

Other amenities include a conference center seating 80, Jolly Mon Kids' Club (for children ages 3-17), retail shops, a card room, Internet Lounge.

Follows the complete list of Grand Classica lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Legends Grand Theater( 2-level theater offering comedy, song- and dance shows)
• Para-A-Dice Casino (offers a range of table games and slot machines - 101 of the most famous slot games, along with 10 table games, such as blackjack, craps, roulette, three card poker, ultimate Texas hold 'em poker are offered)
• Encore Lounge (features live music and a drink, along with a central stairway leading to The Grand Cafe and A Slice Above)
• Regal Room (a lounge with a large bar and stage for live entertainment)
• Main Pool (a large swimming pool surrounded by a sundeck with lounge chairs and the adjacent Plunge Bar serving beverages and specialty cocktails)
• The Oasis (adults-only area featuring an aft pool, 2 whirlpools, and its own bar)
• Jogging Track (one deck above the ship's main pool)
• Indulgence Spa, Fitness Center & Salon (massages, facials, skin treatments are offered in the spa and beauty parlor, while the ocean-view fitness room has a wide range of free weights and fitness equipment)
• Kruzers Kid's Club (offers free activities for kids aged 3-17)
• Internet Lounge & Card Room
• 80-person conference room
• Retail Outlets
• Photo Gallery

Margaritaville Paradise ship's new venues include JWB Prime Steak & Seafood (restaurant), Frank & Lola's Pizzeria, Port of Indecision Buffet (Lido restaurant), LandShark Sports Bar, Margaritaville Coffee & Pastry Shop (patisserie), Stars on the Water Theater (show lounge), Euphoria Lounge, Par-A-Dice Casino, Sunset Bar, 5 O'clock Somewhere Bar & Grill (includes the burger bar "Cheeseburger in Paradise"), redesigned wellness complex (St Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center), new leisure activities, live entertainment, more retail shopping options.

In January 2023, Margaritaville at Sea signed a partnership deal with Tipsy Scoop ( NYC -based Ice Cream Shop selling liquor-infused flavors/with bourbon, rum, vodka, tequila or sangria). Now Margaritaville Paradise passengers can order the five Tipsy Scoop "boozy ice creams", of which two are exclusive to the cruise ship - Blue Margarita Sorbet (with Margaritaville Silver Tequila) and Bahama Mama Ice Cream (with Margaritaville Coconut Rum).

Drydock refurbishment 2023 review

During the drydock in 2023 (refurbishment project conducted in May at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport) were several new venues and many facilities were redesigned and/or renovated.

By this drydocking project, the ship received Paradise Pickleball at Sea (certified pickleball court with an open-air lounge seating), Keys on the Water (dueling piano bar with live evening performances), Cheeseburger in Paradise (complimentary fast food bar for burgers/at 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill), Jolly Mon (indoor playground for children), Fin City Arcade (machine gaming lounge), Hemisphere Nightclub, Fins Dining.

Two new theater productions were introduced - "Caribbean Heat" and "Radio Margaritaville: LIVE! At Sea".

All passenger staterooms were renovated. All Suites received Internet-connected workout mirrors.

Fins Up! Fitness Center was redesigned and received new gym equipment including Group Cycle Connect bikes, rowing machines, treadmills, steppers, Touch Smart Fitness Mirrors (for yoga).

Margaritaville at Sea Itineraries

Just like Grand Classica, Margaritaville Paradise ship's itinerary program offers exclusively Bahamas cruises leaving roundtrip from Florida.

At the end of August 2017, Port Palm Beach District Commission signed a 10-year agreement for the former Costa neoClassica to service the Florida-Bahamas route West Palm Beach - Freeport . The liner has a regularly scheduled itinerary program of 3-day / 2-night Bahamas cruises to Freeport and back to Palm Beach FL.

Costa neoClassica itinerary program was based on roundtrips from Dubai and as well as Mediterranean voyages leaving roundtrip from homeports Barcelona Spain , Savona Italy , and Tenerife Canaries Spain .

Departing August 17, 2019, from Port Palm Beach, the ship offered Bahamas Paradise's first-ever Panama Canal transition cruise . The 9-night itinerary included as call ports Key West Florida, Grand Cayman Island and Panama Canal (transit), ending in Puerto Caldera/Puntarenas (Costa Rica) . Grand Classica's South American charter season was scheduled to end in October. Repositioning cruise prices started from USD 500 per person (double occupancy inside cabin). Early-booking discount deals (bookings made before May 31, 2019) offered 3rd and 4th passengers in the stateroom pricing of USD 300 pp.

