Islander cruise assessment: A whole information to Margaritaville at Sea’s second ship
Editor’s word: TPG author Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free crusing to expertise Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander. The ideas on this assessment are fully her personal and weren’t topic to assessment by the cruise line.
At a look
- An older vessel that provides fashionable touches and classic aptitude
- Presents brief, reasonably priced getaways in a calming, laid-back come-as-you-are environment
- Scrumptious meals and weird leisure with a Jimmy Buffett twist
Introduction to Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Desire a cruise that is reasonably priced, enjoyable and sails from Florida however with out all of the drama of another traces? Margaritaville at Sea’s second ship, Islander, affords a pleasant, full of life environment that focuses on escapism — an idea Jimmy Buffett made standard together with his songs about leaving the every day grind behind in favor of fine occasions with good meals, good drinks and good mates.
And that is precisely what the 12-deck, 2,650-passenger, 85,619-ton ship delivers.
By means of Buffett’s Margaritaville resort model, the ship affords cheap, informal (no formal nights) and family-friendly beachy enjoyable with some particular twists for Parrotheads. It tends to attract teams who’ve one thing to rejoice, whether or not it is a bachelorette celebration, a marriage anniversary or a milestone birthday. (On my crusing alone, there have been two ninetieth birthday celebrations and several other teams honoring passengers’ fortieth and sixtieth years.) Count on to see loads of multigenerational vacationers spanning all ages.
The ship itself is nearing 30 years outdated and affords a considerably classic format you will not discover on newer vessels. As I explored the decks, I chanced on semi-hidden corridors and staircases that confirmed me the “again manner” to entry a number of lounges and even the fitness center. It made me really feel like I used to be continually discovering one thing new.
The folks and programming aboard Islander are simply as key to the expertise because the ship itself. Crew members have hit their stride; they’re pleasant and useful, incessantly remembering your identify or your favourite drink. Nightly leisure is full of life, inventive and fascinating with out being too over-the-top, and the every day schedule is heavy on actions — like big Jenga, sea glass mosaic-making, a towel animal parade and household circus workshops — that you do not discover on many different ships.
Though Jimmy Buffett theming is apparent all through Islander in the best way of venue names, drink menus and touches that vary from a large atrium flip-flop (full with a pop-top) to cabin throw pillows, you do not have to be a Buffett fan to get pleasure from a crusing on this ship.
The vessel affords implausible however unpretentious meals (together with steak, sushi, burgers, pizza and pastries), a menu of creatively crafted cocktails (sure, you may order a margarita at each single bar) and reasonably priced meals, drink and Wi-Fi packages which might be a refreshing departure from the nickel-and-diming widespread on different cruise traces’ ships.
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The vessel additionally does good by internet hosting a heroes tribute occasion within the atrium on every cruise to name out and honor service folks and first responders who’re crusing. Margaritaville at Sea has even constructed a Heroes Program, which permits members of the army and first responders to sail with a companion without spending a dime.
With all of this in thoughts, it will be unimaginable to extol how far Islander has come with out additionally mentioning that the ship was an underdog. Because the second vessel for the brand new Margaritaville cruise line, whose first ship gave it a rocky begin, it had so much to show. I am glad to say it has risen to the problem — however not and not using a few hiccups.
I first sailed Islander in mid-2024 on its inaugural two-night voyage from Tampa, the place the ship has been primarily based for the reason that multimillion-dollar overhaul that reworked it from a former Costa Cruises ship. Though the vessel itself is a masterpiece — thanks largely to architect and designer Joe Farcus, who initially dreamed up the general public areas — there have been some important flaws.
Half a 12 months later, I sailed once more and skilled not one of the issues I encountered the primary time. Leaks within the hallways and atrium have been plugged and did not drip in any respect, regardless of the rain we hit throughout my newer cruise. My rest room, which was clogged for the higher a part of two days the primary time with gentle to regular use, was free from points, and I discovered no extra water effervescent up from below the ground within the public restrooms.
Moreover, meals temperatures have been persistently the place they wanted to be, tables have been cleared and wiped rapidly after they have been vacated within the buffet and public areas, and passenger keycards now not listing full cabin numbers (one thing that was beforehand a safety danger).
