Margaritaville at Sea Islander cruise review | Worth it or not?

Margaritaville at Sea Islander cruise review with tips and and everything you need know before you set sail.

If you have been seeing and hearing about the Margaritaville cruise and wondering if it's a good vacation option for you and your family then continue reading because this article is especially written for you.

Margaritaville at Sea is one of the brand new lines of cruise ships so it's no wonder many people are still on the fence about booking a trip with them for fear of no receiving the best service or getting the most for their money.

If you are a veteran, first responder or active military you may have the chance to try it for free as my husband and I did. At the time of our trip, Margaritaville was offering a free cruise for two to Cozumel, Mexico and considering the time coincided with my birthday, I quickly jumped on that opportunity. You can find out more about the Heroes Sail Free program here.

Now, even if you don't qualify for the free cruise, there are many affordable options and depending on the time of your booking you may be able to take your kids for free.

But before you book, let’s dive into what you can expect on board and how to make the most of your trip!

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What to Know Before You Set Sail

Margaritaville Cruise at Sea Islander is the ultimate getaway for travelers seeking a laid-back island escape at sea. Whether you're cruising solo, as a couple, or with your family, this cruise offers the perfect balance of fun, luxury, and endless views of the open ocean. From signature dining experiences to exciting shore excursions, the Sea Islander has something for everyone.

Before you embark on the Margaritaville Cruise at Sea Islander, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Pack Smart for Island Living

The Sea Islander offers a relaxed, island-style atmosphere, so make sure to pack casual and comfortable attire. You’ll want swimsuits for lounging by the pool, light dresses or shorts for strolling the ship, and a few dressier options for the occasional special evening. Don't forget sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses to protect you from the tropical sun while you’re out on deck or exploring ports of call.

If you need inspiration to help you pack, check out my Tropical Cruise Outfit and Must Haves List.

Check Your Travel Documents

Because the cruise may dock at international destinations, it’s important to have your passport ready. Double-check any visa requirements for the ports you'll be visiting, and make sure your travel insurance covers all your needs while on the cruise.

Here's a list of documents and travel requirements you will need to present.

Grab the daily schedule

The daily schedule is your best friend during your cruise and I would recommend taking with you wherever you go or you can snap a photo of it and keep it on your phone.

With the daily schedule you will have access to all the fun activities scheduled for the day, temperature, time of arrival and important informations you should know.

Onboard Activities: Fun and Relaxation All Day Long

Now that you have your daily schedule with you, it's time to explore the ship but brace yourself because there's quite a lot to do.

The Margaritaville Cruise at Sea Islander is packed with entertainment and activities to ensure there’s never a dull moment. From lounging by the pool with a drink in hand to enjoying lively performances at night, there’s something for every type of traveler.

Relax by the Pool or Go down the slide

Whether you’re a sun-worshipper or prefer cooling off in the water, the Sea Islander has three pools and a sun deck designed for the ultimate relaxation. There is also a water slide on the kids section but adults are also welcomed.

Get competitive

Get ready to play your friends and/or family members at a game of golf, pickleball or corn hole located at the upper deck with beautiful views of the water.

Unwind at the St. Somewhere Spa

For a true escape, head to the St. Somewhere Spa for a day of pampering. The spa offers massages, facials, and other treatments to help you unwind after a day of fun. Whether you choose a vitamin c facial or a calming massage, the experience will leave you refreshed and ready for the next adventure.

Get the dice rollin'

For the folks who enjoy playing for cash, the casino offers a variety of gambling machines, black jack games and more.

Evening Entertainment and Shows

When the sun sets, the excitement continues. The Sea Islander is known for its live music, inspired by the easygoing lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett himself. You can also catch comedy shows, interactive games, and themed parties that keep the good times rolling into the night.

Here are some of the shows and entertainment you can expect to see at the ship but please keep in mind that these may change:

Music Trivia

Buried Treasure Bingo

Parrot Quest Scavenger hunt

Margaritaville Goes Country Party

Lip Service Karaoke

Violin Show

Adrenaline Magic show

Fama Latin Duo Show

Trip Around the Sun with guitarist Emman

Parrot Pete Meet & greet

Reggae beats with Blaze band

Bachata dance class

Conky Tonkin' at Sea Show

Country Dance party with DJ Kash

Dance class with the production cast

Go shopping

Pick up souvenirs, gifts or treat yourself to some shopping time at the Everything but Sand Retail Plaza. If you forgot to bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses or any other essential this is the perfect place to visit to pick up some of those forgotten items.

Hot, Hot, Hot Night Club

For all the party people that don't want to go to bed early, definitely make a stop at the Hot, Hot, Hot Night club. DJ Kash was spinning some real awesome tunes during our cruise and the vibes were pretty awesome.

Everyone was having a great time, dancing and singing. I know I danced so much I came back home with my legs sore, not to mention we were partying until 2, 3 am, definitely way past my bed time.

