Cruise #56 : 8/15-8/22, 2026
COZUMEL, Grand
Cayman, Jamaica
August 15 welcomed our first
Margaritaville at Sea cruise on the Islander cruise
ship out of Tampa. We were not sure what to expect
but we have to say we were extremely pleased,
especially with the tribute to veterans, first
responders, and those that have sacrificed their
lives for us. As expected, Margaritaville at Sea
(MAS) is a Jimmy Buffett theme cruise ship. Each of
the lounges, bars, and restaurants had a name
reflecting Jimmy Buffett. The music was not entirely
Jimmy Buffett, but a great deal was. There was also
a good amount of music from the 60s, 70s, and a few
from the 80s. The big screen at the Land Shark pool
played Jimmy Buffett concerts throughout the day.
The only reservation required was for the JWB steak
house restaurant. Otherwise you could walk into the
Fins and Islander main dining restaurants with no
reservation and where shorts are welcomed! As usual,
the Port of Indecision buffet and casual venues were
relaxed dress code. We have cruised a great deal and
by far the best burger at sea is at the
"Cheeseburger in Paradise" venue. Perfectly seasoned
and juicy flavored meat. I had 2 doubles over a
week! Had what might be the best Philly Cheesesteak
anywhere. It was full of steak, onions, and peppers
all on a grilled baguette.
The Islander ship was built in 1999 for Costa
Cruises. MAS acquired the ship in 2022 and
completely gutted the ship and built the MAS theme
onboard. There were a couple of minor signs of aging
in the cabin, but for the most part, the ship looked
brand new.
We found the bar service to be a bit slow but mostly
were friendly and had very good boat drinks,
although a bit expensive as you normally find on
cruise ships. We both like espresso drinks and so we
had to go to the Margaritaville Coffee shop way up
on Deck 9 at end of the buffet to get our daily fix.
We are used to having a lower level centralized
coffee shop but did not have that on the Islander.
They did have a bar called Havana Day Dreaming that
served espresso between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. The
coffee was excellent but the hours were limited. The
majority of the venue served as a sports bar which
was way cool.
Nothing is perfect so a couple of things we did not
love: First of all, the cabin bathroom had a shower
curtain - not a door. We had an extended balcony but
the chairs were very small even though their was
plenty of room for 2 full loungers. We were not
expecting many children as school is back in session
in most parts of the country. However there were
many kids and not well behaved. Kids were running up
and down screaming their heads off. There was an
arcade on Deck 2 near the casino. The first day we
noted kids playing in the arcade yelling
profanities. We witnessed 2 teenage boys in the Far
Side of the World lounge running after each other
trying to get each other wet with a rag soaked in
soda. Not pretty. Must be the entitled generation
where you are not allowed to discipline your kids.
Our cabin steward "Yoga" was wonderful. We told him
we would request him next time we are back on MAS.
He was very attentive to our needs like daily ice
bucket, etc. Every evening he would create one of
those towel animals that pleased Carol immensely.
Ok, now for the part that had everyone in tears.
Margaritaville at Sea is American-owned. If you are
a veteran or a first responder you can sign up for
reduced cruises or even free! On the final day of
the cruise at 1 pm there was a ceremony in the
atrium to honor those veterans, first responders,
and those that have fallen.
The tribute started with the National Anthem song by
one of the ship's show performers, This was followed
by another performer that sang Hallelujah with the
lyrics changed to reflect the tribute to the
veterans and the fallen. At this point the tears
began. Note there are about 200 people gathered
around this atrium.
Then the cruise director Zee-Jay spoke of the
greatness of America and the sacrifices made by
many. This was followed by introducing and honoring
each branch of the military starting with the army.
Each person was introduced with their name, rank,
years of service, and tours of duty. The army was
followed by the marines, navy, air force, and coast
guard. There were no members of the Space Force.
First Responders were also introduced and
acknowledged.
After this long and well received honoring, there
were 4 parts that opened up the flood gates of
tears. Zee-Jay introduced a retired navy man who
served 36 years. After which he retired to Colorado
to join a service for 15 years that would deliver
the horrible news to gold star families. Lee
Greenwood's God Bless the USA followed this tribute
that brought the house down. Next, Zee-Jay introduce
each Vietnam veteran in the audience noting name,
rank, branch, and years served in Vietnam. Everyone
clapped and cheered for each amazing soul. The
ceremony ended with Taps which of course teared any
remaining dry eye in the audience. We want to go
back if just to experience this again.
