5 causes I like this small, reasonably priced, little-known cruise line

I cruised with one of many least costly cruise traces within the business, and — spoiler alert — I liked it.

Cruise fares are the best they’ve ever been, and cruise traces are making aware efforts so as to add extra for-fee onboard choices for passengers. But one line, Margaritaville at Sea, stays a fierce holdout. Its fares are a number of the most affordable within the business, and even extras like Wi-Fi and drink packages price lower than they might with most different traces.

However what does that imply for you as a passenger? Listed below are 5 the explanation why Margaritaville at Sea is value contemplating to your subsequent cruise.

1. The sailings are reasonably priced

With its latest Black Friday and wave season promotions, Margaritaville at Sea allowed two adults to sail on its two-night voyages, with third and fourth passengers free, for simply $99. That is not $99 per individual; it is $99 complete — for 4 folks. That is solely $12.50 per individual, per day.

You may’t even purchase an honest lunch for that value, however this oceangoing arm of the favored Jimmy Buffett resort model provides a trip that features a room, three meals a day (plus loads of between-meal choices), fundamental drinks (water, soda, juice), leisure and port-to-port transportation for that quantity.

To be clear, the $99-for-four-people fares aren’t at all times out there. When they’re, they’re restricted in quantity, cowl essentially the most fundamental lodging and do not embody taxes and costs, that are roughly $200 per individual.

However even Margaritaville at Sea’s costliest lodging are moderately priced. On the time of publication, the most important suite on the road’s Islander ship was going for simply $1,499 per individual ($375 per individual, per evening) for a four-night Mexico crusing from Tampa on Feb. 23, 2026. For comparability, the costs for four-night sailings to related areas in suites of roughly the identical dimension on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and NCL’s Norwegian Star (which debuted in 2000 and 2001, respectively) have been $1,929 per individual ($482 per individual, per evening) and $1,793 per individual ($448 per individual, per evening), with each voyages departing Feb. 26, 2026.

It is not simply cabins which are a cut price, both. Margaritaville at Sea’s drink packages price about 32% much less per day than Royal Caribbean’s and about $10 much less per day than Carnival’s. Plus, its Wi-Fi is a number of the most reasonably priced (and dependable, because of Starlink) at sea.

2. The standard is excessive

Permit me to cease you earlier than you assume that, for the worth, the expertise should someway be subpar — as a result of it isn’t. What you may discover on board is fortunately the other.

You may anticipate cabins which have been up to date with shiny, trendy fixtures, Margaritaville Resort gentle furnishings and a beachy vibe; meals that features glorious principal eating room fare, burgers and pizza totally free, in addition to upcharge sushi, steak and cafe gadgets; and leisure that is enjoyable and interesting with out being tacky or “an excessive amount of.”

Plus, you may discover a dose of classic enchantment, with each ships having retained most of the unique touches added after they have been first constructed.

However maybe the most effective factor a couple of cruise with Margaritaville at Sea is that it provides its personal particular model of escapism — a time period made in style by Jimmy Buffett’s songs, that are crammed with lyrics about leaving the day-to-day grind behind in favor of rest and time spent with good mates. Its informal atmosphere is replete with events, dwell music and a vibe that is “come as you’re” (however not trashy).

It isn’t a luxurious line, to make sure, and the ships aren’t new. However in the event you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive and cheerful trip, a fast weekend getaway, a crusing to have a good time a special day or a strategy to convey your loved ones or buddy group collectively in a approach that matches everybody’s schedule and finances, that is it.

3. It does not need the largest ships or largest fleet

As a result of Margaritaville at Sea is small, executives personally learn each suggestion and piece of suggestions submitted by passengers — one thing I found throughout an unique dinner interview with Margaritaville at Sea’s CEO, Christopher Ivy, on the road’s latest ship, Islander.

Higher administration is concerned within the line’s day-to-day operations in any respect ranges, and it reveals in how rapidly changes are made following cruiser suggestions and the way comfortable the crew appears to be. Everybody — from room stewards to the CEO — can (and does) reply rapidly to cruiser suggestions.

The road can be tired of maintaining with the Joneses with regards to newer and larger ships. It proudly operates two midsize vessels — Islander and Paradise — that have been bought, closely used, from Carnival Corp. Each former Costa Cruises ships have been extensively refurbished and proceed to function effectively into their second and third many years, respectively.

“By no means say by no means, however we’re not planning to launch a 250,000-ton ship any time quickly,” Ivy stated. He additionally famous that the road is not curious about ballooning its fleet to dozens of vessels.

