Margaritaville at Sea’s tropically themed Islander visits balmy Yucatan ports of call on casual, fun-filled cruises from Tampa, Florida. It’s party time.
From palm trees painted on the funnel and a hull emblazoned with parrots to public areas accented with flip-flop, surfboard and marine life motifs, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander artfully conveys the Margaritaville brand’s laid-back vibe.
Landshark Pool, one of two main pools on Deck 9. (Photo credit: Margaritaville at Sea)
A carefree, tropical aura prevails from bow to stern. If you like the color turquoise, you’ll be captivated by the decor in your stateroom and all around the festively appointed 2,680-passenger ship, which entered service in June 2024.
Fresh back from a five-night Islander cruise from Tampa, Florida to the Mexican Caribbean, I would recommend the Islander (formerly the Costa Atlantica) to anyone looking for a reasonably priced, easygoing experience with all the activities offered by a mass-market cruise.
Sophisticated or upscale, the ship is not. In the spirit of the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, however, it’s the right place to chill out and unwind, as the lifestyle brand he created—a global empire encompassing land resorts, restaurants and merchandise of all kinds—is a synonym for escapism and casual fun. For a unique souvenir, make an appointment at the Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio.
The Landshark Pool’s movie screen shows a 2016 concert given by Jimmy Buffett outside of Denver. (Randy Mink Photo)
Poolside Pleasures in Margaritaville
One day on my group’s cruise, the poolside movie screen featured Buffett in concert, singing hit songs like “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” (The Jimmy Buffet Speakeasy Tour ($90), an exclusive experience, includes an inside look at Buffett memorabilia along with three drinks.)
Signage around the ship declares that you’re on “Island Time” and that “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” Outdoor clocks on upper decks are frozen permanently at 5:00. The It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar resides by a pool of the same name. The other pool has the three-level Landshark Bar, named after the Margaritaville brand’s Landshark Lager, a beer brewed by Anheuser-Busch.
My favorite poolside eats were the juicy burgers and seasoned French fries served at Cheeseburger in Paradise, which was right by one of two soft-serve ice cream stations, another go-to place for me and others in my group.
The adults-only Tiki Bar & Grill. (Photo credit: Margaritaville at Sea)
Dining Options on the Cruise Ship
Dinner in Fins Dining Room, one of the Islander’s two main dining venues, was a much-anticipated event for us. From the menu’s varied list of appetizers and entrees, I especially liked the Cajun and Southern dishes—things like gumbo, jambalaya, hush puppies and shrimp and cheddar grits. Caribbean flavors also pleased my palate, particularly the jerked pork tenderloin with peach chutney and Jamaican pumpkin soup with garlic, thyme and coconut milk.
Lunchtimes had me piling my plate at Port of Indecision Buffet, where on the last day I pigged out on barbecue ribs, fish in Creole sauce, a chili dog and sweet potato fries. One evening I went there for Loaded Carbonara Fries with smoked pork, crispy bacon, Parmesan sauce and black pepper. Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria, right across from the buffet line, served four varieties of delicious pizza all day, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
For an extra charge, Islander guests can indulge in other food and beverage outlets. Sushi fans flock to Far Side of the World Bar, while a seafood shack called Island Eats, by the adults-only Tiki Bar Pool, serves up lobster rolls ($19 U.S.), crab legs, conch fritters, peel-and-eat shrimp and buckets of mussels. Margaritaville Coffee Shop offers sandwiches—meatball, pastrami, Cuban, paninis and more. For fine dining, there’s JWB Steakhouse.
A patriotic program in the Flip Flop Atrium paid tribute to U.S. veterans. (Randy Mink Photo)
Recreation and Entertainment on This Floating Resort
My idea of the perfect day at sea is relaxing with a good book, but active types find plenty to do on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. On Deck 11 Forward, for example, you can or play cornhole, mini golf or pickleball. Or whoosh down the Caribbean Amphibian waterslide on Deck 11 Aft.
Each night the Stars on the Water Theater features a comedy act or full-fledged production show. Our favorites were the country music show and the final night’s passenger talent show. And you can find musical acts of all kinds in the lounges well into the wee hours.
One afternoon in the Flip Flop Atrium, we cheered on our room stewards as they trotted out their whimsical creations in the Great Towel Animal Parade—sharks, monkeys, elephants and other creatures fashioned from towels. Upon my return to the cabin every day, I opened the door to find that my steward, Lewiz from Indonesia, had placed a fresh new animal “sculpture” on the bed, counter or toilet, using my hat, book or shoes as props.
For me, the most memorable atrium event was a salute to our military heroes., a patriotic celebration that featured a color guard from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Presided over by the cruise director, the stirring ceremony included the National Anthem, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” and recognition of each veteran in the audience.
Xcambo Mayan ruins. (Randy Mink Photo)
Exploring Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
Along with two full days at sea, our cruise called at two ports on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula—Progreso and the island of Cozumel.
From Progreso, my shore excursion ($99) combined a visit to Xcambo Mayan ruins with lunch and shopping time in Merida, the Yucatan’s biggest city. Not all ruins in Mexico are climbable, so we welcomed the chance to clamber about Xcambo’s centuries-old stone structures. In Merida, just a few blocks from the town square and its 16th century cathedral, we enjoyed local specialties at the Yucatan Gastronomy Museum restaurant. After lunch, we checked out the exhibit area, where women in traditional dress were demonstrating the art of tortilla making.
Cozumel is Mexico’s busiest cruise ship destination and one of the most visited cruise ports in the world. The Margaritaville contingent shared the island with thousands of passengers from seven other ships.
Souvenir stalls on the central plaza in downtown San Miguel, Cozumel. (Randy Mink Photo)
Cozumel’s port area is highly commercialized, with countless jewelry and souvenir shops vying for day trippers’ business. But my group booked a private van with the Islander’s shore excursion office and asked the guide to show us the island’s wild east coast, a stretch of deserted beaches where few tourists venture. We stopped for photos at a scenic lookout and got refreshments at a humble food hut/souvenir stand. Other stops included downtown San Miguel’s central plaza and a place that offered generous tequila sampling and chocolate tasting for $5.
Besides Mexico cruises from Tampa, Margaritaville at Sea markets two- and three-night Bahamas flings out of Palm Beach, Florida. In early 2027, the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber (the former Costa Fortuna) will become the line’s largest ship, offering week-long Caribbean sailings from Miami.
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By Randy Mink, Senior Editor
Lead photo courtesy of Margaritaville at Sea
