Why I Want to Sail on This 34-Year-Old Cruise Ship

“Why?”

“That should be…interesting.”

“Really?”

“Eww.”

These are just a few of the responses I’ve gotten when I’ve said that we’re sailing on the 34-year-old Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. I get it too. It’s the oldest cruise ship that regularly sails out of North America. It offers two and three-day cruises to the Bahamas at very affordable prices. The ship had a really rough start, and cruise vloggers made a lot about the Paradise’s state early on.

But I still wanted to experience it for myself—it’s been a bucket list cruise for a while. Plus I’m a bit of a Parrothead. And today, we’re boarding the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise for a two-day cruise to Nassau. To say that I’m excited is an understatement!

Please note that this post isn’t sponsored by Margaritaville at Sea whatsoever. These are my own, honest thoughts. However, if anyone from Margaritaville at Sea is reading this…I’m certainly open to it!

Love and Luck

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise began life as the Costa Classica in 1991. It was Costa Crociere’s first new build since 1966’s Eugenio C. The first of a new class of cruise ships, the Costa Classica was built at Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy and launched in February 1991. At 52,926 GRT and 722 feet (220 m) in length, it’s absolutely dwarfed by the modern cruise ships like Icon of the Seas. 

Its sister ship, Costa Romantica, was nearly identical until it received an extensive €90 million refurbishment and overhaul in 2011. But Costa Classica didn’t. As a result, she still retains much of her original early-1990s decor, artwork, and finishings—something that’s becoming exceedingly rare in today’s burgeoning cruise industry. As someone who only started cruising in 2019, this is a big draw for a ship nerd like myself.

The Costa neoClassica (she was renamed in 2014), sailed with Costa Crociere until March 2018. She was sold to Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and renamed the Grand Classica. With the Grand Celebration (Carnival’s ex-Celebration), the ship sailed two-day cruises from West Palm Beach, Florida to Grand Bahama Island. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line partnered with Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels to operate the Margaritaville at Sea brand (previously a dining and bar venue on Norwegian Cruise Line ships). The Grand Classica became Margaritaville at Sea Paradise in April 2022.

Nautical Wheelers

The topic of Bahamas cruising is worth its own blog post, but it’s one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world—and has been for a long time. Every major cruise line seemingly has its own private Bahamian island for passengers to enjoy. It’s a highly lucrative and competitive market.

Margaritaville at Sea is part of a long line of cruise companies to offer budget-friendly cruises to the Bahamas. In the 1950s and 1960s especially, it seemed like new companies were constantly springing up to take advantage of the growing Bahamas tourist trade. They’d frequently buy old, well-used ocean liners for the purpose and give them new life (or at least a new coat of paint). The Yarmouth Castle Line is a prime example, having acquired the 1927-built twin ships Evangeline (renamed Yarmouth Castle) and Yarmouth. While the practices of some of these companies were questionable at times, their cruises were nevertheless popular.

Thankfully, safety and operational standards have dramatically improved since the 1960s, and the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise continues this tradition of short, affordable cruises to the Bahamas.

License to Chill

Over the last few years, the Margaritaville at Sea brand has grown considerably. With the runaway success of their newest ship, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander (the ex-Costa Atlantica) the old Paradise is starting to get some real love. New venues, expanded menus, and more are currently being implemented aboard. It all looks fanstastic, and I can’t wait to get aboard! Though, I must admit that I’m a little sad about missing the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise in its original form. But I can live with it.

Realistically, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise doesn’t have much time left in service. That’s probably the biggest reason I wanted to sail on her. She’s already the oldest active cruise ship in North America, and her sister Costa Romantica has already been scrapped. The former Costa Classica is one of the last of her kind—from when the cruise industry was still growing and evolving into what it is today. It’s great to see the old ship enjoying success again.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, we’re off to the port. See you later! I’ll let you know if I find Jimmy Buffett’s lost shaker of salt.