As for whether or not or not Margaritaville at Sea is wanting so as to add a 3rd ship, Ivy stated that, though there’s nothing at present within the works, it isn’t off the desk.

“There’s nothing on the market formally, however we wish to develop the enterprise.”

When it comes to what’s doable when a cruise line and its ships keep small, Ivy famous that there is a particular bond that usually types between members of the crew and the passengers they serve — one which is not at all times doable on bigger vessels, significantly in the event you’re solely cruising for 3 or 4 days.

“You may not even see the identical crew member twice,” he stated. “That is the stuff that makes the larger distinction.”

And a small firm dimension is simply as necessary as a small fleet. Groups lose one thing after they develop so giant that leaders can not commonly spend one-on-one time with staff and prospects — one thing Ivy, who likes to get his arms soiled, indicated he does not need to occur.

“Issues in surveys take a very long time to come back by,” Ivy stated, including that he and his crew — together with the chief monetary officer, the chief advertising and marketing officer and lodge operations supervisor — all spend a big period of time on board. “If I spend two hours within the eating room, strolling round, speaking to folks … the suggestions loop simply tightens.”

4. Issues are addressed rapidly

Sadly, when Margaritaville at Sea debuted its first ship, it wasn’t prepared for prime time, and it brought on some hiccups for the model.

The revealing of the road’s second ship, Islander, went considerably extra easily following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment. However it wasn’t with out its personal set of hurdles, together with clogged bogs, leaks throughout inclement climate and malfunctioning air-con. Nonetheless, stories from passengers within the ship’s Fb group indicated that the problems have been largely resolved by the third and fourth voyages. (And TPG can affirm issues on Islander are at present ship-shape.)

Now, because of nimble responses from higher administration, the crew appears to have discovered its stride, reveals have been fine-tuned and meals in most of the onboard eating places rivals the most effective you may discover on any mainstream ship, particularly by way of worth.

Following first-sailing complaints, the plumbing now works because it ought to, leaks have been patched, cabin numbers not seem on keycards (one thing that was a safety concern) and dishes are cleared and tables wiped promptly in public areas. (This was an issue initially, significantly within the buffet.)

As one other testomony to how carefully the road’s executives monitor what’s working and what’s not, simply six months after the debut of Islander, Margaritaville at Sea introduced it will be including a number of of Islander’s standout bars and eating choices — together with the Hemisphere Dancer bar and Far Aspect Sushi — to older sister Paradise. It is going to even be updating the menu at JWB Prime Steakhouse.

Talking of Paradise, following the success of its two-night sailings between Palm Seaside, Florida, and Freeport, Bahamas, the road has expanded the ship’s itineraries to incorporate three- and four-night cruises which have added the Bahamian metropolis of Nassau to the combo.

“In the beginning of 2024, we have been operating one ship from one port to at least one port …” Ivy stated. “That was it. With the launch of Islander, we have moved to a brand new residence port. We launched with simply four- and five-night sailings to Cozumel, Progreso and Key West. What we heard very early on was ‘Hey, these [ports] are nice, however what else you bought? The place else can we go?'”

In response to these questions, Islander now visits ports throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean, too, with itineraries starting from 4 to seven nights.

5. The road offers again

Along with being one of the reasonably priced cruise choices afloat, Margaritaville at Sea has discovered methods to provide again to the group. When you’re a fan of Jimmy Buffett or just love unique experiences, ask on the shore excursions desk concerning the hush-hush speakeasy often known as QMN. It stands for Quietly Making Noise, and a part of the proceeds profit Singing for Change, one in all Jimmy Buffett’s charities.

Additional, the cruise line has developed the Heroes Program, which offers free cruises for 2 folks (not together with taxes and costs) to members of the army and first responders as a strategy to thank them for his or her service and assist them unwind. Though many different cruise traces supply army reductions, solely Margaritaville provides cruise fares totally free.

Backside line

Margaritaville at Sea definitely lives as much as the Margaritaville model’s popularity. It provides unpretentious enjoyable at an important value and in an off-the-cuff ambiance with terrific lodging, meals and leisure. Plus, it iterates rapidly on what passengers say they need.

However the line’s choices transcend reasonably priced enjoyable. They foster group by giving again and permitting passengers to flee to a spot that is all about good vibes — one thing modeled each day by the individuals who run the corporate.

As Ivy parted methods with TPG following the interview, he lingered behind, making his rounds by the eating room to greet passengers and chat with crew — lots of whom he knew by title. With a CEO that engaged — a rarity within the cruise business — the corporate is certain to offer one thing particular.

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