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This Cruise Line Is Extending Its Heroes Sail Free Program Indefinitely — What That Means For Military, First Responders, Educators, And Nurses

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• Travel News

The cruise line, which is part of the Margaritaville brand created by singer Jimmy Buffett, began inviting first responders on a free 3-day, 2-night cruise from the Port of Palm Beach in Florida to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island as what it called a “much-deserved microvacation” last month. Eligible personnel include both active-duty service members and veterans, police, fire, EMS personnel, and educators who are federal, state, or local government employees.

That program, called the Heroes Sail Free cruise program, is coordinated through a partnership with GovX.com, an online marketplace offering discounts on products, programs, and experiences exclusively for U.S. military service members, first responders, emergency medical professionals, and other state/federal employees.

“To show our sincere gratitude for their ongoing service, we wanted to offer these frontline heroes a chance to kick off their boots and work shoes and flip flop into a relaxing getaway,” Kevin Sheehan, Jr., president and CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, said in a statement . “We hope a little downtime to recover from the demands of their day-to-day responsibilities is just what they need.”

That program proved to be popular – enormously popular.

Heroes Sail Free’s Tremendous Popularity

“Within weeks of the launch, we were pleasantly surprised to see more than 30,000 Heroes and their guests rush to book their free cruise, but that filled nearly all available staterooms in the program through 2023,” Sheehan said in a recent statement .

As a way to continue saying thank you to first responders, Margaritaville at Sea recently expanded the program.

“Now we’re able to continue supporting our Heroes, which is more deserved than ever, by welcoming them to always sail for free when traveling with a paying guest,” Sheehan explained.

The program, which begins October 12, offers first responders a free cruise when they travel with a paying guest. The change ensures “all qualified U.S. military service members (active duty and veterans), police, fire, EMS personnel, nurses, and educators have the chance to enjoy one free cruise to the Bahamas per year aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise ,” Margaritaville at Sea explains.

What’s more, also beginning October 12, Margaritaville at Sea will launch a fall promotion offering rates as low as $109 with a $50 cabin credit.

Aboard The Margaritaville Paradise

Margaritaville at Sea is a partnership between the owners of the former Bahamas Cruise Paradise Line and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. The ship, Margaritaville Paradise , which debuted last spring with Jimmy Buffett-themed offerings, is a makeover of what had formerly been Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Grand Classica , according to the Orlando Sentinel .

The 658-cabin ship “features gourmet food and beverage options, including JWB Prime Steakhouse and the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, along with pools, retail stores, a St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, and other services and amenities,” Margaritaville at Sea explains. “The ship also offers on-board leisure activities and entertainment, including the Par-A-Dice casino and the Oasis Room, home to the Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show , written and produced by Jimmy Buffett and acclaimed producer Frank Marshall.”

How To Book A Cruise

If you’d like to book passage on a Heroes Sail Free cruise program, there are two important criteria:

• First, of course, the offer is only extended to U.S. military service members (active duty and veterans), police, fire, EMS personnel, and educators who are federal, state, or local government employees.
• Secondly, anyone planning to book also needs to have a GovX-issued ID, which is used to securely verify their military, first responder, or related eligibility status.

You can learn more about GovX and even create an account, if you are eligible, here .

Also, you’ll need to keep in mind that “Heroes-only” sailings will be added in the future, so you’ll need to visit the Margaritaville at Sea’s Heroes Sail Free webpage to learn when cruises are announced. You can also find all of the terms and exclusions on that page.

While you’re thinking about it, be sure to read all of our other cruises and sailing content, including

• 7 Best Caribbean Cruise Lines Our Readers Love
• 9 Tips For Cruising The Mediterranean With Costa
• 7 Things I Loved, Plus 4 Things I Didn’t During Princess’s Alaska Cruisetour

Jim Fulcher has been a writer and editor his entire career. In addition to writing, he also enjoys traveling--particularly in an RV. Over the course of numerous trips, Jim has driven an RV through West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. His favorite national park is Yellowstone, which he has visited three times.

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Free Margaritaville at Sea Cruise for Military, First Responders & Educators [Offer Updated]

James Larounis

Senior Content Contributor

559 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 30 U.S. States Visited: 35

Table of Contents

Who is eligible to receive the free cruise, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Margaritaville at Sea is offering a free 2-night cruise from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island for military, first responders, and teachers in recognition of these dedicated professions’ service over the past several years.

If you’re an eligible traveler, taking advantage of this deal will allow you to set sail for free, only paying port taxes and fees. The offer changes on October 12, requiring the passengers utilizing the free cruise offer to travel with a paying guest, so if you’re interested in the initial offer, make sure to book by October 11.

This offer is valid for active and veteran military, first responders, law enforcement officers, government employees, and educators , and all professions are validated through the GovX ID platform. This free, easy-to-use website verifies your credentials, asks for some simple biographical information, and asks you to log in to your licensing agency’s website for verification. If you don’t already have an account, it is easy to create one and you can usually be verified in a matter of minutes.

Under this offer, eligible travelers can receive a free 2-night cruise from the Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach, Florida to Grand Bahama Island on select dates through the end of 2023. To book, you’ll need to use this booking link .

There are several things to be aware of, however:

• Up to 2 verified travelers can travel together in the same stateroom. So, for example, you can have 2 police officers staying in the same room to receive a completely free room, however, if only 1 of the travelers is eligible, the other traveler would need to pay the standard cruise sailing rate .
• You can travel as a solo traveler without any issues. You do not need to have multiple guests per room.
• Capacity is limited, and you may find certain dates restricted based on bookings.
• There are only 2 blackout dates: December 30, 2022, and December 31, 2023.
• While the cruise itself is free, you will be required to pay all port taxes, fees, and port expenses . These are charged by local governments and unfortunately are not waived.
• The offer is available for qualified passengers to enjoy 1 free cruise to the Bahamas per year.

It’s worth noting that these free cruises can be booked online, but if for whatever reason you need to call customer service, you’ll likely encounter long wait times thanks to the popularity of the offer. To book under the current offer, you’ll want to secure your spot by October 11.

As of October 12, more availability is being added for cruises due to overwhelming demand, so if you don’t see a particular sailing available, be sure to check back after that date for more openings. However, in order to book after this date, you’ll need to book as a companion of a paying guest , which is different than the original offer of a completely free ticket.

Also starting  October 12 , guests can also take advantage of Margaritaville at Sea’s new fall offer, with rates starting at $109  and a  $50  cabin credit.

Hot Tip: Consider using one of our recommended best credit cards for booking cruises when finalizing your arrangements. 

This is a fantastic and generous offer for military, first responders, and teachers, so if you are qualified you should definitely take advantage of this as soon as possible to ensure your booking. Even if you will be traveling with passengers that are not eligible for the free cruise, your trip will still be significantly cheaper.

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James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

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Margaritaville at Sea offers free paradise cruise for military, first responders and educators

(Gray News) - A popular cruise line says it’s honoring frontline workers by helping cover their select cruise fare to the Bahamas.

The Margaritaville at Sea cruise line recently announced a “Heroes Sail Free” program.

According to a news release, the program provides one free cruise to the Bahamas for U.S. military service members, police, emergency medical service workers and educators.