Following the Coronavirus crisis (2020-2021), Grand Classica had to be the first large cruiser to resume voyages out of the USA, with the first departure (Palm Beach to Freeport) scheduled for July 2, 2021. However, the first post-COVID voyage was later rescheduled for July 8th. In August, the boat was chartered by "Entergy New Orleans" (electricity provider) to house relief workers (in Port NOLA-New Orleans ) after Hurricane Ida.

The renamed Margaritaville Paradise marked the Margaritaville at Sea brand's inauguration with the Maiden Voyage departing out of Palm Beach on May 13, 2022 (rescheduled from April 30th).

Ultimate Paradise Pass

In March 2023, Margaritaville at Sea introduced the industry's first seasonal pass "Ultimate Paradise Pass". It allows pass holders to embark on an unlimited number of non-consecutive 2-night cruises to the Bahamas (Freeport) leaving roundtrip from Palm Beach Florida on Margaritaville Paradise.

The pass prices started at US$899 (per person based on double occupancy) exclusive of taxes/fees/port expenses, which are due at booking.

The "Ultimate Paradise Pass" cruises can only be reserved 24-72 hours in advance.

With only several limited blackout dates, passes expired on December 31st (2023).

In addition to the unlimited Florida-Bahamas roundtrip voyages, Ultimate Paradise Pass' onboard perks include welcome amenities, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive sneak peeks of new activities (on select voyages). Pass holders can additionally book shore excursions, upgrades, and packages at a 10% discount.

Margaritaville Paradise - user reviews and comments

Photos of margaritaville paradise.

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Other Margaritaville at Sea cruise ships

• Margaritaville Islander

Margaritaville Paradise Wiki

When serving Costa Cruises , the ship (Costa Classica) was christened by godmother Emilia Costa (1967-born Italian actress). For the Margaritaville cruise line, Margaritaville Paradise was christened by Shaquem Alphonso Griffin (1995-born American, NFL football player/linebacker).

Margaritaville's naming ceremony was held on May 13, 2022, in Port Palm Beach , and was attended by Margaritaville at Sea's executives (John Cohlan/CEO, Oneil Khosa/COO, Kevin Sheehan Jr/President) and numerous VIP guests (including company partners and travel agents). The Maiden Voyage for Margaritaville departed Palm Beach on May 14th. The special sailing to Freeport featured a live concert by Jimmy Buffett/James William Buffett (1946-born American musician, singer, songwriter, author, actor, businessman).

Grand Classica joined Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line on April 13 (Friday) 2018, when the vessel docked at Port Palm Beach. The drydock refurbishment in 2017 resulted in improved systems and onboard infrastructure. All wetdocks and drydocks (including in 2021/November-December, and 2022/April-May) are conducted at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport .

During cruise October 12-14 (2018), the liner hosted PalmCon - Palm Beach's 8th annual Comic-Con convention. The annual event is themed after superheroes, anime and sci-fi movies, games (video, role-playing, fantasy cards). The themed cruise was the first Comic-Con at sea and had numerous pre-planned onboard activities (celebrity guests, workshops, original art, comics, toys, contests, live entertainment).

On January 21, 2019, Bahamas Paradise announced a partnership with Viva Travel resulting in a cruise to Cuba roundtrip from Palm Beach Florida. The 4-night Cuban itinerary on Grand Classica was scheduled to depart on February 14, with booked berthing in Havana (Feb 15, 10-hour port stay), sea day (Feb 16), back to Havana (Feb 17, 8-hour port stay) and back to Palm Beach (Feb 18). The special voyage featured Cuban cuisine and entertainment, and open-deck concerts (on Feb 16) with live performances by Los Cuatro, Laritza Bacallao and La Pantoja.

Deckplan changes/ship refurbishments review

Margaritaville Paradise ship's first drydock refurbishment was in 2022 (April-May) conducted at Grand Bahama Shipyard ( Freeport Bahamas ). The project resulted in all staterooms being modernized and all public spaces renovated with new soft furnishing and carpets.

