By admin 
Editor’s note: TPG writer Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free sailing to experience Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander. The thoughts in this review are entirely her own and were not subject to review by the cruise line.
At a glance
- An older vessel that offers modern touches and vintage flair
- Offers short, affordable getaways in a relaxing, laid-back come-as-you-are atmosphere
- Delicious food and unusual entertainment with a Jimmy Buffett twist
Introduction to Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Want a cruise that’s affordable, fun and sails from Florida but without all the drama of some other lines? Margaritaville at Sea’s second ship, Islander, offers a friendly, lively atmosphere that focuses on escapism — a concept Jimmy Buffett made popular with his songs about leaving the daily grind behind in favor of good times with good food, good drinks and good friends.
And that’s exactly what the 12-deck, 2,650-passenger, 85,619-ton ship delivers.
Through Buffett’s Margaritaville resort brand, the ship offers inexpensive, casual (no formal nights) and family-friendly beachy fun with some special twists for Parrotheads. It tends to draw groups who have something to celebrate, whether it’s a bachelorette party, a wedding anniversary or a milestone birthday. (On my sailing alone, there were two 90th birthday celebrations and several groups honoring passengers’ 40th and 60th years.) Expect to see plenty of multigenerational travelers spanning all ages.
The ship itself is nearing 30 years old and offers a somewhat vintage layout you won’t find on newer vessels. As I explored the decks, I stumbled on semi-hidden corridors and staircases that showed me the “back way” to access several lounges and even the gym. It made me feel like I was constantly discovering something new.
The people and programming aboard Islander are just as key to the experience as the ship itself. Crew members have hit their stride; they’re friendly and helpful, frequently remembering your name or your favorite drink. Nightly entertainment is lively, creative and engaging without being too over-the-top, and the daily schedule is heavy on activities — like giant Jenga, sea glass mosaic-making, a towel animal parade and family circus workshops — that you don’t find on many other ships.
Although Jimmy Buffett theming is obvious throughout Islander in the way of venue names, drink menus and touches that range from a giant atrium flip-flop (complete with a pop-top) to cabin throw pillows, you don’t have to be a Buffett fan to enjoy a sailing on this ship.
The vessel offers fantastic but unpretentious food (including steak, sushi, burgers, pizza and pastries), a menu of creatively crafted cocktails (yes, you can order a margarita at every single bar) and affordable food, drink and Wi-Fi packages that are a refreshing departure from the nickel-and-diming common on other cruise lines’ ships.
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The vessel also does good by hosting a heroes tribute event in the atrium on each cruise to call out and honor service people and first responders who are sailing. Margaritaville at Sea has even built a Heroes Program, which allows members of the military and first responders to sail with a companion for free.
With all of this in mind, it would be impossible to extol how far Islander has come without also mentioning that the ship was an underdog. As the second vessel for the new Margaritaville cruise line, whose first ship gave it a rocky start, it had a lot to prove. I’m happy to say it has risen to the challenge — but not without a few hiccups.
I first sailed Islander in mid-2024 on its inaugural two-night voyage from Tampa, where the ship has been based since the multimillion-dollar overhaul that transformed it from a former Costa Cruises ship. Although the vessel itself is a masterpiece — thanks in large part to architect and designer Joe Farcus, who originally dreamed up the public spaces — there were some significant flaws.
Half a year later, I sailed again and experienced none of the problems I encountered the first time. Leaks in the hallways and atrium have been plugged and didn’t drip at all, despite the rain we hit during my more recent cruise. My toilet, which was clogged for the better part of two days the first time with light to normal use, was free from issues, and I found no more water bubbling up from under the floor in the public restrooms.
Additionally, food temperatures were consistently where they needed to be, tables were cleared and wiped quickly after they were vacated in the buffet and public areas, and passenger keycards no longer list full cabin numbers (something that was previously a security risk).
