Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Sails from Tampa, Florida · Fly into TPA
Page updated
Margaritaville at Sea Islander, November 2024 · Photo: Bassfish22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Margaritaville at Sea Islander is a Margaritaville at Sea cruise ship of the Spirit class, in service since 2000. She measures 85,619 gross tons and carries 2,114 guests with a crew of 897. She sails Caribbean, Bahamas itineraries. We rate her 3.2 out of 5.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander is a Spirit-class ship of 85,619 gross tons, built at the Helsinki New Shipyard in Finland and delivered in 2000 as Costa Atlantica for Costa Cruises. Sold in 2019 to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping, a Chinese joint venture, she never sailed for that company and was bought by Margaritaville at Sea in 2023. A four-month refit at Harland & Wolff in Belfast in early 2024 rethemed her cabins, atrium, pool decks and restaurants, and she began sailing for the line in June 2024. Features include a three-story LandShark Bar by the pool, the adults-only Tiki Bar, a water slide and family games. She sails four- to ten-night cruises from Tampa to Key West, Mexico, the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 2,114
- Crew 897 · 1:2.4
- Entered service
- 2000
- Refitted 2024
- Length
- 293 m
- Longer than 76% of 575 ships
Margaritaville at Sea Islander is bigger than 61% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 72%. At 40.5 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 56% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 3/5
- Dining
- 3/5
- Entertainment
- 3/5
- Service
- 3/5
- Pools & decks
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews.
More from Margaritaville at Sea
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
Official deck plans
Photos
Margaritaville at Sea Islander, November 2024Photo: Bassfish22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
- CaribbeanEastern, Western and Southern Caribbean islands, sailing year-round from Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico
- Bahamasshort trips from Florida, often with a day on a line's private island
Home port: Tampa, Florida.
Flying in for your cruise?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander sails from Tampa, Florida. The airport is Tampa International (TPA), with 3 lounges to wait in before you board.
- American Airlines Admirals ClubTPA Airside F4.2 ★
- Delta Sky ClubTPA Airside E3.6 ★
- International Club LoungeTPA Airside F3.6 ★
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates Margaritaville at Sea Islander?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander is operated by Margaritaville at Sea and belongs to its Spirit class.
How big is Margaritaville at Sea Islander?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander measures 85,619 gross tons and 293 metres in length.
How does Margaritaville at Sea Islander compare in size with other cruise ships?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander is bigger than 61% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 72%. At 40.5 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 56% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Margaritaville at Sea Islander feel?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander has a passenger space ratio of 40.5: 85,619 gross tons for 2,114 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Margaritaville at Sea Islander feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Margaritaville at Sea Islander carry?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander carries 2,114 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 897 (about 2.4 guests per crew member).
When did Margaritaville at Sea Islander enter service?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander entered service in 2000 and was last refurbished in 2024.
Where does Margaritaville at Sea Islander sail?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander sails Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. Her home port is Tampa, Florida.
Which airport should I fly into for Margaritaville at Sea Islander?
Margaritaville at Sea Islander sails from Tampa, Florida. Fly into Tampa International (TPA), which has 3 airport lounges listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Margaritaville at Sea Islander?
Margaritaville at Sea publishes the deck plans for Margaritaville at Sea Islander; this page links to Deck plans.
How is Margaritaville at Sea Islander rated?
Cruise Frog rates Margaritaville at Sea Islander 3.2 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on value (4/5) and lowest on service (3/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Margaritaville at Sea Islander
- Cruising solo on Margaritaville at Sea: short, cheap and sociable, with no solo policy
Margaritaville at Sea has no solo cabins or published solo pricing, but its short, low-cost sailings from Florida and Texas make going alone easy to try.
Cruise lines
- Beachcomber is a new Margaritaville ship, not a newly built ship: what to check
Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber will be new to the line, but the ship itself began life as Costa Fortuna. I would use that distinction to ask better booking questions, rather than assume either that a refit fixes everything or that an older hull cannot offer a good holiday.
Ships
- Margaritaville's Beachcomber reaches Belfast for its refit before a January 2027 debut in Miami
The former Costa Fortuna is in Belfast for new venues and updated cabins. It sails from PortMiami in January 2027, then moves to Galveston.
Ships
- 5 things Margaritaville at Sea does well—and 1 it doesn’t
Five strengths of Margaritaville at Sea, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.
Cruise lines