Live · sailing at 9 kn · Cozumel
Margaritaville at Sea · CCL SPIRIT
Margaritaville Islander
Guests
2,210 – 2,680
Crew
920
Cabins
1,105
Length
293 m
Space ratio
32
Homeport pattern
Tampa
Where she is right now
En route · Cozumel· 8/31/2026, 2:08:55 AM· Course 199°
Position
21.74°N, 86.26°W
Heading
199° · COG 210°
Speed
9 kn
Destination
Cozumel
Our take · opinion
Bigger Buffett boat from Tampa
We point families and friend groups to Margaritaville Islander when they want the brand’s tropical party tone with real balcony inventory and kids clubs—something Paradise can’t offer. She’s a Spirit-class Costa Atlantica hull remade in 2024 for Tampa Caribbean sailings, not a from-scratch Margaritaville newbuild.
Islander feels louder and more resort-like than her Palm Beach fleetmate Paradise from the moment you board. The atrium climbs high with glass chandeliers, LandShark Bar at Sea owns the three-deck pool scene, and the Caribbean Amphibian splash pool and slide give kids a reason to stay aboard. Themed nights like Boots and Bubbles keep evenings playful without pretending she is Icon-class scale.
Cabin strategy is much healthier here because balcony density is strong for a conversion of this age. Roughly two-thirds of rooms have balconies, so Breezy Balcony is the everyday pick while Corner Suites, Grand Terrace Suites, and top Islander Suites are the celebration upgrades. We still warn light sleepers away from late pool-deck noise and elevator banks, and we want you to confirm quieter midship rows with us before you pay for a category you will not sleep in.
Dining leans brand-forward without chasing white-tablecloth luxury or endless specialty fees. JWB Prime Steakhouse, Rita’s Taco House, the Cheeseburger Bar, and casual pizza cover most groups well enough for a Caribbean week. Youth programming is the real differentiator versus Paradise, with Jolly Mon, Parakeets, The Hang Out, and The Far Out teen club spanning ages three to seventeen, so families should start with the Tampa sailings on this page.
She's for
- Families who want Margaritaville energy with kids clubs
- Friend groups sailing Caribbean weeks from Tampa
- First-timers who prefer balcony cabins on a midsize ship
- Multigenerational trips that still want a party soundtrack
She's not for
- Guests seeking hush, spa-forward luxury
- Shoppers who dislike conversion-brand ships
- Anyone expecting brand-new megaship neighborhoods
Honest caveat
She’s a Costa Spirit-class hull remixed as Margaritaville—great fun, but not identical to a ship designed for the brand from day one. We’ll walk balcony banks and noise traps before you book.
The record · ship backgroundIslander, on paper
Show ship backgroundHide ship background
The record · ship background
Islander, on paper
Show ship backgroundHide ship backgroundMargaritaville at Sea Islander began as Costa Atlantica, a 2000-built Spirit-class ship and sister to Costa Mediterranea. After a stint aimed at the Chinese Adora program, Carnival Corporation sold the vessel in 2023. She was chartered to Margaritaville at Sea, renamed, and extensively refurbished in Belfast starting March 2024 before entering service from Port Tampa Bay in June 2024.
The conversion refreshed every stateroom with Margaritaville bedding and new category names. It also expanded the atrium presentation and added brand venues including LandShark Bar at Sea, family splash areas, and multiple new bars and restaurants. Capacity sits near 2,200 to 2,700 guests across about 1,105 cabins, with a strong balcony mix unusual for older Costa hardware of this era.
Current marketing focuses on Tampa Caribbean deployments as the larger fleetmate to Palm Beach-based Paradise. Confirm each sailing’s nights, ports, and any themed cruise details on this page. Patterns can still shift as the young brand matures its year-round schedule.
Build record
- Keel to delivery
- 1998 – 2000
- Inaugural
- Jun 2024, Tampa (as Margaritaville Islander)
- Fuel
- Marine diesel
- Sisters
- Costa Mediterranea, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride
Commerce
Upcoming sailings
40 itineraries · 104 sail dates on Margaritaville Islander. Fares are live and change daily.
7-Night Jamaica & Western Caribbean
Tampa · 7n · $76/n · Sep 19, 2026
From $529 inside · Balcony $2,056
| Sailing | Date | Depart | Nights | $/n | Inside | Balcony | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Night 10-Night ArubaPort Tampa Bay | George Town, Grand Cayman | Oranjestad, Aruba | Willemstad, Curacao | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Port Tampa Bay | Sep 5, 2026 | Tampa | 10 | $108 | $1,079 | $1,079 | $2,099 |
| 4-Night Cozumel ExpressPort Tampa Bay | Cozumel, Mexico | Port Tampa Bay · 24 dates | Sep 15, 2026 | Tampa | 4 | $87 | $349 | $399 | $1,806 |
| 7-Night Jamaica & Western CaribbeanPort Tampa Bay | Cozumel, Mexico | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | George Town, Grand Cayman | Port Tampa Bay · 2 dates | Sep 19, 2026 | Tampa | 7 | $76 | $529 | $2,056 | $2,299 |
| 7-Night Key West & Western CaribbeanPort Tampa Bay | Key West, FL | Roatan, Honduras | Belize City, Belize | Cozumel, Mexico | Port Tampa Bay · 3 dates | Sep 26, 2026 | Tampa | 7 | $100 | $699 | — | — |
| 7-Night Jamaica & Western CaribbeanPort Tampa Bay | George Town, Grand Cayman | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Cozumel, Mexico | Port Tampa Bay | Oct 3, 2026 | Tampa | 7 | $76 | $529 | $829 | $2,999 |
| 7-Night New Orleans & MexicoPort Tampa Bay | New Orleans, LA | Cozumel, Mexico | Progreso, Mexico | Port Tampa Bay | Oct 10, 2026 | Tampa | 7 | $73 | $509 | $709 | $1,549 |
Showing 6 of 40 sail dates
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