Why I Wouldn’t Sail Again on Margaritaville at Sea’s Newest Ship Despite Its Great Value

Margaritaville at Sea experienced a bumpy start in the cruise industry, yet its latest vessel shows potential for improvement.

The collaborative effort between Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand, Margaritaville at Sea, embarked on its first journey with Paradise in 2022.

The initial reception was less than stellar. Early passengers branded Margaritaville at Sea as the “Spirit Airlines” of the sea, pointing out that Paradise suffered from quality issues and lacked engaging entertainment, sufficient dining options, and distinctive thematic elements.

While my own experience aboard Paradise was not overwhelmingly positive, I decided to give the company another go by traveling on its second ship, Islander.

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander embarked on its inaugural journey in June.

Similar to its counterpart Paradise, the Islander is not a newly built vessel but a rebranded ship previously operated by Costa Cruises. The Islander, approximately 24 years old, has undergone renovations to suit the Margaritaville at Sea brand.

I was eager to evaluate how the 12-deck, 1,105-stateroom Islander stacks up against the Paradise, which features 13 decks and 658 cabins.

I opted for a snug interior stateroom, the most basic type of room on the ship, for a five-night stay. My booking was made during the Margaritaville at Sea summer promotion, which offered a discount of about 30%.

The total cost was $465.05 per passenger, including taxes and port fees. The rate didn’t include add-ons like drink packages or excursions.

This was a great deal compared to what I paid to sail on Paradise last year. On that cruise, I paid $330.70 for a two-night sailing.

If you like Paradise, you’ll probably love Islander. Not only do you get longer cruise itineraries, but also you get more dining, bars, and activities.

There are six new eateries out of one dozen offerings, including the complimentary Mexican Cutie Cantina, which serves street tacos for breakfast and lunch; Island Eats, an adults-only outdoor seafood shack; and Islander dining room, which costs extra.

There are 13 bars and lounges, featuring a towering three-story LandShark Bar and Lookout and an exclusive speakeasy that is by invitation only.

The interior stateroom I stayed in was more compact compared to my previous experience on Paradise, yet it offered a comfortable stay with enhanced Margaritaville-themed decorations.

The room delighted me with its palm-tree patterned wallpaper, subtly patterned sateen parrot duvet covers, and a throw pillow emblazoned with “Livin’ on Islander Time.”

Throughout my stay on the ship, I was provided with a printed daily newsletter that detailed the range of activities available onboard.

These included two new live production shows: the country-themed “Conky Tonkin’ at Sea” and song, dance, and acrobatics show “Caribbean Heat Remix.”

The itinerary also featured events like a magic show, theme nights, a mini-golf course, a waterslide, and a circus-themed workshop.

All passengers had access to Fins, the primary complimentary sit-down restaurant. Therefore, I chose to purchase a dining package for my cruise.

When making my reservation, I selected the Ultimate Dining Chill package for $107, granting me access to all the specialty dining options aboard.

It includes dinner at JWB Prime Steakhouse, brunch and dinner at Islander Dining Room, and a $25 dining credit to each of the following restaurants: Far Side Sushi, Tiki Grill, and Island Eats.

I recommend this package if you want to try all the dining options.

I also bought unlimited WiFi for $67.50. It was mostly reliable.

In my opinion, the ship’s Fins Up! fitness center looked depressing.

I visited daily and found it was almost always empty. Though it was nice to have the place to myself, it still wasn’t my favorite.

The space felt minimally stocked with a couple of treadmills, rowers, and weight machines. Its porthole windows were frosted over, so I couldn’t even admire the ocean while working up a sweat.

I definitely preferred the gym on the Margaritaville at Sea’s older ship, which had much better views.

The Islander’s Port of Indecision buffet also let me down — as one of the few complimentary dining venues, it often had long lines.

Additionally, the range of food offered was less extensive than what I have experienced on other cruises.

My expectations were set for a variety of stations including options like sushi or custom noodle bars that I had enjoyed elsewhere. However, the offerings at the Islander’s buffet were somewhat sparse, mostly comprising a handful of hot items, a salad station, and some desserts.

The one positive aspect was that there was ample seating available in the buffet area to handle the number of guests.

On another note, the pool water had a greenish tint, which I found unattractive, and as a result, this was the first cruise where I chose not to swim.

I inquired with the crew about the water quality, and they assured me there were no issues.

A Margaritaville at Sea spokesperson explained via email that the water in the pool might appear temporarily discolored due to active filtering and chlorination processes.

They further mentioned, “The water is completely safe for swimming even during such instances, as we continuously monitor water quality around the clock, every day of the week, via our onboard filtration computer system.”

Throughout this voyage, it was apparent that Margaritaville at Sea had taken previous criticisms about Paradise seriously and made efforts to address them.

I found sailing with the Islander to be a much more improved and elevated experience than when I was on Paradise in 2022.

The staff seemed passionate and proactive, and the rooms looked more thematic. Whereas Paradise lacked an immersive Margaritaville experience, Islander is a spirited good time.

But both ships still lack amenities and luxurious perks that many other cruise lines offer, including eateries open 24/7, high-quality gyms, and spas featuring hydrotherapy and thermal suites.

It’s unlikely I’ll sail Islander again unless there’s another major renovation — but I must admit that Margaritaville at Sea’s price point and vibes can’t be beaten. The Islander a pretty good value for a cruise.

Read next

---

Set sail on a voyage of discovery with CruiseShip.net – your ultimate destination for all things cruising! Explore the latest news, insightful reviews, and thrilling cruising adventures from around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-time traveler, CruiseShip.net is your go-to source for expert advice, insider tips, and inspiring stories to fuel your wanderlust. Embark on a journey like no other with CruiseShip.net – where every wave brings new excitement and endless possibilities on the high seas.