Latest news with #MargaritavilleatSea
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Margaritaville at Sea acquires 3rd cruise ship, the largest yet
Related video: Margaritaville at Sea ship arrives in Tampa TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Margaritaville at Sea is expanding its fleet. The Florida-based cruise line announced Wednesday that it has purchased its third ship, the Costa Fortuna. The ship is currently operated by Costa Cruises. Costa will continue to operate the ship until late next year. Once it is renovated, the cruise ship will be the largest vessel in Margaritaville at Sea's fleet. The ship is over 102,500 gross tons and accommodates approximately 3,450 passengers. VIDEO: Gator shows up at Oldsmar home in 'Jurassic Park'-like moment The ship features three passenger decks, expansive outdoor spaces, and an 8-story center atrium. Christopher Ivy, the Chief Executive Officer of Margaritaville at Sea, said the new ship will sail from a new homeport in 2026. 'Margaritaville at Sea has been on an exceptional trajectory since its launch only a few short years ago. We're thrilled to once again expand the experience of our brand on the water and share the cruise line's signature experiences and amenities with even more guests,' said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville. Margaritaville at Sea currently sails from Port Tampa Bay and the Port of Palm Beach. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Calling all Parrotheads: Margaritaville at Sea adding third cruise ship in 2026
Calling all Parrotheads: Margaritaville at Sea adding third cruise ship in 2026 Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Margaritaville at Sea will add a third ship to its fleet in 2026, acquired from Costa Cruises. The new ship, the largest in the fleet, will accommodate around 3,450 passengers. It will feature amenities similar to the Islander, with new concepts and potentially a dedicated space for the "Heroes Sail Free" program. Calling all Parrotheads: Margaritaville at Sea is expanding its fleet. The cruise line will add a third ship in 2026, according to a Wednesday news release. The line is acquiring the vessel from Costa Cruises, which will continue sailing as Costa Fortuna until late next year. The line's second ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander, 'really outperformed expectations' following its launch last summer, the line's CEO Christopher Ivy told USA TODAY ahead of the announcement. 'I think we've been able to really refine the model with Islander, and had the opportunity to acquire the Fortuna and it just made sense, given all the momentum that we have at the moment,' Ivy said. During a preview cruise last year, USA TODAY found that the Islander had plenty to offer Jimmy Buffett fans and non-listeners alike. While the new ship will bear some similarities to Islander – which was also a former Costa vessel, Costa Atlantica – it will be the largest in the fleet at more than 102,500 gross tons and room for around 3,450 passengers (Islander has a capacity of 2,650 guests). The ship will be similarly reimagined in Margaritaville style. The 'nice incremental size upgrade gives us the ability to bring over a lot of the things that people really love about Islander,' Ivy said, while also adding others. Guests can expect to see 'fan favorites' from both Islander and Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, and the line is in the early stage of developing new concepts. Given the popularity of its 'Heroes Sail Free' program, for example, Ivy said the line is considering how it could 'bring a physical space to life to help celebrate the significant number of heroes that we have on board our ships.' Additional details about onboard amenities – as well as the ship's homeport and itineraries – are still to come. The cruise line, which celebrates its third anniversary on Wednesday, has also been expanding its range of sailings with longer itineraries after launching with round-trip, two-night cruises to the Bahamas from Palm Beach. 'I always say, like, a two-night getaway, everybody needs one, but it's not a replacement for a vacation,' said Ivy. Passengers will still find plenty of shorter sailings – roughly 70% of cruises aboard Paradise are between two and three nights – but the company wants to offer guests variety. 'As we look to this (new) vessel, what we're really looking for and what we will do is continue to provide optionality,' he said. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jimmy Buffett's cruise line shares itineraries rivals don't offer
