Margaritaville at Sea Islander has been named the “Greatest Cruise Ship for Households” within the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Selection Awards, beating out a number of bigger and extra established cruise traces.
The award, decided by a panel of business specialists and public voting, highlights the ship’s give attention to multi-generational journey and family-friendly leisure.
Launched in June 2024, the Islander was initially in-built 2000 as Costa Atlantica earlier than being refurbished to match the Margaritaville model’s tropical theme.
The 12-deck vessel accommodates as much as 2,650 passengers and presents quite a lot of family-focused facilities, together with a waterslide and play space, interactive recreation exhibits, and a devoted teen lounge.
The ship operates four- to ten-night itineraries from Port Tampa Bay, visiting locations resembling Key West, Aruba, and Jamaica.
The popularity from Newsweek follows a collection of accolades for the cruise line. In 2024, the Islander was awarded No. 1 in Cruise Critic’s “Greatest in Cruise” awards and positioned in a number of classes in USA At this time’s 10Best Readers’ Selection Awards, together with No. 1 for solo vacationers and No. 3 for households.
Particular to the Islander, everybody from adults to younger vacationers will discover their very own entertaining slice of paradise.
Highlights of family-friendly choices embrace:
• Dis ‘N Dat Exercise Zone – The entire household can be a part of the problem with the first-ever cornhole-meets-mini-golf course at sea. This distinctive tackle two fan-favorite video games on the outer deck places abilities to the check for one-of-a-kind enjoyable.
• Paradise Pickleball at Sea – Be a part of the craze with some pleasant competitors on the excessive seas with the last word pickleball match.
• Caribbean Amphibian Play Pad & Slide – Designed for younger adventurers, this paradise playground includes a waterslide and elevated play area for fun-filled exploration.
• Defying Gravity Expertise – A household expertise for all ages with unbelievable circus-themed workshops, interactive recreation exhibits, and scavenger hunts.
• Far Aspect of the World Arcade and Lounge – Teenagers can sip on Boba Milk Tea, sing their favourite karaoke songs, and take the arcade by storm on this family-forward lounge space.
• Coral Reef Lounge – Dive into this aquarium-inspired lounge with mermaids and mocktails, household karaoke, hilarious comedy acts, and different surprises.
For teenagers and teenagers ages 3 to 17, Islander presents 4 complimentary child’s applications organized by age group, together with:
• Jolly Mon (ages 3-5) – A fun-filled day of ocean-inspired video games, arts and crafts, immersive experiences, mermaid storytelling, and visits from pleasant characters.
• Parakeets Child’s Membership (ages 6-9) – A full itinerary that includes magic workshops, the “Escape from Chichen Itza” recreation, mini-DJ academy, sports activities hour on deck, ship tour, and loopy hat get together.
• The Hold Out (ages 10-12) – Excessive-energy video games and sports activities resembling pickleball lessons, mini golf and corn gap tournaments, together with DJ academy classes, magic workshops, Mar-glo-ritaville glow get together, pop star jam classes, and extra.
• The Far Out (ages 13-17) – This teens-only membership presents a film night time, a nightclub takeover, a scavenger hunt with prizes, percussion workshops, and loads of time within the arcade.
Along with its family-friendly focus, Margaritaville at Sea is increasing its area of interest choices. In November 2025, the Islander will host its first-ever dog-friendly cruise, permitting passengers to journey with their pets.
The dog-themed cruise will characteristic onboard actions for canines and their house owners, together with coaching classes, costume contests, and pleasant leisure.