Total, the expertise has improved a lot that I had bother discovering negatives to listing in my report beneath. Here is what it’s best to learn about crusing on Margaritaville at Sea Islander cruise ship.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander cabins and suites
Visitor rooms have benefited probably the most from Margaritaville at Sea’s multimillion-dollar refurbishment of Islander. Though they present some indicators of age, Islander’s cabins are brilliant and fashionable, evoking a beachside Airbnb. Lodging are available a number of kinds, sizes and layouts: windowless insides, outsides with a window, balcony lodging with non-public verandas and suites, the biggest rooms on board.
Even probably the most primary rooms include king beds that may be separated into twins upon request, outfitted with Margaritaville Resort-branded linens and pillows. Every cabin additionally has an arrogance space with a telephone, minifridge, charging shops (commonplace North American and European plus USB-A and USB-C ports), a hair dryer and storage. In-cabin closets include keypad-activated safes and loads of cabinets and bars for hanging garments (though the hangers are the anti-theft form and annoying to make use of). Rooms are cleaned every day.
In-cabin televisions provide a restricted channel choice. In case you want to watch dwell sports activities, you may need to move out to the Havana Daydreamin’ sports activities bar.
Ensuite bogs provide shower-only setups, besides in some suites, the place bathtubs are included as an improve. Customary cabins have clingy curtains, whereas higher-end digs have fiberglass doorways or partitions. All bogs are furnished with a bathroom, no less than one sink, a mirror, shelving for storage and toiletries from the Margaritaville Resort’s St. Someplace Spa. They embrace shampoo, conditioner, bathe gel, liquid hand cleaning soap, lotion and bar cleaning soap.
A number of of the ship’s cabin sorts can sleep three or 4 folks. Triple lodging provide both a settee mattress or a pull-down bunk; quads have both a settee mattress and pull-down bunk or two pull-downs. Cribs can be found if requested.
My cabin, a Grand Terrace Nook Suite, missed the ship’s wake at one of many corners and provided loads of house. The format included separate sleeping and lounge areas, plus a small bar with two stools and an additional self-importance room. The toilet featured a bath and bathe and two sinks.
Though it regarded a bit worn, the balcony was humongous — implausible for sitting exterior, significantly when the ship crossed below the Skyway Bridge on its manner out of Tampa on embarkation day.
The room additionally had floor-to-ceiling home windows alongside one whole wall. They made for excellent views, however they brought about the room to turn into uncomfortably scorching through the day if the curtains weren’t closed. (It did not assist that there was just one thermostat within the cabin — within the bed room. If the doorways separating the bed room from the remainder of the cabin swung shut whereas I used to be out exploring the ship, I would come again to seek out half of the cabin was snug whereas the opposite half was stifling.)
Along with additional house, passengers booked in suites obtain bathrobes and slippers to be used throughout their sailings, entry to the concierge lounge and associated companies, complimentary in-cabin bottled water and precedence embarkation and disembarkation. They’ll additionally dine on the higher degree of the principle eating room in Islander, the place they’ve entry to a particular seasonal supplemental dinner menu.
Passengers booked in all cabin sorts have the choice to buy bundle add-ons that characteristic choose extras like precedence check-in, baggage supply and Wi-Fi, limitless beverage packages, specialty eating, precedence theater seating and spa credit. The packages vary in value from $129 per cabin to $799 per particular person.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander eating places
Free eating
Islander has a number of free onboard eating choices. The 2-deck foremost eating room (dubbed Fins on the underside and Islander on the highest) includes a menu of things for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a concentrate on classics, like shrimp and steak, and Caribbean specialties. I very a lot loved the candy potato soup, cauliflower steak and coconut rice with vegetable curry.
Past the eating room, a real standout within the complimentary class was Cheeseburger in Paradise, which flanks the pool reverse Mexican Cutie, which serves up Mexican fare. Though the burgers are easy — you will not discover many toppings — and cooked effectively carried out, they’re packed stuffed with taste.
The pizza at Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria, discovered contained in the buffet and obtainable late into the night time, is totally wonderful — probably one of the best at sea. It at all times is available in cheese and pepperoni varieties every day, with extra flavors together with mushroom and 4 cheese. Count on traces at each pizza and burger venues throughout peak meal occasions.
The Port of Indecision Buffet is simply OK. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, however regardless of how a lot actual property it takes up, there is not a lot selection. Count on the identical kinds of dishes every day, which could embrace cereal, bacon or sausage and soggy powdered eggs for breakfast; salads, soup and a few scorching dishes for lunch; and a carving station with sides for dinner.