Margaritaville at Sea started out as a single-ship cruise line, offering two-day Bahamas cruises on its Paradise ship out of Palm Beach, Florida. Of course, these worked out great for locals. The cruise fares were usually very cheap, compared with other major cruise lines, and it's much easier to get away for a couple nights than a longer vacation. On the other hand, a two-night cruise on a very old (but renovated) ship that goes to the same Bahamas port every time was a tough sell for anyone who wasn't in a short driving cruise line's second ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander, changed that when it launched last year. A renovated ship formerly owned by Carnival subsidiary Costa Cruise Line, Islander sailed 4- and 5-day itineraries out of Tampa, which featured stops in places like Key West, Cozumel, and Progresso, Mexico. Soon after, Paradise started offering slightly longer itineraries, and with some variety in its ports (it is regularly seen in Key West, for example). Over the past few months, Margaritaville at Sea, or MAS for short, has released some even longer itineraries with new ports. For example, there's one itinerary the ship sails several times in 2026 that stops in Montego Bay, Jamaica, as well as in Grand Cayman. There's a six-night itinerary that includes stops in Belize and Roatan, Honduras. Other six- and seven-night itineraries feature stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, New Orleans, and Costa Maya, is definitely stepping up its game when it comes to its itineraries, and not just on its Islander flagship. In March, the cruise line announced a series of themed sailings on Paradise, including a Super Bowl getaway, a Cinco de Mayo voyage to Cozumel, and three different sailings that coincide with Key West's Fantasy Fest, the island's biggest event of the year. However, the cruise line just announced a couple of 8-night itineraries on Islander, including one that is arguably the most unique Margaritaville at Sea itinerary yet. The '8-Night Mardi Gras Overnight & Mexico,' which leaves on Feb. 7, 2027, features an overnight stay in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras celebration, in addition to stops at both Cozumel and Progresso in Mexico. Guests arrive in New Orleans at 8am on the third day of the cruise, and can enjoy the Mardi Gras nightlife well into the night before returning to the ship…and then can get off the next morning and enjoy the city some more. More cruise news: Additionally, there's another 8-night itinerary available on Islander that includes four stops (Cozumel, Belize, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman). And although it was previously announced, there's a 10-night sailing in Sep 2026 that visits Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, in addition to stops in Aruba and addition to the unique itineraries being offered, there are some financial incentives available, such as a 50% off sale. Margaritaville at Sea is one of several cruise lines to offer a 'kids sail free' promotion, which lasts until April 30. While the Margaritaville brand might be more closely associated with adult fun, I can tell you firsthand that the cruise line's ships are more kid-friendly than you think. My two young children had such a great time in the pools and kids club, they told us they preferred sailing on Islander to their most recent Carnival cruise. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
USA Today
02-04-2025
- USA Today
8 nights on a Margaritaville cruise: The line is leaning into longer sailings
8 nights on a Margaritaville cruise: The line is leaning into longer sailings Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Margaritaville at Sea will begin offering eight-night cruises in 2027. The new itineraries include stops in Mexico, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. Prices for the 2027 cruises start at $368 per person. Margaritaville at Sea will lean into longer cruises in 2027. The cruise line is offering its first eight-night itineraries aboard its Tampa-based Margaritaville at Sea Islander ship. The 8-Night Mardi Gras Overnight & Mexico sailing will visit New Orleans and stay the night during Mardi Gras, with additional stops in Progreso and Cozumel. 'Perfectly timed for Mardi Gras, the stop in The Big Easy will give guests more time in port to experience the vibrant festivities before they return to the ship for the night,' the cruise line said in a news release Wednesday. It's always 5 o'clock: What it's like onboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander cruise ship The 8-Night Jamaica & Western Caribbean cruise will also take passengers to Cozumel, along with Belize, Montego Bay in Jamaica, and George Town on Grand Cayman. Other new 2027 itineraries include seven and five-night cruises visiting destinations such as Mexico, the Bahamas and Key West. Margaritaville at Sea launched with shorter two-night itineraries between Palm Beach and Grand Bahama Island on its first ship, but has increasingly offered longer cruises. The company recently announced its first 10-night cruise for 2026. Available 2027 itineraries currently start at $368 per person based on double occupancy, according to Margaritaville at Sea's website. The line is running a 50% discount and offering free kids' fares until April 30. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Some of the Easter eggs for Parrot Heads on board the Margaritaville at Sea Islander
