Margaritaville at Sea

Table Of Content

• The ship had ample amenities, including two pools and a casino. However, some of these areas looked dated to me.
• Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announces new health protocols and will resume cruises on July 25
• Margaritaville at Sea
• A massive flip-flop sculpture in the ship's entryway set the Margaritaville mood.
• WestJet Is Coming Back to Bonaire for a Second Season
• More live music around the ship, including a new music venue

Because that wasn't the case, I asked the cruise line's public relations team what the timeline was for completion. Aside from the less-than-exciting buffet, which I can only assume is par for the course on most cruise lines, the food on Margaritaville at Sea was delicious and plated with care. The casino stays open until 2am the 2nd night which is longer than other lines’ 10pm.

The ship had ample amenities, including two pools and a casino. However, some of these areas looked dated to me.

The fried cauliflower starter and braised short rib entree I ate at Fins were tasty and well cooked. Because it was included, I said yes to dessert and had a creamy, tangy lemon meringue tart. To be fair to the buffet, breakfast was totally acceptable, especially the made-to-order omelets. But after one lunch at the buffet, I knew it would be my last.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announces new health protocols and will resume cruises on July 25

Even a palm tree-dotted shower curtain would have made the room feel fresh and on brand. On top of being nowhere near finished with renovations, or maybe because work is ongoing, this 30-year-old ship is showing its age, both in style and wear and tear. After chatting with other passengers, I learned that the ship is currently only in phase one of a three-phase refurbishment.

Margaritaville at Sea

I was such a fan that I watched the show both nights and would do so again were I to sail with Margaritaville in the future. I've never cruised before and wasn't sure what to expect from the staterooms other than assuming I'd feel like a canned sardine. I was relieved to find the cabins were spacious and bright, with crisp white bedding, tropical artwork on the walls and a large porthole that looked out over the ocean. I knew going into this cruise that Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was a 30-year-old ship, previously run by Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, that had received a multimillion-dollar Margaritaville-themed refurbishment. The atrium, though small, with its freshly painted light blue-and-white walls and subtle tropical theming, made the ship feel brand-new. Whoever thought just having a shower curtain in the shower was ok should be fired.

Crew Review: Carnival Cruise Line VS Margaritaville at Sea - Crew Center

Crew Review: Carnival Cruise Line VS Margaritaville at Sea.

Posted: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

For more information or to book your cruise, visit  You can also follow Margaritaville at Sea on Facebook and Instagram. This was my experience on a recent Margaritaville at Sea cruise from Feb 5 to Feb 8, 2023. Please note this was my experience and other experiences could have been different. A representative for Margaritaville said that smoking "is not permitted in the cabins or interior areas of the ship," however, there are "designated smoking areas on the lido deck." Plus, the price was low — I booked our room during the cruise line's spring sale, scoring a 40% discount that brought the total cost for each passenger to $330.70 — and I love anything Buffett-related.

I went back onboard Margaritaville at Sea to see what has been improved

Reviews of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise at Port of Palm beach - Palm Beach Post

Reviews of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise at Port of Palm beach.

Posted: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Extend your vacation on land and stay at your choice of three gorgeous partner resorts on Grand Bahama Island for an all-inclusive experience. Easy to book and easy to plan, Margaritaville at Sea invites you to climb aboard for nonstop fun, where it’s always 5 o'clock at sea. Our cruise offers are an irresistible opportunity to get a great deal on your next Caribbean escape.

A massive flip-flop sculpture in the ship's entryway set the Margaritaville mood.

Once you're in the Bahamas, shore excursions are extra and you will have to pay to take transportation from the terminal in Freeport to any attractions, as there is nothing within walking distance. Still, the ship is compact compared to a modern-day megaship, and there's certainly enough onboard to keep you occupied. In fact, we found the two-day trip somewhat chaotic; with such limited time, passengers are packing in as much as they can, leaning to a fast-paced, occasionally frenzied, vibe. According to a post on the Margaritaville blog, the first cruise ship, Margaritaville Paradise, will set sail April 30, 2022 from Palm Beach, Florida to Grand Bahama Island. Margaritaville at Sea unveiled an array of entertainment offerings onboard its newest ship, the Islander, embarking on its maiden voyage from Port Tampa Bay in June, according to a company statement.

These two additions are a great way for guests to have fun onboard and explore the ship during their 2-night cruise. I was excited to see that Margaritaville used these spaces to provide new amenities to guests. If you book a package through the ship, transfers from the port in Freeport to the resort and back again are included in your fare. If you choose this option, note that you'll have to have a passport, and not just a birth certificate. Unlike most cruise lines, Margaritaville at Sea allows its passengers to get off the ship in the Bahamas and stay at an all-inclusive resort on Grand Bahama Island. You can choose from two or four days at the partner resorts, either the Viva Wyndham or Grand Lucayan.

More live music around the ship, including a new music venue

Nobody was out of control, but the activities and dancing later in the evening were aimed at a mature audience. My kids aren't quite ready to see people "showing off their sexiest dance moves" or "pretending to give birth" — both of which were directives in the team scavenger hunt on the second evening. If I'd known this in advance of my cruise, I would have waited to book until the rebranding process was complete for the full Margaritaville experience. One night, I had dinner at Fins, the included sit-down restaurant, and on the second night, I ate at the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill. The performers were phenomenal, the musical numbers hit all of Buffett's most popular tunes and audience participation was encouraged.

"Radio Margaritaville" is all about the fun of popular music in nearly every genre. While small, the mighty cast of performers included several singers, dancers, and awe-inspiring variety acts, such as a juggler and acrobatic team. My favorite aspect of the staterooms is the theming and decor. The tropical motifs scattered throughout the room immerse guests in the Caribbean atmosphere that is present throughout the entire Paradise ship. When reached for comment, a representative from Margaritaville at Sea said the disembarkation "process has been greatly streamlined and improved since those first early sailings."

The excursion was less about swimming with the pigs and more about feeding them. Wi-Fi was available to purchase for the cruise for an additional $25 for each device. I chose to unplug for the three-day trip, but my family members purchased Wi-Fi for their devices. When asked about the pools, a representative for Margaritaville at Sea said, "The pools are appropriate for a ship this size, and carefully maintained to ensure proper water levels." I boarded a cruise with Margaritaville at Sea to Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas last June, two months after the cruise line started sailing out of Florida. For newbies looking to try a cruise vacation or frequent sailors searching for a quick getaway, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise provides a good-enough experience that might very well get you hooked on Mother Ocean.

One guest told me she missed the "French elegance" the ship had before the rebrand. It is true that most ships have a formal dress-up night, which Margaritaville at Sea Paradise does not. In fact, save for Fins and the JWB Prime Steakhouse, there weren't any other areas where guests were required to change out of their swimsuits and flip-flops. Some had been on the ship prior to the rebranding and wanted to sail again now that it had been updated. Some were celebrating birthdays or anniversaries and wanted to do something special to mark the occasion.

The bars were almost always busy, but the bartenders were friendly and fast and the drinks didn't have that "straight out of a bottle of cocktail mix" flavor that makes me shy away from cocktails in the first place. My $15 burger and fries from the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill were equally delicious and I loved the addition of the shark fin toothpick in my burger. The menu also had nachos and a few other burger and sandwich options, all priced a la carte.