“Welcome aboard, heroes, with a big thank you for your service,” said singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. “Now, we feel honored to serve you at sea.”

The cruise line said the three-day, two-night getaway starts from the Port of Palm Beach and sails to Freeport in the Bahamas aboard its Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship.

According to the company, its flagship vessel features several gourmet foods and beverage options, spa treatments and much more.

“To show our sincere gratitude for their ongoing service, we wanted to offer these frontline heroes a chance to kick off their boots and work shoes and flip flop into a relaxing getaway,” said Kevin Sheehan, Jr., CEO of Margaritaville at Sea.

The cruise program is a partnership between Margaritaville at Sea and GovX.com , the largest military and government e-commerce site.

The cruise line said the program is running through Dec. 29, 2023.

Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Honest margaritaville at sea cruise review: the 3-day cruise from florida to bahamas.

• November 22, 2022
• By Christina Jane

Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is a well-known hospitality brand, extending its presence around and beyond the United States. In April 2022, Margaritaville launched its Margaritaville At Sea cruise line, allowing guests to sail from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida to Grand Bahama Island.

With booking rates as low as $189/person before taxes and fees, the cruise offers what is, for many, an affordable tropical getaway for a few days. 

I hopped on the Margaritaville At Sea cruise in June for a firsthand experience of what the 3-day, 2-night cruise ship offers. This blog post will tell you everything you need to know about the Margaritaville At Sea experience and what you can expect onboard. 

Table of Contents

Booking A Margaritaville At Sea Cruise 

The cruise line’s website provides an easy-to-navigate, great overview of the cruise ship and clear instructions on how to book a cruise. Depending on how many people you’ll be traveling with while booking , you will select the number of staterooms and individuals you want to register for the cruise. You can book a maximum of 4 individuals into one stateroom. You’ll enter the general details (name, birthdate, phone number, and zip code) of each individual, enter your payment card information, and you are all set to sail! 

What is the cost of the Margaritaville At Sea Cruise? 

The cost of the cruise can be a bit tricky because the advertised price will not be your final total due to a series of taxes, fees, and add-ons throughout the cruise. The starting price will vary depending on what day of the week you choose to sail. Sundays – Wednesdays are $40 cheaper than the usual $229-374 price advertised on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to save some coins, sailing on a weekday will be your best bet. The cruise line always offers promotions on their website, so prices constantly change.

What is included in the price?

The price paid when booking covers the following:

• A room on the cruise ship 
• Round-trip ocean transportation 
• Meals at the specified dining facilities onboard 
• Onboard live entertainment 
• Supervised kid programs 

What is not included in the price?

There are additional costs per person that you will be automatically responsible for by the end of your cruise. These include:

• Valet parking at the port ($22/day for a total of $44 if sailing for two nights and three days)
• Fuel charge of $12 per day (total of $24)
• Gratuities of $14.95 per night (total of $29.90)
• Grand Bahama Island excursions 
• Dining at specialty restaurants offered onboard 
• Photographs 
• Bar beverages

Add A Package to Your Cruise Option 

Margaritaville At Sea cruise offers a variety of packages guests can add to their getaway before sailing or upon arrival at the Port if they haven’t sold out. The three specialty packages give sailors different options like express check-in, dinner at the on-ship steakhouse, wine tasting, and other add-ons that make the vacation even more special. 

The cruise line’s drink packages include the following: 

• Unlimited Soda Package | $24.78* (includes souvenir cup)
• Boat Drinks Packages (10 drinks) | $99* (Retail value $120)
• No Feathers Non-Alcoholic Package | $89.67*

*Please note, an 18% service charge will be automatically applied to all drink packages, bar purchases, specialty dining, and Spa & Salon tabs. 

Preparing to Sail: What Documents to Bring 

Required Documentation:

• U.S. Citizens : Passport books or cards are preferred by the cruise line and must be valid for at least six months from the return date of sailing. While passports are strongly encouraged, you can sail to the Bahamas with Margaritaville without one! Non-U.S. citizen passport holders must provide an original or certified U.S. birth certificate with a valid U.S. driver’s license.

• Non-U.S. Citizens : Bring a valid home-country passport and visa, if required. Those who purchase a Cruise & Stay package are required to have a passport and a completed Bahamas Travel Health Visa before sailing. 

The Margaritaville At Sea website will have all of the most updated information regarding the required documentation to sail. 

COVID Testing Requirements

Vaccinated guests: Must provide a negative test result no more than 3 days before sailing (antigen, PCR or NAAT). Antigen testing is offered at the port for $45 if vaccinated guests can’t get one before boarding the cruise ship. 

Unvaccinated guests: Must provide a negative PCR or NAAT test result, taken no less than 2 days prior to sail date, and be tested ($45 antigen) at the port before embarkation. If your embarkation day is on Saturday, you’ll want to get tested on Thursday. 

I will say that I had unvaccinated members in my party, and they were not tested upon arrival at the port. 

What to Bring on Your Cruise 

Here is a list of things to bring on your cruise with Margaritaville At Sea besides your clothes and must-haves:

• COVID Vaccination Card (if applicable)
• Passport, Driver’s License, and Birth Certificate 
• COVID Testing Results (electronic versions allowed)
• Carry-on-sized bag (to avoid taking up so much space in the room)
• Small bag to bring on your excursion 

Staterooms and Suites Available 

The Margaritaville At Sea cruise ship has 658 staterooms and three different types of rooms available. 

• The Interior Staterooms (Starting at $189)
• The Oceanview Staterooms (Starting at $219)
• The Grad Terrace Suites (Starting at $819) 

I opted for the interior stateroom, considered the most basic option of the three. At 176 square feet, the interior stateroom isn’t the largest room but still managed to impress me with the amenities and features offered in a room its size. 

A Look Inside the Interior Stateroom 

Margaritaville At Sea Cruise Sailing Itinerary 

Margaritaville At Sea’s 3-day and 2-night cruise to the Grand Bahama Island has a general itinerary it follows:  

On the first day of sailing, passengers boarded the cruise ship from the Port of Palm Beach from 1 pm – 4 pm and began sailing to the Bahamas. You are free and, of course, limited to exploring the amenities on the ship before having a good night of rest or a long night of partying on the upper decks with the DJ! 

The ship arrives at Grand Bahama Island, where passengers can offboard the ship to embark on an excursion for a few hours before returning on the ship to head back to the Port of Palm Beach.  

You will wake up in Palm Beach, Florida, around 7:00 am, pack up your belongings, and go through customs to enter the United States. 

Arriving at the Port of Palm Beach: Embarkation Process 

The cruise line will send an address to the port in the confirmation email you should have received. Once you get to the dock, an operator in a gate booth will give you a slip explaining how to navigate to where the cruise ship is in the area. 

Valet parking is offered, and the rate is $22/day to park your car for the duration of the trip. This is the only parking available, so if you want to save some coins, be sure to get dropped off if you can and picked up on the day of return! 

We waited in line with some other passengers to check in and were expedited as staff members had iPads to make the process run quickly. Once inside the port’s building, we went through a monitor/TSA-like system and dropped off our luggage and bags to be placed in front of our doors. 