Ship: Margaritaville at Sea
Islander
Stateroom: Extended Balcony 5115
Itinerary:
Aug 15, 2026 SATURDAY Port Tampa Bay TPA 3:30 PM
Aug 16, 2026 SUNDAY At Sea SD
Aug 17, 2026 MONDAY Cozumel, Mexico CZM 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Aug 18, 2026 TUESDAY At Sea SD
Aug 19, 2026 WEDNESDAY Montego Bay, Jamaica MBJ 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Aug 20, 2026 THURSDAY George Town, Grand Cayman GEC 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Aug 21, 2026 FRIDAY At Sea SD
Aug 22, 2026 SATURDAY Port Tampa Bay TPA 7:00 AM
Deck 02 - Flip Flop-Lobby-Restaurants-Casino
Stars on the Water Theater (first level) is the ship’s primary live
entertainment venue included in the cruise fare and designed across
multiple levels to host evening productions, musical performances
and stage shows that reflect the Margaritaville spirit. It features
open seating with varied levels and a multilevel moving stage and is
used for original production shows such as Conky Tonkin’ at Sea and
Caribbean Heat Remix, which combine live music, singing, dancing and
theatrical elements; the theater also serves as a central hub for
live entertainment programming throughout the cruise, with a
schedule of performances that may include music and variety acts as
part of the vessel’s onboard entertainment offerings.
Far Side Sushi is a specialty Asian-fusion sushi bar and lounge with
an a-la-carte menu featuring sushi rolls, small plates and other
fusion items such as Signature Sea-Cuterie Boards and appealing roll
options like Crunchy Volcano Rolls. It is positioned near the Stars
on the Water Theater in the Far Side of the World area and operates
as an extra-charge dining venue separate from the ship’s
complimentary restaurants, with food ordered at a counter or bar
seating for casual dine-in or to-go consumption; alcoholic beverages
are also available for additional purchase. Far Side Sushi is
included in some of the ship’s specialty dining packages and
typically serves during later lunch and dinner hours.
Far Side of the World Lounge is a themed lounge and bar space that
serves as one of the ship’s indoor social venues, positioned near
other bars and entertainment areas. It offers a bar with beverages
including sake, sake-infused drinks, bubble and fruit teas,
Asian-inspired cocktails and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic
options, and it may feature a small sushi-style menu. The lounge
hosts a variety of daytime and evening activities such as game
shows, trivia, arts and crafts sessions and occasional live music as
part of the ship’s entertainment programming, operating across
scheduled hours during the cruise.
Love and Luck Casino Bar is a themed bar space associated with the
ship’s casino area that serves hand-crafted cocktails and other
alcoholic beverages from its own signature drink menu. Guests can
order named drinks such as the Moneyline Margarita, Aces High or
Vegas Sour, and there is an element of interaction with some guests
choosing drinks by rolling a die to select from the numbered menu.
The bar operates during much of the day and into the late evening,
and it sits within the broader adult social and gaming environment
on the ship that includes table games, slots and other lounge
venues.
Margaritaville Casino is the ship’s onboard gambling facility where
adults can play traditional casino games for additional cost. It
features an assortment of slot machines and table games such as
blackjack, roulette and craps, offering a range of gambling options
for both novice and experienced players; access to the casino is
typically allowed only when the ship is in international waters and
the venue operates under standard cruise-ship legal restrictions for
gaming. The casino is situated near other entertainment spaces on
Deck 2 including the Flip Flop Atrium and arcade area and functions
as part of the Islander’s adult leisure and nightlife offerings,
with drinks available inside the casino (often subject to purchase
or promotional conditions).
Shore Excursions Desk is where guests can inquire about, plan and
book paid shore excursions for the ship’s various ports of call,
with staff available to describe options and assist with
reservations; popular excursions can fill up, so early booking is
recommended.
Guest Services serves as the primary onboard service counter where
passengers can get assistance with general questions about dining,
entertainment, onboard activities, billing and other cruise‑related
needs, and where crew members handle customer service requests. Both
desks are staffed during scheduled hours and are included as part of
the cruise fare, with hotel and excursion charges handled through
the appropriate onboard accounts.
Flip Flop Atrium & Bar is a central bar and social lounge located in
the ship’s large multi‑deck atrium, serving signature cocktails,
tropical drinks and other beverages for purchase while guests gather
in the open atrium space. It functions as a hub of daytime and
evening activity with live music and pop‑up performances by the
production cast, and it is positioned as a casual meeting point
where passengers can order drinks, socialize, and enjoy
entertainment; the venue generally opens in the morning and operates
into the late evening, and drinks are not included in the basic
cruise fare unless a beverage package has been applied.
