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The theater was a nice touch to the cruise experience, but the show was very kid-like. My sister and I booked the excursion to swim with pigs on Crystal Beach, which cost $100 each. This was the highlight of our trip, but the experience was not what we thought it would be.
My family members purchased Wi-Fi but it only worked in certain areas of the ship
The menu also had nachos and a few other burger and sandwich options, all priced a la carte. The fried cauliflower starter and braised short rib entree I ate at Fins were tasty and well cooked. Because it was included, I said yes to dessert and had a creamy, tangy lemon meringue tart.
Getting Off the Ship
The main dining room, Fins Dining, is the other option included in the cruise fare. However, we were only scheduled to eat there once with a reservation a staff member created as we boarded the ship. Every day, so we had to seek other options if we got hungry later. This seemed like a strategic way to get guests to buy from the other dining places, which were open until midnight. In addition to the Tiki Bar, other new bars and lounges include the central lounge in the Flip Flop Atrium serving signature cocktails. Ocean-inspired cocktails will be on the menu in the aquarium-themed Coral Reef Lounge and hand-crafted drinks will be served in the intimate Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits Bar.
Grand Bahama Island Excursions
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. Some had been on the ship prior to the rebranding and wanted to sail again now that it had been updated. Some were celebrating birthdays or anniversaries and wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. A few lived so close to the beach that they could go whenever they wanted and were looking to shake things up. As with any new experience, changes are often made in the early days as customer feedback rolls in and real-time issues are addressed. The cruise line did not share specific details on plans to update the bathrooms or other cosmetic features of the ship, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen in the future.
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We never received an announcement, so we sat in our room waiting until we went to check on the queue ourselves. To be fair, the process may have gotten a bit smoother since our early sailing, but I found the entire disembarking process I experienced to be highly disorganized. Other options included a pizzeria, an ice cream shop, a steakhouse, and a bar and grill.
While on this cruise I ate at the main dining room for dinner both nights, and the buffet for both breakfast and lunch both days of the cruise. I felt that Fins offered a wide variety of menu choices for guests. For dinner at the main dining room, each guest is able to choose a starter, a soup or salad, a main entree, and a dessert. The first night I chose a shrimp cocktail, caprese salad, a pasta dish, and a lemon meringue tart. The second night of the sailing, for dinner I chose the salmon tartare, the butternut squash soup, the prime rib, and the apple tart for dessert. The room was decorated along with the rest of the ship in a tropical style with lots of bright and cheery colors.
The cruise line’s itineraries are designed to showcase the beauty of the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The ports of call are well-chosen, offering a mix of popular spots and hidden gems. Shore excursions are well-organized, providing opportunities for adventure, cultural immersion, or simply relaxing on a beautiful beach. From live music that gets your toes tapping to poolside games that bring out your competitive side, there’s never a dull moment. The evening shows are particularly noteworthy, with performances that are both engaging and high-energy.
Check-In
As this was my second time sailing with Margaritaville at Sea, I was interested to see all the updates and refurbishments that were made onboard. I can confidently say that the cruise was a good experience that improved upon my last. This quick cruise is unique in the cruise line industry, as it's rare to find a 2-night sailing on any cruise line. This is a great perk that can be enjoyed with Margaritaville at Sea, especially for those who aren't sure if they'll enjoy cruising or not. Additionally, if you are someone who wishes to book a spa treatment, I highly recommend making an appointment early on during the first day of the cruise.
Who is Onboard Margaritaville at Sea Paradise?
Drop us an anchor below with your thoughts on Margaritaville at Sea. Lunch was quick, and we were done just in time to get to the pool deck for a special Junkanoo celebration. We suspect this Bahamian hallmark was to commemorate the ship’s inaugural call into the island nation.
I appreciated how clean the room was despite showing inevitable signs of age. There was plenty of storage for my belongings, as well as two robes to wear during my stay onboard. One of the most interesting recreational amenities that was added in the 2023 renovation was an all-new outdoor Pickleball court located on Deck 12 above the main pool area at the front of the ship.
Additionally, you will find the casual, yet up-charge, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria on deck 9. This venue offers sit-down dining, or you can get one of the custom pizzas to go. The cruise line indicated it does have plans to expand the offerings to include salads, sandwiches, and more at this venue. The cruise ship, originally known as the Costa Atlantica, was built in 2000 by Helsinki New Shipyard in Finland and was part of Costa Cruises’ fleet until 2019. Following its acquisition by Bahamas Paradise, the vessel was renamed the Grand Classica and operated on short cruises to the Bahamas. At a cover charge of $58 per person, it is on the pricey side for a cruise ship steakhouse.
The night before disembarkation, an itemized list of expenses onboard was delivered to each stateroom, along with a detailed list of instructions for disembarkation. Something that Margaritaville At Sea does well is their printed schedules. Guests can locate these printed schedules on the wall next to guest services once they board. These schedules detail opening and closing times of the different spaces onboard, as well as when activities onboard start and end throughout the day. While onboard activities are essential, port days also play a crucial role in shaping the overall cruise experience.
Needless to say, I did a lot of reading and writing on this cruise. Between the exaggerated plotlines, cheesy dialogue and jokes, and dance moves, I felt like I was seated to watch a middle-school play. The ship also had themed parties, a casino, dance nights, and bingo games. The excursion was less about swimming with the pigs and more about feeding them.
Yes, there is the specialty restaurant JWB Steakhouse, but even the pizza parlor and grill came at an up-charge. In fact, even the continental items at the coffee shop cost extra. While I thought it was manageable for two nights, the wife struggled with the size of the shower, which was small even by cruise ship standards.
When I returned to the ship around 4 p.m., my only choices until dinner were pizza, salad or cupcakes from the coffee shop (or a margarita, I guess). I've never cruised before and wasn't sure what to expect from the staterooms other than assuming I'd feel like a canned sardine. I was relieved to find the cabins were spacious and bright, with crisp white bedding, tropical artwork on the walls and a large porthole that looked out over the ocean. I appreciate that we didn't have to book international flights or travel far to go on this trip. I also recognize that my trip was shortly after the cruises began setting sail, and any new venture comes with issues in its early stages.
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. Because we had the License to Chill package, we were off the ship within minutes and headed to our car. One complaint I've seen routinely in Facebook groups and on social media, however, is that without the accelerated package, wait times both to board and leave the ship can be extreme. For that reason, it may be worth it to purchase a License to Chill package and save your group some valuable time — it is only a two-night cruise after all. Margaritaville at Sea offers excursions ranging from snorkeling to swimming with pigs. At the end of the day, guests return to the ship for another evening of dining and fun.
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