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Dining: A Taste of Island Paradise

One of the highlights of the Margaritaville Cruise at Sea Islander is the fantastic variety of dining options that bring the flavors of the tropics right to your plate. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a gourmet meal, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Complimentary dining

Mexican Cutie Cantina - Build your own taco with chicken, pork and steak options and toppings such as guacamole, pico de gallo to add.

Fins Dining - Enjoy island inspired dishes.

Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger bar - Ge a simple but delicious cheeseburger and add your own toppings that include mushrooms, sautéed onions, lettuce and tomatoes and a side of fries.

Port of Indecision buffet - Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with a variety of options including a salad and dessert bar.

Frank & Lola's Pizzeria - If you are a pizza lover then you must try Frank & Lola's Pizza. You can add your toppings and have it freshly baked for you. I had the four cheese pizza and it was so good!

Specialty Restaurants for an Elevated Experience

For those who want the full Margaritaville experience and a more exclusive taste of what the cruise ship has to offer, the Specialty restaurants on board offer mouthwatering options with tropical flavor options as well as upscale menus.

Island Eats - This one is for adults only and it is located in the Tiki bar area offering sea food and island inspired eats.

Islander Dining Room - Located on the upper floor of the main dining room, offering specialty dining as well as brunch.

JWB Prime Steakhouse - Upscale dining in an elegant setting. Perfect for a celebration such as anniversary or birthday. In fact, my husband surprised me with a birthday dinner there and it was so special.

He made reservations ahead of time to guarantee our spot and mentioned to them it was my birthday.

I ordered the steak, mashed potatoes and broccoli and it was superb! For dessert, the staff were kind of enough to place a candle on top of a chocolate cake and sang happy birthday to me. It was so magical. I also got a slice of the key lime pie because I heard it was a must try.

Far Side Sushi - Although I did not try the sushi from the Far Side Sushi, I did hear good things about it so if you are into sushi or maybe you are just craving some, it's nice that you have the ability to sushi from the comfort of the ship.

Tiki Grill - Also located on the adults only side of the ship, Tiki grill offers wings, skewers and even creme brûlée.

Margaritaville Coffee Shop - Are you a coffee connoisseur or just in the mood for a muffin and a cappuccino? Then head over to the Margaritaville coffee shop and let your taste buds indulge.

Exploring Ports of Call: Adventure Awaits

No cruise is complete without exciting shore excursions, and the Margaritaville Cruise at Sea Islander offers a range of activities to suit every type of traveler. From sun-drenched beaches to cultural tours, there’s something for everyone at each port.

We initially booked a sea trek excursion but a day before the excursion we were told that the experience was no longer available with the same vendor and lunch would not be included as previously offered.

So, we ended up switching it up to a boat trip to Cielo beach, a beautiful beach only accessible by boat where the water is so blue that it looks like the sky, hence Cielo ( sky in Spanish ) beach.

The trip was about four hours long and included a plate of ceviche, a side of guacamole and chips. I was a bit disappointed with the food though.

Also on the boat with us was a Margaritaville Cruise representative who mentioned to us that it was the first time Margaritaville at Sea worked with this boat company and they were testing it out to see if they were to par with their standards. He did mention he wasn't too impressed and there were far better excursions offered.

Although I wasn't too satisfied with the food, the boat trip to Cielo beach was amazing simply because Cozumel is amazing! The reef, the water, the weather, everything comes together to create a magical experience. We got to see the awesome reefs, fish, miles of starfish and even swam with stingrays right in their natural habitat!

For a list of all the experiences you can book with Margaritavilla at Sea Islander check out this page.

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Insider Tips for a Smooth Sailing Experience

To ensure your cruise is as enjoyable as possible, here are a few insider tips:

Arrive Early on Embarkation Day

Boarding the ship early gives you extra time to explore the facilities and secure a prime poolside spot before the crowds arrive. Plus, it’s a great way to get a head start on your vacation!

Book Shore Excursions in Advance

Popular shore excursions can fill up quickly, so it’s best to book them early to ensure you don’t miss out. The ship’s excursion desk or online booking system makes it easy to reserve your spot before departure.

Take Advantage of Onboard Room Service

If you’re in the mood for a quiet night in, or if you simply want breakfast in bed, the Sea Islander offers room service options that bring delicious meals right to your cabin.

Which Cabin should you choose

When booking we opted for an interior state room which was included with our Heroes Sail Free deal and although we were pretty satisfied with it we ended up upgrading to an ocean view with balcony state room.

Both state rooms were pretty spacious, it had ample storage for your clothes, outlets for your devices, a large mirror with an LED light, a small refrigerator and a hair dryer.

I would highly recommend the ocean view balcony state room if your budget allows for it. It's such an amazing feeling to wake up with the sun rising on the water or enjoy a peaceful sunset on your balcony. Totally worth it!

Wifi - worth it or not?

This will depend on how connected you need and want to be to the internet. As a digital marketer and blogger you'd think that I would be the one that couldn't stand to disconnect, but my husband was the one that couldn't stand to not have access to Google, so we ended up purchasing the Wi-fi package.

