Margaritaville at Sea is a Florida-based cruise line offering informal, island-inspired holidays built around the Margaritaville hospitality brand. Its ships combine short escapes and longer Caribbean itineraries with live music, themed bars, casual dining, pools, spas, casinos and family facilities.
The cruise operation is run by Classica Cruise Operator Ltd., which does business as Margaritaville at Sea under licence from Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC. Its head office is in Orlando, Florida.
History and ownership
Margaritaville at Sea launched in May 2022 following a partnership between Margaritaville Enterprises and the operator of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. The existing ship Grand Classica was extensively refurbished and renamed Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, introducing the branded product on short cruises from Palm Beach.
The line expanded in June 2024 with Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Formerly operated by Costa Cruises as Costa Atlantica, the ship was transformed for the new brand before beginning longer itineraries from Port Tampa Bay.
A third vessel, Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, is due to enter service from PortMiami in January 2027. The former Costa Fortuna will become the line's largest ship following a major refurbishment at Harland & Wolff in Belfast.
Margaritaville at Sea fleet
The fleet comprises two ships currently in service and one announced vessel preparing to join:
| Ship | Former name | Homeport | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaritaville at Sea Paradise | Grand Classica | Palm Beach | In service |
| Margaritaville at Sea Islander | Costa Atlantica | Tampa | In service |
| Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber | Costa Fortuna | Miami | Entering service in January 2027 |
Fleet status and homeports reflect the cruise line's published programme in August 2026. Deployments can change.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise
Paradise operates three- to five-night cruises from the Port of Palm Beach. Its programme focuses on accessible escapes to The Bahamas and Key West, retaining the short-cruise model inherited from Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line while introducing Margaritaville dining, entertainment and design.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Islander sails four- to ten-night cruises from Port Tampa Bay. Its itineraries extend across The Bahamas, Key West, Mexico and the Western Caribbean, with ports that can include Cozumel, Progreso, Belize, Roatán, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber
Beachcomber will substantially increase the line's capacity and itinerary range. The ship measures more than 102,500 gross tonnes, has more than 1,340 staterooms and can accommodate approximately 3,450 passengers.
Its announced four- to eight-night programme from Miami includes voyages to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. Destinations include San Juan, Puerto Plata, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St Thomas and the ABC islands.
Onboard experience
The line presents its ships as floating island resorts rather than traditional formal cruise vessels. Music is central to the brand, with live performances, original production shows and venues inspired by the songs and lifestyle associated with Jimmy Buffett.
Common features include island-inspired restaurants, themed bars and lounges, casinos, spas, fitness facilities, pools, hot tubs, children's clubs and arcades. The exact venues and inclusions vary between ships.
The product is positioned between a short resort break and a mainstream cruise holiday. Paradise provides the quickest getaways, while Islander and Beachcomber support longer, more destination-led voyages.
Homeports and future expansion
Margaritaville at Sea currently sails from Palm Beach and Tampa, with Miami joining in January 2027. In August 2026, the company also reached an agreement to begin weekly Friday cruises from Galveston in October 2027.
The Galveston programme will operate mainly from Cruise Terminal 28 and will make Margaritaville at Sea the Texas port's seventh cruise line. The vessel and itineraries are due to be revealed separately, so no existing fleet member has yet been officially assigned to the new service.
The additional homeports and arrival of Beachcomber mark a significant expansion for a brand that began with one ship and short Bahamas sailings in 2022.