Margaritaville at Sea

"This cruise is ideal for people like me, who prefer short cruises (or for those who want to try cruising with a short, inexpensive trip). While the experience is not as refined as the offerings of the larger cruise lines, I still found it to be very good - especially in the area of overall value-for-money. Much of the ship appears to have been refurbished, including the cabins. The decor had a fun, colourful theme. The bed was comfortable and the inside stateroom I had was spacious. The private washroom was OK but could use a floor replacement as the hardwood/laminate had a lot of cracks. The shower maintained good water pressure and reached optimal temperature quickly. The climate control worked but may need to be calibrated or adjusted (the crew had to set it to the hottest setting in order to maintain a comfortable and cool temperature). Wifi worked very well for most of the cruise. There were a few short periods where the connection became spotty (i.e. 2 minutes) but I have experienced this with other satellite based systems as well (land/air/sea). In-terms of food, I opted for the PORT OF INDECISION buffet as well as the FINS restaurant. I found both to be good but I preferred the buffet as I enjoyed the variety of foods it had. I found the quality and quantity of food available to be very good. Those who desire a more refined dining experience would prefer FINS or the Steakhouse (added charge) but the buffet was certainly not unrefined by any means. As a cardiac patient, I was happy with the options and was able to stick to my plan. The staff I encountered were all very helpful and pleasant. There was a delay due to the cruise line's computer systems being down at the time of boarding. This was inconvenient to passengers but one could see that staff were working hard with alternate processes to ensure guests could still be checked-in and boarded as quickly as possible. The cruise line's staff are their biggest asset. Overall, I found this cruise to be very enjoyable and of good value. I would travel with this line again if I could get a good deal in the future (...and the lower fares seem to be available well into the year)."

"I recommend getting a vip package. The food is delicious at the steakhouse, the seafood spot, burger bar, pizza. The buffet is not good. That’s for the common folk. If you get the lowest priced ticket expect to eat the buffet. Don’t complain about it. Pay more to get more. We went three days, this was a great first time cruise! Had a blast! They are so nice on the ship, all the staff rarely a bad attitude. It was great! I will be back, SOON!"

"My first cruise and was great! We took the cruise to Freeport, Bahamas (stayed a week) and took a cruise back. The staff in every area were friendly. I loved all the music, dancing, ship off party, and that show was fantastic! I love musicals so I was thrilled. It's definitely a booze cruise so be prepared for all that goes with it but our experience was great!"

"It’s a fun and quick gateway cruise for solo trips, couples, friends, family… if you read mix reviews take them for what they are… other’s expectations or experiences. It’s what ever you choose to book it for. We just like to idea of a quick weekend trip. There are clear fees that are listed on the website, vouchers or even better the customer support reps can explicitly explain. My hubby and I have been on a few gateways with the margaritaville cruise line and it’s been very fun for us. There is entertainment around the clock, food is okay, it’s not a new ship so yes there will be some areas that display wear out …. What ever you eat / drink that’s not part of the free stuff then like anywhere else YOU PAY with 18% added to the tab. Also when arriving to the Bahamas you need cash to get around to the beaches and to consume if you choose and sightsee. This is not a part of the cruise is the local tourist area and of course you are responsible for your activities. Bottom line I would recommend booking and experiencing for yourself. Just ask all of the fees before booking!"

"Margaritaville leaves out of West Palm Beach and goes to the Bahamas. This 2 night cruise is short but from what I understand, they're starting 3 night cruises soon. The ship was a little old but it was clean and it played into the laid back, Key West persona it's trying to create. The staff were great, service was wonderful and I really enjoyed the spa. I received a hot stone massage and it was one of the best massages I've ever had. I highly recommend taking this cruise and be sure to upgrade your experience to VIP. You get priority boarding and plenty of other little perks like gifts, free coffee in the cafe and much more."