Margaritaville Paradise has 14 deck numbers but only 10 passenger-accessible decks - Deck 13 is skipped entirely, as it is on most cruise ships. Decks 4 through 7 are pure cabin decks. The public spaces begin in earnest at Deck 8 with the main dining room and theatre, run through Deck 9 for the casino and shopping, and spill outside at Decks 10 through 12. The one non-obvious thing about this ship's layout: the pool deck (Deck 11) is also where you'll find the spa, gym, and the youngest kids' club. It is a busy level. If you want a quieter outdoor spot, head one flight up to Deck 12 instead.

Quick Reference

Key locations:

Deck-by-Deck Walkthrough

Deck 4 - Harbour

The lowest passenger-accessible deck. It runs cabins numbered 4001 to 4156 and has nothing else - no bars, no public spaces, no through-routes to anywhere useful. You get interior and oceanview categories here. The ADA-accessible cabins include two on this deck, which is worth knowing if accessibility matters to your party. The main reason to book Deck 4 is price - it tends to be the cheapest category on the ship.

Deck 5 - Bimini

Deck 5 is where you board the ship. The midship Lobby and Atrium sit here, and they are worth a look even if you are not checking in - the glass sculptures by Luciano Vistosi have survived from the ship's original life as Costa Classica and they are genuinely good. Reception (24-hour Guest Services) and the Shore Excursions desk are both here, so you will be coming back to this deck at some point regardless. The two Junior Suites on this deck (rooms 5531 and 5532) are at 406 sq ft - a decent size for a ship this compact. Cabins run from 5001 to 5134: interiors, oceanviews, and the Junior Suites.

Deck 6 - Andros

Pure cabin deck. Cabins 6001 to 6176, a mix of interiors and oceanviews. No public venues, no shortcuts to anything. The main reason to note Deck 6 is that it sits directly below Deck 7, which itself sits below the dining and entertainment hub at Deck 8. You are close enough to walk to dinner without much stair climbing. Two ADA-accessible cabins are on this deck.

Deck 7 - Treasure

Cabins 7001 to 7184, interiors and oceanviews. One thing makes Deck 7 worth calling out: there are 6 dedicated single cabins positioned midship on this deck. That is unusual on a ship of this size. If you are travelling solo and want a cabin designed for one person rather than paying a twin supplement, these are the options to check. The midship location means less motion and easy access to both forward and aft stairwells. For the full breakdown of solo cabin options, the Best Cabins on Margaritaville Paradise post has the detail.

Deck 8 - Abacos

This is the main dining and lower entertainment deck. Fins Dining, the complimentary main dining room, is aft and serves breakfast and dinner. The menu runs to Caribbean-influenced dishes - shrimp and grits, jambalaya, rotating daily choices - in a room with ocean views and nautical decor. Forward, the Stars on the Water Theatre lower level sits on this deck, with the upper level connecting to Deck 9 above.

JWB Prime Steakhouse is also on Deck 8, which puts the two main dinner options on the same level - easy to navigate. JWB is a surcharge restaurant named after Jimmy Buffett himself. Reservations fill up on short sailings, so book before you board.

The Euphoria Lounge (midship) is the social hub of the evening. It hosts trivia, karaoke, and themed events, and there is a central stairway connecting directly to Deck 9. The Hemisphere Dancer craft cocktail bar is also here - a quieter leather-bound lounge with a smoked bourbon cocktail if that sounds like your evening. Parakeets Kids' Club (ages 7-12) and the Fins City Arcade are both midship on Deck 8, which means this deck mixes dinner crowds with kids' programming. In the early evening, the midship corridor can be busier than you might expect.

Deck 9 - Paradise

Deck 9 is the indoor promenade level - casino, shopping, the theatre's upper level, and several eating and drinking options. The Margaritaville Casino sits midship. It only opens in international waters, which on a Palm Beach-to-Bahamas run means shortly after departure and before arrival. The casino was refurbished in the January 2026 drydock with new carpeting and updated table felt.

Keys on the Water is the dueling pianos bar, located aft. It is one of the better evening venues on the ship - live piano, sing-alongs, and a decent drink menu. Far Side Sushi (added 2025) is on this deck too, with a la carte pricing for rolls and small plates. If you want a coffee, the Margaritaville Coffee Shop is here with lattes, frappes, and pastries, all at a surcharge.

The shopping strip covers five retail outlets: Island Time Souvenirs, Soles of the Tropics, Everything But Sand Retail Plaza, Live Life Like a Song, and Margaritaville Island Reserve. It is a compact indoor shopping zone rather than a full promenade. Do not expect to stroll it for exercise - the jogging track is two decks up.

Deck 10 - Exuma

Deck 10 is the buffet and lido deck. The High Tide Market replaced the old Oceanview Buffet in the January 2026 drydock and runs four stations: Frank and Lola's Pizzeria, Mexican Cutie Cantina, License to Chill Sandwich Shack, and a dessert bar. All are included in your cruise fare. The Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar is also here, aft near the pool area, included and quick-service.