The list of changes and renovations after drydock refit 2014 refurbishment (Nov 8 - Dec 18, done in Genoa Italy ) included:

• The vessel's hull was repainted. Engine rooms were updated. All hotel areas were renovated.
• Public areas and all passenger cabins were renovated (including new furniture in all balcony Suites).
• New cabin amenities were added, including Illy coffee machines and Elemis bath products.
• Tivoli Restaurant was upgraded - more 2-4 seats tables were added, as well as the sea days Brunch option.
• On deck 11, new TRX (classes area) was added to the SPA.
• The menu of Dolce Amore Bar (deck 9) was upgraded with a new pizza dinner option.

The refurb project cost Costa Cruises around USD 28 million.

During the ship's 2013 drydock in Genoa (Nov 12 - Dec 21) were done routine maintenance (hull, engine, hotel), public areas and passenger cabins renovation, new Suite furniture, Tivoli restaurant upgrade, SPA refurbishment (new TRX classes/sports area was added).

neoClassica's last drydock (by Costa Cruises) was in October 2017.

Costa neoClassica ship review

• Total number of cabins: 654 (of which 10 Suite, no Balcony, 210 Inside rooms) in 5 grades
• Dining Rooms: Tivoli
• Restaurants and food bars: La Trattoria (buffet), La Tavernetta (pizzeria).
• Lounges & Bars: Colosseo (theater), Galileo (nightclub), Colosseo (lobby), Piazza Navona, Dolce Amore (patisserie), Puccini (ballroom), Squok Club (kids), poolside (Positano, Tiveri pizza).
• Amenities: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service & Babysitting, Supervised Children Program, Internet, Laundry, Onboard Weddings.
• San Remo (casino), Promenade (Deck 8), Caracalla Spa, 4 jacuzzis, 2 pools (Fountain, Capri), Jogging Track, Mondo Virtuale (arcade).

neoClassica was Costa's first Classica-class liner, with sistership Costa neoRomantica (1993-built/2021-scrapped) .

In 2000, Costa Crociere made an extensive renovation of the Classica liner. During the drydock, the sound problems in the dining room were also solved, new leather chairs and wood paneling were added. The lobby's interior was changed by removing the old nude figures.

After a major refurbishment in 2014, the liner was renamed from "Costa Classica" to "Costa neoClassica". Among its most popular amenities are 2 swimming pools and 4 big hot tubs, 9 bars, 2 large restaurants.

Most Costa neoClassica staterooms were 175 f2 Oceanview rooms (428). There were a total of 654 staterooms in 5 main categories, The ship had 6 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest staterooms were the Balcony Suites (505 ft2).

The Tivoli Dining Room offered basic continental cuisine. The Trattoria was the ship's self-service buffet. Casual dining was offered at the Alfresco Cafe. International cuisine and Italian specialties were often presented at all onboard restaurants. Follows the complete list of Costa neoClassica restaurants and food bars.

• Ristorante Tivoli (aft Dining Room, complimentary; serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, 2 fixed dinner seatings - at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
• La Tavernetta Pizzeria (Italian pizzeria restaurant & bar)
• Ristorante Buffet La Trattoria (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary; offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea at 4-5:00 p.m., and dinner)
• Piazza Tiveri (complimentary pizza by the slice, poolside).

The 2-deck high Colosseo Show Lounge (ship's amphitheater) provided cabaret shows, dancers and specialty acts. The ship had a large range of bars and lounges, including the 360-degree Galileo Disco and Puccini Ballroom. After the 2014 refit, Costa neoClassica offered the Stargazer experience, which is an original activity on all Costa neoCollection ships. It gives cruisers the use of high-quality telescopes on board, being assisted by experts. On Deck 11 there are 2 swimming pools and 2 large jacuzzis (by the aft pool), plus 2 more jacuzzis at the Spa & Fitness Center. The Fitness is fitted with top-line Technogym equipment. The Spa complex has an authentic Roman bath and offered a full range of Steiner-managed spa treatments.