For a deal with, you will discover soft-serve ice cream by the pool.
Added-fee eating
In case you’re in search of a unique eating expertise, you may partake in a la carte Asian delicacies at Far Aspect Sushi, the place you may snag noodle salad or edamame starters from $3 to $5 every and a choice of rolls for $10 apiece, in addition to poke bowls, sashimi and desserts. Though the rolls I had have been tasty, I would save my cash for different bills subsequent time.
Two eateries positioned by the ship’s 18-and-older pool present adults solely with extra eating choices for an additional price. Island East serves up gadgets like a Maine lobster roll ($18), ceviche ($10) and snow crab legs (market value). The Tiki Grill is the place you will discover lighter bites, reminiscent of hen wings and conch fritters. I did not eat there this time round, however on my preliminary crusing, I used to be unimpressed with the fritters, which have been moist and rubbery and set me again $8 for six (fries included).
For specialty eating that is actually definitely worth the value, head to JWB Prime Steakhouse. It is open for dinner solely and affords 4 programs (starter, soup or salad; foremost; one aspect and dessert) for $55 per particular person. My 8-ounce center-cut filet was flavorful and cooked completely. The French onion soup arrived effervescent scorching and tasted implausible, and the coconut dessert is an absolute do-not-miss.
One among my favourite every day haunts on board was the Margaritaville Espresso Store, the place barista Java Joe whipped up iced vanilla lattes for me on the common. Drinks there vary from $3 for an espresso to $9 for espresso drinks spiked with alcohol. The stand additionally affords soda and vitality drinks, in addition to for-fee breakfast sandwiches like avocado egg toast for $5 and pastries like cinnamon rolls, creme bombs and cheesecake that vary from $3 to $6 every.
You additionally will not need to miss brunch in Islander, provided on sea days for $15 per particular person. Attempt the hen and waffles. Moreover, throughout dinner, the principle eating room serves nicer choices like filet mignon and lobster for a price.
The ship has room service, but it surely is not free, even for breakfast, which will be delivered anytime between 7 and eight:30 a.m. Passengers wishing to order their first meal of the day can mark off their a la carte picks on a door hanger and cling it exterior earlier than going to mattress. Sadly, I discovered my $7 scrambled egg sandwich to be soggy, and my $3 cinnamon rolls have been dry. (Tip: The cinnamon rolls on the Margaritaville Espresso Store are a lot tastier than those on the room service menu, they usually’re the identical value. They’re frosted, too, which the room service ones weren’t.)
From 2 p.m. to three a.m., cruisers can order from the bigger room service menu, which has solely a handful of salad and sandwich choices that vary from $6 to $9 per merchandise, plus an 18% gratuity. Further ideas aren’t required however are a pleasant contact for anybody who delivers meals to your room.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander bars and lounges
“The extra you booze, the higher you cruise,” have been a number of the first phrases we heard from the captain of Islander when he got here on the ship’s public handle system to welcome passengers on embarkation day.
As you may count on, the group on Islander usually enjoys having a cocktail — or a number of — to enhance their cruise expertise. With that in thoughts, the ship options quite a few themed bars and lounges with inventive cocktail menus that make it simple for passengers to seek out drinks that go well with their tastes.
Bars embrace the always-bustling Flip-Flop Bar, which greets cruisers in the principle atrium as quickly as they board; Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits, named for Buffett’s non-public aircraft; the Bubbles Up Bar, the place you will discover dwell piano music and social media-worthy cocktails; the 5 O’Clock Someplace Bar and LandShark Bar (and its LandShark Lookout higher degree), which serve their respective swimming pools; and the Tiki Bar, which accompanies the vessel’s 18-and-older Tiki Bar Pool.
My favorites, although, have been the Havana Daydreamin’ Sports activities Bar, the Love & Luck On line casino Bar and the mysterious QMN, which is as a lot an expertise as it’s a place to have drinks.
The sports activities bar is an odd mixture of Previous Havana and nods to Venice from the ship’s earlier life with an Italian cruise line. The venue is bedecked with a mosaic ground and loads of TVs for watching dwell sports activities.
