He Spent $1211 Per Night On Americas Worst Cruise Line (Will’s Story)

Will set out on his latest journey from Fort Lauderdale, heading to the Port of Palm Beach, the only terminal used by Margaritaville at Sea.

Known for its mixed reviews, Margaritaville was widely regarded as one of the worst cruise lines in the U.S.A.

Will was determined to see for himself, choosing the most luxurious suite available on the two-night trip to the Bahamas.

Embarking: A Chaotic Start

From the moment he stepped into the terminal, things didn’t go smoothly.

Despite opting for the premium, “expedited” boarding process, Will found himself in a hectic mess of disorganized lines and staff shouting instructions.

After sorting out the usual check-in formalities, he was shuffled into a small “VIP lounge,” which was nothing more than a basic waiting room with some sad-looking coffee.

But the real adventure began once Will stepped aboard.

The Margaritaville Paradise – formerly the Costa Classica – had been sailing since 1991.

Its age showed in many areas, but Will was curious to see how it held up after its transformation into a floating tribute to Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back style.

The Grand Suite: Luxury? Not Quite

Will’s excitement for his Grand Suite quickly faded. Advertised as the ship’s best accommodation, it fell short in nearly every way.

The room, while spacious, had a rundown feel. An old dining table greeted him with a bowl of tired fruit and $5 bottles of water.

The living area had a sofa and armchair that looked like they’d been there since the ship’s Costa days.

Worse yet, the ceiling seemed to have mould spots, and one of the electrical outlets didn’t work.

The bathroom, supposedly featuring a jacuzzi tub, ended up being one of the biggest disappointments. The jacuzzi was broken, and the shower came with the dreaded clingy curtain.

To top it off, the suite was located directly below the main pool deck, so the constant thumping and running noises overhead promised little in the way of peaceful rest.

A Bumpy Start At Sea

The rocky start continued as the ship attempted to set sail. Shortly after departure, the ship suddenly veered back toward the port and had to be assisted by tugboats.

No announcements or explanations were given, leaving Will and the rest of the passengers confused and concerned.

After some manoeuvring, the ship finally managed to set course for Grand Bahama Island, but Will’s confidence in the cruise was already wavering.

Dinner At The Steakhouse: A High Point

Despite the earlier hiccups, the first night’s dinner at JWB Steakhouse was a pleasant surprise.

Will and his parents were warmly welcomed and seated by the window. At $55 per person, it was on par with specialty dining venues on other cruise lines, and the food lived up to expectations.

The appetizers were fresh and well-prepared, and the main courses – especially Will’s steak – were cooked to perfection.

They finished the meal with rich chocolate cake and key lime pie, both a delight. If the ship could maintain this level of quality throughout, there might be hope yet.

Night-time Entertainment: Nostalgia and Oddities

After dinner, Will headed to the Stars on the Water Theatre for the nightly show.

The theatre had an old-school charm, featuring mosaics and artwork that harkened back to the ship’s Italian origins.

The show itself was decent, though the setting felt a bit dated. By the end of the evening, Will was ready to retire to his noisy suite and see if he could get some rest despite the party happening above his head.

Grand Bahama Island: Limited Options

The next morning, the ship docked at Grand Bahama Island. However, unless passengers had booked an excursion, there wasn’t much to do.

The port was isolated, and Will decided to spend the day exploring the ship’s amenities instead.

Breakfast was the first stop, but it was a let-down. Stale pastries and uninspired pancakes set a low bar for the day, and even the coffee wasn’t up to par.

Determined to find something positive, Will checked out the pools and spa. The pools were small and crowded, not a great place to relax.

The spa, meanwhile, looked more like a clinic than a place to unwind. The once-promoted Pickleball court was falling apart, and various public areas showed signs of neglect and wear.

Afternoon Tea And A Surprising Win

After an uninspiring morning, Will gave the onboard café another chance. This time, he was pleasantly surprised. The barista was friendly, and the iced coffee hit the spot.

Pairing it with some freshly made cakes turned out to be one of the better experiences of the trip.

Despite its small size, the café had a cosy vibe, and Will was finally able to relax for a bit.

Back on Board: A Final Night of Dining

That evening, Will and his parents dined in the main dining room. The experience, like the previous night’s steakhouse dinner, was unexpectedly good.

The food was flavourful, and the service attentive. Will enjoyed a Caribbean barbecue pork chop while his parents opted for vegetarian and seafood dishes.

Even the desserts, which can sometimes be hit-or-miss on cruise ships, were well-executed.

This meal left Will wondering why the overall dining experience was so inconsistent across the whole ship.

Exploring the Ship’s Other Features

Will spent the remainder of his trip exploring more of the ship’s public spaces.

The ship’s library and games room turned out to be nearly empty and filled with outdated books in foreign languages.

The top deck nightclub was deserted, with broken-down amenities like a pool table that wouldn’t return the balls and an air hockey table that lacked air.

Despite the strange state of things, Will managed to find humour in it all. By the time the ship was ready to sail back to Palm Beach, he’d explored nearly every corner of the Margaritaville Paradise.

He’d seen enough of the Margaritaville Paradise to know that the ship’s best days were long behind it…

Disembarkation: A Messy Goodbye

The next morning’s disembarkation process was just as chaotic as the boarding experience.

Will had paid extra for a “premium departure” package, but it made no difference.

The crowds were massive, and it took nearly 20 minutes just to get off the ship. Once he finally stepped onto solid ground, Will felt a wave of relief.

Was It Worth It?

When he crunched the numbers, Will realized the entire trip – suite, specialty dining, and extras included – had cost him $2,423. For a two-night cruise, that was almost absurdly high.

A standard ocean-view room with some add-ons would have been more reasonable at around $700, but the overall value simply wasn’t there.

So, what’s the verdict? Will felt that Margaritaville at Sea was best suited for first-time cruisers looking for a short, no-frills trip.

It offered a basic getaway with some sunshine and drinks, but the maintenance issues, outdated facilities, and chaotic organization made it hard to recommend.

While Will managed to find a few bright spots during his 48 hours onboard, he couldn’t shake the feeling that for most travellers, a beach resort in Florida would offer a much better experience for the same price.

With that, he bid farewell to Margaritaville at Sea, certain he wouldn’t be returning anytime soon.

Watch Will’s video below to find out more!

Before You Go

The cheapest cruise line I have ever sailed with is Costa. Find out what I thought of my last cruise with them – including the “quirky cabin” I had below:

Nowhere to Hide! – I Stayed in The Weirdest Cruise Ship Cabin – Costa Smeralda

Find out about the five things to avoid if you want a very cheap cruise below:

5 Things You Should Avoid if You Want a VERY CHEAP Cruise (I Do All These)