Carnival and Margaritaville at Sea are two of the cheapest cruise lines that offer guests everything from nonstop entertainment to multi-course meals and comfortable accommodations. Which one, however, is right for your next cruise?
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the most well-known cruise lines at sea. With nearly 30 ships operating worldwide, it's hard to ignore their iconic red, white, and blue funnels, which have become a symbol for fun-filled vacations on the water.
Conversely, Margaritaville at Sea takes a more niche approach, offering laid-back cruises from Florida. Currently, they operate just two ships traveling to The Bahamas and the Caribbean. While the line plans to expand in 2027, its smaller fleet will still sail exclusively from Florida.
I've enjoyed my cruises on Carnival and Margaritaville at Sea. Carnival's newer ships are packed with activities, dining options, and entertainment, while Margaritaville is ideal for those looking to kick back, relax, and unwind with a fruity cocktail.
Still, despite their inherent differences, both Carnival and Margaritaville at Sea are budget-friendly options, but one is a better value for the money.
Margaritaville's 2 and 3-night cruises are great for first-time cruisers
A 3-night cruise on Margaritaville at Sea's Paradise starts at just $121 per person. This no-frills ship is perfect for first-time cruisers who want a short, affordable getaway without feeling overwhelmed by the endless dining options and activities.
For example, Paradise has just five restaurants, including the extra-charge steakhouse. The brand-new High Tide Market showcases the best of the line's casual options, including fresh tacos, pizza, sandwiches, and cheeseburgers.
Additionally, Paradise's onboard amenities are designed for relaxation, rather than nonstop excitement. Rather than a ship packed bow to stern with water slides, ropes courses, and roller coasters, activities include wine tastings, original production shows, game shows, karaoke, and bingo.
Sailing from the Port of Palm Beach, itineraries include visits to either Nassau or Freeport. Although neither is a developed private cruise line destination like Carnival's Celebration Key or Half Moon Cay, guests can find beautiful beaches, local cuisine, and fun excursions.
As such, the offerings on Paradise make Margaritaville at Sea an easy, budget-friendly introduction to cruising.
Read more: 8 Things I Love About Margaritaville at Sea (And 6 I Don’t)
Limited itineraries but unique options
Because of the cruise line's small fleet, you won't find itineraries to destinations like Alaska, Europe, or Bermuda. While repeatedly sailing to the same Caribbean and Bahamian ports can feel limiting, Margaritaville at Sea is shaking things up with a handful of standout itineraries planned for 2027.
Select 8 and 10-night voyages will take passengers to dreamy destinations such as Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. One sailing, in particular, stands out.
Not only that, but the Feb. 7, 2027, sailing is a special Mardi Gras cruise. After leaving Tampa, Islander will sail to New Orleans for an overnight stay, giving guests the chance to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife, Creole cuisine, and colorful parades before continuing on to Mexico.
The fares aren’t nearly as expensive as you might expect, given the special celebration. With hotels like the Hyatt Regency, Loews New Orleans, and The Roosevelt costing over $260 per night, an 8-night cruise starting around $1,100 per person — including unlimited food, entertainment, and transportation — is a solid value.
Read more: The most affordable cruise line you overlooked is finally about to offer longer cruises
Margaritaville's beverage program is one step above the rest
Margaritaville at Sea's beverage program goes beyond the standard cruise offerings, including basic Bahama Mamas and Piña Coladas.
Eric Neuwirth, Margaritaville at Sea's Vice President of Food & Beverage, said that the inspiration behind the cruise line's beverage program was to bring Buffett's carefree lifestyle to life through its drinks.
"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.
Adding to that, Neuwirth claimed that they developed over 100 new cocktails for the Islander cruise ship, ranging from brand-new libations to classic drinks with unexpected twists.
"There's an unbelievable vanilla pineapple margarita that is just out of this world [at the Tiki Bar]. 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 said.
Another popular cocktail is the Paper Plane at Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits. Crafted with Buffalo Trace bourbon, Aperol, Nonino Quintessentia amaro, and lemon juice, it balances sweet, bitter, and citrus notes.
Read more: I tried Margaritaville at Sea's drink package that costs $81 per day
The included dining is just as good as Carnival's famous fast-casual options
Carnival is the leading cruise line for tasty, quick dining options. Not everyone always wants to dress up for lengthy meals in the dining room. Instead, the cruise line excels at casual, grab-and-go eateries that make it easy to enjoy a satisfying meal between activities.
That said, Margaritaville holds its own when it comes to included dining. While the selection isn’t as expansive as on Carnival’s newer ships — with venues like Big Chicken, Street Eats, Guy’s Burger Joint, and BlueIguana Cantina — the quality of Margaritaville’s eateries rivals comparable fast-casual spots on Carnival.
For starters, Mexican Cutie Cantina serves tasty tacos and Mexican-inspired bowls that you can fill with your choice of toppings and salsas.
Moving on, if you placed a burger from Cheeseburger in Paradise and Guy’s Burger Joint in front of me, I’m not sure I could tell the difference.
The juicy, made-to-order patties can be piled high with a variety of fixings, from lettuce and tomatoes to jalapeños and the cruise line’s secret sauce. Plus, they come served with well-seasoned fries.
Additionally, the buffet on Carnival ships has never been my favorite spot, especially compared to the fast-casual venues. While it offers a decent selection of options, the made-to-order food is fresher.
Margaritaville realized the standard cruise buffet wasn't as popular as it once was. As such, it's replacing the Port of Indecision buffet on Paradise in 2026 and Islander in 2027 with the High Tide Market. It will be available on Beachcomber, too.
The food hall will ensure that guests enjoy a wider variety of freshly prepared options at any time of day.
Read more: 8 things I wish I'd known before going on my first Margaritaville cruise
Margaritaville is a relatively new player in the cruise industry, but it offers a solid product at a reasonable price
In just three short years, Margaritaville at Sea won numerous accolades, including the Best Cruise Ship for Families (Margaritaville at Sea Islander, 2025 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards) and the #1 Cruisers’ Choice Cruise Line, Ocean Category (2025 Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards).
That said, between Carnival and Margaritaville at Sea, the best cruise line for you ultimately comes down to what you want. If, for instance, you want nonstop activities, expansive dining, and better itinerary variety, Carnival is the obvious pick.
However, if you're seeking a relaxed, budget-friendly getaway with quality food options, inventive cocktails, and a laid-back vibe, you shouldn't overlook Margaritaville at Sea.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. 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!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