Overall, the experience has improved so much that I had trouble finding negatives to list in my report below. Here’s what you should know about sailing on Margaritaville at Sea Islander cruise ship.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander cabins and suites
Guest rooms have benefited the most from Margaritaville at Sea’s multimillion-dollar refurbishment of Islander. Although they show some signs of age, Islander’s cabins are bright and modern, evoking a beachside Airbnb. Accommodations come in multiple styles, sizes and layouts: windowless insides, outsides with a window, balcony accommodations with private verandas and suites, the largest rooms on board.
Even the most basic rooms come with king beds that can be separated into twins upon request, outfitted with Margaritaville Resort-branded linens and pillows. Each cabin also has a vanity area with a phone, minifridge, charging outlets (standard North American and European plus USB-A and USB-C ports), a hair dryer and storage. In-cabin closets contain keypad-activated safes and plenty of shelves and bars for hanging clothes (although the hangers are the anti-theft kind and annoying to use). Rooms are cleaned daily.
In-cabin televisions offer a limited channel selection. If you wish to watch live sports, you might have to head out to the Havana Daydreamin’ sports bar.
Ensuite bathrooms offer shower-only setups, except in some suites, where bathtubs are included as an upgrade. Standard cabins have clingy curtains, while higher-end digs have fiberglass doors or partitions. All bathrooms are furnished with a toilet, at least one sink, a mirror, shelving for storage and toiletries from the Margaritaville Resort’s St. Somewhere Spa. They include shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid hand soap, lotion and bar soap.
Several of the ship’s cabin types can sleep three or four people. Triple accommodations offer either a sofa bed or a pull-down bunk; quads have either a sofa bed and pull-down bunk or two pull-downs. Cribs are available if requested.
My cabin, a Grand Terrace Corner Suite, overlooked the ship’s wake at one of the corners and offered plenty of space. The layout included separate sleeping and living room areas, plus a small bar with two stools and an extra vanity room. The bathroom featured a bathtub and shower and two sinks.
Although it looked a bit worn, the balcony was humongous — fantastic for sitting outside, particularly when the ship crossed under the Skyway Bridge on its way out of Tampa on embarkation day.
The room also had floor-to-ceiling windows along one entire wall. They made for great views, but they caused the room to become uncomfortably hot during the day if the curtains weren’t closed. (It didn’t help that there was only one thermostat in the cabin — in the bedroom. If the doors separating the bedroom from the rest of the cabin swung shut while I was out exploring the ship, I’d come back to find half of the cabin was comfortable while the other half was stifling.)
In addition to extra space, passengers booked in suites receive bathrobes and slippers for use during their sailings, access to the concierge lounge and related services, complimentary in-cabin bottled water and priority embarkation and disembarkation. They can also dine on the upper level of the main dining room in Islander, where they have access to a special seasonal supplemental dinner menu.
Passengers booked in all cabin types have the option to purchase package add-ons that feature select extras like priority check-in, luggage delivery and Wi-Fi, unlimited beverage packages, specialty dining, priority theater seating and spa credits. The packages range in price from $129 per cabin to $799 per person.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander restaurants
Free dining
Islander has several free onboard dining options. The two-deck main dining room (dubbed Fins on the bottom and Islander on the top) features a menu of items for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on classics, like shrimp and steak, and Caribbean specialties. I very much enjoyed the sweet potato soup, cauliflower steak and coconut rice with vegetable curry.
Beyond the dining room, a true standout in the complimentary category was Cheeseburger in Paradise, which flanks the pool opposite Mexican Cutie, which serves up Mexican fare. Although the burgers are simple — you won’t find many toppings — and cooked well done, they’re packed full of flavor.
The pizza at Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria, found inside the buffet and available late into the night, is absolutely excellent — possibly the best at sea. It always comes in cheese and pepperoni varieties daily, with additional flavors including mushroom and four cheese. Expect lines at both pizza and burger venues during peak meal times.
The Port of Indecision Buffet is just OK. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but despite how much real estate it takes up, there isn’t much variety. Expect the same sorts of dishes each day, which might include cereal, bacon or sausage and soggy powdered eggs for breakfast; salads, soup and some hot dishes for lunch; and a carving station with sides for dinner.