Follows the complete list of Costa neoClassica lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Teatro Colosseo (2-level theatre and main show lounge; hosts grand scale show productions, musicals, classical concerts, ballet performances, circus shows)
• Bar Colosseo (foyer bar with a seating area; serves Ferrari sparkling wines)
• Piazza Navona Grand Bar (lounge & bar area with stage and dance floor; offers various entertainment programs, dancing lessons, daily trivia games)
• Il Dolce Amore Pasticeria (coffee bar & patisserie selling specialty coffee and tea, pastries, shakes; doubles as Pizzeria in the evenings)
• Sala Carte (cards room)
• Casino San Remo (served by the San Remo bar)
• Sala da Ballo Puccini (grand lounge & bar “Ballroom Puccini”; with dance floor, stage, ample seating)
• Biblioteca & Internet Point (Library & Internet computers room)
• Ponte Vecchio; Negozi Shops; Boutique Shops (duty & tax-free shops for brand watches, jewelry, perfumes, fashion clothes, Costa-logo merchandise, sportswear, gifts, tobacco, and liquor)
• Galleria Foto (Photo Gallery & Shop)
• Mondo Virtuale (Video Games Arcade)
• Cappella (Wedding Chapel, also used for religious services)
• Alfresco Cafe (outdoor canopied seating area with live trees)
• Squok Club (kids lounge with Mini Club (3-6 yo) and Maxi Club (7-11 yo) playing rooms; with complimentary kids program and supervised activities; complimentary babysitting)
• Caracalla Spa & Fitness (neoClassica Wellness Centre with Beauty Salon, Gymnasium, Aerobics Room, Turkish Bath, Massages-Treatment Rooms, Spa products shop, Caracalla Cafe /juice bar)
• Fountain Pool area (pool with cascading water)
• Capri Pool area (with two Whirlpools)
• Bar Positano (serves the pool areas)
• Galileo Disco (Nightclub & Observatory located at the top of Costa neoClassica)
• Pista da Jogging (Power Walking/Jogging Track).

Costa neoClassica India cruises 2016-2017

Costa Cruises deployed the neoClassica ship in India, offering regular departures from Mumbai .

Costa's new India cruise itinerary program (winter 2016-2017 season) offered 7-day (one-way Mumbai to Male, and the reverse Male to Mumbai) and 14-day (roundtrip Mumbai) itineraries to ports in the Maldives (Male), Sri Lanka (Colombo) and India (Cochin, Mangalore, Mormugao-Goa).

Itineraries were bookable through the company's Italian website (costacrociere.it).

The neoClassica ship had previously scheduled 7-day roundtrip itineraries leaving from Dubai UAE .

Margaritaville's cruise company just unveiled a $900 pass for nearly unlimited cruises through the end of the year

• Margaritaville at Sea announced a $900 cruise pass that allows travelers to sail on the majority of its 2023 cruises.
• Margaritaville launched its cruise brand in 2022 with its Margaritaville at Sea Paradise vessel.
• The 30-year-old ship is now operating nonstop two-night itineraries from Florida.

For $900, you could spend most of 2023 nibbling on sponge cake and watching the sun bake aboard a floating Margaritaville resort .

The cruise line is currently operating nonstop two-night sailings from Florida's Port of Palm Beach to the Bahama's Freeport, Grand Bahama island. These set itineraries range from about $170 to over $500 (not including current deals). But if there's nowhere you'd rather be than on a Margaritaville cruise ship, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars with its newly announced cruise pass.

Margaritaville at Sea has taken a page out of Disneyland's playbook with what it says is the industry's "first season pass," the Ultimate Paradise Pass . For $899, travelers with this pass can go on an unlimited number of non-consecutive Margaritaville cruises from April through the end of 2023. A second traveler can then stay in the same stateroom — limited to ocean view or interiors — for free. If you want to travel alone, you'll have to pay an additional $160.

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But like Disneyland's annual passes, there are some limitations. There are five blackout dates in July, September, November, and December. Cruises must also be booked 24 to 72 hours in advance. And the pass doesn't cover additional payments like the $94 in taxes, fees, and expenses, the $20 booking fee, or gratuities. 

So far, 2023 is shaping up to be a successful year for the cruise line. Bookings are "off to a record start ... with the company's best wave season on record," Kevin Sheehan, Jr., Margaritaville at Sea's president and CEO, told Insider in an email. He says the cruise line is also seeing "strong trends" for pre-bookings through this year.

The 658-cabin vessel is a big draw for fans of the brand and Jimmy Buffett. The floating Margaritaville resort is filled with typical cruise amenities — like a pool deck, casino, and nighttime entertainment — all named after Jimmy Buffett's discography. From the Port of Indecision buffet to the al fresco 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill, it's hard to escape the Margaritaville brand aboard the Paradise.

