I sailed on the Margaritaville at Sea cruise for $330. I wouldn't do it again, but you might like it if you go in with low expectations.
Lauren Mack
- I booked a 176-square-foot interior stateroom on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.
- Despite the ship's recent renovation, I found some of the amenities dated and lackluster.
My brother and I sailed on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, the first cruise ship operated by the Jimmy Buffett-founded hospitality brand, from Palm Beach to Grand Bahama in June.
The 30-year-old vessel embarked on its inaugural voyage as the rebranded Margaritaville at Sea Paradise in 2022 and has since undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation. So, our three-day trip gave us an opportunity to check out the results.
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.
Here's what it was like.
The Paradise, which has 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins, docked in Palm Beach, Florida.
A massive flip-flop sculpture in the ship's entryway set the Margaritaville mood.
When we booked our accommodation, we could choose a deck but not a specific room, meaning its location was a gamble.
We moved rooms twice after smelling cigarettes in the first two cabins.
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."
My brother and I ended up in a 176-foot interior stateroom on deck six. It was one of the largest I've ever seen on a cruise, but I found the decor outdated and uninspired.
It had two twin-size beds, two retractable bunk beds, a desk, a wet bar, and storage galore, including two closets and two bureaus.
The bathroom had a decent amount of space, with a circular shower, a full-length mirror, and a vanity.
I thought the room's decor lacked Margaritaville-specific details, and I noticed that none of the staterooms I entered had the armchairs or cute throw pillows I saw in the website's photos.
Insider reached out to the Margaritaville representative about the decor changes, and they said that "there are a variety of room types and small differences within singular categories."
Margaritaville at Sea added the Fin City Arcade during the renovation, but I thought it could've used more Margaritaville branding.
The ship had ample amenities, including two pools and a casino. However, some of these areas looked dated to me.
The live entertainment was excellent. We could choose from two nightly song-and-dance productions, a comedy show, and dueling pianos.
Swimming with pigs during an excursion on Grand Bahama was a highlight. It was well-run, and the $90 I paid for transportation and five hours at a beautiful, uncrowded beach was worth it.
The food in the main dining room, buffet, pizzeria, and coffee shop was decent and comparable to the meals I've eaten on other budget cruise lines.
Of course, I could also get an above-average cheeseburger at the Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar.
The St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, which has a steam room and dry saunas, is functional but looked old-fashioned.
The Parakeets Kid's Club, Jolly Mon Kid's Club, and Teen's Club seemed small and had limited activities.
The Fins Up! Fitness Center has Echelon equipment, free weights, and plenty of space for workouts.
However, some of the exercise machines at the Fins Up! Fitness Center were out of order when I was on the ship.
The ship's new pickleball courts were a huge win.
Margaritaville has all the cruise basics, but I think they're scaled back in quantity and quality. If you temper your expectations and want an extended booze cruise or a beach day on a budget, you may find the cruise worthwhile.
If you're a first-time cruiser looking for luxurious accommodations and pampering, this experience may not be for you. I made the most of it but likely won't sail with Margaritaville at Sea again unless there are more renovations or a new ship.
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