For a treat, you’ll find soft-serve ice cream by the pool.
Added-fee dining
If you’re seeking a different dining experience, you can partake in a la carte Asian cuisine at Far Side Sushi, where you can snag noodle salad or edamame starters from $3 to $5 each and a selection of rolls for $10 apiece, as well as poke bowls, sashimi and desserts. Although the rolls I had were tasty, I’d save my money for other expenses next time.
Two eateries located by the ship’s 18-and-older pool provide adults only with additional dining options for an extra fee. Island East serves up items like a Maine lobster roll ($18), ceviche ($10) and snow crab legs (market price). The Tiki Grill is where you’ll find lighter bites, such as chicken wings and conch fritters. I didn’t eat there this time around, but on my initial sailing, I was unimpressed with the fritters, which were wet and rubbery and set me back $8 for six (fries included).
For specialty dining that’s truly worth the price, head to JWB Prime Steakhouse. It’s open for dinner only and offers four courses (starter, soup or salad; main; one side and dessert) for $55 per person. My 8-ounce center-cut filet was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The French onion soup arrived bubbling hot and tasted fantastic, and the coconut dessert is an absolute do-not-miss.
One of my favorite daily haunts on board was the Margaritaville Coffee Shop, where barista Java Joe whipped up iced vanilla lattes for me on the regular. Drinks there range from $3 for an espresso to $9 for coffee beverages spiked with alcohol. The stand also offers soda and energy drinks, as well as for-fee breakfast sandwiches like avocado egg toast for $5 and pastries like cinnamon rolls, creme bombs and cheesecake that range from $3 to $6 each.
You also won’t want to miss brunch in Islander, offered on sea days for $15 per person. Try the chicken and waffles. Additionally, during dinner, the main dining room serves nicer options like filet mignon and lobster for a fee.
The ship has room service, but it isn’t free, even for breakfast, which can be delivered anytime between 7 and 8:30 a.m. Passengers wishing to order their first meal of the day can mark off their a la carte selections on a door hanger and hang it outside before going to bed. Unfortunately, I found my $7 scrambled egg sandwich to be soggy, and my $3 cinnamon rolls were dry. (Tip: The cinnamon rolls at the Margaritaville Coffee Shop are much tastier than the ones on the room service menu, and they’re the same price. They’re frosted, too, which the room service ones weren’t.)
From 2 p.m. to 3 a.m., cruisers can order from the larger room service menu, which has only a handful of salad and sandwich options that range from $6 to $9 per item, plus an 18% gratuity. Additional tips aren’t required but are a nice touch for anyone who delivers food to your room.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander bars and lounges
“The more you booze, the better you cruise,” were some of the first words we heard from the captain of Islander when he came on the ship’s public address system to welcome passengers on embarkation day.
As you might expect, the crowd on Islander generally enjoys having a cocktail — or several — to complement their cruise experience. With that in mind, the ship features a number of themed bars and lounges with creative cocktail menus that make it easy for passengers to find beverages that suit their tastes.
Bars include the always-bustling Flip-Flop Bar, which greets cruisers in the main atrium as soon as they board; Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits, named for Buffett’s private plane; the Bubbles Up Bar, where you’ll find live piano music and social media-worthy cocktails; the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar and LandShark Bar (and its LandShark Lookout upper level), which serve their respective pools; and the Tiki Bar, which accompanies the vessel’s 18-and-older Tiki Bar Pool.
My favorites, though, were the Havana Daydreamin’ Sports Bar, the Love & Luck Casino Bar and the mysterious QMN, which is as much an experience as it is a place to have drinks.
The sports bar is an odd mix of Old Havana and nods to Venice from the ship’s previous life with an Italian cruise line. The venue is bedecked with a mosaic floor and plenty of TVs for watching live sports.
I don’t gamble, but I was drawn to the casino bar for its unique approach to drinks. Although you can order without taking a chance, the menu’s drinks are numbered 1-6. If you’re feeling lucky or just can’t decide what you’d like to have, you can ask the bartender for a die to roll, and order the corresponding shot or cocktail.