The nascent cruise line — one of Margaritaville Holdings' latest ventures — was launched in 2022. But don't expect a vessel as new as the brand. Before its refresh, the ship was known as the Grand Classica, a 30-year-old flagship vessel owned by budget cruise company Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. The company has since rebranded to Margaritaville at Sea while the ship has undergone what Margaritaville has called a "multi-million investment and refurbishment."

Besides this cruise venture, the Jimmy Buffett-branded company's diverse hospitality portfolio also includes restaurants, resorts, senior living communities, and RV parks . In 2021, John Cohlan, the company's CEO, called Margaritaville the " fastest-growing hotel brand in the country ."

Watch: The world's largest cruise ship landed in Miami — here's what it's like on board

• Main content

Margaritaville at Sea Unveils New Accommodations on Islander Ship

Margaritaville at Sea introduces new stateroom and suite choices on the Islander , departing from Port Tampa Bay in June.

The ship’s 1,105 staterooms will have refreshed décor and Margaritaville signature linens, ranging from cozy interiors to unique Signature Suites inspired by Jimmy Buffett songs.

“We are excited to welcome guests onboard our newest ship, debuting a variety of staterooms designed to elevate and refine the Margaritaville experience at sea,” said Brad Schwaeble, COO of Margaritaville. “As we expand, we want to ensure that travelers are immediately transported to the Margaritaville state of mind by featuring some of our more popular venues throughout our hotels, resorts, and restaurants – while most importantly, creating new ones unique to our cruise line.”

RELATED: MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA INTRODUCES NEW DINING OPTIONS FOR ISLANDER

MORE ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATIONS

Among the stateroom options, Margaritaville at Sea Islander will offer six exclusive Signature Grand Suites inspired by popular songs like “Come Monday” and “Everlasting Moon.” These suites feature Margaritaville-themed decor and amenities, including a spacious balcony, walk-in shower, premium furnishings, and additional perks like priority boarding and concierge services. The ship has twelve stateroom types to cater to couples, families, solo travelers, and larger groups. The 700 balcony staterooms include Grand Terrace Corner Suites, Serene Junior Suites with expansive balcony views, Wake View Balcony staterooms at the back of the ship, as well as Premium Extended Balcony and Breezy Balcony options.

Other stateroom choices consist of Picturesque ocean-view rooms with scenic sea views and Cozy Interior rooms, offering great value and a comfortable base for a cruise. Basic amenities in all staterooms include TVs, bathrooms with showers, in-room safes, hair dryers, USB outlets, vanity areas, and storage space.

The first sailing of Margaritaville at Sea Islander will depart on June 14 from Port Tampa Bay for a 4-night cruise with a visit to Cozumel, Mexico, and two days of activities at Sea.

Will you be sailing aboard Margaritaville at Sea Islander?  Let us know in the comments!

Julie Bouchner

Julie Bouchner is the Digital Editorial Manager for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie.

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Hotels at sea: Land-based hospitality brands bring guests with them to cruises

M ason Jones isn’t an avid cruiser, but he enjoyed his trip with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection so much that he took two in less than a year.

Jones, a 50-year-old family doctor from Austin, Texas, booked the March 2023 sailing with his wife for its mostly all-inclusive model. He trusted a Ritz-Carlton vessel because he had stayed at the chain on land a couple of times.

“It’s not as though we’re regulars at the Ritz,” he told USA TODAY. “We just know that it’s a higher level of TLC (tender loving care).” That extended to the Caribbean sailing on the brand’s first yacht, Evrima, with an “incredible” concierge, food and drinks bundled with the fare – even in the minibar – and modern interiors.

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At a maximum of 298 passengers, the vessel’s small size also offered a “no cattle call factor,” with few crowded spaces. Jones, who has been just a handful of cruises in his life, and his wife enjoyed it so much that they booked another for the following January with friends shortly after they got home.

The Ritz-Carlton is one of several hotel and hospitality companies that have entered the cruise game in recent years. And they’ve brought travelers like Jones with them, who are drawn at least in part by fondness for the brands’ land-based counterparts.

New cruise operators lure hotel guests

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has seen interest from hotel and resort guests “who are familiar with the brand’s exceptional service and accommodations and are eager to see how this level of experience translates to the sea,” according to CEO Jim Murren.