The 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill is on Deck 10 as well, with a la carte food and drink pricing. It shares space with the burger bar but operates separately.

The Grand Terrace Suites (10 rooms, numbered 1001-1010) are the only balcony cabins on the ship, midship on this deck. At 506 sq ft with step-out balconies, they are the largest accommodation onboard. If a balcony matters to you, these are your only option on Margaritaville Paradise. The Teen's Club (ages 13-17) is here too. The Navigation Bridge is forward on Deck 10 and is not accessible to passengers.

Deck 11 - Rum Cay

The outdoor heart of the ship. The License to Chill Pool (main family pool) and the 12 Volt Pool (adults-only, with 2 Jacuzzis) are both on this deck. The 12 Volt Pool sits aft and was resurfaced in the January 2026 drydock - new synthetic deck, fresh paint, new loungers. The License to Chill Bar runs frozen margaritas and tropical cocktails poolside, with ping pong and billiards nearby.

St. Somewhere Spa and Salon is on Deck 11, forward of the pool area. It runs the full range - massages, facials, mani/pedi, hair - all at extra cost. Book early, especially on the two-night sailing where appointment slots go fast. Fins Up! Fitness Centre sits alongside the spa with Echelon equipment and ocean views, included in your fare.

Jolly Mon Kids' Club (ages 3-5) is also on Deck 11. That puts the youngest children, the main pool, and the adults-only pool all on the same level. The pool deck can get loud mid-morning. If you are using the adults-only pool for quiet, expect some noise from the family pool area just forward of you.

Deck 12 - Elbow Cay

The upper open sundeck. This is the quieter outdoor level. The Power Walking and Jogging Track circles the deck - the only dedicated walking circuit on the ship. The pickleball court is forward and was added in the 2023 refit. Paddles and equipment come from Deck 11.

The 12 Volt Bar sits aft with stern views, serving the deck above the adults-only pool. It is a small bar but has the best views of the wake. Access to Deck 12 is via two elevators or the staircase from Deck 11 - not all eight lifts reach this level. If you are heading up after dinner, confirm your lift goes to 12 before you commit to it.

Deck 14 - Eleuthera

The top passenger deck and the only purpose it serves is the Hemisphere Nightclub. The nightclub opens late, runs DJs across decades and genres, and has a proper dance floor with bottle service available. Do not confuse it with the Hemisphere Dancer bar on Deck 8 - they share a name prefix but are completely different venues. Deck 14 is accessible via two elevators or the forward staircase. If your cabin is on a lower deck, getting up here late at night requires a deliberate journey.

Navigation Tips

The Paradise has 8 lifts in total, but not all of them reach every deck. The full bank of 8 serves Decks 4 through 11. Only 2 lifts reach Decks 12 and 14. If you are heading to the sundeck or the nightclub, find the correct lift bank before you queue - the forward lifts on the port side tend to reach the upper decks.

There are stairwells at both the forward and aft ends of the ship on the main cabin decks. Between Decks 8 and 9 there is also the central stairway through the Euphoria Lounge, which cuts walking time if you are moving between the dining deck and the casino level.

The ship is 220 metres long. Aft and forward are a reasonable walk apart, especially on the cabin decks where there are no shortcuts. If your cabin is forward, the theatre is convenient. If your cabin is aft, the main dining room is.

Margaritaville at Sea does not have a dedicated mobile app. The daily schedule is available via QR codes posted around the ship, though the page loads slowly on the ship's wifi. The paper Daily Cruise News delivered to your stateroom each evening is more reliable. The ship's wifi has had mixed reviews for reliability, especially on lower decks. If you are planning to stay connected while in Nassau or Freeport, an eSIM from Airalo is a cheaper backup than paying for the onboard internet package across a short two-night sailing.

Best Decks for Key Activities

Best deck for quiet relaxation: Deck 12. Less foot traffic than Deck 11, no kids' programs, and the 12 Volt Bar is small enough that it does not generate a crowd.

Best deck for dining access: Deck 8 puts you closest to both Fins Dining and JWB Prime. Walk one flight up or down to reach the buffet on Deck 10 or the sushi bar on Deck 9.

Best deck to sleep on: Decks 5, 6, and 7 sit below the main dining and entertainment hub, which means less noise from late-night venues than you might get on Deck 9 or 10. Deck 11 is above the casino and below the pool - potential noise both ways in the evening. For cabin category recommendations by deck, see Best Cabins on Margaritaville Paradise.

Best deck for solo travellers: Deck 7, where the 6 single cabins are located. Midship position, close to the stairwells, and priced for one rather than scaled from a double rate.

Best deck for families: Deck 11 puts you near all three youth programs (Jolly Mon on Deck 11, Parakeets on Deck 8, Teens on Deck 10) and both pools. It is busy but convenient.

Best deck for a balcony: Deck 10 - it is the only option. The Grand Terrace Suites (cabins 1001-1010) are the only balcony cabins on the ship.