QMN (Quietly Making Noise) is an ultra-exclusive Jimmy Buffett-themed speakeasy experience, which takes place in a secret room accessible to only a handful of guests each sailing. You can sign up for this extra-cost event via the concierge (if you have access) or at the shore excursions desk. A portion of the proceeds benefits Singing for Change, one of Jimmy Buffett’s charities.
Far Side of the World is the lounge where members of the Islander entertainment staff host trivia and game shows throughout each voyage. It’s not the most notable of spaces, but it does have sushi and its own bar nearby. However, the Hot, Hot, Hot Nightclub and the Coral Reef Lounge are two spaces worth calling out.
The nightclub, which is done up in a hell theme by Joe Farcus, is red-hued with flame-shaped stained-glass accents, as well as a dance floor that lights up in colored squares a la “Saturday Night Fever.” Raucous parties carry on there until the early morning, sometimes featuring surprise performances by the ship’s acrobats. Meanwhile, the Coral Reef Lounge is home to well-attended (and often hilariously off-key) adult karaoke and one of the most stunning staircases I’ve ever seen on a ship, featuring a giant chandelier and walls covered in blue and green mirrored tiles.
Islander sells both soda and alcohol packages. The former is $10 per person, per night. The latter is priced on a sliding scale, based on the length of the voyage. For my four-night cruise, the cost of an alcohol package was $354 per person for the duration of the sailing, including an 18% gratuity, for a maximum of 15 drinks per day. Discounts are available for purchasing packages online in advance.
The ship also sells a souvenir blender cup — a nod to Buffett’s famous “there’s booze in the blender” line from his song “Margaritaville” — for $29.99, which includes a 22-ounce alcoholic drink of your choice. Refills in the cup are the cost of the drink plus $8.
The drinking age on Islander is 21 years, and passengers are prohibited from bringing their own drinks (including but not limited to alcohol, soda, juice and water) onto the ship. Alcohol purchases made in port will be held until just prior to the conclusion of the sailing and may not be consumed on board.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander activities
Islander has created the right balance of activities, live music and nightly shows. On each day’s schedule, you’ll find enough to keep you busy and entertained but not so much that you risk a nasty case of FOMO like on some of the cruise industry’s megaships.
Islander features several shows at Stars on the Water Theater. “Caribbean Heat Remix” includes singing and dancing to snippets of popular songs from Pitbull, Gloria Estefan, Bob Marley, Justin Bieber and others. I also enjoyed “Conky Tonkin'” — an ode to country music, of which I am decidedly not a fan — thanks to its popular, toe-tapping songs and phenomenal acrobatic performances.
Unique props and a giant LED screen add to the intrigue, rather than distracting from the performers. Somehow, Margaritaville at Sea has found a way to do theater entertainment that’s engaging and enjoyable regardless of your musical preferences. (Unlike sister ship Paradise, Islander does not offer a Jimmy Buffett-themed show.)
A variety show, comedic performances and live music from a steel drummer, Latin band and various solo performers rounded out the live entertainment.
Daytime activities included arts and crafts like origami and flower making; trivia contests several times a day; cornhole, mini golf and pickleball tournaments at the Dis ‘N Dat Activity Zone; free dance lessons; scavenger hunts; meet-and-greets with cruise line mascot Parrot Pete; game shows like the “Cowboy vs. Cowgirl” battle of the sexes and “Lip Sync or Swim”; self-led meetings of service organizations like the Rotary, Lions and Elks Clubs; live sporting events (think NFL games) and replays of some of Jimmy Buffett’s most iconic concerts on the pool deck movie screen.
Passengers seeking some solitude for reading or other quiet pursuits will love A1A, a somewhat hidden section of corridor themed after the famous scenic Florida coastal road that was renamed in Jimmy Buffett’s memory.
The ship has three pools, each with its own hot tub. They include the fully outdoor LandShark Pool; the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool, which has a retractable roof that can be closed in inclement weather; and the adults-only aft Tiki Bar Pool.