Hot Hot Hot Night Club (entrance)
Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits is one of the ship’s signature craft
cocktail lounges and bar venues, positioned among the Islander’s
indoor bars and lounges and operating as an additional‑charge space
for alcoholic beverages. It specializes in crafted cocktails and
spirits served in a warm, intimate lounge atmosphere designed for
conversation and relaxation as an evening destination before or
after other entertainment, with soft lighting and seating that make
it distinct from more casual bar areas. The bar’s concept emphasizes
thoughtfully prepared drinks, including themed and signature
cocktails, and it functions as one of the venue options within the
ship’s lineup of social and nightlife spaces. Hemisphere Dancer
typically opens in the late afternoon or evening and complements the
broader bar program on the Islander with a quieter, classic lounge
experience focused on premium spirits rather than high‑energy
environments.
Pearls Private Dining is a specialty dining venue separate from the
ship’s main complimentary restaurants that guests can reserve for an
exclusive, intimate meal. It is a quieter, private dining room
positioned adjacent to the Fins Main Dining Room and is designed for
small groups or special occasions, offering a more refined culinary
experience with gourmet dishes that may feature Caribbean-inspired
cuisine, premium cuts and fresh seafood paired with fine wines. This
venue operates for an additional charge outside the standard cruise
fare and typically requires advance reservation with pricing that
varies based on the group and menu selections rather than a fixed
listed price. It is used for private bookings rather than general
walk-in dining and contributes to the Islander’s range of upscale
dining options.
Fins Main Dining Room is the ship’s primary complimentary sit-down
dining venue included in the cruise fare, serving breakfast and
dinner with open seating rather than assigned dining times; guests
queue for a table and may be paged if none are immediately
available. It offers a menu that changes nightly for dinner with a
selection of starters, entrées and desserts featuring
island-inspired and classic dishes, and serves breakfast with
typical morning fare. The space functions as the central restaurant
for most passengers, with casual service and no reservations
required, and is part of a suite of included dining options
alongside the buffet and other casual eateries.
Deck 03 - Livin It Up-Promenade-Shops
Stars on the Water Theater (second level)
Havana Daydreamin' Sports Bar & Lounge is an indoor bar and social
venue with a sports bar theme that combines island influences with
live Latin music, craft beers and an extensive rum selection
alongside multiple large screens for watching live sports; the space
also features classic pub‑style games and entertainment consistent
with its name. It is positioned among the ship’s bars and lounges
and serves alcoholic beverages and pub‑style snacks for purchase
outside the standard cruise fare. The bar’s décor and atmosphere are
inspired by Cuban‑style vibes and it functions as a casual gathering
place for guests to enjoy drinks, music and sports broadcasts during
their cruise.
Retail Shops (Live Life Like a Song & Island Time boutiques)
together form the ship’s main retail shopping area where guests can
purchase merchandise and island‑inspired goods for additional cost.
These shops carry a range of Margaritaville‑branded apparel,
beachwear, accessories, souvenirs and tropical‑themed items as well
as essentials such as sunscreen and toiletries; a selection of
jewelry, watches and other duty‑free luxury products may also be
available. The retail space reflects the island lifestyle theme of
the cruise and offers daily specials and seasonal items, with prices
separate from the cruise fare and no age restrictions for entry.
Concierge and Future Cruise area serves two related guest support
and sales functions. The Concierge service is available primarily
for guests booked in certain higher‑tier staterooms or suite
categories, providing assistance with reservations and planning for
onboard services such as excursions, dining and other arrangements;
it is located near the central atrium alongside guest support areas
and may offer a dedicated space where staff can address questions
and coordinate plans. The Future Cruise component refers to a sales
desk and appointment space where guests can discuss and book future
sailings at potentially promotional rates or with incentives while
still on their current cruise, typically handled by a dedicated team
who review upcoming itineraries and assist with reservations for
another voyage. Both services are part of the Islander’s efforts to
support guest planning and sales during a sailing, with the
Concierge focused on immediate itinerary needs and the Future Cruise
desk focused on securing reservations for subsequent cruises.
Flip Flop Atrium (overlook) is the ship’s central multi‑deck social
hub and lounge space located on Deck 3, forming the heart of the
vessel’s soaring open atrium that extends up through multiple decks.
It features a soaring atrium design with a giant flip‑flop
sculpture, floating decorative elements and ocean‑themed décor,
creating a prominent visual centerpiece that connects various public
areas. The space functions as a gathering point for guests and
houses the Flip Flop Atrium Bar, where tropical cocktails and other
drinks are available for purchase, and it is used for live
entertainment such as music performances, daily events, informal
socializing and people‑watching. The atrium welcomes all ages,
serving as a busy, open area for guests to move through and spend
time during their voyage.