TAMPA, Fla. — Easter is still almost a month away. And a reader is asking me about Easter eggs on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Why the sudden question about Easter eggs? And what do Easter eggs have to do with a cruise ship? Well, actually the Easter eggs this reader is looking for are not the kind you dye and hunt on Easter Sunday. No, what she wants is slang for references tucked away in movies, video games and other technology. Little tidbits that not everyone might see or understand. She wanted to know what Jimmy Buffett references were on his new ship Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Cruise ships often have a beautiful décor but not a significant theme like Margaritaville at Sea does as a loving reminder of the man who portrayed a lifestyle described as 'island escapism.' The beloved singer, songwriter, musician, author and businessman died Sept. 1, 2023, at age 76 after a long fight with a rare skin cancer. But his Islander is filled with touches of Buffett's songs, writings and businesses. My first cruise on the Islander in June 2024 was a quick two nights out and back, barely enough to really see the new 2,650-passenger ship. So I wanted to go back and I did on a five-night cruise from Tampa, Florida, with stops in Key West and Cozumel. What did I discover? Here are a half dozen or so Easter eggs — or Buffett references — and that is only scratching the surface of the Buffett treasures on this ship. I think it would be fun if the powers-that-be would create a little pamphlet where passengers could go on sort of a treasure hunt to check off all the Buffett touches. That would be a delight for Parrot Head fans and for folks like me who have never been to a Buffett concert and don't own one of his albums but think the Islander is a welcome addition for cruisers. Here goes with some of the Buffett references I found: Margaritaville For starters, the name of his new ship – Margaritaville at Sea Islander. One of Buffett's most popular songs was 'Margaritaville' and the ship's exterior is brightly painted with island touches. Anyone who sees Islander docked someplace is not going to doubt whose ship it is. The tale goes that Buffett was in Austin when the inspiration struck for 'Margaritaville.' He and a friend had stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant before she dropped him at the airport for a flight home to Key West. They got to drinking margaritas. Buffett also got to thinking how it would be nice to have a real place named Margaritaville where, as the song says, 'there's booze in the blender and soon it will render that frozen concoction that helps me hang on.' On the plane, Buffett wrote part of his 1977 hit song. He mostly finished it while driving down to the Keys where a wreck on Seven Mile Bridge stopped traffic for about an hour. Buffett finalized 'Margaritaville' and performed it the next night in a Key West bar. Huge 14-foot flip-flop sculpture with a pop-top under it Located in the heart of the Islander atrium, the sculpture is a favorite photo stop for passengers. Christened in June 2024, Margaritaville at Sea Islander spans 12 decks with 1,100 staterooms plus 12 eateries and 13 bars and lounges, each with its own cocktail menu. The sculpture is a nod to Buffett's lyrics, 'Blew out my flip-flop. Stepped on a pop-top.' Replica of Buffett's seaplane Hemisphere Dancer suspended over ship atrium A licensed commercial pilot, Buffett's most famous airplane was his 1954 Grumman HU-16, a two-engine amphibious flying boat primarily used as search-and-rescue aircraft by the military. On Jan. 16, 1996, Buffett had taxied Hemisphere Dancer in the water near Negril, Jamaica, when local authorities thought it was a drug-running plane and fired on it. Fortunately, no one was hurt but the plane did sustain several bullet holes. Flying with Buffett was U2's Bono. Like the great writer he was, Buffett wrote about the incident in his autobiographical book 'A Pirate Looks at 50.' Buffett also penned a tune about the incident as recorded in the song 'Jamaica Mistaica' on the album 'Banana Wind.' The plane reminds me of the now-poignant words in his song 'Wings' that Buffett sang: 'Way up high, I feel free on those wings you can't see.' Parrots galore to honor Parrot Heads Parrots over top of me. Parrots below me. Parrots seem everywhere on the Islander, even on the bed coverlet in my stateroom. The omnipresent parrots are a nod to Buffett fans called Parrot Heads. How did his followers get that name? The story goes that Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band were performing at King's Island in Cincinnati when bass player Timothy Schmidt looked out over the audience clad in gaudy Hawaiian shirts and carrying inflatable parrots and quipped that they looked like Deadheads (fans of the Grateful Dead) in tropical suits. 