Taking the escalators upstairs to the official check-in counters, where our passports, vaccination cards, and COVID test results were reviewed. You will also be given your room keys (one per person in a suite). During this step, you are asked for a card that will be charged at disembarkation once you have returned back from the Bahamas. 

Before boarding the ship, you will pass several booths. You will have the option to book an excursion, a spa service, take a picture, and set your dinner reservations for the night. The representatives at each booth are extremely helpful and will ensure that you understand the details involved in each service. 

After the booths, you are instructed to watch a quick 5-minute cruise safety video giving tips and the “dos and don’ts” of cruising. 

Is food included in Margaritaville At Sea Cruise?

The Margaritaville At Sea cruise offers a variety of dining options on the ship. The Port of Indecision Buffet and Fin’s Dining are included in the cruise fare, while other options incur additional costs and are considered specialty dining. I’ll list the options below, but I will say I feel that the cruise ship could have had more Bahamian food options. 

Port of Indecision Buffet

This casual buffet serves an unlimited variety of foods you can load up on during the specified dining hours. In the morning, the buffet serves almost every American breakfast food you can imagine, and in the afternoon until 5 pm, you can expect to find different lunch foods. 

Fin’s Dining 

Fin’s Dining is the only other dining option that is included in the cruise fare and is the cruise line’s main dining room. The vibe in Fin’s is more upscale, and you’ll want to have a nice dinner outfit to match the ambiance. The menu for both of the days can be found online. 

Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria

The authentic Italian pizzeria has made its way onto the Margaritaville At Sea cruise ship and offers guests pizza and salad. Stay and dine in at the sectioned-off restaurant or carry out to your room. 

5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill

Located on Deck 10, known as the entertainment deck of the ship, this bar is nothing but high-energy and big smiles. I passed the bar a few times on my way, and the drinks didn’t stop coming! 

JWB Prime Steakhouse 

The JWB Prime Steakhouse is an upscale restaurant serving fine steak and exquisite menu options on the ship. Passengers dining at this restaurant usually dress up in their finest dinner attire and enjoy all it has to offer. 

Margaritaville Coffee Shop

Here you can grab a chai latte or a muffin before heading to your excursion at the coffee shop. To the right of the shop is an array of tasty gelato flavors to choose from for dessert! 

Additional Charges for Drinks 

Please note that glasses of water and juice are offered for free at the Port of Indecision Buffet. At Fin’s Dining, anything besides water is an additional charge at around $2. 

Bars and Lounges 

Margaritaville At Sea has 5 bars and lounges for passengers to enjoy on their cruise! Sway to the beats of live musicians and DJs that are hosted throughout the days on board in the Oasis Room, or head to the License to Chill Bar for a signature cocktail. 

Entertainment & Recreation Onboard 

Upon embarking on the cruise ship, we were given an itinerary with a detailed list of the time and locations of entertainment activities that would take place on board. The itinerary was very helpful for informing us on where to go for activities and restaurants and was a great touch by the cruise line. 

Themed Parties 

The crew hosts different themed parties every night once everyone is aboard the ship and you’re headed to the Bahamas and back. 

Bingo that is hosted on the ship! You do pay for a bingo card, but they were giving away another cruise when we were on, so it may be worth playing. 

Tales from Margaritaville Show

A 45-minute show performed nightly. I honestly found this to be super corny and ended up leaving the show early, but you may have the time of your life! Different musicians and actors offer other musical shows throughout the ship. 

Pools and Jacuzzis 

The ship has two pools: one for all ages and one for adults. I was very disappointed with the pools, as they were barely filled with water and did not even go up to our knees. The jacuzzis looked nice but were also preoccupied as only two jacuzzis were on the entire ship. I hope to see improvement in this area, as I feel like it did kill the vibe.

Fitness Center/Gym 

Working out is possible while aboard the cruise ship at the on-site fitness center located on one of the upper decks. While the gym is compact, I was pretty impressed with the fitness center’s equipment and recommend bringing workout clothes just in case you’re up for a workout session while on vacation.

Spa & Salon 

Book a massage, facial, or hair service to relax and unwind at the spa and salon. 

Casino 

If you’re up to placing bets and playing some games, stop by the casino and try your hand at Blackjack or Roulette! 

What Can I Shop for Onboard? 

The ship has plenty of shops to browse or purchase things to take home. From photo shops to duty-free stores, you’ll be met with plenty of options if you’re looking to buy something to take home on your trip. 

Is WiFi Available on the Margaritaville At Sea ship? 

WiFi is available on the Margaritaville At Sea Cruise, but it is at an additional rate of $25 per device for the duration of the cruise. We did purchase WiFi for a few devices and found that it did not work in our stateroom but instead in the hallway directly outside of our room door and around the cruise ship. For this reason, I don’t really recommend purchasing WiFi because it can be a hit or miss. I personally chose to unplug for the trip and did not have WiFi. We did mention that the WiFi was not that great during checkout and received full refunds for both of the devices. 

What is there to do for kids on the Margaritaville At Sea Cruise?

  Besides the pool, the Margaritaville At Sea cruise has Kid’s Clubs for children up to age 17. There is a group for ages 3-6, 7-12, and a Teen’s Club for ages 13-17. The clubs are free from 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm, but otherwise, are an additional fee that depends on whether or not you pay for one day or both days. 

The itinerary of the three clubs can be found here . 

Grand Bahama Island Excursions

The Margaritaville At Sea Cruise sails to the Grand Bahama Island on the second day from 8 am – 4 pm, where there are a variety of excursions you can do while on the island for the day. Unfortunately, due to the limited time of the cruise, you can only do one excursion. Here are the excursions offered: 

 Swimming with the Pigs and Beach Day

Swim with pigs at the beach, then spend the day enjoying the waves. 

 Dolphin Close Encounter

A 7 to 10 minute interaction with dolphins and chance to observe wildlife from the bird patio. 

 Dolphin Swim

Swim with dolphins for 20 to 25 minutes. 

 City Tour + Market Place

Hop on a bus and get taken around the island to local spots and at the end get off the bus for a visit to the marketplace and lunch. 

 Brewery Tour and Shopping Area + Grand Lucaya Beach

Take a tour of a local brewery then end the day at the beach. 

 Snorkeling Adventure 

  grand lucayan resort day pass  w day pass,  taino beach resort day pass.

Day passes to the resorts include access to the resorts, lazy rvers, pools, jacuszzis, volleyball, watersports, and more. 

Swimming with the Pigs Excursion 

On the Margaritaville cruise, if you don’t choose to do an excursion once the ship docks at the Grand Bahama island for the day, you will stay on the boat doing nothing or watching music shows. To avoid this, I opted in for the Swimming with Pigs excursion. 

Every excursion starts early, around 8:00 am – 9:15 am, so you’ll want to ensure you are up bright and early because tickets for excursions are non-refundable! The cruise offers towels (be sure to take at least two of them if you are heading to the beach). You’ll meet in the lounge, grab towels, then be organized into a line to board a bus leading to the excursion. 

