Margaritaville Announces Cruise Line Brand; First Ship to Sail in April 2022

(Latest Update: December 13, 2021)

Calling all Parrotheads! Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels has announced it will operate a new offshore cruise resort experience, ‘Margaritaville at Sea’. The new brand’s first ship Margaritaville Paradise (formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's flagship vessel Grand Classica), is slated to begin cruising from the Port of Palm Beach on April 30, 2022. 

Margaritaville Paradise will offer a fun and entertaining experience synonymous with the Margaritaville brand. The ship will contain ten passenger decks with 658 total staterooms. All cabins and common spaces will feature casual, nautical details inspired by the sea, sand, and sky. 

"Margaritaville at Sea will be a new, exciting, and fun way for guests to escape and vacation in Margaritaville," said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville. "From oceans to lakes, Margaritaville has an organic tie to the water, and with Margaritaville at Sea, we're able to put our iconic lifestyle, resort experiences, and elevated service directly on the sea. We look forward to seeing guests on, and in, Paradise."

‘Margaritaville at Sea’ results from a new partnership between Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Margaritaville. The line will officially rebrand itself and give the former Grand Classica a multi-million dollar refurbishment to upgrade the vessel and refit all common areas and staterooms to fit the Margaritaville aesthetic. In addition, upgrades will be made to entertainment spaces, meaning you can expect more areas for Jimmy Buffet-inspired concerts and musical performances. 

"We're excited about this new partnership as we launch Margaritaville at Sea out of the Port of Palm Beach. We are incredibly proud of what we've built at Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and are appreciative of our loyal customers and trade partners who have stood by us through so much. We're excited about this next phase of our evolution, rebranding as Margaritaville at Sea. The collaborative concept will add a different dimension to the cruising industry, appealing to a new audience of travelers," added Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, who will serve as CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. "Margaritaville at Sea will provide guests with Margaritaville's authentic culture, entertainment, and food en route to a beautiful destination in Grand Bahama Island. The experience will be complemented by an unmatched, personalized approach to guest service from start to finish via valet service and exclusive cruise terminals for smoother embarkation and disembarkation. It's the perfect partnership in paradise."

Margaritaville in Paradise will offer a variety of onboard activities and entertainment options, including the Par-A-Dice Casino, a Stars on the Water Theater, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, pools, a retail shop, and more. Food options will include JWB Prime Steak & Seafood, Frank and Lola's Pizzeria, and the Port of Indecision Buffet. Of course, you can’t forget the cocktails on a Margaritaville-inspired ship! Lounge and bar options will include the  LandShark Sports Bar, Euphoria Lounge, Sunset Bar, and the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. 

“The whole ship is going to be redone top to bottom, the carpet, everything. Nothing is going to be left undone. Guests will have the same complete Margaritaville experience at sea that they get on land,” said Francis Riley, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Chief Operating Officer, in an exclusive interview with Cruiseline.com. “This is different to what you are used to seeing on a cruise ship. It’s a laid-back environment. You are going to see a lot of entertainment.” 

Margaritaville Paradise will pick up the same route as the Grand Classica, offering 2-night voyages to beautiful Grand Bahama Island. However, in the future, fans should not be surprised to see more itineraries or destinations added to the ship. The line is also exploring options for a private beach club experience while in Grand Bahama Island.  

“We will watch the space as we develop and hopefully move into more capacity, more destinations. You are at the birth of something exciting,” said Riley. 

Expect to see land and sea packages between Margaritaville at Sea and other Margaritaville properties in the area. Margaritaville’s hotel/resort portfolio in Florida includes properties in Key West, Orlando/Kissimmee, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Pensacola, Hollywood, Ana Maria Island, Fort Myers, and new locations coming to Panama City and Auburndale. 

“A new cruise line in the waters that is taking the best of everything on land with Margaritaville married with a cruise and a wonderful sunset,” Riley concluded to Cruiseline.com on the future of the brand and why guests should consider sailing Margaritaville at Sea.  

Bookings for sailings on Margaritaville in Paradise are now open. To learn more about Margaritaville at Sea and book a sailing on Margaritaville Paradise, visit https://margaritavilleatsea.com/.