Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Wait a minute, this ship should have been the one called Paradise

Hey, ever wanted to hop on a party ship and save hundreds of dollars in the process? Maybe you just said “yes” and even mentioned that you've sailed with Carnival before. But what if I told you there’s another party ship that’s even cheaper than Carnival?

I’m talking about the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, the main Margaritaville ship sailing the Caribbean. It’s a favorite among college students and first-time cruisers, especially since a 4-night cruise here starts at just $310 per guest, taxes and fees included!

Margaritaville at Sea Islander isn’t a brand-new ship. In fact, it was originally built in 2000 and sailed for Costa Cruises before undergoing a major refurbishment and joining the Margaritaville fleet in 2024. This is a ship made for people who love to party and explore fun destinations across the Caribbean, including Mexico and Jamaica. If you can gather a few friends for an adventure, you're almost guaranteed to have a great time onboard.

What we like about Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Margaritaville at Sea©

One of the main questions you’ll probably ask when researching Margaritaville at Sea is: Is the Islander better than Paradise, their other cruise ship?

The answer is… yes. The Islander is newer and bigger than Paradise. While Paradise doesn’t offer traditional balcony cabins, the Islander features a wider variety of staterooms, including multiple balcony categories and suite options. On top of that, Islander has more restaurants and bars compared to its older sister, including a pretty solid Mexican cantina where you can build your own burritos and tacos. Well, I’m always game for some burritos and tacos while sailing the Caribbean.

The Islander also offers some pretty solid pricing, more in line with what you'd find on Carnival or MSC. A 4-night Cozumel cruise starts at around $310, while a 7-night Belize & Mexico itinerary starts at $470… and yes, taxes and fees are included. Sure, you won’t find waterparks or unique entertainment like roller coasters or F1 simulators onboard, but Islander is still a great option for travelers looking to save money. It's especially awesome for large groups of friends who care more about traveling together and having fun than crazy onboard attractions.

The Islander is also the flagship of Margaritaville at Sea. While their other ship - Paradise - offers around nine itineraries, the Islander has nearly 30, giving you a lot more options. It’s a great way to hop around the Caribbean, especially if you want to explore Mexico, Nassau, and other beautiful destinations on a budget. If you care more about visiting historical cities and  great beaches than having a flashy ship, you'll likely have a great time onboard.

What we don’t like about Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Margaritaville at Sea©

Much like Paradise, Margaritaville at Sea Islander is an older ship. Sure, it’s not as old as its sister, but it was still built in 2000, originally sailed under Carnival, and later joined the Margaritaville at Sea fleet.

Some design elements definitely show the ship’s age. For example, even though it’s considered a party ship, there’s nothing particularly exciting about the main pool, and the only waterslide onboard is a pretty standard one. If you compare it to newer ships from Carnival or MSC, you’ll notice the difference right away: those ships often have full waterparks with multiple slides, giving kids, teens, and families a lot more to do.

Conclusion

All in all, this is a pretty serviceable cruise ship. Sure, you won’t find any Broadway-style shows onboard, and while the food is average, it’s not as limited as what you’ll find on Paradise. There are definitely better options out there for couples looking for a romantic getaway, and families with children will likely prefer something like MSC or Carnival. But for young adults and anyone looking to party and explore the Caribbean on a budget, the Islander is a solid choice.