The Bus Ride 

The ride to Crystal Beach, where our excursion was being hosted, was about 45 minutes from Freeport Harbor, where the ship docked. On the way to the beach, a tour guide joined our double-decker bus and gave a narrated tour of the island as we drove through. It was very informative. We learned that Hurricane Dorian in 2019 left a lot of the island damaged, and COVID has only made things worse for many businesses, causing them to close. The bus does not go into the city but west along the island’s coast to bring us to the pigs. According to the guide, there are 700 islands in the Bahamas and a population of 55,000. There is also a low crime rate due to everyone knowing each other! 

The Excursion

Upon arrival at Crystal Beach, everyone was given wristbands, and we had about an hour of laying around, taking pictures, securing our beach chairs, etc., before the excursion began. Organized into four single file lines, the tour operator gave us instructions on how to handle the pigs in the water, how to lure them in our direction with apples, and the overall dos and donts to have the best experience. 

The pigs were a lot larger than any of us expected! There had to be about 50 of us from the cruise doing the excursion. It was a great time, but the human-to-pig ratio was a bit much, and it was a “race” to really interact with the pigs before someone else was getting in your way to try to get their interaction. Imagine people screaming, pigs so big they are almost knocking people over, losing your balance, etc. It was crazy at times but a fun experience. I wouldn’t do it again just because of the number of people there, but I’m glad I got it done! Also the experience is more “feeding the pics, than swimming with the pigs.” The pigs are they only ones doing the swimming really, as the rest of us are trying to get their attention with the apples. 

The rest of the day was spent on the beach relaxing. There isn’t much to do on the beach besides lay around and play volleyball after the pigs. I recommend bringing a book or something to keep you preoccupied. The only way to leave the beach after the excursion is via taxi, which can be expensive, so you are stuck there for about 5-6 hours. Surprisingly the time went by fast, and it was very relaxing. 

Food  of the Excursion

Food is not included in the excursion, but there is a shack on the beach that serves cheeseburgers, nachos, and other snack foods. I ordered a basic cheeseburger, but it was delicious! I was happier with the food from the shack than on the cruise ship. 

Cost  of the Excursion

This excursion was $99 per person. Was the price worth it? No, the excursion was supposed to be for 45 minutes, but I would say we only spent about 20 minutes with the pigs. That would have been a good amount of time if there weren’t so many people competing for their attention all at once! 

Onboarding the Ship 

The bus took us back to the ship, where we were met with fruit punch and cookies, which I thought was a nice touch. Overall, it was a great day in the Bahamas! I recommend getting an excursion to get the most out of your experience on the ship. 

Cruise and Stay Option: Extended Stay in the Bahamas 

The cruise and stay option is an opportunity to extend your trip in the Grand Bahama Island. Instead of just one day on the island, you will have 4-6 nights to enjoy an all-inclusive resort. The two resorts to choose from are the Grand Lucayan Resort and Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach . You don’t only get an excursion but get to enjoy the luxuries of the resorts for a few days. 

Disembarking the Cruise

  After the excursion and everyone have boarded the ship, the sailing back to Palm Beach begins, and on the third day, you arrive around 8 am. Shortly after this time, the cruise is supposed to allow guests to begin disembarking the ship, but that is not what happened. Due to an influx of passengers trying to leave the ship immediately upon docking at the port, staff members were blocking off the pathway to the doors, which caused a major delay in leaving by 3 hours. 

I went to ask a staff member what the hold-up was, and it was due to customs being backed up. The staff member assured me that there would be an announcement made once passengers could proceed with disembarking the ship, but that announcement never came, so we were sitting in our room waiting until we went to check ourselves. 

Your final bill is charged to the card you gave when you were boarding the ship originally, so there is no having to check out with a representative, which helped the process to go by faster.

You do have to go through customs when coming back into the U.S. since you left the country, but besides the long line, that was a breeze. 

Costs With Added Fees and Purchases 

 The selling point of the Margaritaville cruise is its low cost in comparison to other cruises. The original cost was $300, but after my excursion, buying some small things around the ship like water bottles and ice cream, my final cost was $454,68. With the way the cruise is set up, you are bound to spend more than your booking fee, so plan accordingly! 

Here is my spending breakdown: 

• $300 Booking fee (Keep in mind I was booking with three other individuals)
• $14.95 x 2 = $29.90 Gratuities charge 
• $12 x 2 = $24 Fuel Charge 
• $99.00 – 10% discount = 89.10 Grand Bahama Island excursion
• $3.54 Bottles of water 
• $8.14 Ice Cream 

As you can see, while the “cheap” price point of the Margaritaville cruise may seem like an affordable cruise line option at face value, the additional costs and onboard cruise expenses you accrue, which we will cover in the rest of this blog post, can make or break whether or not the cruise is worth it or not for you. 

Cons of the Margaritaville At Sea Cruise

• Certain fees like the fuel charge should have been included during booking in my opinion and part of the booking fee. I wasn’t a fan of how fuel and gratuities were added at the end. Other fees were added during booking, so it made no sense to me why others would not be included.
• Water bottles were sold at $1, which did not break the bank, but I feel that at least 2 bottles/person should have been included in the room. 
• Soda is not included in dining at Fin’s Dining, and I felt like it should have been. Again, it’s only $2, but it feels like this is yet another way for the cruise line to make a quick dollar. 
• The activities on the ship were not that exciting. This was my first cruise, and if I was basing all cruises on this one, I would honestly never return. For the price, a lot of things made sense, but besides live music and bingo, more could have been offered. 
• The pools had very little water.  I covered this earlier in this review, but I have to mention it again because what!?

Final Thoughts on the Cruise 

The Margaritaville At Sea Cruise is a great quick getaway if you don’t have the time to embark on a 7-day long vacation, but overall I would not go again. For the price you may end up paying by the end of your cruise, you could have booked one with a major cruise line and gotten a better experience. 

Now that you have all of the ins and out of what to expect on the Margaritaville At Sea Cruise, tell me, does this sound like an adventure you’d take? If you’ve been on the cruise already, share with me what you enjoyed and what you think could be improved!  

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Margaritaville at Sea launches free cruises for…

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Margaritaville at sea launches free cruises for military, vets, first responders, teachers.

Rendering of a Paradise stateroom coming to the Margaritaville Paradise cruise ship, a rebranded form of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica, set to debut from the Port of Palm Beach in April 2022.

Rendering of a Paradise suite coming to the Margaritaville Paradise cruise ship, a rebranded form of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica, set to debut from the Port of Palm Beach in April 2022.

Margaritaville at Sea

The Margaritaville Paradise cruise ship is the rebranded form of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica, set to debut from the Port of Palm Beach in April 2022.

Rendering of the 5' O'Clock Somewhere Bar coming to the Margaritaville Paradise cruise ship, a rebranded form of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica, set to debut from the Port of Palm Beach in April 2022.

The Margaritaville Paradise debuted with its new Jimmy Buffett-themed offerings this past spring, a makeover of what had been Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Grand Classica, a 53,000-gross-ton, 1,308-passenger vessel that sails from the Port of Palm Beach on two-night voyages to Grand Bahama Island, what the line refers to as a “micro-cation.”

