Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Jimmy Buffett Leaves an Immortal Legacy on the Cruise Lifestyle

jimmy buffett cruise ship

Margaritaville at Sea Islander offers a completely new way to cruise into an Island State of Mind. Decked out in creative and familiar bars and restaurants, our newest flagship offers new ways to discover fun opportunities for dining and drinking. With innovations like the world’s only three-story poolside Landshark Bar and the Caribbean Amphibian Splash Pool and Water Slide, embarking on an Islander adventure is every bit about the journey as it is the destination.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville at Sea makes a huge move - TheStreet

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville at Sea makes a huge move.

Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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It costs $25 to have WiFi on one device for the full two-day trip (or if you get a package, WiFi is included for two devices). We found that the signal worked fairly well on the short trip across the Florida Straits. We were able to do a video call home at night and also able to keep in touch with our friend on the ship who also had the package. There are two pools on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, but both are laughably small; don’t expect to do anything resembling a lap. The License to Chill pool on Deck 11 is open to kids, and those are the only people we saw using it, perhaps because the pool bar was around the corner from the water, rather than right next to it, as it is on most ships. Because the cruise is so short, people make the most of their time onboard -- and the schedule is packed to help them do that.

Fitness and Gym on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

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But you don’t have to be the world’s biggest Parrothead to enjoy what the new line offers. Affordable and quick trips with the full cruise experience give you the opportunity to take a cruise without taking much time off or spending a fortune. This is the cruise line’s drink package, but it works a little differently than what you might be used to seeing.

It’s a Full Cruise Experience

As with any low fares, there is always a caveat -- and while Margaritaville at Sea fare may seem inexpensive at first, there are some not-so-obvious costs. You'll have to pay port fees, for one thing, as well as fuel charges and gratuities. WiFi costs extra, and there's mandatory valet parking if you drive to the port. Once you're in the Bahamas, shore excursions are extra and you will have to pay to take transportation from the terminal in Freeport to any attractions, as there is nothing within walking distance. For newbies looking to try a cruise vacation or frequent sailors searching for a quick getaway, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise provides a good-enough experience that might very well get you hooked on Mother Ocean.

Final Thoughts of the Margaritaville Cruise Ship

The company sold its other ship, the Grand Celebration, in March 2020 following the pandemic-induced shutdown of the cruise industry. Buffett toured the ship, which went into dry dock Wednesday, on Nov. 29, Khosa said. Jimmy Buffett today announced a new “offshore resort experience” called Margaritaville at Sea.

There were three kids clubs for children of various age groups and a few family-centered activities each day, but this was definitely an adult-oriented ship. Margaritaville at Sea Paradise has two pools on board — the all-ages License to Chill pool and the adults-only 12 Volt pool. Both are small and square, and once 10 or so people were in the water, I felt there wasn't much room for anyone else.

There are reserved seats for package holders down in front, but those open up if no one shows. We recommend being up in front for the Buffett show, but perhaps not for the comedians, unless you're OK being part of the act. A 20,000-square-foot event lawn and stage would anchor the resort, hosting musical acts, simulcast Margaritaville concerts, art shows, food truck nights and other events. Reservations for the cruises slated to begin April 30 were expected to open Wednesday on the company’s website, margaritavilleatsea.com. For Buffett/Margaritaville resort fans who are used to more spacious surroundings, these rooms could feel a step down from what you get on land. Cruise rooms are typically much smaller than hotel rooms, and the fact that the ship is older without a lot of balcony rooms could be a turnoff to resort fans.

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

The partnership ended up coming to an end, but Buffett's songs and joie-de-vivre are still a staple aboard NCL's ships. Some had been on the ship prior to the rebranding and wanted to sail again now that it had been updated. Some were celebrating birthdays or anniversaries and wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. A few lived so close to the beach that they could go whenever they wanted and were looking to shake things up. I've never cruised before and wasn't sure what to expect from the staterooms other than assuming I'd feel like a canned sardine. I was relieved to find the cabins were spacious and bright, with crisp white bedding, tropical artwork on the walls and a large porthole that looked out over the ocean.

We opted against this, but we saw plenty of people toting around the Blender cup. We also overheard one couple who said they went through two $99 drink packages in just one night. Departing on her first passenger sailing on April 30 from the Port of Palm Beach Florida to Grand Bahama Island, Margaritaville Paradise will include 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins in various stateroom categories. Following a multi-million investment and refurbishment, the ship’s cabins and common spaces will feature Margaritaville’s signature casual-luxe design with subtle nautical details and colors influenced by the surrounding sea, sand, and sky. The Margaritaville at Sea Islander spans 12 passenger decks accommodating 2,650 adventure-seeking passengers and was originally built for Costa Cruises.