I do not gamble, however I used to be drawn to the on line casino bar for its distinctive strategy to drinks. Though you may order with out taking an opportunity, the menu’s drinks are numbered 1-6. In case you’re feeling fortunate or simply cannot determine what you’d prefer to have, you may 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 expertise, which takes place in a secret room accessible to solely a handful of company every crusing. You’ll be able to join this extra-cost occasion through the concierge (in case you have entry) or on the shore excursions desk. A portion of the proceeds advantages Singing for Change, one in all Jimmy Buffett’s charities.
Far Aspect of the World is the lounge the place members of the Islander leisure employees host trivia and sport reveals all through every voyage. It is not probably the most notable of areas, but it surely does have sushi and its personal bar close by. Nonetheless, the Sizzling, Sizzling, Sizzling Nightclub and the Coral Reef Lounge are two areas value calling out.
The nightclub, which is finished up in a hell theme by Joe Farcus, is red-hued with flame-shaped stained-glass accents, in addition to a dance ground that lights up in coloured squares a la “Saturday Evening Fever.” Raucous events keep it up there till the early morning, typically that includes shock performances by the ship’s acrobats. In the meantime, the Coral Reef Lounge is house to well-attended (and sometimes hilariously off-key) grownup karaoke and probably the most beautiful staircases I’ve ever seen on a ship, that includes a large chandelier and partitions coated in blue and inexperienced mirrored tiles.
Islander sells each soda and alcohol packages. The previous is $10 per particular person, per night time. The latter is priced on a sliding scale, primarily based on the size of the voyage. For my four-night cruise, the price of an alcohol bundle was $354 per particular person at some stage in the crusing, together with an 18% gratuity, for a most of 15 drinks per day. Reductions can be found for buying packages on-line prematurely.
The ship additionally sells a memento blender cup — a nod to Buffett’s well-known “there’s booze within the blender” line from his track “Margaritaville” — for $29.99, which features a 22-ounce alcoholic drink of your alternative. Refills within the cup are the price of the drink plus $8.
The ingesting age on Islander is 21 years, and passengers are prohibited from bringing their very own drinks (together with however not restricted to alcohol, soda, juice and water) onto the ship. Alcohol purchases made in port will probably be held till simply previous to the conclusion of the crusing and will not be consumed on board.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander actions
Islander has created the suitable steadiness of actions, dwell music and nightly reveals. On every day’s schedule, you will discover sufficient to maintain you busy and entertained however not a lot that you simply danger a nasty case of FOMO like on a number of the cruise trade’s megaships.
Islander options a number of reveals at Stars on the Water Theater. “Caribbean Warmth Remix” contains singing and dancing to snippets of standard songs from Pitbull, Gloria Estefan, Bob Marley, Justin Bieber and others. I additionally loved “Conky Tonkin'” — an ode to nation music, of which I’m decidedly not a fan — because of its standard, toe-tapping songs and phenomenal acrobatic performances.
Distinctive props and a large LED display add to the intrigue, moderately than distracting from the performers. Someway, Margaritaville at Sea has discovered a technique to do theater leisure that is partaking and pleasant no matter your musical preferences. (In contrast to sister ship Paradise, Islander doesn’t provide a Jimmy Buffett-themed present.)
A range present, comedic performances and dwell music from a metal drummer, Latin band and varied solo performers rounded out the dwell leisure.
Daytime actions included arts and crafts like origami and flower making; trivia contests a number of occasions a day; cornhole, mini golf and pickleball tournaments on the Dis ‘N Dat Exercise Zone; free dance classes; scavenger hunts; meet-and-greets with cruise line mascot Parrot Pete; sport reveals just like the “Cowboy vs. Cowgirl” battle of the sexes and “Lip Sync or Swim”; self-led conferences of service organizations just like the Rotary, Lions and Elks Golf equipment; dwell sporting occasions (assume NFL video games) and replays of a few of Jimmy Buffett’s most iconic concert events on the pool deck film display.
Passengers in search of some solitude for studying or different quiet pursuits will love A1A, a considerably hidden part of hall themed after the well-known scenic Florida coastal street that was renamed in Jimmy Buffett’s reminiscence.
The ship has three swimming pools, every with its personal scorching tub. They embrace the totally outside LandShark Pool; the 5 O’Clock Someplace Pool, which has a retractable roof that may be closed in inclement climate; and the adults-only aft Tiki Bar Pool.