“To show our sincere gratitude for their ongoing service, we wanted to offer these frontline heroes a chance to kick off their boots and work shoes and flip flop into a relaxing getaway,” said line president and CEO Kevin Sheehan Jr. in a press release. “We hope a little downtime to recover from the demands of their day-to-day responsibilities is just what they need.”

The promotion is run with partner GovX.com , a site that offers a membership program with discount products for active and veteran U.S. military, firefighters, law enforcement officers, other federal agents, healthcare workers and personnel from related government agencies.

Those interested will be verified through the GovX ID platform, including educators, and are eligible for a free cruise fare on an inside cabin or ocean-view stateroom with suite upgrades available.

The free sailing is based on double occupancy, so the second person sailing would need to pay the full price, but it could mean a savings of between $189 and $539 for ocean-view cabins, and $149 and $549 for inside cabins, depending on the time of sailing.

Those eligible can book the cruise at MargaritavilleatSea.com/offers/heroessailfree/ .

The window to book opens at 7 a.m. today for sailings through 2023. Currently there are no limits to the number of cabins being offered per sailing, but that could chance depending on the popularity of the promotion, according to the cruise line.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line began operating from the Port of Palm Beach in 2016 with its original vessel Bahamas Celebration, since sold and scrapped. Grand Classica began service in 2018.

The ship was built in 1991 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy and originally sailed for Costa Cruises in Europe as the Costa Classica.

The Margaritaville makeover features signature Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville stylings in its cabins, suites and open spaces, calling it “casual-luxe design with subtle nautical details and colors influenced by the surrounding sea, sand and sky.”

Passengers, for instance, come on board with an option to pose in front of a giant flip-flop.

On board are brand mainstays JWB Prime Steak & Seafood, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Port of Indecision Buffet, LandShark Sports Bar, Margaritaville Coffee & Pastry Shop, Euphoria Lounge, Sunset Bar, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center and 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar.

The casino is now called the Par-A-Dice Casino while other ship amenities include the Stars on the Water Theater with its production of “Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show.”

“Welcome aboard heroes, with a big Fins Up thank you for your service,” said Buffett in the press release. “Now we feel honored to serve you — at sea.”

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Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Reviews

1 - 10 of 176 Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Reviews

Sail Date: June 2024

Review for a Bahamas Cruise on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

Margaritaville at Sea was just what I was looking for. Needed a two-night sailing and came across this cruise line. It absolutely fit the bill. Being a first time cruiser, I didn’t want to be overwhelmed with people, activities and venues. I like that this cruise ship is smaller than most but is still spacious. Not over crowded, wide halls, good sized rooms and clean overall. The staff is kind and ... Read More

Sail Date: May 2024

In May I went on the Margaritaville with my boys, 11 & 12, and they had a blast. This was a Mother’s Day / Birthday trip. While on the boat, they attended the Parakeet Kids club and had Myriam and Philip as the club leaders and when I tell you they didn’t want to leave the club, I mean I had to force them to leave. Philip was extremely active with the kids and created a bunch of fun games for them ... Read More

Traveled with children

Regarding the cruise: it was our first time cruising and this short trip did not disappoint! From the moment we began exploring how it all worked, choosing and re-choosing what packages we wanted, and finalizing our booking, it was a great experience. Each customer service person we dealt with was friendly, informative and helpful. We opted to get the Faster to Chill boarding package and so glad ... Read More

Sail Date: April 2024

First time on Margaritaville. I was kind of skeptical at first because the price was unbelievable. The staff is really friendly and fun! It is a smaller cruise but they still have a wide section of things todo. The live show was great. The food was really good too. There’s activities for children as well. And the onboarding and debarkation was fast. I was surprised of how quickly we got on and ... Read More

Fins dining has great food. Omelet station and cheeseburger places were great and fast. Main shows were excellent. The performers are talented and enthusiastic. Best show on the seas. And we’ve been on 5 different cruise lines around the world. Kudos to the artistic director. Prakeep is a wonderful employee. Kind and helpful. Extremely hard worker and very conscientious. We recognized each ... Read More

Sail Date: March 2024

This cruise was a gift to my daughter for her 18th birthday. We enjoyed the refreshing pools, bubbling hot tubs, delicious adult beverages, scrumptious steak house, fancy dining room, bountiful buffet, outdoor burger bar, fun entertainment, amazing photographers, and relaxing environment. We enjoyed mingling with our fellow cruise goers, or reading books poolside while basking in the sunshine & ... Read More

Had the best time on our margaritaville cruise! Boarding was easy and fast. Everything was clean from stepping onto ship to in our cabin. We needed extra blankets and they were sent right away with no problems. The entertainment was awesome and fun. There was live music in many areas of ship and at all different times. They had karaoke in one area of the ship that was so fun to watch. The games ... Read More

After hearing negative reviews I was so pleasantly surprised! The food was good, the service was great! The room was clean and spacious. Loved the show! We had a great time and can’t wait to go again! The boat was a perfect size for a short cruise. Easy to find our way around and easy to get back to our room. The other travelers were friendly. The staff tried hard to help, direct and make sure we ... Read More

Went on a two night cruise with my 12 year old son and two other adults. We shared an interior cabin. We all fit well. The ship was packed with activities and great food choices. The low cost fares were beyond worth the experience. The ship was older but very clean and had been refurbished. The ship wasn’t crowded. The staff was friendly. The beds were comfortable. The night shows were awesome. ... Read More

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Entertainment Details Revealed For Margaritaville Cruise Ship

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• April 27, 2022

Margaritaville at Sea has announced new details on the entertainment that guests can expect aboard its newly-rebranded ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

Upon embarkation, passengers will be transported into a vacation state of mind, greeted by island-inspired music, “Fins Up Crew” team members, and iconic Margaritaville stilt walkers.

The “Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show” will take guests on a musical journey to the islands. Written and produced by Jimmy Buffet and Producer Frank Marshall, the show will feature memorable stories and songs inspired by Buffett’s book “Tales from Margaritaville.”

“It’s been very cool working with Jimmy to put together a ship show filled with his unforgettable songs and stories,” said Frank Marshall. “I can’t wait for the maiden voyage!”

Live music will be available in various spots around the ship, including in the Oasis Room. Late-night comedy will be available on select departures, and other entertainment and events onboard include family game shows, themed parties, streaming concerts at sea, kids’ programming, and more.

MORE: Carnival Celebration’s New Bar A Throwback To Classic Ships, Decor

Other aspects of the ship will include a number of bars and restaurants, including JWB Prime Steak & Seafood, LandShark Sports Bar, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, and the Port of Indecision Buffet.

The ship will also feature the St. Somewhere Spa, Par-A-Dice Casino, Fins Up! Fitness Center, and a variety of retail shops.

The ship will operate two-night cruises between Palm Beach, Florida and Freeport, Bahamas. Passengers have the option of staying on board for the full roundtrip voyage like a traditional cruise, doing a one-way trip to Freeport, or booking a Cruise & Stay package.

With a Cruise & Stay package, guests can get off the ship in Freeport and spend multiple days there at a hotel or resort. They can then catch the ship back to Palm Beach during one of its subsequent voyages.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise ‘s first voyage is scheduled for May 14.

