Welcome to our guide for anyone who loves the Caribbean, great parties, and an ice-cold margarita.
Margaritaville at Sea only has two ships, with a new one launching in 2026. It’s a cruise line that focuses exclusively on the Caribbean, with stops in Key West and Mexico. This is a small cruise line for those looking for a budget-friendly Caribbean getaway while still having tons of fun onboard.
Margaritaville is all about good vibes and partying, and perfect for college students and young adults who want to explore some of the best beaches in the world. If you're more into destinations and parties than luxury and fine dining, you're going to have a blast onboard.
Do keep in mind that you can always contact us with any questions about Margaritaville at Sea or other cruise lines. Want to know a specific detail about their itineraries, which ship fits you best, or if they actually serve Margaritas at sea? Click that Request a Quote button and let’s talk! Reaching out is completely free, and you won’t pay a dime when you book your next vacation through us.
For now, let’s start by taking a look at their ships.
Margaritaville at Sea Ships
Margaritaville at Sea currently has two ships in its fleet, with a third one launching in 2026. Here’s a quick look at the lineup:
- Paradise (originally built in 1990)
- Islander (originally built in 2000)
- Beachcomber (launching in 2026)
As you can see, these ships aren’t exactly new. In fact, they’re a few decades old, and that shows in their overall design. The ships are also on the smaller side, so don’t expect giant swimming pools, massive water parks, or theaters the size of a football field.
Both Paradise and Islander originally sailed for Costa Cruises and were refurbished before joining Margaritaville at Sea in 2018 and 2024, respectively. Islander is the larger of the two, with a capacity of about 2,600 passengers, while Paradise carries around 1,680. That would be considered mid-size these days, especially when you realize that the biggest cruise ships in the world can carry more than 7,000 passengers.
So, we know the ships aren’t among the biggest in the world, and yes, they’re a few decades old, but are they fun? Absolutely. They’ve got a strong nautical and party vibe, with palm trees and giant slippers in the atrium, and a DJ playing music almost nonstop by the main pool. The laid-back atmosphere really sets the tone for a fun, no-stress vacation.
Being older ships also means lower prices, and you can sail to the Caribbean for as little as $160 per guest. You really can’t beat that. These are fantastic ships if you're looking to hit a beautiful beach and enjoy the party vibe onboard.
What are the differences between Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Islander?
Both ships share quite a few similarities. The design elements are mostly the same, with that signature party vibe and nautical theme present throughout. You won’t find over-the-top entertainment options like ice rinks or roller coasters, and there’s no full water park onboard, though both ships do have waterslides.
That said, they’re not exactly the same. Let’s take a look at what sets them apart.
- Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is older and slightly smaller than Islander. The upside? It’s more affordable. A 4-night cruise on Paradise starts at around $230, while a similar itinerary on Islander starts at about $310. Yes, cruises on Islander are generally a bit more expensive than those on Paradise.
- Margaritaville at Sea Islander has one additional complimentary restaurant (Mexican Cutie Cantina) and more bars compared to Paradise.
- The Paradise cruise ship doesn’t offer traditional balcony staterooms. To get a balcony, you’ll need to book a Grand Terrace Suite. On the other hand, the Islander does feature standard balcony staterooms.
- The packages offered onboard, such as Wi-Fi and drink packages, can vary slightly between ships.
- Margaritaville at Sea Islander sails out of Port Tampa Bay, while Paradise departs from Port of Palm Beach.
- Margaritaville at Sea Paradise sails to Key West, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Islander visits all of those destinations, plus the Western Caribbean, New Orleans, and Jamaica.
As you can see, Margaritaville at Sea Islander offers more dining options and more places to explore. That said, both ships deliver a laid-back, fun party atmosphere, perfect for anyone wanting to sail the Caribbean and have an amazing time.
Margaritaville at Sea Destinations
Margaritaville at Sea only sails to the Caribbean, and it sails out of two ports of call: Port Tampa Bay (Islander) and Port Palm Beach (Paradise). Here are their main destinations:
- Key West
- Mexico
- Bahamas
- Western Caribbean (Islander only)
- New Orleans (Islander only)
- Jamaica (Islander only)
Margaritaville at Sea is a relatively small cruise line, offering around 38 itineraries at any given time. Paradise covers 9 of them, while Islander sails to more destinations and features nearly 30 different itineraries.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Itineraries
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise focuses on 2- to 4-night cruises, visiting destinations like Nassau, Key West, and the Bahamas. If you’re looking for an affordable cruise that’s all about the destinations, you really can’t go wrong with Paradise.
Let’s take a look at some of their itineraries, from the most affordable option to the priciest one available.
- 2-Night Grand Bahama Getaway: their most affordable itinerary available, starting at $160. Great for those that want to stop at Freeport, Grand Bahama.
- 2-Night Nassau Getaway: another very affordable itinerary available, with prices starting at $170 per guest. Perfect if all you want to do is visit Nassau.
- 4-Night Bahamas Duo: how about mixing the two itineraries above? You can visit Nassau and Grand Bahama starting at $280 per guest.
- 4-Night Cozumel Express: the most expensive Paradise itinerary, and the only one that visits Cozumel. Prices usually start around $430 per guest.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander Itineraries
Islander offers far more options and itineraries compared to Paradise, though prices tend to be higher as well. It focuses on 4- to 7-night cruises, and even features a special 8-night Mardi Gras cruise.
Once again, let’s take a look at some of their itineraries, from the most affordable option to the priciest one available.
- 4-Night Cozumel Express: Interestingly, the most affordable itinerary on Islander is the most expensive one on Paradise. This one starts at $310 per guest.
- 5-Night Mexico Duo: Visit both Progreso and Cozumel, with prices starting at $380 per guest.
- 7-Night Jamaica & Western Caribbean: Includes stops in Cozumel, Montego Bay, and Georgetown, starting at $490 per guest.
- 8-Night Mardi Gras Overnight & Mexico: A special cruise all about celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA, with additional stops in Mexico. Prices start at $950 per guest.
Why book Margaritaville at Sea with us?
Here at Famvia, we are cruise experts. We work with dozens of different cruise lines, from popular names like Royal Caribbean to luxurious brands like Explora Journeys. We also specialize in lesser-known cruise lines like Margaritaville at Sea, and we know their ships and itineraries like the back of our hands.
Finding the right destination and stateroom for you and your family can be challenging, and that is where we come in. We have dedicated travel advisors that specialize in Margaritaville at Sea cruises and can help you find the perfect voyage tailored to your preferences. Plus, we often have access to exclusive offers and pricing not available to the general public.
Just click the Request a Quote button to get in touch. Our personalized planning services are completely free, and we look forward to crafting an unforgettable journey just for you.
