Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the lifting of the No Sail Order: https://www.travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/2022/07/update-no-sail-order-lifted-for-margaritaville-at-sea/

After failing a US Coast Guard Certificate of Compliance exam, all passengers of the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship were asked to disembark and a “No Sail Order” was issued for the vessel.  The exact nature of the ship’s deficiencies was not disclosed. Read the rest of this entry »

“There’s nothing better than launching a new cruise line into a market that has been closed with Covid,” says Francis Riley.

And indeed, adds the chief commercial officer of Margaritaville at Sea, the market is perfect for a three-day cruise out of West Palm Beach that sails year-round —and can be extended to six days, with a stay on Grand Bahama Island, for about $1,000.

The whole idea of getting out on the water is very much in line with Margaritaville’s laid-back luxury charm. While the 658-room Paradise, which set sail this month, is hardly a new ship; it is completely refurbished since its days as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Grand Classica.

“Every single cabin has been ripped out and completely overhauled, every single area of the ship is refurbished,” Riley says. And the cruise includes all the things you’d get in a Margaritaville resort—”the elevated room, pillow, mattresses, the food, the 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar, the elevated dining with JWB Prime Steak House, plus of course what you’d expect in terms of entertainment, with a new show written by Jimmy Buffet.” Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a new short vacation option with a brand consumers already know and love? Margaritaville at Sea has just the thing to sell this summer and all year round: 4- and 6-day sea-and land escapes that sail from West Palm Beach to Grand Bahamas.

At Seatrade in Miami, chief commercial officer Francis Riley told TRO the new ship “is going to include all the things you’d get in a Margaritaville resort” – the elevated room, pillows, and mattresses; the 5:00 Bar; the elevated dining with JWB Prime steak house; the valet service; the bands and music throughout the ship; the kids club;  “plus of course what you’d expect in terms of entertainment, including the new show we launched today written by  Jimmy Buffett.”

The new ship, which begins sailing May 14,  gives the company—and the travel advisors who sell it—the opportunity “to talk to a lot of customers who have experienced the land-based resort who might enjoy an elevated cruise experience,” be it just a two-night jaunt out of Florida or with an extended stay on Grand Bahama Island.

As a sign of its commitment to travel advisors, Margaritaville at Sea is setting aside “a minimum of one cabin per sailing” on every single ship starting at a $149 agent rate including taxes and fees.

Tell them Cheryl sent you!

Margaritaville at Sea has canceled the first two weeks of inaugural sailings, moving the launch of the rebranded Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to mid-May. 

The first three-day, two-night trip to Grand Bahama Island from Palm Beach, Fla. was to occur on April 30th on the refurbished, 1,680 passenger Paradise. Passengers booked on the first seven cruises received an email offering a complimentary cabin and money paid for the cruises as an onboard credit.  In response to inquiries about the cancelations on Facebook, a company spokesperson said “We are moving our first official passenger sailing to May 14th to ensure the best possible experience…We need to make sure the first cruise is perfect and hope you’re able to rebook with us soon!”