Margaritaville at Sea
Fodor’s Expert Review
One of the world’s newest largest cruise lines—and one that is the extension of a well-established brand formed in the image of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett—is repurposing decades-old ships once belonging to other cruise lines, gutting them during extended dry dock spells, and infusing them with the colors, attitude, and spirit of its spiritual figurehead, the late Buffett. The result so far is a mixed bag, but the newest ship, Islander, shows that this concept has tremendous promise and potential.Read More
Nearly all onboard dining options are included in each Margaritaville at Sea cruise fare, as are stand-up comedy shows, magic, acrobatic, and musical production stage shows, children’s programs in age-based kid’s clubs, and use of the onboard fitness centers. Accommodations are awash in a sea of white, beige, and teal—the cruise line’s signature colors—and vary from interior rooms to spacious grand suites. More ships are scheduled to come online every year for the next handful of years, as Margaritaville at Sea shows no sign of slowing down its commitment to providing Parrotheads and non-Buffett fans alike with laid-back cruises in and around the Caribbean.
The growing fleet features entertainment and activities designed for passengers of all ages, from games of bingo and corn hole competitions to casinos and mini golf. The two ships—Paradise and Islander—are both reliable, budget-friendly choices for families as well as young singles and couples who want short vacations that won’t break the bank.
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What to Expect on Board
Fins is the main dining room on Margaritaville at Sea ships and is open for breakfast and dinner daily.
It, along with Cheeseburger in Paradise, Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria, and the Port of Indecision Buffett which shares many of the main dining room dishes at dinner, is where the majority of passengers eat on board. With only one proper sit-down specialty restaurant, the JWB Steakhouse, which requires a reservation, other choices for food at lunch and dinner include Island Eats and Tiki Grill, two dining spots located outside and serving fine, freshly prepared seafood and BBQ, respectively, with a selection of unique desserts found only here as well. Expect sautéed pick-and-peel tiger shrimp, steamed mussels and crab legs, fried clams, and more for additional costs.
On the newest ship, Islander, there is Far Side Sushi, for an additional cost, and a premium restaurant (called Islander) that is located above Fins. It is complimentary for suite guests and for those who have purchased a dining package, but is available to everyone else for an upcharge of $15 per person for brunch and $20 for dinner. Islander serves that brunch on every sea day from a slightly more sophisticated menu than Fins and during dinner, it has the same menu plus two or three extra appetizers and entrees; each night, there is one special dessert.
Margaritaville at Sea offers low-energy sailings designed for resting and recharging in the Caribbean sunshine, but high-energy cruise directors are on hand to get guests who are eager for things to do up up and at ‘em every day of each cruise! Shipboard activities include games of corn hole, mini golf, Pickleball, outdoor movies, trivia, all-ages and adult karaoke, bingo, and a variety of live music—from Latin dance to piano ballads, jazz to solo singer-guitarists performing a mix of everything, from country to pop—all over the ship in cocktail lounges and bars, as well as stage productions in the Stars on the Water Theater.
Margaritaville at Sea promises plenty of chilled out rest and relaxation, with cocktails and good food in your hands more often than not, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get pampered or work up a sweat while on board.
Ships offer spa and salon services in the form of hair care, spa pedicures and manicures, and an array of massages. Professional technicians are friendly and capable of adjusting their treatments to the comfort level (and pain tolerance) of each individual guest.
The fitness centers on board feature a mix of treadmills, spin cycle bikes, rowers, and a cluster of yoga mats, yoga balls, and free weights. While there is no dedicated walking or running track that traverses the circumference of any ship in the small fleet, there is the opportunity to get steps in on a variety of decks both inside and out.
Key cruising tips
Your Shipmates
Margaritaville at Sea’s passengers are predominantly Americans in their mid-thirties to mid-fifties. Expect to see a mix of singles, groups celebrating special occasions, couples, and families. Because many of the itineraries are short, Margaritaville at Sea is popular among Florida residents and those within a drive from the young cruise line’s two ports—Tampa and West Palm Beach. Your shipmates enjoy a laidback environment, live music, and the many bars serving unique margaritas, fanciful cocktails, and cold beers poolside and indoors at well-furnished lounges.
Dress Code
Much like a Jimmy Buffett concert or time spent poolside at a Margaritaville Resort on land, there is no formal dress code at all on board Margaritaville at Sea ships. You may see men with their shirts off inside at the buffet or women in bikinis walking around the inside and outside areas of the ship. Many guests are fond of wearing colorful Hawaiian and floral shirts. One night of each sailing will be Coastal Country Elegant. This is the perfect opportunity to swap the straw hat for a sundress if you wish, but otherwise, this is a flip-flop friendly and bathing suit casual cruise line.
Junior Cruisers
With many outdoor bars, elegant indoor cocktail lounges, and an adults-only areas, grown-ups are the salt around the rim of this margarita glass, but daughters as well as every son of a son of a sailor are more than taken care of, too. Margaritaville at Sea offers free age-based kids clubs for making new friends, playing games, and having dance parties in adult-free zones built and outfitted just for them on board. The daily program during each cruise also includes many all-ages activities, including trivia, board game competitions, corn hole and mini golf tournaments, Name That Tune contests, family-friendly karaoke, and outdoor movies by the pool.
Service
Guests will immediately see and feel the laidback vibe on board Margaritaville at Sea ships but this relaxed attitude doesn’t come at the expense of focused, detail-oriented service. The crew is outfitted in bright teal and/or island floral shirts and embodies Jimmy Buffett’s gregarious attitude toward community building, and they work hard to put a smile on every face. From the servers to stewards, the crew ensures that everyone and anyone feels genuinely welcome. Every cruise line highlights the friendliness of its crew, but Margaritaville at Sea’s onboard team delivers an exceptional level of honest care, always with a smile, that helps to set this budget-friendly line apart.
Tipping
Prepaid gratuities are standard across all non-luxury cruises (where tips are usually included in the rate), including on Margaritaville at Sea ships. Upon embarkation, all tips will have been paid in full, but many cruisers like to carry some cash to provide extra thank you’s to their cabin attendant and other crew members who have provided exceptional service.
Past Passengers
This still-new cruise line has no membership program, statuses, or tiers rewarding loyalty as of yet.