Pay-to-play (or pay-to-relax) amenities include the Love & Luck Casino, St. Somewhere Spa and activities like a behind-the-scenes bridge tour and the aforementioned QMN. The ship also has the Fins Up Fitness Center, which is free to use.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander itineraries and pricing
Islander sails a regular schedule of four- to seven-night cruises to Key West, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico, round trip from Port Tampa Bay.
Mexico voyages start from $199 per person for a four-night sailing to Progreso. Bahamas cruises start from $299 per person for a five-night voyage calling on Nassau and Freeport. To visit Key West, you’re looking at fares from $329 per person for a five-night cruise that also stops at Progreso. Caribbean voyages — visiting Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico — begin at $399 per person for a six-night sailing.
Note: Prices were accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change without notice. All fares are per person, based on double occupancy.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander for families
Although it might seem like a party ship at first blush, Islander is pleasantly family-friendly. Although families aren’t necessarily its bread and butter — only 8% of passengers were younger than 18 on my winter voyage — there are plenty of activities to keep them busy. You might find family circus workshops, scavenger hunts and mini-golf tournaments on the daily schedule, all of which are terrific for families. The ship also offers the Caribbean Amphibian Play Pad and Slide for watery fun and the for-fee Far Out Arcade.
Grownups looking for more time to themselves and more structured activities for their children can drop their kids off at whichever kids club corresponds to their age group. The ship has four clubs: Jolly Mon (ages 3-5), Parakeets (6-9), The Hangout (10-12) and The Far Out (13-17). Club hours appear on each day’s schedule, and trained staff plan daily age-appropriate activities, with the teen club offering a bit less structure and a bit more time to chill. A fee of $8 per child, per hour, applies for kids club attendance from 10 p.m. to midnight for children ages 3-12 years old.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander accessibility
Islander’s public areas — including the bars, lounges, restaurants, buffet and theater — are wheelchair accessible, and the ship has three sets of elevators in the front, middle and back. Additionally, a stairlift allows passengers in wheelchairs to access the forward section of Deck 4 (where the fitness center and QMN are located), which is not serviced by an elevator. A lift is also available at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool for passengers with mobility issues who wish to swim.
The ship offers a total of eight accessible cabins — four insides without windows or balconies and four ocean-view accommodations — designed for passengers who use wheelchairs, scooters or other assistive devices. These rooms offer wider doorways, ramps for clearing door thresholds, more space for turning and lowered hooks and shelving. Bathrooms feature a wet bath setup for roll-in shower access, grab bars and accessible sinks and toilets.
What to know before you go
Islander has no mobile app, but QR codes on your keycard and throughout the ship offer electronic versions of the daily schedule, menus and more. Your room steward will also leave a copy of the Checklist to Chill (the ship’s schedule, which lists restaurant and bar hours, port information, daily activities and other information) in your cabin or in your cabin mailbox each night for the following day.
The ship operates on a cashless system that gives each passenger a personalized keycard to use for access to their room, as a charge card for onboard purchases and as a way to scan on and off the ship when going ashore or returning to the vessel.
Passengers who sail on Islander can expect to pay gratuities of $18 per person, per day, which will automatically be charged to each onboard account. Travelers staying in suites will be charged $22 per person, per day.
Wi-Fi is offered for sale, and the price varies by voyage length. For my four-night cruise, if pre-purchased, it was $72 for the entire sailing for basic internet on one device or $88 for a premium version that allows streaming. Some remote areas of the ship have spotty service, but connectivity is provided by Starlink, which means it’s largely reliable.
Islander does not have self-service laundry facilities, but passengers can send clothes out for wash-and-fold or pressing services for a per-item fee.
Bottom line
If you’re seeking a luxury getaway, Margaritaville at Sea Islander isn’t the ship for you. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing and fun vacation for you and your spouse, family or friend group, the vessel offers great value for money. Its fun atmosphere seamlessly joins the best of vintage and modern cruising with delicious food, impressive entertainment and beachy destinations.
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