READ NEXT: Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Cruise Ship: What You Need To Know

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Women sues Margaritaville at Sea after rape incident in hotel with checkered past

A female passenger claims she was attacked in the same hotel room that the cruise line knew a similar attack took place back in 2016, per her lawyer..

A cruise passenger was allegedly raped in the same Bahamas hotel that Margaritaville at Sea used in 2016, where there was evidence that another sexual assault occurred, according to a federal lawsuit.

While docked in Freeport, Grand Bahama, the cruise line arranged for the victim to stay in a Freeport Wyndham because there were not any rooms available on the ship, WLFX Fox 29 reported .

Upon leaving her room at night to get water, a hotel employee allegedly forced her "into the control room for the resort's theater, locked the door and then raped (her)," per the lawsuit.

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Her lawyer, Alex Perez, said Margaritaville at Sea failed to inform his client, which prevented her from making an "informed decisions."

"These are very sensitive issues," Perez told WFLX. "Once there's a reason to know the danger, you have to inform the passengers."

The lawsuit says the cruise line did not warn women of the dangers in Freeport before booking the hotel room in August 2023.

"Between 2018-19, the US State Department issued a travel warning for the Bahamas, specifically including Freeport, warning that violent crime, including sexual assault, is common," the lawsuit says, according WLFX.

Margaritaville at Sea did not respond to the Daily Express US' request for comment.

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Three months earlier, on May 5, 2023, a different female passenger was allegedly raped by the ship's bartender.

The bartender, later identified as Hoobesh Kumar Dookhy, snuck into a West Virginia woman's room while she was sleeping and woke her up by caressing her face before raping her, WPTV reported.

She was forced to terminate the pregnancy based on a December 2023 lawsuit against Margaritaville at Sea, per the local outlet.

Dookhy was eventually arrested by federal law enforcement and charged with a federal crime. He pleaded guilty and is currently serving time in a Miami federal prison.

Earlier this year, two Kentucky women were allegedly raped by staff at a Freeport resort. The resort denied the allegations.

Frankie King, a mom of one of the survivors, told Fox New Digital in February that her daughter texted her, "Call us now we’ve been drugged and raped."

"It's a parent's worst nightmare," King said. "Your child is in trouble, in danger and scared, and they're 300, 500 miles away, or whatever, across the water, and I can't get to them."

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a Feb. 4 statement that two men, ages 54 and 40, were arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault, however, their names were not released.

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Margaritaville cruise settles 2 lawsuits after bartender snuck into women's room, raped them

Two passengers aboard the margaritaville at sea paradise cruise ship accused an employee of sneaking into their room and raping them while they slept..

WEST PALM BEACH — Two women who said they were raped by a bartender on a Jimmy Buffett-themed cruise ship have agreed to settle their lawsuits against the company for undisclosed amounts of money.

They accused a crewmate of sneaking into their room aboard the  Margaritaville At Sea Paradise ship and raping them while they slept. One woman, identified in a December lawsuit only as Jane Doe, said she became pregnant as a result and "was forced to terminate the pregnancy, from which she then suffered serious complications."

Her cabinmate, identified in a separate lawsuit as HB, said bartender Hoobesh Dookhy pocketed one of their room keys while serving the women drinks aboard the Bahamas-bound ship and used it to enter their room after both women fell asleep.

Doe said she woke to find Dookhy caressing her face and  sexually assaulting her . She told FBI agents that she demanded he leave, but he moved to HB's bed and began to assault her, too.

Doe recorded the assault and reported it to cruise-ship security the following morning. According to court records, investigators found the women's room key in the pocket of Dookhy's work vest and a photo he took of HB, naked and asleep, on his cellphone.

Bartender's conviction: Server aboard Margaritaville cruise ship pleads guilty to sexually assaulting passenger

Margaritaville At Sea Paradise bartender got two-year prison sentence, must register as sex offender

Dookhy admitted to having sex with HB but told investigators that their encounter was consensual. Faced with the possibility of life in federal prison on a sexual-abuse charge, he pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact in October — forgoing his right to a trial by jury but cementing a deal with prosecutors to have the worst of the two charges against him dropped.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon sentenced Dookhy to two years in prison — one year more than federal sentencing guidelines advised and exactly what prosecutors asked for. He is scheduled to be released before his 28th birthday. According to court records, he will remain on supervised release for five years and must register as a sex offender.

Neither charge against him stemmed from the rape Doe described in her lawsuit. She was classified as a witness to her cabinmate's sexual assault rather than as a victim to her own, but her attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, said Dookhy's conviction and the subsequent media attention surrounding HB's lawsuit convincedher to file one, too.

"We reached an amicable resolution," Aronfeld said this month. "She's pleased with the result."

Aronfeld said that as part of the agreement, Doe "can't tell her story to anyone." He declined to say more about the confidential settlement but added that, generally speaking, no amount of money can heal the wounds of sexual assault victims. He said the value of a settlement is in closing the case and allowing victims to move forward.

Sexual assault on the high seas: How to keep you and your family safe on vacation cruises

HB's attorney, Carissa Peebles of the law firm Morgan & Morgan, declined to comment, and Aronfeld said he did not know whether her settlement was identical to Doe's. In an earlier interview, Aronfeld called the two lawsuits "considerably different" in terms of the damages reported by both women — the most notable being Doe's pregnancy and abortion.

During the earlier interview, Aronfeld said his client did not undergo a paternity test to determine who fathered the child but said Doe intended to testify that she and her husband were not sexually active before or after the alleged rape.

Missouri woman latest to file sexual-assault lawsuit against cruise line's owner

Doe and HB belong to a long list of passengers and crew members who say they were victimized aboard cruise ships. More than 500 sexual-assault reports were documented between 2010 and 2022 on 13 major cruise lines, according to data published by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

A Missourian woman, identified only as Jane Doe, filed a new lawsuit against the Margaritaville at Sea cruise and its parent company Classica Cruise this month. She said Margaritaville arranged for a sea-side hotel in the Bahamas for guests to stay. According to the lawsuit, when she left her hotel room at night to get a glass of water, a hotel employee forced her into the hotel's theater control room, locked the door and raped her.

She is suing the hotel in addition to the cruise line. The alleged rape happened in August 2023. Margaritaville at Sea did not return a request for comment.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at  [email protected] .

Palm trees and parrots abound: What it's like on Margaritaville at Sea's new cruise ship

T he door to my cabin had barely closed behind me when I saw the first margarita of my Margaritaville at Sea cruise. Or the recipe for one, at least.

On a shelf, “Margaritaville: The Cookbook: Relaxed Recipes for a Taste of Paradise” was opened to a recipe for “Jimmy’s Perfect Margarita.” Suddenly, a refreshment sounded quite good.

Luckily, I was in the right place aboard the line’s new ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander , which has 13 bars and lounges. What better way to set my proverbial watch to “Islander time”? (“Welcome to Islander time” is an official greeting on board).

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I spent two nights aboard the 2,650-passenger vessel ahead of its first official sailing for the line on Friday. Here’s what stood out to me.

Jimmy Buffett is everywhere

As the man behind the Margaritaville empire , I expected some Jimmy Buffett references on board. But I was struck by how the line leaned in. 