With more than 700 Breezy Balcony staterooms, Grand Terrace Suites, luxurious Corner Suites, and ultra-exclusive Islander suites, couples, families, and friends alike can chase the sunset from their spacious balconies with endless gulf breezes. "This turned out to be a pretty good 3-minute song," the singer/songwriter/businessman wisecracked. And his comment turned out to be quite the understatement, considering that he happened to be playing his signature song on the pool deck of a 1,680-passenger cruise ship named Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. So on a two-night cruise, a couple sailing would pay about $60 in gratuities. Guests staying in one of the suites onboard will see a charge of $19.95 per person, per night. Everything you’d expect onboard any other cruise ship is also found here.

It was so hard to get a seat here that people resorted to carrying food all over the ship, leaving dirty dishes in lounges far away from the restaurant. Margaritaville at Sea is an exciting new cruise line currently featuring two ships, the Islander and the Paradise. The Paradise is currently sailing and the Islander is scheduled to make its inaugural voyage in June 2024. At that point, the ship was 27 years old, and it’s safe to say the Florida-based company got a great deal on the vessel. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line changed the ship’s name from Costa Classica to Grand Classica.

If I'd known this in advance of my cruise, I would have waited to book until the rebranding process was complete for the full Margaritaville experience. I was told by my steward there was room service, but I never received any information about hours or what was on the menu. I had the lunch that was included as part of my second-day excursion and I was glad I did. When I returned to the ship around 4 p.m., my only choices until dinner were pizza, salad or cupcakes from the coffee shop (or a margarita, I guess).

There was a minifridge, a flat-screen television in the corner, a large closet with plenty of storage drawers, a small seating area near the porthole and a desk with a large mirror. I found more than enough USB ports for one guest, but two or more people trying to charge their devices may get into a few scuffles. You could keep costs down by cutting back on the add-ons or throw caution to the wind and go all-out. After all, you're on vacation — and at least this vacation doesn't consume too much paid time off. There are also soda and non-alcoholic drink wristbands, which are $59 for 10, and a separate unlimited soda package.

Monday, April 1, 2024

Explore Our Cruise Ships

jimmy buffett cruise ship

The story itself felt somewhat disjointed as it works primarily in service of Buffett's songs (this is actually a critique that Buffett's last Broadway show, Escape to Margaritaville, also received). But the hits are so catchy and the cast's performance so energetic that it's easy to see past the plot's limitations. It performs better here on a ship than it did on Broadway, and cruisers will be pleased with it.

Get On Islander Time

Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. It’ll include a complete rebranding of 658 cabins, all outfitted with Buffett’s signature Margaritaville-themed nautical look. The cruise experience is being developed in partnership with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which has exclusive cruise terminals in Palm Beach. The ship will feature dining like the "5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar," the "Port of Indecision Buffett" and "JWB Prime Steak & Seafood." Onboard entertainment includes the Par-A-Dice Casino, St. Somewhere Spa and a Stars on the Water Theater.

Farewell to Jimmy Buffett: The Tropical Troubadour Leaves an Immortal Legacy on the Cruise Lifestyle

jimmy buffett cruise ship

When we docked in Freeport, some guests grabbed a taxi to one of the island's public beaches, some stayed on the ship to enjoy an uncrowded pool deck and others, including myself, boarded a shuttle bus for one of the ship's prearranged excursions. Short cruises have a reputation for being "booze cruises." And while we certainly saw people getting their drink on in the nightclub, the ship was surprisingly quiet as the evening grew later. Most people went to the shows and perhaps had a drink in the lounge before going to bed.

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

Our cruise special offers are an irresistible opportunity to sail off into the sunset for an easy-breezy cruise vacation of nonstop fun. The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is your easy-breezy resort at sea, with visual accents that inspire adventure. The ship’s inviting atmosphere is filled with music, lights, island-inspired sculptures, artwork, and more. Lovers of non-stop entertainment can enjoy the Margaritaville Casino, Stars on the Water Theater, and various nightclubs while wellness-enthusiasts can stop by the St. Somewhere Spa & Salon or Fins Up! With pools, a retail store, and so much more, there’s something for everyone.

