I cruised with one of many least costly cruise strains within the business, and — spoiler alert — I liked it.
Cruise fares are the very best they’ve ever been, and cruise strains are making aware efforts so as to add more for-fee onboard options for passengers. But one line, Margaritaville at Sea, stays a fierce holdout. Its fares are a few of the most affordable within the business, and even extras like Wi-Fi and drink packages value lower than they’d with most different strains.
However what does that imply for you as a passenger? Listed here are 5 explanation why Margaritaville at Sea is price contemplating to your subsequent cruise.
1. The sailings are reasonably priced
With its current Black Friday and wave season promotions, Margaritaville at Sea allowed two adults to sail on its two-night voyages, with third and fourth passengers free, for simply $99. That is not $99 per individual; it is $99 whole — for 4 individuals. That is solely $12.50 per individual, per day.
You’ll be able to’t even purchase a good lunch for that value, however this oceangoing arm of the favored Jimmy Buffett resort model gives a trip that features a room, three meals a day (plus loads of between-meal choices), primary drinks (water, soda, juice), leisure and port-to-port transportation for that quantity.
To be clear, the $99-for-four-people fares aren’t at all times accessible. When they’re, they’re restricted in quantity, cowl essentially the most primary lodging and do not embrace taxes and charges, that are roughly $200 per individual.
However even Margaritaville at Sea’s most costly lodging are moderately priced. On the time of publication, the most important suite on the road’s Islander ship was going for simply $1,499 per individual ($375 per individual, per evening) for a four-night Mexico crusing from Tampa on Feb. 23, 2026. For comparability, the costs for four-night sailings to comparable areas in suites of roughly the identical measurement on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and NCL’s Norwegian Star (which debuted in 2000 and 2001, respectively) have been $1,929 per individual ($482 per individual, per evening) and $1,793 per individual ($448 per individual, per evening), with each voyages departing Feb. 26, 2026.
It is not simply cabins which are a discount, both. Margaritaville at Sea’s drink packages value about 32% much less per day than Royal Caribbean’s and about $10 much less per day than Carnival’s. Plus, its Wi-Fi is a few of the most reasonably priced (and dependable, because of Starlink) at sea.
2. The standard is excessive
Permit me to cease you earlier than you assume that, for the worth, the expertise should one way or the other be subpar — as a result of it is not. What you will discover on board is fortunately the alternative.
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You’ll be able to count on cabins which have been up to date with vivid, trendy fixtures, Margaritaville Resort mushy furnishings and a beachy vibe; meals that features glorious essential eating room fare, burgers and pizza without spending a dime, in addition to upcharge sushi, steak and cafe gadgets; and leisure that is enjoyable and fascinating with out being tacky or “an excessive amount of.”
Plus, you will discover a dose of classic attraction, with each ships having retained most of the unique touches added after they have been first constructed.
However maybe one of the best factor a few cruise with Margaritaville at Sea is that it gives its personal particular model of escapism — a time period made common by Jimmy Buffett’s songs, that are stuffed with lyrics about leaving the day-to-day grind behind in favor of leisure and time spent with good buddies. Its informal atmosphere is replete with events, reside music and a vibe that is “come as you might be” (however not trashy).
It is not a luxurious line, to make certain, and the ships aren’t new. However should you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive and cheerful trip, a quick weekend getaway, a crusing to rejoice a special day or a solution to carry your loved ones or good friend group collectively in a manner that matches everybody’s schedule and price range, that is it.
3. It does not need the largest ships or largest fleet
As a result of Margaritaville at Sea is small, executives personally learn each suggestion and piece of suggestions submitted by passengers — one thing I found throughout an unique dinner interview with Margaritaville at Sea’s CEO, Christopher Ivy, on the road’s latest ship, Islander.
Higher administration is concerned within the line’s day-to-day operations in any respect ranges, and it exhibits in how rapidly changes are made following cruiser suggestions and the way glad the crew appears to be. Everybody — from room stewards to the CEO — can (and does) reply rapidly to cruiser suggestions.
The road can also be bored with maintaining with the Joneses in relation to newer and greater ships. It proudly operates two midsize vessels — Islander and Paradise — that have been bought, closely used, from Carnival Corp. Each former Costa Cruises ships have been extensively refurbished and proceed to function effectively into their second and third many years, respectively.
“By no means say by no means, however we’re not planning to launch a 250,000-ton ship any time quickly,” Ivy mentioned. He additionally famous that the road is not taken with ballooning its fleet to dozens of vessels.
