I was visiting my friend Ronan in Fort Lauderdale when he had this brilliant idea that I should try cruising. The problem? I’d never set foot on a cruise ship before, and everything available was either too long for a complete beginner or already booked solid.
That’s when he suggested the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise — just two days from Palm Beach to the Bahamas. Perfect for testing the waters without a massive commitment, right?
As someone from Ireland who knew absolutely nothing about Jimmy Buffett or this whole Margaritaville concept, I figured how hard could a two-day cruise be? Well, here’s what I learned…
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1. Embarkation Takes WAY Longer Than You’d Expect
Let me be blunt about this one — we thought we’d be on the ship in maybe 30 minutes. The reality? One hour and forty-five minutes total.
That’s 40 minutes standing outside Palm Beach port in a giant queue, then over an hour inside for security, document checks, and getting room keys. I’m not exaggerating when I say we missed the first hour on the ship because we were stuck in those lines.
The security process felt surprisingly relaxed, the guards were having too much fun chatting with passengers rather than actually checking bags properly. Not exactly reassuring for our collective health! But the sheer volume of people meant everything crawled along at a snail’s pace.
Pro tip: Build in way more time than you think you need. And here’s something they don’t advertise — after you get your room key, there’s a table where you can sign up for drink packages at a discount. Don’t miss that opportunity!
Where to Stay
Staying near the port can save you stress and time. Here are two solid options at different price points:
Luxury: The Breakers Palm Beach — 15 minutes from port, an iconic oceanfront resort with a private beach. Check prices ->
Mid-Range: Best Western Plus Windsor Gardens — <3 miles from the cruise terminal, pool & free breakfast. Check prices ->
2. It’s Unapologetically a Party Ship (And That’s Actually Great)
The moment you walk aboard, there’s this massive flip-flop display — very Jimmy Buffett, as I quickly learned (check the lyrics!) — and you’ll constantly hear people humming or singing “Margaritaville” throughout the ship. The theming is absolutely everywhere.
Now, I’m not naturally someone who gravitates towards group party vibes, but the passengers were brilliant. Lots of tipsy groups, certainly, but they were more amusing than annoying. Everyone was just embracing that “it’s five o’clock somewhere” mentality, and the energy was infectious.
The entertainment ranges from comedians to live music, and the atmosphere is definitely relaxed and fun. If you’re looking for a sophisticated, quiet cruise experience, this isn’t it. But if you want unpretentious fun with genuinely friendly people, you’ll absolutely love it.
The bottom line: Embrace the party atmosphere rather than fighting it. You’ll have a much better time.
VIDEO: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Sailing Margaritaville at Sea
From embarkation to food and drink, all you need to know before you book.
3. The Food and Drinks Will Surprise You (In the Best Way)
I’ll be honest — I had rock-bottom expectations. This is an older ship with budget pricing and quick turnaround times. I was expecting maybe airline-quality food at best.
But that first lunch at the Port of Indecision buffet? The fried chicken and plantains were genuinely delicious and hit the spot perfectly after that marathon embarkation process.
We also ate at Fins (the main dining room), which was comparable to a decent American chain restaurant like Applebees or Chilis — definitely good enough for a short cruise. We even treated ourselves to JWB Steakhouse, the speciality restaurant for $49 per person, which offered a much more upscale feel with really good quality steaks and asparagus.
The variety impressed me for a two-day cruise:
- Buffet options at Port of Indecision
- Sit-down dining at Fins
- Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria for late-night munchies (individual slices are free, whole pizzas cost about $15)
About the drinks: If you drink alcohol, the beverage package is absolutely essential. We paid $89 in advance (it’s $99 if you book onboard). The cost might be different on your trip or for an unlimited package. When bottled water costs $4.95, the package pays for itself incredibly quickly. You get 10 drinks included, and those frozen pina coladas whilst watching the Florida coast disappear? Absolutely worth every penny.
Important note: There’s a dress code for the main dining room — we saw a couple turned away because the husband was wearing flip-flops and a cut-off shirt fresh from the pool!
4. You Don’t Need to Be a Jimmy Buffett Fan
As someone from Ireland, I knew virtually nothing about Jimmy Buffett or the whole Margaritaville concept before Ronan suggested this cruise. I’d never heard “Margaritaville” the song, didn’t know any of his music, had zero connection to this tropical lifestyle thing. I am certain lots of Irish people were fans of Jimmy, by the way!
But here’s the thing — the vibe is just infectious. Even without knowing the songs beforehand, you get swept up in this laid-back, island mentality. It’s less about being a superfan and more about embracing this “chill out and have fun” attitude.
The theming makes sense even if you’re not familiar with the brand. It’s tropical, relaxed, and feels like a mini holiday from real life. The aqua-themed decor with nautical maps and “chill” artwork creates this atmosphere that’s perfect for first-timers who just want to experience cruising without any pretense.
The reality: You’ll probably know more Jimmy Buffett songs by the end of the cruise than when you started, whether you want to or not!
5. Grand Bahama Needs Realistic Expectations
Here’s what they don’t tell you about Freeport, Grand Bahama — if you haven’t booked a ship excursion, there’s honestly not a huge amount to do independently.
We took a shared taxi into Freeport for $14 each return. The system involves waiting until enough people gather to fill a minibus (we prayed for enough people to join us!), which was an interesting local experience in itself.
Downtown Freeport has the Straw Market and a few shops, but we ended up at a beach all-inclusive because there just wasn’t enough to keep us occupied for several hours. The beaches are gorgeous with crystal clear water, but it’s much colder than it looks! And yes, that’s the beach in my drone photograph above.
What I’d recommend: The ship excursions like swimming with pigs might be worth considering if you want a more structured day. Don’t expect Nassau levels of activity — Freeport is much quieter and more limited for independent exploration. Arrive with a plan rather than winging it like we did.
Shore Excursions
If I were doing this cruise again, here are the excursions I’d seriously consider booking in advance:
Swimming with Pigs — The unique Bahamas experience everyone talks about. Half-day tours include transportation and often lunch. Read more ->
Paradise Cove Beach Day Pass — All-inclusive day at a beautiful beach resort with food, drinks, and water sports included. Check the pick-up/return times. Read more ->
Garden of the Groves & City Tour — Combines Freeport’s famous botanical gardens with a guided city tour. Read more ->
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely! Overall, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was a brilliant introduction to cruising. It’s not luxury by any stretch, but it delivers genuine fun with decent food, friendly staff, and what I learned was the infectious Margaritaville spirit.
Would I book this specific ship again? Probably only at a significant discount, but I’d definitely recommend it to other first-time cruisers looking for an affordable taste of cruise life without any pretense.
The key is managing your expectations — you’re not getting a five-star experience, but you are getting a legitimate cruise experience that’ll help you figure out if cruising is for you.
Planning your first cruise? Check out my complete Margaritaville at Sea Paradise review for all the details on cabins, pricing, and logistics, plus watch the full vlog experience to see exactly what it’s like onboard.
What questions do you have about Margaritaville at Sea or cruising in general? Drop them in the comments below — I’d love to hear about your cruise planning!