Islander

The Islander is the larger of the two Margaritaville at Sea ships. Built in 2000 as the Costa Atlantica, she measures 85,619 gross tons and carries 2,114 passengers - roughly double the capacity of the Paradise. She joined the Margaritaville fleet in 2023 and sails from Tampa, Florida on 4 to 8-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

Where the Paradise sticks to short Bahamas runs from Palm Beach, the Islander goes further. Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, and Grand Cayman are all on the route map. The ship also has something the Paradise lacks: balcony cabins. If a balcony matters to you and you want to stay in the Margaritaville ecosystem, Islander is the one to book.

The ship's signature interior feature is a 14-story atrium with glass elevators, tropical greenery, sculptures, and margarita glass chandeliers. It sets the tone for everything else on board - the atmosphere is relaxed, colourful, and unapologetically themed, without ever tipping into kitsch.

The Islander attracts a similar crowd to the Paradise but skews slightly older and slightly more experienced. Couples who want a balcony, Florida residents doing a week rather than a weekend, and Jimmy Buffett fans who want a longer itinerary all find their way here. The ship is big enough to feel like a proper cruise but small enough that it never feels overwhelming.

The Margaritaville atmosphere is present throughout - relaxed dress codes, a soundtrack of classic rock and island music, and bars that fill up sociably rather than becoming a scrum. It is not a party ship in the hard-partying sense; it is more a ship where the music plays, people are in a good mood, and nobody is stressed about formalities.

Islander has three main cabin categories: interior, ocean view, and balcony. The availability of balcony cabins is the meaningful practical difference between Islander and Paradise - if you want to sit outside in the morning with a coffee, this is the ship to book.

Interior cabins are compact and functional. Ocean view cabins add a window but no outdoor access. Balcony cabins vary in size; the higher categories on upper decks offer more space and better views. Suite-level options exist at the top of the range. Whatever category you book, noise from public decks and the atrium can carry at night - mid-ship cabins on lower decks tend to be the quietest.

The Islander has 12 dining venues split across complimentary and specialty options. Complimentary dining covers most meals: Fins Dining (main dining room, open for dinner and breakfast), Port of Indecision Buffet (multi-station buffet), Cheeseburger in Paradise (burger bar), Mexican Cutie Cantina, and Frank and Lola's Pizzeria. Between these five, you can eat well for the whole sailing without paying extra.

Specialty dining adds seven options at a surcharge: JWB Prime Steakhouse (the main premium restaurant, reserve early at the embarkation kiosk), Islander Dining Room (alternative dinner venue), Far Side Sushi (a la carte), Island Eats, Tiki Grill, Margaritaville Coffee Shop (specialty coffees charged separately), and in-room dining. JWB is the standout and books up on every sailing - it runs around £39 ($49) per person before the 20% service charge.

The ship has three pool areas, a water slide (multi-story tube on Deck 11 aft, minimum age 12, 48-90 inches tall, 90-300 lbs), and a kids' area with the Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide. The 14-story atrium with glass elevators is the architectural heart of the ship and worth exploring at different times of day - the light shifts considerably from morning to evening.

Evening entertainment runs in the main theatre and at outdoor bars. The line leans into live music, trivia, and themed deck parties rather than Broadway-style production shows. There is a spa, a gym, and a casino. The Ultimate Beverage Chill package (up to 15 drinks per day, from around £52 ($65) per person per night pre-purchased) covers beers, wines by the glass, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks up to $20 each. A separate soda package is available for non-drinkers.

Margaritaville at Sea does not have a dedicated mobile app. Daily schedules are posted around the ship and available as printed Daily Cruise News delivered to cabins each evening.

The Islander homeports in Tampa, Florida. Standard itineraries run 4 to 8 nights into the Western Caribbean. Common port calls include Cozumel (Mexico), Belize City, Roatan (Honduras), and Grand Cayman - the mix varies by sailing length. Some sailings also include Costa Maya or other Mexican ports.

Tampa is well connected by road and air. Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 20 minutes from the cruise terminal. The port itself is compact and easy to navigate on embarkation and disembarkation days.