As for whether or not or not Margaritaville at Sea is wanting so as to add a 3rd ship, Ivy mentioned that, though there’s nothing at present within the works, it is not off the desk.
“There’s nothing on the market formally, however we wish to develop the enterprise.”
By way of what’s doable when a cruise line and its ships keep small, Ivy famous that there is a particular bond that always kinds between members of the crew and the passengers they serve — one which is not at all times doable on bigger vessels, notably should you’re solely cruising for 3 or 4 days.
“You won’t even see the identical crew member twice,” he mentioned. “That is the stuff that makes the larger distinction.”
And a small firm measurement is simply as essential as a small fleet. Groups lose one thing after they develop so giant that leaders can not frequently spend one-on-one time with staff and prospects — one thing Ivy, who likes to get his arms soiled, indicated he does not wish to occur.
“Issues in surveys take a very long time to come back by way of,” Ivy mentioned, including that he and his crew — together with the chief monetary officer, the chief advertising officer and resort operations supervisor — all spend a big period of time on board. “If I spend two hours within the eating room, strolling round, speaking to individuals … the suggestions loop simply tightens.”
4. Issues are addressed rapidly
Sadly, when Margaritaville at Sea debuted its first ship, it wasn’t ready for prime time, and it induced some hiccups for the model.
The disclosing of the road’s second ship, Islander, went considerably extra easily following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment. But it surely wasn’t with out its own set of hurdles, together with clogged bathrooms, leaks throughout inclement climate and malfunctioning air-con. Nonetheless, reviews from passengers within the ship’s Fb group indicated that the problems have been largely resolved by the third and fourth voyages. (And TPG can affirm issues on Islander are at present ship-shape.)
Now, because of nimble responses from higher administration, the crew appears to have discovered its stride, exhibits have been fine-tuned and meals in most of the onboard eating places rivals one of the best you will discover on any mainstream ship, particularly by way of worth.
Following first-sailing complaints, the plumbing now works because it ought to, leaks have been patched, cabin numbers not seem on keycards (one thing that was a safety concern) and dishes are cleared and tables wiped promptly in public areas. (This was an issue initially, notably within the buffet.)
As one other testomony to how carefully the road’s executives monitor what’s working and what’s not, simply six months after the debut of Islander, Margaritaville at Sea introduced it will be including a number of of Islander’s standout bars and eating choices — together with the Hemisphere Dancer bar and Far Aspect Sushi — to older sister Paradise. It’s going to even be updating the menu at JWB Prime Steakhouse.
Talking of Paradise, following the success of its two-night sailings between Palm Seaside, Florida, and Freeport, Bahamas, the road has expanded the ship’s itineraries to incorporate three- and four-night cruises which have added the Bahamian metropolis of Nassau to the combination.
“Firstly of 2024, we have been working one ship from one port to 1 port …” Ivy mentioned. “That was it. With the launch of Islander, we have moved to a brand new house port. We launched with simply four- and five-night sailings to Cozumel, Progreso and Key West. What we heard very early on was ‘Hey, these [ports] are nice, however what else you bought? The place else can we go?'”
In response to these questions, Islander now visits ports throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean, too, with itineraries starting from 4 to seven nights.
5. The road offers again
Along with being one of the crucial reasonably priced cruise choices afloat, Margaritaville at Sea has discovered methods to present again to the group. If you happen to’re a fan of Jimmy Buffett or just love unique experiences, ask on the shore excursions desk concerning the hush-hush speakeasy often known as QMN. It stands for Quietly Making Noise, and a part of the proceeds profit Singing for Change, certainly one of Jimmy Buffett’s charities.
Additional, the cruise line has developed the Heroes Program, which supplies free cruises for 2 individuals (not together with taxes and charges) to members of the army and first responders as a solution to thank them for his or her service and assist them unwind. Though many different cruise strains supply military discounts, solely Margaritaville gives cruise fares without spending a dime.
Backside line
Margaritaville at Sea definitely lives as much as the Margaritaville model’s status. It gives unpretentious enjoyable at an excellent value and in an informal ambiance with terrific lodging, meals and leisure. Plus, it iterates rapidly on what passengers say they need.
However the line’s choices transcend reasonably priced enjoyable. They foster group by giving again and permitting passengers to flee to a spot that is all about good vibes — one thing modeled every day by the individuals who run the corporate.
As Ivy parted methods with TPG following the interview, he lingered behind, making his rounds by way of the eating room to greet passengers and chat with crew — a lot of whom he knew by title. With a CEO that engaged — a rarity within the cruise business — the corporate is certain to supply one thing particular.
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