'They're like Parrot Heads,' Schmidt reportedly said. Buffett immediately took up the term, the tale goes, and threw it out over his microphone. Buffett lovers adopted the name from the get-go. Now there are more than 200 registered Parrot Head clubs worldwide honoring Buffett and his legacy. Booze in the blender hot tub Hot tubs on a cruise ship are always popular. But I've never seen one like the hot tub on Islander. The water is hot and bubbling, of course, but sitting above the tub is a big blender inscribed with the words Booze in the Blender and 5 o'Clock Somewhere – famous lines from Buffett songs, of course. Havana Daydreamin' cute lime green car and sports bar A popular photo stop, the green car with the white top is a smaller version of colorful autos often seen in Cuba. The backdrop with its flowering flowers and arched windows look like a Havana scene. Buffett's fourth regular major label album, 'Havana Daydreamin'' was released on LP in 1976 and in 1987 on CD. Walk around the car and you're in the Havana Daydreamin' Sports Bar. The bar offers great live Latin beats from a band and draws sports fans with its game-winning TVs. Cocktail menu offers Havana drinks like the Florida Straits with rum, tequila, blue curacao, white cranberry and lime and the Papa Doble with rum, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit and lime. Front porch swing A comfy place to stop and watch the lobby action is a wooden swing big enough for two or three. Lettered over top of the swing is 'On my front porch swing,' lyrics from Buffett's 'Margaritaville' song on the album 'Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.' Those words are elsewhere on the ship as a reminder to escape from the stresses and pressures of everyday life by heading to a tropical paradise. Or at least boarding the Islander for a five-night cruise. The Islander's speakeasy was an unexpected highlight of my cruise. I had never heard of it until I received a surprise invitation when I boarded the Islander to visit the ship's speakeasy one night. Only 10 passengers are allowed in the small room at one time. And it sure wasn't easy to find. Host Vincent met our group in the concierge's lounge and led us to an area of the ship passengers don't usually see. Behind a nondescript door, we entered a room with a loaded bar, a bookcase filled with vinyl record albums and a record player. Comfy seats and coffee tables were arranged around the room for us. Six guitars hanging on the wall each had a story which Vincent shared with us. I sat next to a woman who had just gotten a new tattoo — a palm tree with the initials JB. As I admired the skin art, the woman's daughter leaned forward to jokingly tell me that she initially thought the inked artwork was really for her since her initials also are JB. The private nook is actually named 'Quietly Making Noise,' a nod to the Buffett song about embracing your own unique person and living life on your own terms. Vincent told us about Buffett's early life, he played the vinyl albums Buffett listened to and traced how Buffett went from being an unpaid musician to becoming one of the world's richest entertainers. When we were leaving, Vincent handed us a Margaritaville at Sea Islander pouch with a surprise gift in it. As it is part of the incredible visit, I don't want to reveal any secrets, but I treasure it. Jimmy Buffett knew he was dying but he wanted to record one more album with an important message for his Parrot Heads. Buffett's 32nd album, 'Equal Strain on All Parts,' was completed before his death and released posthumously on Nov. 3, 2023. The album title comes from a saying Buffett's grandfather would use to describe a good nap which puts equal strain on all parts of the body. A Bubbles Up bar on the Islander offers smoke-topped margaritas while framed lyrics of the song hanging on a wall are a reminder to enjoy life. The reflective ballad 'Bubbles Up' offers advice given to sailors, pilots and other people who might unexpectedly land in deep water. The phrase used to help people get oriented and survive is to just follow the bubbles and they'll take you to the surface. The same thing, Buffett sang, can be said about tough times in life: 'Bubbles upThey will point you towards homeNo matter how deep or how far you roamThey will show you the surface, the plot and the purposeSo, when the journey gets longJust know that you are lovedThere is light up aboveAnd the joy is always enoughBubbles up' Reach Jackie Finch at JackieSFinch@ This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Jimmy Buffett is everywhere aboard Margaritaville at Sea Islander ship