Buffett’s novel, “A Salty Piece of Land,” was on the coffee table in my Signature Grand Suite, and a sign on the wall displayed the lyrics to his song, “Lovely Cruise.” The words, “I’m sorry it’s ended, it’s sad but it’s true / Honey, it’s been a lovely cruise,” seem even more poignant following his death in 2023 .

Elsewhere the nods were less subtle, with multiple flip-flop art pieces featuring the musician’s face and two Jimmy Buffett concerts listed on the ship’s schedule during the first day alone.

The brand’s appeal goes beyond his fans, however. Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy said the line tries to celebrate the ethos the singer represented (he even recently interacted with a guest who didn’t know who Buffett was).

“It's become much more broad, and we try to bring that through,” he said during a media briefing on board. “So, if you're a fan, great, but the catalog and the lifestyle behind it, we try to really make resonate.”

But even as a casual Buffett listener – don’t come for me, Parrotheads – I enjoyed the effect like he was our honorary co-captain.

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The ship got a Margaritaville makeover

Islander is new to Margaritaville, but it’s not new. The vessel, which previously sailed as Costa Atlantica, was originally launched in 2000.

The ship was renovated before relaunching as Islander this month, and the line blended updates with retro remnants of its former life. Ivy said there “are really no areas of the vessel that didn't have an extensive reimagining.”

Parrots and palm trees abound, from illustrations on the ship’s exterior to wallpaper in the halls, and a giant flip-flop anchors the ship’s soaring atrium (this proved a popular photo spot on my sailing). As the cruise director put it on stage one night, “We worship the flip flop here on board.”

On the landings between staircases, signs read, “Where it’s always 5 o’clock,” accompanied by images of clocks set to that time.

The ship generally looks good for its age, but some parts appeared well-worn. I noticed tarnished handles on multiple doors in my cabin, for instance. A striking set of transparent stairs connecting the Port of Indecision Buffet to the JWB Prime Steakhouse – allowing guests to see seven decks down beneath their feet – was also marred by scratches and scuff marks.

The inside of my suite generally looked clean and modern. The sinks were spotless and the lighted mirrors looked straight out of a new-build apartment.

The vibes are good

In addition to its bars and lounges, with 12 eateries and three pool areas – all doused in the sunny Margaritaville aesthetic – Islander felt like a vessel for fun (pun intended).

Even during the short preview cruise, there was excitement on board. Guests milled about and chatted at the Flip Flop Atrium bar to the soundtrack of a violin cover of Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night.” During the country-themed “Conky Tonkin’ at Sea” show, aerial dancing was met with raucous applause and cheers, and mini-golf in the Dis and Dat Activity Zone was packed with adults and kids.

The Ultimate Beverage Chill package, which includes drinks like beer, wine by the glass, cocktails, soda, mocktails and more, costs $59.99 per person, per night. There is also an Unlimited Soda Package available for $10 per night, per guest.

The ship will sail four and five-night itineraries round-trip from Tampa, Florida to destinations like Key West and Cozumel, Mexico, before launching longer six and seven-night cruises in 2025. Prices vary by sailing date and stateroom category, but a four-night cruise departing July 26 currently starts at $349 per person . Fares include most meals, live entertainment and more.

Margaritaville at Sea CMO Amanda Travaglini said the brand aims to communicate a simple message.

“It really boils down to, I want people to look at what we do and very simply say, ‘That looks like a heck of a lot of fun, and I need to be there.’”

The reporter on this story received access to this event from Margaritaville at Sea. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Palm trees and parrots abound: What it's like on Margaritaville at Sea's new cruise ship

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Cancellation Policy

Cruise cancellation policy and fee schedule for cancellations.

(a) Deposits. Deposits may be accepted for certain fare programs at the time of booking and all such deposits are subject to the terms of this Section 19. Additionally, change fees will apply to all bookings for which deposits have been accepted.

(b) No Shows, Denials of Boarding, Unused Tickets, Lost or Partially Used Tickets, Auto-Cancellations, Early Disembarkation, and Late Cancellations. Guests must arrive at the port of embarkation with all required travel documents per Section 4(a)-(b) above and at their designated boarding time. Except as expressly provided by this Section, no refunds will be made in the event of “no shows,” denials of boarding, unused tickets, lost tickets, partially used tickets, auto-cancellations, early disembarkation or cancellations received late or after the first day of the Cruise for any reason, including pursuant to any provision of this Contract. Carrier shall have no obligation to issue a refund or compensation of any kind for any of the foregoing and shall have no liability arising out of, relating to, or in connection with same whatsoever except as set forth in Section 5(d)-(e) above or as provided in any of section of this Contract or applicable law.

(c) Reinstatement Fee for Cruise Cancelled by Guest, Re-Booking, No Shows, and Denials of Boarding. Except pursuant to Section 5(e) and (f) above, all Guests who wish to determine their eligibility for a one-time reinstatement of their Cruise must call Customer Service within 24-hours of the Guest’s cancellation, re-booking, no-show or denial of boarding at 888-646-2641, which will depend on eligibility, availability and the payment of a $150 fee per cabin plus taxes per stateroom (“Reinstatement Fee”). If eligible for reinstatement and Guest rebooks a stateroom at a higher fare, Guest agrees to pay the fare difference. No Reinstatement Fee applies if Carrier cancels a cruise for any reason, but Guests must pay the fare difference if the reinstatement is at a higher cruise fare. A reinstated sailing is not transferable and is subject to a 100% cancellation penalty if Guest does not sail or disembarks the Cruise early for any reason whatsoever.

(d) Administrative Fee for Sailing Date Changes. A $25 fee (regardless of the number of cabins) plus fare difference (if the rate for the modified Cruise is higher for the rescheduled date of the Cruise) will be applied to Guest’s Cruise Fare for all sailing date changes made 31-days or more prior to the first day of sailing. Changing or rescheduling a sailing date within 30-days or less shall constitute a cancellation.

(e) Groups and Promotions. Group Guest policies may differ, and payment and cancellation charges may differ by promotion. Guest should refer to his/her Travel Agent, group booking agreement or promotion for specific terms and conditions. Cancellation charges for individual bookings will be assessed as set forth in this section of this Contract.

(f) Cancellation by Guest. Cancellation charges for reservations and bookings cancelled by the Guest will be assessed as set forth below. Guests whose embarkation is denied under Section 4(h) above (related to background checks and conduct) are also subject to the cancellation schedule below as are Guests who have made bookings as part of the same travelling party as a Guest who is denied embarkation under Section 4(h) above.

Cruise reservations or bookings that are cancelled by the Guest prior to the first day of the Cruise are subject to a cancellation fee except as otherwise provided herein in Section 5(e) and (f) (relating to Guest illness due to a public health concerns) or as otherwise provided herein or by applicable by law. Cancellation charges are subject to change without notice. 

Guests who have made reservations for multiple occupancy cabins (for example for three, four, or five persons) are subject to the cancellation charges and schedule below for the entire cabin reservation, even if Guest does not cancel his or her individual reservation and even if the names of all persons to be in the same cabin as Guest are not provided at the time of booking.

The amount of the cancellation fee shall be determined as set forth below and shall vary depending how far in advance of the sail date the Carrier receives notice of the cancellation.