Pay-to-play (or pay-to-relax) facilities embrace the Love & Luck On line casino, St. Someplace Spa and actions like a behind-the-scenes bridge tour and the aforementioned QMN. The ship additionally has the Fins Up Health Heart, which is free to make use of.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander itineraries and pricing
Islander sails a daily schedule of four- to seven-night cruises to Key West, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico, spherical journey from Port Tampa Bay.
Mexico voyages begin from $199 per particular person for a four-night crusing to Progreso. Bahamas cruises begin from $299 per particular person for a five-night voyage calling on Nassau and Freeport. To go to Key West, you are taking a look at fares from $329 per particular person for a five-night cruise that additionally stops at Progreso. Caribbean voyages — visiting Belize Metropolis, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico — start at $399 per particular person for a six-night crusing.
Observe: Costs have been correct on the time of publication however are topic to alter with out discover. All fares are per particular person, primarily based on double occupancy.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander for households
Though it would appear to be a celebration ship at first blush, Islander is pleasantly family-friendly. Though households aren’t essentially its bread and butter — solely 8% of passengers have been youthful than 18 on my winter voyage — there are many actions to maintain them busy. You may discover household circus workshops, scavenger hunts and mini-golf tournaments on the every day schedule, all of that are terrific for households. The ship additionally affords the Caribbean Amphibian Play Pad and Slide for watery enjoyable and the for-fee Far Out Arcade.
Grownups in search of extra time to themselves and extra structured actions for his or her youngsters can drop their children off at whichever children membership corresponds to their age group. The ship has 4 golf equipment: Jolly Mon (ages 3-5), Parakeets (6-9), The Hangout (10-12) and The Far Out (13-17). Membership hours seem on every day’s schedule, and skilled employees plan every day age-appropriate actions, with the teenager membership providing a bit much less construction and a bit extra time to sit back. A price of $8 per youngster, per hour, applies for teenagers membership attendance from 10 p.m. to midnight for youngsters ages 3-12 years outdated.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander accessibility
Islander’s public areas — together with the bars, lounges, eating places, buffet and theater — are wheelchair accessible, and the ship has three units of elevators within the entrance, center and again. Moreover, a stairlift permits passengers in wheelchairs to entry the ahead part of Deck 4 (the place the health heart and QMN are positioned), which isn’t serviced by an elevator. A raise can also be obtainable on the 5 O’Clock Someplace Pool for passengers with mobility points who want to swim.
The ship affords a complete of eight accessible cabins — 4 insides with out home windows or balconies and 4 ocean-view lodging — designed for passengers who use wheelchairs, scooters or different assistive units. These rooms provide wider doorways, ramps for clearing door thresholds, extra space for turning and lowered hooks and shelving. Bogs characteristic a moist bathtub setup for roll-in bathe entry, seize bars and accessible sinks and bathrooms.
What to know earlier than you go
Islander has no cellular app, however QR codes in your keycard and all through the ship provide digital variations of the every day schedule, menus and extra. Your room steward can even go away a duplicate of the Guidelines to Chill (the ship’s schedule, which lists restaurant and bar hours, port info, every day actions and different info) in your cabin or in your cabin mailbox every night time for the next day.
The ship operates on a cashless system that provides every passenger a personalised keycard to make use of for entry to their room, as a cost card for onboard purchases and as a technique to scan on and off the ship when going ashore or returning to the vessel.
Passengers who sail on Islander can count on to pay gratuities of $20 per particular person, per day, which can robotically be charged to every onboard account. Vacationers staying in suites will probably be charged $24 per particular person, per day.
Wi-Fi is obtainable on the market, and the value varies by voyage size. For my four-night cruise, if pre-purchased, it was $72 for the complete crusing for primary web on one gadget or $88 for a premium model that enables streaming. Some distant areas of the ship have spotty service, however connectivity is offered by Starlink, which suggests it is largely dependable.
Islander doesn’t have self-service laundry amenities, however passengers can ship garments out for wash-and-fold or urgent companies for a per-item price.
Backside line
In case you’re in search of a luxurious getaway, Margaritaville at Sea Islander is not the ship for you. Nonetheless, should you’re in search of a calming and enjoyable trip for you and your partner, household or good friend group, the vessel affords nice worth for cash. Its enjoyable environment seamlessly joins one of the best of classic and fashionable cruising with scrumptious meals, spectacular leisure and beachy locations.
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