Sail Away on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander Cruise Ship
JIMMY Buffett’s Margaritaville is known for its restaurants and hotels, but now the franchise is making a name for itself on the high seas. With one cruise ship already under its belt, it’s set to launch a second featuring a poolside bar that’s sure not to disappoint.
Cruising with Margaritaville at Sea Islander
The Margaritaville at Sea Islander will debut this month, promising new perks and a 14-story atrium. Staying true to its name, it will feature 11 new bars and lounges, including the three-story poolside LandShark Bar at Sea. The cruise ship will also host family-friendly attractions on board, such as the Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide. It will depart from Port Tampa Bay in Florida, with cruises to Key West, Florida, and Mexico.
Float On with Margaritaville at Sea
The Islander isn’t the first time Margaritaville took its brand to sea. “Since we launched our first ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, last year, we’ve been working to expand what our guests have been asking for,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “They want more amazing views, longer itineraries, and new ports of call. The cruise ship is keeping up its promise with its four- and five-night itineraries. “The addition of the Islander is an exciting moment for Margaritaville at Sea and marks the next chapter of growth for our business,” Ivy continued. “We are also pleased to add Tampa as a new homeport — the perfect location to provide access to our adventurous new itineraries in and around the Gulf of Mexico.”
Locally Loved Port Tampa Bay
President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay Paul Anderson approved of the move to depart from Tampa. “We’re honored Margaritaville at Sea has chosen Port Tampa Bay to homeport this new addition to their fleet and we welcome them to the Gulf Coast,” he said. “Our port’s cruise terminals are easy to navigate and provide a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. The ship will be a great addition to our portfolio of cruise lines and a fantastic new option for cruisers from Florida’s west coast.”
The Islander will be able to cater to 2,650 guests at a time. It will include a total of 1,100 staterooms, with 700 of them being balcony-accessible. The Islander will take off for the first time on June 14, 2024, for four nights out of Port Tampa Bay, Florida. There will be a stop abroad in Cozumel, Mexico, and passengers will spend two days at sea. Savannah Buffett, daughter of the late singer Jimmy Buffett, has been named the godmother of the cruise ship and will attend its christening ceremony ahead of its inaugural voyage. “I’m beyond excited to be named godmother of Margaritaville At Sea Islander and look forward to rendering the right concoction of love and luck so she may plow the seas amidst smooth, untroubled waters in search of that one particular harbor,” she said in a statement. “As a descendent of captains and boat builders, I accept this honor in tribute to the legacy of my seafaring ancestors. Cheers to many a lovely cruise!”