By: Lori Judd
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By: Lori Judd
When I first heard about the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, I knew I had to be on that ship! I’d been following its journey from the very beginning, watching as it transformed from a Costa cruise ship in Belfast, Northern Ireland, into this stunning Margaritaville escape. I was completely fascinated by the process—how they were still refurbishing the ship as it was being transported across the Atlantic. As a bit of an "Islander nerd"—I love all the behind-the-scenes details and history of ships—this was a dream come true.
Seeing a ship go through such an incredible transformation is thrilling, especially for someone who’s been on as many cruises as I have. As a huge Jimmy Buffett fan and dedicated cruiser, booking this trip was a no-brainer. I’ve already sailed twice, and I’m eagerly looking forward to my next trip in January for a five-night cruise to Key West and Progreso!
The design and atmosphere on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander? Absolutely spectacular! From the moment you step aboard, you can feel the fun and laid-back vibe that Margaritaville is known for. They’ve done a brilliant job blending the ship’s original Costa design with Margaritaville’s whimsical, tropical branding.
You’re surrounded by playful Jimmy Buffett sayings, Margaritaville TV in your room, and his music setting the perfect mood all around the ship—it really enhanced the whole experience. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or walking through the atrium, you feel that signature “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” vibe that makes you want to kick back and enjoy.
One of the most interesting details about the ship is how they’ve kept elements of its original Italian design. For instance, they retained the inlaid Italian tile from the Costa days, which adds a touch of elegance to the already stunning decor. I’ve sailed on many ships, and I love how they mixed the old with the new here—it’s seamless, almost as if the ship was always destined to be part of the Margaritaville brand. The attention to detail is really something special.
The Flip-Flop Bar was one of my favorite spots—it’s colorful, full of energy, and packed with tributes to Jimmy Buffett. There’s even a model of his sea plane, the Hemisphere Dancer, which has its own fun backstory about how Jamaican police mistook him and U2’s Bono for drug smugglers while flying it. These little nods to Jimmy’s life and music are scattered throughout the ship, and if you’re a Parrothead like me, you’ll notice them everywhere. Even if you’re not, you can’t help but appreciate how thoughtfully everything is done.
And the elevators? Oh my goodness, the all-glass elevators are a must-see. They’re designed so that as you go up, you feel like you’re rising from the sea to the sky. You start at the bottom with an ocean theme, then as you go higher, you pass through a beach scene, and finally, you’re up in the sky with parrots and tropical backgrounds. It’s such a fun, immersive experience—perfect for photo ops, too!
The atrium, with its soaring glass walls and colorful design, is another standout feature. It’s one of the most Instagrammable spots on the ship with its famous Margaritaville Flip Flop sculpture.
Speaking of which, another Instagrammable spot on the ship is definitely the Bubbles Up Lounge and Champagne Bar. It’s not just the drinks that catch your eye—the entire atmosphere is perfect for a photo op.
And there's always a good time to be had when Ellie is at the piano keys. It's a fun sing-a-long lounge where it doesn’t matter if you can sing in tune or not. The bar’s name might make you think it’s inspired by one of their fancy cocktails, but it’s actually named after Jimmy Buffett’s song Bubbles Up.
And let’s not forget the easter eggs scattered around, from original tile floors, references to Jimmy’s songs, decorative touches like the “A1A Jimmy Buffett Hwy sign” to tiny tropical touches you’ll find in every corner.
Whether you’re a casual cruiser or a full-on Parrothead, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander offers a visual feast you won’t forget.
I’ve stayed in several types of rooms on this ship, and I can tell you they are fantastic! On my first trip, I had a Breezy Balcony, which is the room most people will probably book. It was absolutely perfect for watching the sunset and enjoying the ocean breeze.
On my second trip, I decided to upgrade to an extended balcony, which gave me even more space to relax. For my upcoming cruise in January, I’ve splurged on a junior suite, and I can’t wait to enjoy the added perks.
The fun doesn’t stop there—whether you're cruising Key West in a golf cart or soaking up the sun in Cozumel, the excursions are just as thrilling.
