I've been cruising since I was five years old and have been on many of the major lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Disney, Princess, and Celebrity. However, one relatively new cruise line that often gets overlooked but is worth considering is Margaritaville at Sea.
Margaritaville at Sea entered service in 2022 with its first ship, the Paradise, which sails exclusively from West Palm Beach, Florida. Building on Paradise's success, the cruise line purchased another ship, and after an extensive renovation to bring Margaritaville's laid-back atmosphere onboard, launched the Islander.
Though not a brand-new ship, Islander added a larger vessel to Margaritaville's portfolio compared to the 52,000 gross registered ton (GRT) Paradise. Plus, sailing out of Tampa means Islander offers more unique itineraries compared to Paradise, which mostly sails to Freeport and Nassau.
It would be fair to say that Paradise doesn't have the best reputation. Even after its recent renovation, it continues to be called the "Dollar Tree at Sea." However, Islander truly changed the game for Margaritaville.
Recently, I had the opportunity to embark on a 4-night cruise aboard Islander to Progreso, Mexico, from Tampa, Florida. Overall, everything about the experience was pleasantly surprising. While I wasn't expecting an awful cruise, I also didn’t expect it to be as enjoyable as it turned out to be.
Still not convinced? Here are 5 reasons you shouldn't overlook Margaritaville at Sea for your next cruise vacation.
Read more: I went on a Margaritaville cruise. I enjoyed the food and entertainment more than I thought
Cute cabins
For my 4-night cruise, Margaritaville upgraded my friend and me to a Grand Terrace Suite. As someone who typically avoids cruise ship suites, this was a pleasant surprise, and I was even more surprised by how modern and bright the room was!
Older cruise ships tend to have darker color schemes which make the cabins and public areas feel smaller than they actually are. Despite Islander technically being over 20 years old, the stateroom felt much newer. For example, there were beside outlets which made charging our phones at night convenient.
The Grand Terrace Suite was comfortable and stylish, with light, airy colors that made the space feel open and inviting. The large, floor-to-ceiling also windows let in plenty of natural light and offered beautiful views of the ocean as we sailed from Florida to Mexico.
It didn't feel overly-themed, either. Some Margaritaville restaurants can be a little cheesy and gimmicky with their tropical decor, but our cabin was more akin to what you might expect at a boutique beach resort.
The most dated part of the room was the bathroom, which had remnants of an old Costa cruise ship. For example, the backsplash didn't really match the rest of the suite's aesthetic. However, that was a minor detail. We appreciated the liquid hand soap and separate shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided in the shower.
I have no complaints about the spacious shower-tub combo or water pressure, either. All in all, the Grand Terrace Suite was clean, well-appointed, and a great place to retreat during our 4-night getaway.
Nice variety of dining options
Even though cruise food is rarely Michelin-star, it's one of the best parts of a cruise vacation. Who doesn't want to enjoy tasty meals without worrying about cooking or cleaning?
One thing that Margaritaville has gotten a poor reputation for, particularly on Paradise, is the lackluster dining. However, I found that the dining experience aboard Islander was a significant step up.
The fast-casual tacos and burgers reminded me of BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint on Carnival Cruise Line, which, if you've ever sailed on a Carnival cruise, you know nothing beats a juicy poolside burger or loaded tacos!
Margaritaville also treated us to a meal at JWB Steakhouse, which far exceeded my expectations. Though the atmosphere was more casual than steakhouses on lines like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, the food was delicious, particularly my filet mignon and the lobster bisque.
On the last night, we also decided against a multi-course meal in the dining room to try Far Side Sushi. Though the sushi was tasty and worth the minimal upcharge, I wasn't a fan of the location, as the sushi menu was only available at the Far Side Lounge, home to lively events like trivia.
As such, it was hard to have a conversation with my friend, as we were in the midst of 90s music trivia.
That said, between the buffet, pizzeria, Main Dining Room, steakhouse, specialty sushi, poolside burger joint, and Mexican cantina, there was always something satisfying to eat.
Lively production shows
Fans of country music simply cannot miss Margaritaville at Sea's Conky Tonkin' production show.
I'll admit that country music isn't really my thing, despite being born and raised in the South. However, there's something for everyone to enjoy in the show, from talented aerialists who hung by their teeth to fun choreography and a range of country hits.
The audience's energy also made the show enjoyable. Everyone was singing and clapping along, with many guests sporting their best country attire, including cowboy hats and stylish boots.
If production shows aren't something you enjoy, check out Islander's daily schedule for the other activities. There's so much going on, ranging from trivia to bingo, character meet-and-greets, and sing-a-long piano tunes.
Read more: 8 things I wish I'd known before going on my first Margaritaville cruise
Different itineraries
Destination-focused cruisers may not think much of Margaritaville at Sea's Islander knowing that Paradise primarily sails to the Bahamas. However, you'd be surprised how many different itineraries Margaritaville's newest cruise ship offers!
One of the reasons I chose my specific itinerary was that it visited Progreso, Mexico, which was a destination I hadn’t been to before and a gateway to the Chichén Itzá ruins. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well the day we were in Mexico and had to skip our excursion to the famous ruins.
Other voyages visit ports like Cozumel, Key West, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Belize, Costa Maya, and Roatán. These destinations offer a wider variety of experiences compared to tours in the Bahamas. For example, Belize and Honduras are known for their incredible snorkeling opportunities!
On a similar note, I also was impressed by how easy embarkation in Tampa was, especially compared to ports like Miami which are plagued with massive traffic delays.
We ordered a Lyft from our airport hotel and were inside the terminal in less than thirty minutes, including the time it took to leave our luggage with a porter.
Affordable prices
Margaritaville at Sea is a great cruise line for travelers looking to make the most out of their budget. It's no surprise that cruise fares have increased over the last few years; however, it's not impossible to find an affordable voyage.
Cruises aboard Islander start at $313, according to Margaritaville at Sea's website. Those looking for a longer cruise can book a 7-night cruise for less than $600 per person.
The price includes standard drinks like hot coffee, juice, and water, as well as entertainment, most food, your accommodation, and transportation between ports of call. It's hard to find a land-based vacation that's of similar value for less than $100 per person, per night.
However, Margaritaville at Sea's fares aren't all-inclusive. Certain add-ons, including the JWB Steakhouse, Wi-Fi, and Unlimited Beverage Chill drink package cost extra. Without a drink package, expect to pay around $14 per cocktail and $10-$11 for each glass of wine.
In terms of cocktails, there were far more than margaritas. You could order everything from dirty martinis to piña coladas and mai tais.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
