Last month, my wife and I set sail aboard one of the most talked-about cruise ships currently operating: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Famously known as the oldest active cruise ship in North America—at nearly 35 years old—she earned a colorful reputation that’s evolved since her rebranding in 2022. We booked a two-night cruise to Nassau, the Bahamas from West Palm Beach, Florida.
When Margaritaville at Sea Paradise first launched, it seemed to make waves for all the wrong reasons. Travel vloggers tended to be unimpressed with the ship, its food, and its drinks. But Margaritaville at Sea seems to have really found its footing in the last year and a half. They’ve expanded their fleet with the Margaritaville at Sea Islander (an instant success) and a third, as-yet-unnamed ship. Meanwhile, the Paradise has started receiving updates aimed at improving the overall cruising experience.
Realistically, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise likely doesn’t have much time left in service—and that was actually one of the main reasons I wanted to sail on her. When we booked, there were no cruises yet announced for 2026 so I was firmly convinced that this was her last season. I’ve since been proven wrong (thankfully).
So—what did we think? How was the experience? And would we sail with her again? Read on to find out!
Costa Days
Paradise originally launched in 1991 as Costa Classica, Costa Crociere’s first new build since 1966. Constructed at Fincantieri in Italy, the ship clocks in at 52,926 gross registered tons and 722 feet (220 meters) in length—modest by today’s mega-ship standards.
Her sister ship, Costa Romantica, underwent a €90 million renovation in 2011. But Classica retained much of her early 1990s decor. She was renamed Costa neoClassica in 2014 before being sold to Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in 2018, where she was rebranded as Grand Classica and sailed short itineraries between West Palm Beach and Grand Bahama Island—until the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to it (and the cruise industry as a whole).
In 2022, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line partnered with Margaritaville Resorts, turning Grand Classica into Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. And with that, the old ship’s newest chapter began.
Somethin’ ‘Bout a Boat
The moment we boarded, one thing instantly stood out: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise still feels unmistakably Italian despite all the Jimmy Buffett branding. Her design elements echo the style and grandeur of classic ocean liners like Michelangelo and Raffaello.
The aft pool deck especially reminded me of the ones on vintage Italian ships like Rex, Augustus, and Cristoforo Colombo. With stunning ocean views and easy access to the 12-Volt Bar, we ended up spending a lot of time there. It was a really nice area to hang out at.
The ship’s Italian roots are seen elsewhere too—from the forward elevators that still speak Italian, to the ceramic mosaics in the Stars on the Water Theater. Even the small onboard chapel appears untouched from its Costa days, complete with original watercolors and a vintage Costa neoClassica deck plan still in place.
Another one my favorite spaces was the Euphoria Lounge, where I claimed victory in an impromptu Jenga tournament (and won a free margarita). It spans the full width of the ship and was a lively hub of activity each evening. And I really loved the light fixtures too!
There’s also teak wood all throughout the Paradise’s outer decks. It doesn’t get any more classic than that!
Shipboard Experiences
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise offers a nostalgic glimpse into old-school cruising, something that’s getting harder and harder to find these days. And it’s great!
The drinks were exceptional. Each bar had a unique menu, encouraging us to try something new at every stop. Our favorite by far was the Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits. With creative cocktails and an excellent bartending team, it reminded us of the World Class Bar on Celebrity Beyond—but much more affordable. At the time we booked, the drink package included just 10 drinks—which, to be honest, we went through on the first night. It was so easy to do! Since then, Margaritaville at Sea has updated its drink packages to align more closely with other cruise lines, now allowing up to 15 drinks per day.
When it comes to the food, everything was impressive. Fins, the main dining room, offered a solid variety of well-prepared dishes that exceeded expectations. With the License to Chill package, we also dined at the JWB Prime Steakhouse, which delivered a fantastic upscale experience. That said, the real standout was Cheeseburger in Paradise—it could easily hold its own against Guy’s Burger Joint. Before the trip, I wasn’t sure if veggie burgers were available on the Paradise (though I knew the Islander offered them), but I was happy to find they were. The veggie burger took about 15–20 minutes to prepare, which is on par with NCL, so no complaints there.
One of the most common early complaints about Margaritaville at Sea Paradise centered around the staterooms. With only 10 balcony staterooms available on the entire ship, most accommodations are limited to ocean view or interior cabins. However, the biggest concerns seemed to be with the bathrooms—several guests reported unpleasant odors, including sewage smells, and signs of mold. Fortunately, that wasn’t our experience. Our cabin, including the bathroom, was clean, comfortable, and completely free of any issues.
Final Verdict
On the last night of the cruise, we talked a lot about who this cruise is best suited for. While it definitely caters to the party crowd, the vibe was also surprisingly laid-back. Despite its small size, the ship never felt too crowded or claustrophobic. We easily found quiet spaces to unwind throughout the ship. The cruise felt like something between a Carnival and NCL cruise. It ended up being the perfect vibe for us.
You also don’t need to be a Jimmy Buffett fan to appreciate this cruise. While there were a lot of his songs playing, that wasn’t exclusively the case. But this cruise might just turn you into a Parrothead—you’ve been warned.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise may be old, but that’s part of her appeal. She’s got a lot of character. Personally, it’s great to see the old ship enjoying success in the twilight of her career. For those who appreciate classic ships, quality drinks, and a touch of Margaritaville fun—this cruise delivers. You can’t go wrong with the price either. So yes, we’d absolutely sail on her again!
Oh! And I did find Jimmy Buffett’s lost shaker of salt. He greatly appreciated its return.
These are my own, honest thoughts on our cruise. This post wasn’t sponsored by Margaritaville at Sea. However, if anyone from Margaritaville at Sea is reading this…I’d certainly be open to some sort of partnership!
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