“While they might not consider more traditional cruise lines, they are interested in the tailored journeys and level of experience provided by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” he said in an email.

Murren said the brand estimates that more than half of its passengers are entirely new to cruising. The yachts, which will include Ilma as of September and Luminara in July 2025, were built to echo what customers like about Ritz-Carlton properties.

The brand “was created to seamlessly blend the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts with the laid-back freedom of a yachting adventure,” he said. “Our yachts stand out distinctly on the horizon and draw inspiration from the world’s most luxurious private superyachts.” The vessels’ capacity is limited, even by luxury cruise standards, and they feature an understated design that pairs “form with function and is executed at (the) highest level,” according to Murren.

Perhaps its aesthetic inverse, the bright and beachy Margaritaville at Sea, has similarly pulled from an existing customer base since its debut in 2022. The cruise line is a standalone entity but is a franchise partner of the Margaritaville brand that spans hotels, restaurants and more, all stemming from Jimmy Buffett’s musical catalog and lifestyle .

That creates a “big universe of potential guests” who know and like the brand, according to Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy. He said surveys have found a “sizeable” number of passengers have chosen to sail on the line’s Margaritaville at Sea Paradise ship because they have some familiarity with the overall brand (though he did not have exact numbers available).

“And ultimately, what we hear from people is they want to be able to recreate that on a cruise vacation,” he said.

The line will lean even further into that with its second ship, Islander, launching in June: The 2,650-guest ship will feature a three-story LandShark Bar at Sea, a floating version of a venue in many Margaritaville hotels and resorts.

“We're always trying to ensure the onboard experience delivers what's most popular at other Margaritaville hotels or resort destinations,” Ivy said. And while those have tended to translate well to cruising, Ivy added, you don’t have to be a Margaritaville fan to enjoy your trip.

Do hotel loyalty programs work at sea?

There’s another incentive for travelers to stick with a brand they know on land and at sea: their loyalty benefits may carry over.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection guests, for example, can earn and use Marriott Bonvoy points. “Members can earn points on cruise fares and hotel packages, accumulate nights toward Elite status, and redeem points toward the cost of cruise fares when sailing,” said Murren.

Ivy said Margaritaville at Sea is working to integrate the Margaritaville Perks program, which gives land-based guests benefits like early check-in and complimentary cocktails (though exact perks vary by property), but he wasn’t able to share an exact timeline for the rollout.

What is the best time to take a cruise?: We broke it down by region

Virgin Voyages is part of Virgin Group, which includes a number of travel and leisure companies, along with those in other sectors. The adults-only cruise line is part of a Triple Red promotion that bundles offerings from multiple businesses including the cruise line, airline Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Hotels with perks like waived resort fees and bonus Virgin Points.

The offer runs through April 7 but may be followed by other similar deals.

There is a “defined red thread” that runs through all the brands, according to Stephen Hopkins, SVP of Growth and Portfolio Performance for Virgin Group.

“We actively look to enhance the experience of other Virgin customers, because we know that they're going to love our ships,” he said. About a third of the line's guests are new to cruising.

What other hotel brands are getting into cruising?

Other major hotel brands are set to expand seaward in the coming years. Four Seasons Yachts revealed its first itineraries this week, and will take guests to Caribbean destinations including Nevis, St. Lucia and Martinique beginning in January 2026 before moving to the Mediterranean in March.

“Since first announcing Four Seasons Yachts, interest has been very positive, especially from guests who have experienced the brand across Four Seasons hotels and resorts, residences as well as our incredible Private Jet experience,” Four Seasons President and CEO Alejandro Reynal told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. “With an exclusive 95 suites aboard our extraordinary, inaugural yacht, the booking process is being carefully managed to balance availability with this demand, initially focusing on Four Seasons loyal guests and travel partners.”

Bookings are not yet open to the general public, but travelers can join a waitlist online . Aman also has plans for its own high-end yacht brand , Aman at Sea.

For Jones, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection passenger, opting for a brand he associated with a high level of service paid off – even from the time he boarded. When he pulled up in a taxi, personnel were immediately attentive, whisking him quickly through check-in and onto the vessel. “It was really just a refreshing process,” he said. “It felt like vacation.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville Tennessee. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hotels at sea: Land-based hospitality brands bring guests with them to cruises