Margaritaville at Sea's newest ship features more drinks than basic Bahama Mamas and strawberry daiquiris.
Enjoying a refreshing poolside cocktail or sipping on a glass of wine before an evening show are quintessential cruise experiences. However, guests will find an enhanced beverage program designed to be different than your average cruise ship bar aboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander.
Islander debuted in June 2024 after an extensive renovation. Though not a brand-new ship, it was transformed to reflect the laid-back atmosphere synonymous with Jimmy Buffett and the Margaritaville brand.
Onboard, guests will find over 10 unique bars and lounges, each featuring a distinct vibe and menu.
To learn more about what sets the Islander’s beverage experience apart, we spoke with Eric Neuwirth, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Margaritaville at Sea.
During our conversation, Neuwirth shared that the vision behind the Islander’s beverage program was to bring Buffett's carefree lifestyle to life through its drinks.
Read more: I tried Margaritaville at Sea's drink package that costs $81 per day
"The overall lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, just his carefree...laid back attitude...is really our true north when it comes to most things. So, when we were creating the bars, it was kind of the same pattern," he explained.
When Islander launched, it introduced 7 new bar menus designed to reflect an island-inspired vibe and pay tribute to Buffett's life.
Building on that idea, Neuwirth added, "We really [tried] to take each venue and make it its own kind of unique personality."
For example, you will find more frozen drinks near the pool deck, while expertly crafted cocktails can be enjoyed in the indoor lounges and bars, typically with live music.
Over 100 new cocktails were created for Margaritaville at Sea's Islander
Though he couldn't think of the exact number off the top of his head, Neuwirth explained that each bar had new drinks. With over 10 bars featuring around 15 drinks each, the number of new cocktails exceeds 100.
While plenty of concoctions are brand-new, the Margaritaville at Sea team also wanted to incorporate classic drinks with unexpected twists.
"Each one of our drinks has a special twist," Neuwirth said, "It's listed on the menu. [You wouldn't order] just a Manhattan. It would be more of a Caribbean kind of twist [on] a Manhattan."
If you are curious about Neuwirth's favorite drinks, one of his go-tos is the Paper Plane at Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits. It's a simple cocktail crafted with Buffalo Trace bourbon, Aperol, Nonino Quintessentia amaro, and lemon juice, but it's been around since the 1920s!
Another one that should be on your radar is the exclusive margarita located at the Tiki Bar.
"There's an unbelievable vanilla pineapple margarita that is just out of this world. It's just a different twist on a margarita that has a little bit more of [a] fun, vibrant taste to it, and it's outstanding," he remarked.
However, you can't go wrong with the Bubbles Margarita at the Bubbles Up Lounge and Champagne Bar, which Neuwirth claimed is a crowd-pleaser.
The mango-flavored margarita is served in a martini glass and topped with a poppable bubble. "It's definitely one of those Instagrammable moments when the drink comes to the table," he added.
Not only do the drinks pay homage to Buffett, but the bars themselves are a tribute to his laid-back lifestyle and music
For instance, Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits was inspired by his airplane and was designed to feel like a travel log of Buffett's adventure.
On the menu, you'll find drinks like the Carry-On, First Flight Out, and the Mile High, which is essentially an old-fashioned that's smoked tableside in front of guests.
"Everything's got a name, as though you were sitting in an airport lounge," said Neuwirth.
There's also the Havana Daydreamin' Sports Bar and Lounge, which was named after Buffett's popular studio album Havana Daydreamin'.
The focus of this bar is Cuba, so there's a heightened focus on mojitos compared to other venues onboard.
"We're really trying to show a little bit of craftsmanship in different bars, right? And, of course, we have an unbelievable pool bar where we're selling the heck out of Landshark beer at the same time," explained Neuwirth.
Margaritaville is trying to stay ahead of the trends
Margaritaville is constantly looking to evolve its offerings, but the team also understands the importance of tapping into what today’s cruisers are looking for.
For instance, aboard Islander, you'll find plenty of zero-proof mocktails for children and sober-curious adults alike.
"We're [a] family [cruise line]. I think we were rated number 1 or 2 of family cruise lines this year, so we really obviously tapped into mocktails for children as well, versus just always having soda pops, [juices], and things along those lines," Neuwirth explained.
They also want to stay ahead of the trends. For instance, Islander features ready-to-drink cocktails like Surfside Iced Tea, rather than basic seltzers, which, to Neuwirth, are a thing of the past:
"It's really just paying attention [to] those things and then also really pushing ourselves to create the next great drink, right? We're not here to follow. We're here to lead."
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 over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
