Jimmy Buffett sings his hit track “Margaritaville” from a jumbo film display on the cruise ship high deck. Passengers cheer him with chilly drinks whereas some shout “Fins up” whereas clasping two palms atop their heads for the standard Parrothead salute.
Though the beloved singer, songwriter, musician, creator and businessman died Sept. 1, 2023, at age 76 after a protracted struggle with a uncommon pores and skin most cancers, Buffett’s legacy continues to develop. A brand new ship in his Margaritaville at Sea cruise line was launched June 11 in Tampa, Florida.
Named Margaritaville at Sea Islander, the ship joins sister vessel Margaritaville at Sea Paradise which cruises out of West Palm Seaside, Florida. Befitting her identify, the brand new Islander is stuffed with Buffett music and island touches.
Excellent bartender Joselito serves a Flip Flop cocktail within the Flip Flop Bar.
Stepping onboard, I’m greeted with an enormous 14-foot flip-flop sculpture with a pop-top below it in the primary ship foyer. The sculpture is a reference to Margaritaville lyrics, “Stepped on a pop-top, blew out my flip-flop.” A welcoming signal notes “Adjustments in Latitudes, Adjustments in Attitudes” and one other gives cruisers a “License to relax, and I consider I’ll.”
Honoring traces in Jimmy Buffett’s ‘Margaritaville’ track, a 14-foot flip-flop sculpture with a pop-top below it’s a fashionable photograph cease.
In any case, this ship is a tribute to Buffett with vigorous seaside colours, daring dramatic type, scrumptious Caribbean delicacies, artistic cocktails and energetic leisure. The ship has an interesting ethereal feeling with expansive home windows, glass elevators that zoom as much as Deck 10 and sweeping staircases.
Above the primary foyer, a reproduction of Buffett’s personal private seaplane soars together with beautiful margarita-glass chandeliers, floating fish and parrots galore. Buffett was a licensed industrial pilot and his plane Hemisphere Dancer was central to the motion in his best-selling memoir “A Pirate Seems to be at Fifty.”
The aircraft additionally jogged my memory of the now-poignant phrases that Buffett sang: “Approach up excessive, I be at liberty on these wings you possibly can’t see.”
A reproduction of Jimmy Buffett’s personal private seaplane soars with gigantic parrots to the highest of the ship.
I might write a guidebook about all of the Buffett treasures on the brand new ship. However cruisers don’t must be Parrotheads to take pleasure in Islander. The cruise ship is a pleasure for people who could not know a lot concerning the man who portrayed a life-style described as “island escapism.”
Previous ship renovated for brand spanking new use
I did say this can be a “new” ship. However the ship is definitely 24 years previous. It was initially inbuilt 2000 as the previous Costa Atlantica and underwent an intensive $150 million transformation.
“Basically each house on this vessel was comparatively touched. There are actually no areas of the vessel that didn’t have an intensive reimagining,” mentioned Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “I really like the format of this vessel…It’s actually distinctive, a enjoyable ship to be on.”
One in all three pool areas on the Islander, the Tiki Pool is adults solely.
Spanning 12 decks with 1,100 staterooms, the Islander options 12 eateries plus 13 bars and lounges, every with its personal cocktail menu.
Islander is glowing clear with colourful island vibe.
On the coronary heart of the Islander’s hovering 14-story atrium, the Flip Flop Bar serves signature cocktails in addition to having a stage behind the bar for leisure. Bartender Joselito is an professional at frozen concoctions and different divine drinks. One of the vital fashionable, he notes, is the Flip Flop cocktail, a combo of Margaritaville Silver Rum, pineapple, agave, lime and Blue Curacao for $13.
Islander additionally has a on line casino, theater, three swimming pool areas, spa, children’ golf equipment, arcades, sizzling tubs, health heart, retailers and loads of quiet areas to take in the Caribbean solar. Video games and actions embrace corn gap, mini-golf, pickleball, scavenger hunts, craft courses, karaoke, line dance and salsa dance courses and rather more.
Brilliant and sparkly glass elevators zoom as much as Deck 10.
Jimmy Buffett live shows are proven twice a day on the jumbo display in addition to usually on stateroom televisions. Loads of stay music might be heard across the ship – a solo violinist, guitar participant, ship band, steelpan participant, pianist and extra.
New ‘Conky Tonkin’ nation music present in Stars on the Water Theater.
Two new musical packages are produced stay on the cruise within the Stars on the Water Theater (named for Buffett’s 1983 nation rock hit). The stage exhibits are Caribbean Warmth Remix and Conky Tonkin’ (the unique identify for Buffett and Kenny Chesney’s 2004 “License to Chill” hit).