From the clean, non-smoking casino to the arcade packed with games, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Passengers particularly enjoyed playing pickleball on the sports deck and testing their skills at the mini-golf course.
The ship’s cheerful and helpful staff, combined with a range of activities and spots to unwind, makes this cruise a non-stop good time. Guests are already counting down the days until they can do it all over again!
One of the things I love about the junior suites is the VIP entrance at the terminal. You get a private check-in line and counter, access to the concierge service with entry into the exclusive concierge room onboard.
You can even get bottled water, soda, and other amenities whenever you want there as a suite guest. And, the amazing Pearl there in concierge can help you make reservations at the JWB Steakhouse.
Another benefit is that suite guests get to dine in the Islander every night. I’ve already tried both dining rooms, but I have to say, I love the intimate, upscale atmosphere and additional menu options of the Islander.
You get personalized service, and they go the extra mile to make you feel special.
The staterooms themselves are beautifully decorated, with fresh, modern decor and a nod to the Margaritaville lifestyle. You’ll find fun and tropical touches like “Livin’ on Islander Time” on the pillows and “License to Chill And I Believe I Will” signs above the flat screen TVs.
The TVs also play Margaritaville TV, which is full of Jimmy Buffett music videos and performances as well as some other various artists as Jimmy Buffett was a big fan of a lot of music genres. It’s such a fun way to wind down after a day of exploring the ship.
The housekeeping staff deserves a huge shout-out. They’re some of the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered on a cruise, and they go out of their way to make sure everything is perfect. They even leave adorable towel animals in your room! I was so impressed that I left a thank-you card with an extra tip because they were just that amazing. On one cruise, I was in my room by 10:45 a.m., which is almost unheard of on other ships—it was such a smooth, efficient process!
Now, let’s talk about the food! If you’re a foodie like me, you’re going to love the dining options on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
I made it a point to try every single venue on board, and I was not disappointed.
My absolute favorite was the Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar. Not only is it named after one of Jimmy’s most famous songs, but it’s also the most popular complimentary walk-up spot on the ship. The smash-style burgers were delicious, and the casual vibe made it the perfect place for a quick bite in between activities.
Whether you’re swapping stories over a margarita or just soaking up the relaxed atmosphere, the company on this cruise is all about good times without the uptight attitude. It’s a ship full of friendly faces, all in the spirit of island living!
Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria was another standout. It’s complimentary and open all day, so you can pop in whenever you’re in the mood for pizza even late into the night, and it’s really good.
The Mexican Cantina, another complimentary option where you can get fresh tacos and other Mexican dishes. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, the free ice cream is a must-try.
Unlike other ships where the ice cream can be more like icy milk, the ice cream here is creamy and delicious—and the best part is, there’s a server, so no kids putting their mouths under the soft-serve machine and hogging all the ice-cream!
For those looking for a more upscale dining experience, the Islander restaurant is fantastic. As a suite guest, you will have the option to dine there every night. Or you can pay extra to eat there and I did. It was worth it.
The menu is a bit more elevated than what you’ll find in the downstairs main dining room, Fins, and the service is impeccable. I loved the intimate setting, the tablecloths, and the attention to detail. They even offer additional items to the Fins menu, giving you more choices for a premium dining experience.
If you’re in the mood for something even more special, JWB Prime Steakhouse is the place to be. It’s the only true specialty dining venue on board, and it’s worth every penny.
The key lime pie is a showstopper—it’s honestly the best I’ve had on a ship. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual bite or a fine dining experience, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander has you covered.
Find your fun and get into the Margaritaville state of mind, at sea.
The entertainment on this ship is incredible. I’ve been on a lot of cruises, but the variety and quality of the shows here blew me away.
There’s always something happening, whether it’s a pop-up performance, live music in one of the lounges, or a thrilling production stage show in the theater.
My favorite show was Conky Tonkin’ at Sea, which is an absolute must-see. It’s a high-energy mix of singing, dancing, and even aerial performances. The creativity and talent on display were just mind-blowing.
The Stars On The Water theater on deck 2, 3 and 4 is an open seating throwback to old-school ship designs, with different seating levels and a beautiful, intimate feel that really brings you closer to the action.