Daily Things to Do on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

Extend your vacation on land and stay at your choice of three gorgeous partner resorts on Grand Bahama Island for an all-inclusive experience. Like a cruise, Buffett also provides a form of escapism through his music and venues. With a die-hard fan base and the vessel only carrying 1,680 guests at max capacity, it shouldn’t be difficult. Being that there are already Margaritaville resorts and bars strung throughout the Caribbean, it’s a great fit. The name change is a great opportunity for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to clean the slate and start over with new clients and refreshed hardware. A quick booking on the two-night inaugural April 30th voyage for two people in an inside stateroom showed a total of $674.88 (including port fees and taxes).

jimmy buffett cruise ship

Fellow Passengers

Margaritaville Expands Cruise Line with Second Ship Homeported in Tampa - The Maritime Executive

Margaritaville Expands Cruise Line with Second Ship Homeported in Tampa.

Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

"His original idea for Margaritaville was to expand the opportunity for as many people to experience the lifestyle immortalized in his iconic song as possible," the Margaritaville chain wrote on social media following the musician's passing. And with the enormous musical legacy he left behind, fun is just a song (or a cruise) away. If you examine Jimmy Buffett's vast song archive, dating all the way back to 1970, you will not find a single track that specifically talks about sailing on a cruise ship.

Who is Margaritaville at Sea For?

Margaritaville at Sea is a floating island vacation at sea that brings together the brand’s iconic hospitality and resort experiences with the ability to escape and see the world. The inaugural ship, Margaritaville Paradise, features 658 casual-luxe cabins with nautical details and colors influenced by the sea, sand, and sky. Amenities include several dining venues, pools, entertainment programming, retail stores, a St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Announced today, Margaritaville at Sea is offering an entirely new way to float into island time aboard their new flagship vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Guests can reserve 2024 sailings online starting today and take advantage of exclusive preview incentives available for a limited time. Additionally, the ship will offer onboard leisure activities and entertainment, including the Par-A-Dice Casino, a Stars on the Water Theater, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up!

The ship says that it has a jogging track on Deck 12, but it's covered in Astroturf and also has deck chairs around it during the day. The 12 Volt Pool has a more centrally accessible bar, as well as two hot tubs. This entire area is supposed to be adults only but we saw people bringing their kids to the hot tubs.

Margaritaville at Sea Mentions

From kid’s clubs to the casino, from the dining room to the buffet, from the spa to production shows… it’s all on Margaritaville at Sea. We were surprised to learn on our 2022 sailing that the Margaritaville at Sea appeal goes far beyond Parrotheads, as Jimmy Buffett's fans are called. Nearly 60% of the passengers on a typical Margaritaville at Sea sailing are taking their first cruise ever, we were told, and the vast majority of them have only a passing knowledge of Buffett. We noticed this particularly during the evening show, a jukebox musical of Buffett hits written by Jimmy himself.

For now, the cruise line only offers two-night trips over the Grand Bahama. Between the first three-story Landshark Bar, the thoughtfully eclectic Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits, the adult-only Tiki Bar or any of the other 13 bars and lounges available, you'll never go thirsty abord the Islander. Margaritaville at Sea will take you from relaxation to revelry with your choice of stops anywhere in between. Delectable food, St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, live music and shows–from sunrise to sunset and every moment in between, there’s always something exciting happening.

A fixture in Margaritaville's resort properties, JWB is the upscale choice on board at $59 per person. Instead of a menu, we were presented with a parade of shareable plates including Angus Prime NY strip, 30-day dry aged ribeye, Wagyu short ribs and grilled branzino in a lemon-dill sauce. From 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' and 'Volcano' to 'Fins' and the iconic 'Margaritaville', a dozen of Buffett's hits is woven into a loosely-threaded narrative of tropical themes and beach-bum lifestyle. Dining options will include JWB Prime Steakhouse, Port of Indecision Buffet, and Far Side Sushi, and Rita’s Taco House.

All in all, though, we preferred this space to License to Chill, simply because the layout made more sense. Programs are left in your cabin nightly, or you can pick one up at guest services. There's also a nightly piano sing-along in the small Stars on the Water Bar just outside the main theater. It's an odd place to put such a popular show; there's not enough seating and the chairs and sofas that are in the space are rather uncomfy. That being said, our piano player did his job, playing requests from the audience and leading spirited singalongs.

One night, I had dinner at Fins, the included sit-down restaurant, and on the second night, I ate at the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill. To be fair to the buffet, breakfast was totally acceptable, especially the made-to-order omelets. The food that was meant to be hot was lukewarm at best and the food that was meant to be cold was room temperature.

Top 6 Disney Travel Agencies Best Vacation Planners for Disney

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She was always there ready to answer questions; gave great advice on what to do and when; what rides to do and what times; and even where to stand during a fireworks show. When you add all the pluses and minuses, there’s really no advantage whatsoever in booking your own trip. So when you see the value Disney travel planners can offer you, it’s a no-brainer decision. Not only can Disney travel planners answer all of your questions, but they also find you the best possible vacation package – at the best promotional rate available anywhere.

