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.
In February 2025, I went on my first Margaritaville cruise: a short four-night sailing 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 five reasons you shouldn't overlook Margaritaville at Sea for your next cruise vacation.
Cute cabins
For my four-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 the Islander technically being over 20 years old, the spacious suite felt much newer. For example, there were bedside outlets that made charging our phones at night convenient.
Margaritaville's Grand Terrace Suite was comfortable and stylish, with light, airy colors that made the space feel open and inviting. The large, floor-to-ceiling 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 decorations, 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 four-night getaway.
Nice variety of dining options
Even though cruise food is rarely Michelin-starred, 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 hang 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-along piano tunes.
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 New Orleans, 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 was also impressed by how easy embarkation in Tampa was, especially compared to ports like Miami, which are plagued with heavy traffic and chaotic terminals.
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 an overlooked cruise line. However, it's a great pick 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 $293, according to Margaritaville at Sea's website. Those looking for a longer cruise can book a 7-night cruise for less than $500 per person.
The price includes standard drinks like hot coffee, juice, and water, as well as entertainment, most food, your accommodations, 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 alcoholic beverages cost extra. Without a Margaritaville drink package, you should expect to pay around $14 per cocktail and $10-$11 for each glass of wine.
Is Margaritaville at Sea legit?
Even after renovations, Margaritaville at Sea still doesn't have the best reputation in the industry. However, what many fail to realize is that the cruise line isn't trying to compete with premium brands. Instead, it's goal is to simply provide fun, comfortable, and easy-going vacations at an affordable price point.
Essentially, the line is trying to carve out its own niche. The casual, resort-style atmosphere gives guests a chance to relax, listen to live music, enjoy a cheeseburger, and (of course) sip on a handcrafted margarita at sea— without shelling out thousands and thousands of dollars. Jimmy Buffett fans will easily get the most out of the experience, with themed events and other activites inspired by the legendary musician.
Even compared to lines like Carnival, I found there were more differences than similarities. For example, while Carnival is thought of as the cheap party cruise line, Margaritaville at Sea leans more into a relaxed vibe, with easygoing fun. It's just as casual as Carnival, yet it doesn't feel rowdy.
In my opinion, I thought that the refreshed spaces, friendly crew, lively entertainment, and solid dining options made for a enjoyable cruise experience, even if it wasn't the most luxurious.
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.