Hovering excessive above the viewers, aerial dancers and acrobats are a preferred a part of the ‘Conky Tonkin’ present.
Serving as godmother of the Islander is Buffett’s oldest daughter, Savannah, who spent a lot of her childhood touring on seaplanes, sailboats and tour buses together with her father. She additionally co-authored two youngsters’s books together with her father, “Jolly Mon” and “Hassle Dolls.”
Hitting the street for track in ship’s new manufacturing of ‘Conky Tonkin’ with enjoyable Fins Up license plate.
“Bubbles up. Cheers to many a beautiful cruise,” Savannah Buffett mentioned on the ship’s christening. “To the winds in our hair and margaritas in our sneakers, fins up endlessly.”
Funds-friendly cruise line
The two,650-passenger Islander sails four- and five-night round-trip cruises from Tampa with stops in Key West, Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. In 2025, the ship will launch longer six- and seven-night cruises that may embrace Belize.
The budget-friendly cruise line gives particular fares beginning at $229 per individual this summer season which incorporates meals and stay leisure. Drinks price additional with cocktails round $12. An Limitless Soda Bundle prices $10 per evening per visitor. The Final Beverage Chill bundle for cocktails, beer, wine and soda is $59.99 per individual per evening.
Pretty Coral Reef Lounge encompasses a beneath-the-sea motif.
“We do get loads of new individuals to cruising,” mentioned Amanda Travaglini, chief advertising officer for Margaritaville at Sea. “A two-night cruise on the Paradise is uncommon and is an effective alternative for individuals to check their toes within the water for cruising.”
The brief cheap cruises are also a draw for repeat cruisers who’re on the lookout for a short getaway with out having to remain at a expensive resort, pay for restaurant eating and discover high-priced stay leisure exhibits. It’s all on Islander at one affordable worth.
Having a pleasant hospitable crew is a vital ingredient in any profitable cruise line, Christopher Ivy added, and Islander undoubtedly has a top-notch crew. “What resonates with visitors is the crew. It may be a ravishing ship however hospitality is admittedly what brings the ship to life.”
All of the staterooms had been absolutely redesigned with new furnishings, together with Margaritaville’s signature bedding, pillow, linens and toiletries. My stateroom was massive and comfy with a queen-size mattress, lengthy couch, chair, espresso desk, mini fridge, lighted desk, large flat-screen TV, protected, closets and loads of cupboard space.
My stateroom on Margaritaville at Sea Islander with the largest non-public balcony I’ve ever had on a cruise.
The cabin décor options sea and seaside colours and work. The toilet was compact with enough counter house and a small tubular-shaped bathe with a bathe curtain.
The mattress and pillows had been tremendous cozy and the white coverlet had a pleasant contact – embossed parrots. Just a little boy on my cruise advised me the parrots glowed at the hours of darkness and sang him to sleep at evening. Don’t find out about that.
However what I appreciated greatest about my stateroom was the balcony. The biggest I’ve ever had on a cruise ship, my balcony had two chairs and a desk plus two loungers and a desk. The expansive balcony doorways and window subsequent to my mattress let me go to sleep with the sights and sounds of the ocean.
Eating choices
Eating is a vital a part of any cruise and Margaritaville at Sea Islander gives many tasty choices. The ship has 5 complimentary eating spots – Mexican Cutie Cantina, Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar, Fins Eating Room, Port of Indecision buffet (for breakfast, lunch and dinner) and Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria.
Cheeseburger in Paras
Named for traces of Jimmy Buffett’s track within the album “Final Mango in Paris,” Frank and Lola’s has the very best pizza I’ve ever loved on any cruise ship. Crisp tasty crust, not too skinny and never too thick, yummy sauce, beneficiant cheese and pepperoni. Baked excellent.
Décor in the primary eating rooms gives great broad home windows, beautiful chandeliers and soothing blue and gold colours with massive seascape work.
Specialty eating for an additional cost are Far Facet Sushi, Island Eats, Tiki Bar, Margaritaville Espresso Store, Islander Eating Room and JWB Prime Steakhouse. For $55, the JWB (James William Buffett) Prime Steakhouse has a big menu with seafood, steak, lamb and pork. The important thing lime pie was my favourite dessert.
The best praise any cruise ship can have? When passengers e book one other cruise whereas they’re nonetheless onboard the ship. Judging from individuals on my cruise, the brand new Islander is a winner and does Jimmy Buffett proud.
Pictures by Jackie Sheckler Finch
Cowl ship photograph courtesy of Margaritaville at Sea
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