Bubbles Up Lounge is an indoor bar and lounge venue that functions
as the ship’s champagne bar and piano lounge with an emphasis on
sparkling wines, champagne and upscale bubbly‑style cocktails. It
operates as one of the Islander’s themed bars where guests can order
drinks for purchase outside the standard cruise fare, with a menu
that includes spritzers, sparkling wines, champagnes and signature
cocktails such as the Sparkling Margarita and the showy Bubbles Up
mango‑flavored margarita with a smoke‑filled bubble presentation.
The lounge typically features live music such as piano performances
during its operating hours and provides a more refined, relaxed
indoor setting compared with the ship’s more casual pool‑deck bars
and louder nightlife venues.
Islander Main Dining Room is an included, sit‑down dining venue that
serves as an extension or upper level of the ship’s main
complimentary restaurant concept, complementing the Fins Main Dining
Room on Deck 2. It offers breakfast, dinner and occasional brunch
service with menus that feature island‑inspired and rotating dishes,
similar to those served in Fins, and in some cases includes
additional seasonal or chef‑crafted specialties not found on the
Deck 2 menu; the space is open seating and functions as part of the
core included dining options available to all guests, though some
sailings or packages may treat it as a slightly more refined area
with a modest upcharge for non‑suite guests who wish to dine there.
The Main Dining Room design emphasizes relaxed tropical‑themed
dining with ocean views through windows and is positioned among the
ship’s central public dining areas.
Deck 09 - 5 Oclock Somewhere-Cabins-Lido-Pools-Spa
St. Somewhere Salon & SPA is the ship’s full‑service spa and beauty
salon where guests can book paid treatments and wellness services
during their cruise. The venue, branded as St. Somewhere Spa &
Salon, offers a range of services for both men and women, including
massages, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures and salon
services such as hair treatments; these services are performed by
trained professionals and are not included in the cruise fare,
requiring separate payment or pre‑booking. The spa area also
typically includes treatment rooms and a reception/check‑in area,
and appointments should be scheduled early in the sailing as
availability can fill up. The St. Somewhere Spa & Salon is
positioned alongside other leisure amenities near the pool deck and
is designed to provide a relaxation and beauty retreat atmosphere
where guests can unwind and enjoy personalized wellness and grooming
treatments.
Pool Deck with Landshark & 5 o'Clock Somewhere pools (served by
Landshark & 5 o'Clock bars) features multiple outdoor pool areas
designed for different experiences grouped around the main Lido
deck. The LandShark Pool sits forward and is paired with the
multi‑level LandShark Bar, offering an open‑air pool area with hot
tubs, in‑pool tables and a large screen for entertainment such as
sports and music displayed outdoors. The 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool
area, also on Deck 9, includes a retractable roof so it can be used
in varied weather conditions, hot tubs and seating surrounded by
loungers and cabanas, and it is served by the 5 O’Clock Somewhere
Bar and adjacent stage space where live music and performances take
place throughout the day. Both of these main pool spaces have
complimentary seating and cabanas available on a first‑come,
first‑served basis and provide casual, sun‑oriented settings for
swimming, relaxing and socializing, with drinks and food purchased
separately unless a beverage package is applied. Together, these
pools form the central daytime outdoor recreational zone of the
Islander’s upper deck recreation.
Mexican Cutie Cantina is a complimentary casual dining venue located
on the pool deck adjacent to the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool, offering
quick‑service Mexican‑style food included in the cruise fare. It
serves breakfast burritos with eggs, sausage, chicken and potatoes
with toppings in the morning hours and reopens for lunch with
options such as customizable street‑style tacos, rice bowls and
quesadillas with choices of chicken, pork or beef and a small
toppings bar for additional condiments. The concept is designed for
easy poolside dining and reflects a build‑your‑own approach with
fresh ingredients rather than a sit‑down restaurant format.
Cheeseburger in Paradise is a complimentary casual burger venue
located at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool area on the pool deck. It
operates as a walk‑up burger bar included in the cruise fare where
guests can build their own burgers with freshly prepared ingredients
and a variety of toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles
and sauces, and they are typically served with seasoned fries. The
station is open for lunch and early evening hours and functions as a
quick‑service poolside dining option reflecting the Margaritaville
theme with classic American fare in an outdoor setting adjacent to
the ship’s main pool and bar spaces.
