Margaritaville at Sea adds second ship, expands Caribbean itineraries

Next year, there will be a new way to embrace a flop-flop state of mind as Margaritaville at Sea – a cruise experience inspired by the works of late singer, songwriter and author Jimmy Buffett – launches a second ship.

Confirming earlier reports, Margaritaville at Sea Islander will join the brand’s colourful fleet and offer guests an expanded line-up of four and five-night cruises to Key West, Cozumel, and Progreso.

The ship, which is undergoing a refurbishment, is the former Costa Atlantica, a vessel built in 2000 as the first of two ships on Carnival Corporation’s Spirit platform for Costa.

The 23-year-old vessel has 12 passenger decks, accommodates 2,650 passengers and is roughly 200 feet longer than Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, the brand’s first vessel.

Due to its larger size, Islander won’t sail out of Port of Palm Beach, and will instead depart from Port Tampa Bay, starting on June 14, 2024.

Guests can reserve 2024 sailings now and take advantage of exclusive preview incentives available for a limited time.

READ MORE: Margaritaville at Sea adds second ship, but it's too big for Palm Beach

“Since we launched our first ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, last year, we’ve been working to expand what our guests have been asking for: more amazing views, longer itineraries, and new ports of call,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, in a press release. “The addition of the Islander is an exciting moment for Margaritaville at Sea and marks the next chapter of growth for our business.”

An "extensive transformation"

Margaritaville at Sea is undergoing an extensive transformation, the brand says, noting that it fully redesign all 1,100 staterooms with custom styling reminiscent of the sand, sea and sky and add new furnishings, including Margaritaville’s signature bedding, pillows, and linens.

With more than 700 Breezy Balcony staterooms, Grand Terrace Suites, luxurious Corner Suites, and ultra-exclusive Islander suites, couples, families, and friends alike can chase the sunset from their spacious balconies with endless gulf breezes.

The ship will feature a soaring 14-story atrium with a unique nautical Margaritaville flip flop and a lively atrium bar with three multi-story floating margarita glass chandeliers.

READ MORE: Margaritaville at Sea adding three-night weekend sails in 2024

It also boasts a three-story poolside LandShark Bar at Sea, a Margaritaville-inspired cornhole and mini-golf course and new family-friendly spaces like the Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide and fan favourites like JWB Prime Steakhouse and Rita’s Taco House.

The more than 250,000 guests who have sailed aboard the Palm Beach-based Margaritaville at Sea Paradise will find several familiar features, including Paradise Pickleball at Sea, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Margaritaville Coffee Shop and Cheeseburger in Paradise.

“We are excited to expand our cruise line with the launch of Margaritaville at Sea Islander as our flagship vessel,” stated John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings. “The addition of this ship will allow our guests to visit more island destinations and, while at sea, enjoy a broader and more elevated range of fun and signature Margaritaville onboard experiences.”

Coming June 2024

Margaritaville at Sea Islander’s first sailing on June 14, 2024 is a four-night itinerary from Port Tampa Bay, featuring a stop in Cozumel, Mexico and two sea days. 

The Margaritaville cruise brand first launched in 2022 as a partnership between the former Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and the Margaritaville resort brand.

When the cruise line was started, the companies transferred the former Classica built in 1991 from Bahamas Paradise and rechristened her Margaritaville at Sea Paradise at an event that welcomed VIPs, including Jimmy Buffett himself, who gave a surprise hour-long live performance, singing iconic songs such as "Margaritaville" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise."

Buffett sadly passed away on Sept. 1 after fighting merkel cell skin cancer for four years.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.