The multilevel moving stage really added a dramatic effect to the production shows. And the music! Oh, the music! The innovative Conky Tonkin' show features a mix of everything, from classic country to contemporary artists including Beyoncé, reflecting Jimmy Buffett’s love of all genres.
A great nod to his Nashville country roots when he lived there, which might surprise some people, but it’s such a fun and diverse show.
There’s another great show called Caribbean Heat Remix, which showcases music and culture from different countries. It’s a colorful, energetic production that had the whole audience dancing in their seats.
The best part? On sea days, they offer one of these production shows, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch these fantastic performances.
The nightlife on board is just as impressive. Whether you’re in the mood for a cocktail at one of the many themed bars or want to dance the night away, there’s something for everyone. Each bar has its own unique drinks, so it feels like a treasure hunt to find them all.
At the LandShark Bar, you’ll find Jimmy’s signature LandShark beer, while at the Hemisphere Lounge, they specialize in smoky, distilled-style drinks. The Coral Reef Lounge offers a variety of cocktails and mocktails, and the Flip-Flop Bar has its own style of cocktails and it is the perfect spot for a fun, laid-back vibe. I even took photos of all the menus because the variety was so impressive!
Parrotheads and fans of the ships alike will be thrilled to experience a very special evening event that at this point only a select few have had the opportunity to be invited too. QMN is a very special place on the ship with very special memorabilia.
But the speakeasy “Quietly Making Noise” is now open for others to experience for themselves. As one of the first few sailors chosen to participate back in June when the ship first started sailing I can tell you this intimate small group experience is well worth the $50pp plus gratuity they are charging now for it.
But, it’s still a bit of a secret at this point so I don’t want to give too much away. I can say it is booked through concierge once onboard and does include the wonderful Kai, who will lead the event and a very attentive bartender that will hand you a very special drink menu that you will not get a chance to experience anywhere else. As they say “If you Know, You Know.” And you will want to be one of those “In The Know.”
I can’t say enough about the service on this ship. From the moment I boarded, Pearl, in concierge, made sure I felt like a VIP. She was always on top of things, whether it was handling dining reservations, arranging special requests, or just checking in to make sure everything was perfect.
I’ve been on a lot of cruises, but the service on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander is truly exceptional.
Zee-Jay, the cruise director, is an absolute star. She’s full of energy and really knows how to keep the guests entertained.
Every crew member I encountered, from guest services, to housekeeping, to the food servers, to the bar staff, was warm, friendly, and professional. They go out of their way to make sure you have a great time, and you can tell they genuinely enjoy what they do.
The embarkation and disembarkation process on this ship is one of the fastest and smoothest I’ve ever experienced.
I’ve been on cruises where these processes take hours, but not here.
Everything was quick and seamless, and I was in my stateroom by 10:45 a.m., which felt like getting an extra day on board. It’s such a well-organized system, and it really sets the tone for the rest of the cruise.
While the Wi-Fi on board is comparable to other cruise lines (no Wi-Fi at sea is perfect!), they don’t have an app yet. But they’re working on it! I actually kind of love the nostalgia of having a printed daily schedule, though. It’s something I can hold onto as a souvenir and refer back to whenever I’m planning my day as well as my next cruise with friends and family that haven’t sailed yet.
Would I recommend the Margaritaville at Sea Islander? Absolutely, without a doubt! The ship is stunning, the entertainment is out of this world, the food is delicious, and the crew is the friendliest you’ll ever meet.
I’ve already booked my next cruise for January, and I’m counting down the days. They’re constantly making improvements, and the staff? They treat you like family from the moment you step on board. By the end of the cruise, I found myself thinking, “Aww, I’m going to miss them!” It’s really that kind of experience—warm, welcoming, and unforgettable.
If you’re looking for a fun, laid-back cruise that’s a great value, this is the one. Trust me, it’s always 5 o’clock on the Islander!
Whether you want to wind down, stop by the spa, chill by the pool, or kick back in your stateroom, every second aboard Margaritaville at Sea is a chance for adventure.