Frank and Lola's Pizzeria is the ship’s casual pizza venue near the
main buffet area where guests can get pizza as part of their cruise
experience. It serves made‑to‑order pizzas, including slices of
classic options like cheese, pepperoni or mushroom throughout much
of the day and into late-night hours, and during some sailings these
pizzas are accessible within the buffet service without additional
charge, although wait times can vary because pies are prepared
fresh. Guests also have the option to order a whole pizza for an
additional cost, including room delivery for a fee; toppings can
range from traditional selections to island‑inspired combinations.
The pizzeria functions as an informal, quick‑service food option on
the pool deck level alongside other casual dining stations and is
included in the lineup of relaxed dining choices on the Islander.
Port of Indecision Buffet is the ship’s main included casual buffet
restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner for passengers at no
additional charge. It provides a range of buffet‑style food across
scheduled meal periods with typical breakfast items such as eggs,
breakfast meats, fruit and pastries, and for lunch and dinner a
selection of salads, soups, cold cuts and hot entrées that vary by
service, along with desserts; there is complimentary coffee, tea and
soft drinks included during meals. The buffet’s layout can include
multiple serving stations, though some sailings note the variety is
more limited compared with larger cruise‑line buffets. The Port of
Indecision Buffet is a central daytime dining option near other
casual pool‑deck venues such as Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria and the
Mexican‑style cantina.
Margaritaville Coffee Shop is a specialty coffee venue located
within the Port of Indecision Buffet area where guests can purchase
espresso‑based drinks such as espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, chai
tea, iced frappes and other hot or cold beverages, all for an
additional cost rather than being included in the cruise fare or
most drink packages. It also sells breakfast and snack items such as
pastries, croissants, sandwiches and other up‑charge food options,
with pricing for drinks and food typically separate and payable
aboard. The space is open daily from early morning into the evening,
and seating is shared with the nearby buffet seating rather than a
dedicated coffee shop lounge area; specialty coffee here is not
included in beverage packages and all items are priced individually.
Adults Only: Island Eats, Tiki Grill, Bar & Pool refers to the
adults‑only outdoor hospitality area located at the aft section of
the pool deck, separate from the family‑oriented pools and dining
spaces. This zone includes the Tiki Bar and adjacent adults‑only
Tiki Pool, where only guests meeting the cruise line’s age
requirement for adult‑only areas (typically 21+) may enter, and it
offers lounging and swimming space designed for a quieter,
grown‑ups‑focused environment. Within this adults‑only section are
two food concepts that operate for additional cost: Island Eats, a
seafood‑focused quick‑serve shack serving items such as peel‑and‑eat
shrimp, tuna nachos, and crab salad with menu pricing per item, and
Tiki Grill, a tropical‑inspired food counter offering entrées such
as fire‑grilled filet skewers, crispy wings, and desserts like piña
colada crème brûlée. Both Island Eats and Tiki Grill are situated
next to the Tiki Bar and adults‑only pool and are not included in
the base cruise fare, and the Tiki Bar itself serves cocktails and
other drinks for purchase while providing ocean views and a relaxed,
island‑style setting for adult guests.
deck 10 plan (Lucky Star-Cabins-Sundeck)
Landshark Bar (main level) spans multiple levels, including a
section on Deck 10, and is part of the ship’s signature pool-deck
bar experience centered around the world’s only three-story
LandShark Bar and Lookout. It features two levels of shaded bar
areas and a higher lookout level with 360-degree ocean views and
serves a variety of drinks including LandShark beer on tap, frozen
cocktails, sangria and other beer, wine and cocktail options; the
bar typically operates during daytime hours on sea days and shares
the same menu across its levels. It is located adjacent to the pool
deck and functions as a casual outdoor venue where guests can order
drinks (prices are not included in the cruise fare unless a beverage
package or drink purchases are applied) and enjoy views and poolside
atmosphere. The LandShark Bar also reflects the broader pool deck
social hub on the Islander, combining shaded seating and vantage
points above the main pool area.
JWB Prime Steakhouse and Lounge (lower level) is a specialty dining
venue named in honor of James (Jimmy) William Buffett. It offers a
classic steakhouse experience with a focus on high-quality
ingredients and elevated service. The restaurant operates as a paid-upcharge
venue separate from the ship’s complimentary dining venues,
typically charging a fixed cover for a multi-course dinner that
includes selections from a menu of starters, salads, premium cuts of
beef, other entrées such as lamb, pork or seafood, side dishes and
desserts, with additional items and beverages available for separate
purchase. JWB Prime provides a refined yet relaxed dining
environment with views over the ship’s open atrium and often
features a curated wine list intended to complement the menu. It is
part of the Islander’s lineup of specialty restaurants and lounges
designed to offer guests a more formal dining option compared with
the casual eateries and bars elsewhere on board.
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