Guest agrees that any losses sustained by Carrier in the event of cancellation would be very difficult or impossible to quantify, and the cancellation fees are fair and reasonable as liquidated damages.

If a Cruise reservation or booking is cancelled, any applicable taxes and fees shall be refunded. Cancellation notices are effective when received by the Carrier.

If Carrier received payment via credit card and a refund is owed, the refund will be made to that credit card. If Carrier received payment from the Guest’s travel agent and a refund is owed, the refund will be provided back to that travel agent.

Carrier reserves the right to offer promotional Cruise Fares or other offers that may modify the cancellation policies set forth above. Refer to the terms and conditions of the promotion for cancellation fees and refunds.

(g) Fees For Adding or Substituting Guests. There is no fee when a new guest is added to an existing booking. Fees added to the Cruise Fare for substituting a guest on Guest’s booking are as follows: (1) $50 per person for substituting a Guest more than 48 Hours prior to sailing, and (2) $100 per person for substituting a Guest less than 48 hours prior to sailing. Substitutions are allowed at the sole discretion of Carrier and substituting all Guests on a reservation constitutes a cancellation subject to Carrier’s cancellation policy.

(h) Cancellation Due to Non-Payment (Auto Cancellations). For bookings that are not paid in full in advance of the periods identified below, then the bookings will be subject to automatic cancellation with no refunds provided for either 50% total fare paid or the full standard deposit amount (whichever is greater):

• Closed-Loop Sailings and Cruise and Stay Vacations. Final payment is due 60 days prior to the first day of sailing. Bookings not paid in full 60 days in advance of sailing will forfeit existing payments made and applied to the Booking, which shall not be refunded.
• Groups. Final payment is due according to the terms in the applicable group proposal. Bookings not paid in full according to the proposal will forfeit existing payments made and applied to the Booking, which shall not be refunded.

(i) GOVX and VCS Bookings. Carrier will not charge any change fees for Guests who are modifying their sailing due to deployment. For Guests who are modifying their sailing for other reasons, the following fees apply. In the event of deployment, the Carrier may require proof of official military orders.

Sailing Modification

• More than 60 days prior to first day of sailing: $0.00 Per Booking
• 59 - 8 days prior to first day of sailing: $50.00 Per Booking (fare difference when/where applicable)
• Less than 7 days prior to first day sailing is not permitted and will constitute a cancellation      

Guest Modification

• Adding a Guest: No Charge
• Changing a Guest more than 48 Hours prior to first day sailing: $50.00 Per Booking
• Changing a Guest less than 48 Hours prior to first day of sailing: $100.00 Per Person

(j) Cancelations or Delays of Cruises by Carrier. If Carrier cancels or delays any Cruise embarking from a U.S. port for 3 or more calendar days and Guest does not elect to sail on an alternate Cruise or chooses not to travel on a delayed Cruise, then Guest is entitled to a refund of the Cruise Fare and pre-paid charges for accommodations, services and facilities (including port fees, taxes and other ancillary charges paid to Carrier in relation to Guest’s Cruise) for the cancelled or delayed cruise. See Nonperformance of Cruise: Refund Policy and Instructions.

(k) Refunds Policies are not Applicable to Any Chartered Sailings. Please note this Section 19 does not apply to Guests booked on chartered sailings. If Guests were booked on a chartered sailing that was canceled, delayed or any portion of the charter Cruise otherwise failed to occur for any reason, and Guest wishes to inquire about refunds or future credits, Guest acknowledges and agrees that the Guest must contact the third-party reseller that sold the Guest the charter Cruise and Guest, shall receive no refund or compensation from Carrier, and Carrier shall have no liability to Guest arising out of, relating to, or in connection with same whatsoever.

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I feel most insignificant gazing up at the stars or pondering what happens inside a supermassive black hole. Or, you know, reading how Harvard researchers recently said aliens could be on Earth passing as humans, which, correct me if I’m wrong, is the plot of “Men in Black.”

Other times, a Jimmy Buffett cruise does the philosophical trick.

Haven’t you heard? A new Margaritaville at Sea cruise just launched from Port Tampa Bay with trips to Mexico and Key West. The vessel is an ode to the musician who died in 2023 at 76. In his life, Buffett became a marketing behemoth on behalf of Total Relaxation, a spokesperson for the delusion of leaving one’s problems in the snowy driveway, embodying the son of a son of a sailor and getting schnockered on sugary margs.

Per our reporter, the ship’s soaring premises house a large teal flip-flop, margarita chandeliers, floating fish, flying parrots and a replica of Buffett’s personal seaplane. A message on the side of the vessel declares the time always five o’clock. There’s a Port of Indecision buffet, a Fins Up fitness center, a Cheeseburger in Paradise burger bar and endless opportunities to tune out life in pursuit of pickleball and vacation meats.

Buffett’s empire, which grew to include restaurants, stores, vacation clubs, marijuana and more, represents a fantasy; anyone from Florida knows that falling asleep face-down on the sand is a dermatology invoice waiting to happen. And while it’s tempting to punch down at Parrotheads for partaking, the reality is that this cruise sounds … fun. Whatever Buffett was like in private, he built a massive, colorful persona that will long outlive him.

Here’s the sunscreen rub: The deaths of our icons make us take stock of our own smaller lives. What I mean is, we’re all going to die someday — this is going great, pour a rum runner! — and we better have our proverbial cruise ships in order. When the living think back on us, a set of imagery will spring to mind. The iconography of our life. The dressings of our memory. The salt on our rim.

In the spirit of the man who esoterically wrote “My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I Don’t Love Jesus,” let’s play a game. If someone were to fashion a cruise ship experience around your personal universe, how would that materialize? Email me, I beg you, and I’ll publish the best answers in my next newsletter .

I’ll go first. My cruise ship would be littered with Diet Coke cans that have two warm gulps left in the bottom. There would be a laundry facility, but the laundry would never get done. For entertainment, we’re talking gallons of cold sauvignon blanc and a portable karaoke machine with one busted microphone and the complete catalog of Destiny’s Child. Four half-read novels would litter every table, not a single coaster in use.

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As a Gemini, my cruise would party hard for three to five days, which does not sound all that different from the Margaritaville cruise. However, after getting a mysterious aura behind the eye, the ship would need to dock back at the home port and go dark. When potential new customers try to book a trip, my customer service bot would reply a week later with, “Sorry, just seeing this.”

My cruise would be an acquired taste, as would yours, as is Margaritaville at Sea. But, hey, in these times rife with internet judgment, high interest rates and societal pressure to never be cringe, it might be exciting for us all to become a little more acquired. Who wants their legacy to be “large format beige tile that will aid in resale”? What cruise ship can be decorated with sensible slacks and sound financial decisions?

Go off, Margaritaville at Sea! Blast “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” a song that made my parents feverishly attempt to fast-forward the tape deck every time. Serve ersatz Huli Huli chicken and yoga mimosas. Deploy the character actor in the plushy parrot suit. Cascade forth from Tampa Bay as a gaudy, confident reminder to steer our freakish ships, however uneven they may sail.

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Stephanie Hayes is a columnist offering her thoughts on current events, life and culture. She can be reached at [email protected].

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