Do keep in mind that the service is very limited and it doesn't work in all the areas of the boat and only ONE device will be able to be connected and there is no way to share, trust me, we tried.

I would say that if you absolutely need to stay in touch with family members or be able to check emails, then get the Wi-Fi package, otherwise just skip it and enjoy your internet free cruise.

Is the Margaritaville At Sea Islander Cruise Kid Friendly?

We did not bring the kids on this cruise but as a parent of four, I would say the Margaritaville at Sea Islander is SO kid friendly.

My husband and I found ourselves saying " O my goodness, the kids would love this, they would love that" so many times.

There's an outdoor designated area just for kids with a playground, water slide as well as a room with plenty of activities for children and an arcade filled with games for both small children and even teens.

And if you want to have some adult time, the Jolly Mon kid's club can keep an eye on the kids while you enjoy the adults only lounge or take a nap. Make sure to stop by and pick up a daily schedule to find out about available time slots.

Alcoholic Beverage Package - worth it or not?

How much of a drinker are you? That's the question you want to answer before purchasing a drink package and the reason why I say this is because each package includes up to 15 drinks per day!

I spoke with different couples and they mentioned that they couldn't drink the 15 drinks per day and the one guy who did, admitted to us he completely regretted the day after.

We opted not to purchase the drink package and the reason being because we had to purchase two packages considering there were two people in our state room. That's a little over $600 just for alcoholic beverages and quite frank, I am not much of a drinker so it wasn't worth it for us.

The very first day on the boat we ordered the fruity drinks and those gave me such a stomachache. I wasn't drunk, not even tipsy, but my stomach was not happy with all the sugar included in those. So, the remaining days we decided to just take tequila shots, which are cheaper than the drinks and have much less sugar since the tequila we drink is made with agave.

Now, if you're not into chugging shots, you can grab some juice from the drinking stations and mix it with your shot and voila, you got yourself a much cheaper sugary drink.

Also read: Beach vacation must haves

Things you may want to bring that your cabin does not have

Clothing steamer, Clothing Iron or a wrinkle release spray

Multiple Plug Adaptor in the case you have a lot of devices to charge. I remember there only being a couple of wall plugs and two USB ports on each lamp for a total of four USB ports.

International adapter if you are traveling from outside of the U.S.

Hanging Shower organizer - There was no space to keep my shampoo, conditioner and other shower items so I had to place everything on the floor. In the future I would definitely bring a shower organizer that I can hang on the shower rod and keep everything off the floor.

Portable Sound Machine - If you are a light sleeper then you may want to take a sound machine with you to block out sounds from outside of your cabin. Day three of our trip we wanted to sleep a little longer but when 9:30 am hit the ship music came on and that was the end of the sleep for me. I totally wish I had brought our travel sound machine.

Portable air purifier - As a person who has had so many allergy break outs during vacation due to dust or odors, I highly recommend bringing an air purifier. You never know who was in the cabin prior to you or what lies in the air that you cannot see so it is best to be safe and take an air purifier with you that can take care of any impurities in the air and keep you breathing fresh, great air.

Portable diffuser - I love when my room smells fantastic so I like to bring a travel essential oil diffuser with me when I travel.

First Aid Kit - Even though there are doctors on the ship - I know this for a fact as I met one of them - you still want to bring a first aid kit for small and minor injuries like a cut for example. Don't forget to include motion sickness medication or patches and hangover relief to that kit just in case. It is better to have and not need then to need and not have.

Door Decor - I saw quite a lot of state room doors decorated for people's birthdays and celebrations and I thought the ship did that until I asked the crew about it because I also wanted my door decorated for my birthday. Well, it turns out that if you want your door decorate you must bring your own decor.

Packable Hangers - There are a few hangers available at each cabin but in the event that you need more it is alway a good idea to bring your own packable hangers that are easy to store and use.

Mini fan - Do you get really hot at night or maybe you are already used to having a fan on while you sleep? Then bring an approved cruise line mini fan with you to ensure you can sleep well and all night long.

Debarking

We loved every minute of our Margaritaville at Sea Islander Cruise but I have to say that I absolutely hated the early debarking. Passengers are asked to be out of the state room by 8 am and breakfast is served from 6 am to 8 am and honestly, after a night of partying and 3 days of fun, I was not ready to be up and ready to leave this early in the AM and I don't think the majority of the passengers were either.

In my opinion, the last impression is extremely important and Margaritaville kind of dropped the ball with an early debarking.

Conclusion: Set Sail for Adventure on the Margaritaville Cruise at Sea Islander

The Margaritaville Cruise at Sea Islander is more than just a vacation—it’s an escape to a tropical paradise where every day feels like a getaway. With a variety of activities, fantastic dining options, and unforgettable shore excursions, this cruise has something for everyone.

Whether you’re sipping cocktails by the pool, enjoying live music, or exploring new destinations, you’ll feel the island spirit from the moment you step onboard.

Overall vibes were very fun but also family oriented which is the kind of environment our family loves so if that's your kind of experience too then I am sure the Margaritaville at Sea Islander would be a great vacation option for you.

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More photos from our trip