About Mouseketrips

Since 1996, they have helped over 300,000 guests plan their Disney vacations. Mousekeplanner was founded in 2012 to offer no-fee tailor-made vacation packages to Disney. The concierge travel service works by assigning you an agent who will be your single point of contact to help plan your ultimate Disney cruise. They can plan your whole itinerary and advise on the best ships and destinations for your budget, age of guests, and party size. Below is a list of the BEST Disney Cruise travel agents that can help plan your dream vacation.

Featured Travel Agents

I highly recommend Dana and Mouseketrips to anyone planning a first time or any time visit to Disney resorts and parks (or Universal). I will definitely be going back to her for future trips. When booking with a Disney Travel Planner, the cost of your vacation package itself is the same price as if you are booked directly with Disney.

Best Disney Cruise Line Travel Agents:

You cannot beat the value of what Mouseketrips can offer for an amazing trip to Disney. I look forward to the day when I can work with Laura to plan the next one. We had the best time ever at our vacation in Disney World this November. Everything went so smoothly and truly was a magical time. It was our very first time to Disney World and we hoped for the best and it was just amazing.

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent - Travel Market Report

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent.

Posted: Mon, 11 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

From start to finish, Laura listened to our needs, took care of all logistics, followed up diligently….she never missed a beat. You might have experienced other trips where once it’s booked, the agent believes their job is done. Not so with Laura, she continued to be proactive and super responsive to get us to Disney with all our hopes and dreams fulfilled. This was the second trip that Brooke planned for me and she did not disappoint.

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Each vacation package is uniquely tailored to the client’s specific goals to ensure satisfaction. At every step of the way, The Vacationeer is there to help you and ensure your vacation is as magical as possible. It starts with a staff of knowledgeable “Vacationeers” – all graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge – who not only know a lot about Disney but are also passionate Disney fanatics. In other words, this isn’t just a job; crafting their client’s stress free Disney vacation is rewarding and exciting. Lindsey has been writing at Resort Rat since 2023. She loves sharing her enthusiasm for travel, especially to Disney destinations.

Guidebooks and online blogs can be helpful, but you need to talk with someone with first-hand Disney knowledge of the park’s aspects. A Disney Travel Agent can help you navigate through all of these unknowns and craft a vacation package that’s right for you. But their help and guidance will be invaluable if you don’t already know the ropes.

If it’s been more than 30 days, you are staying off Disney property or using DVC points, and there are still some agents that can help. Since they are not earning a commission from Disney to book your vacation, some agents offer concierge planning services for a fee. It can be well worth the additional charge to get all the benefits we’ve talked about.

#10. Small World Vacations

She was on top of every detail and helped make our trip perfect! Booking your trip with Destination Magic is complimentary. These Disney travel agents will plan and book your Disney resort package complete with hotel, tickets, and dining. In addition, they offer Concierge-level services to meet the needs of every guest.

Working with Mouseketrips to plan our Disney vacation could not have been easier. We were contacted the same day for a quote and were matched with Laura Buehner. I highly recommend this service as a trip to Disney is not so easy anymore. From dining plans, advanced dining reservations to fast passes these travel agents know Disney inside and out!

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the options, a great (FREE) solution is to use the services of a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. But what is most surprising to a potential client is that the services of Disney World travel agents are entirely free of charge. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, experienced, and highly recommended Travel Agent to help you plan your entire Disney Cruise Line vacation, then you’re in the right spot! “My wife and I found this agency on Google and could not have been happier. From start to finish she was there the entire time, even checking in with us during the cruise while we were on board and getting off!

I can’t imagine allowing anyone else to help us plan at this point! She has gotten to know us so well that the trip really felt like it was made specifically for us. Kristen at Firefly Travels is the best of the best!!! You can expect to receive valuable tips and secrets they’ve gathered from their extensive years of focusing on all things Disney. Their continuous deal monitoring service will also ensure you get the best price, even after you’ve booked. If you need help during your Disney cruise, they’ll guide you using various services, including dining, excursions, and anything else you might need.

We had a trip planned to Disneyland in 2020 with our son’s family, then the pandemic hit. Heather kept me abreast of everything that was happening at Disney right up to when we had to cancel😪 she kept in contact with how things were and I finally gave up. He’s a husband, a father, an author of 11 Disney guidebooks, and the founder of the Disney travel agency Mouse Vacation Planning, LLC.

We had never used a “travel agent” before for anything. So when I heard of this company I decided to give them a shot. Booking with them was a great experience everything was explained, nothing was forced and there was NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR USING THEM.

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