If you still think of Margaritaville at Sea as the cruise line for a quick, easy escape to the Bahamas, you may want to take another look.
The cruise line has just unveiled its 2028 schedule, and it looks a whole lot different from the Margaritaville at Sea many cruisers first got to know.
In 2028, Margaritaville at Sea will offer 30 different itineraries visiting 25 destinations, with cruises that reach Central America, the Southern Caribbean and some interesting new ports. There are also specialty sailings built around Mardi Gras, Halloween, music, holidays and, naturally, International Parrothead Day.
For those of us who cruise frequently, this is where things get interesting.
One of the problems with living near a cruise port and cruising often is that you start seeing the same itineraries over and over again. Cozumel. Nassau. Key West. Bimini (although, because I’ve been to them all multiple times, I have my favorite off-the-beaten-track things to do). They’re all fun, but sometimes I want to step onto a ship close to home and actually go somewhere I haven’t been a dozen times before.
Now, Margaritaville at Sea’s newest lineup is recognizing that, making it fun for cruisers to experience different ports.
Costa Rica and Panama Are Coming to Margaritaville at Sea
Two of the biggest additions for 2028 are Limón, Costa Rica, and Colón, Panama, both new destinations for Margaritaville at Sea.
Islander will visit the two ports on new eight-night cruises sailing roundtrip from Tampa. Since past cruises out of Tampa have pretty much featured places like Key West, Cozumel and Belize, this is a pretty significant expansion for the line.
Limón provides access to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, rainforests and wildlife, while Colón is a jumping-off point for exploring Panama and, of course, the Panama Canal.
The itinerary also includes Grand Cayman and four days at sea. I actually like the balance of this one. You get three very different destinations without spending every morning rushing off the ship. Four sea days give you time to enjoy the cruise itself, which is something I appreciate more and more. Personally, those 2 and 3 day itineraries just leave me wanting more.
As Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy explained when announcing the new schedule, the company designed its 2028 cruises around the idea that “no two escapes have to look the same” and that certainly seems to be where the cruise line is headed.
You Can Cruise All Three ABC Islands From Tampa
Here’s another itinerary that immediately caught my attention.
In 2028, Margaritaville at Sea says it will be the only cruise line offering a cruise from Tampa that visits all three ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. For Florida cruisers like myself, that’s a big deal.
The Southern Caribbean can sometimes require flying to another embarkation port or taking a longer cruise from South Florida. Being able to board the Islander in Tampa and visit Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao on the same trip makes this an especially interesting option. And these aren’t three interchangeable Caribbean islands. Aruba (which is my FAVORITE destination in the Caribbean) is famous for its beaches. Bonaire is known for diving and snorkeling. Curaçao gives you that wonderfully colorful Willemstad waterfront, along with its Dutch Caribbean culture and architecture.
Getting all three on one itinerary makes the cruise feel much more like a destination-driven vacation than simply a few days at sea with a beach stop thrown in.
Mardi Gras at Sea Is Coming Back
One of Margaritaville at Sea’s more unusual cruises returns in 2028 after its first Mardi Gras visit in 2027 as Islander will sail from Tampa to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, including an overnight stay in the city.
That overnight is important!
New Orleans is one of those places where a six-hour cruise stop barely scratches the surface. Staying overnight gives passengers more time for the parades, music, food and celebrations without having to spend the entire day watching the clock and worrying about getting back to the ship. It’s also a fun combination.
Take the relaxed, tropical Margaritaville atmosphere and drop it into the middle of Mardi Gras. I have a feeling nobody will be complaining that there isn’t enough going on (not that anyone has EVER said that about Margaritaville at Sea).
Halloween Gets a New Orleans Twist
Margaritaville at Sea is also bringing back its Sail the Haunted Seas Halloween cruise for a third year, but the 2028 version gets a completely different itinerary. The Islander will sail from Tampa and spend the night in New Orleans before continuing to Progreso, Mexico.This cruise combines Halloween with Día de los Muertos, giving passengers two very different cultural experiences during the same trip.
New Orleans brings its famous spooky history, nighttime atmosphere and Halloween energy, while Progreso offers an opportunity to experience some of the traditions and celebrations surrounding Día de los Muertos in Mexico.
There are also three full sea days!
For someone who enjoys themed cruises but doesn’t necessarily want every minute of the vacation to revolve around the theme, it sounds like a nice balance.
Texas Cruisers Are Getting More Choices Too
But it’s now just Tampa that’s getting all the fun.
Beachcomber, which is scheduled to debut in Miami in 2027 before moving to Galveston later that year, will expand Margaritaville at Sea’s Texas offerings in 2028. One of the new itinerary combinations will visit three Mexican destinations: Cozumel, Progreso and Veracruz.
Beachcomber will also be the largest ship in the Margaritaville at Sea fleet. The ship is expected to introduce more than 15 venues that won’t be found on the line’s other ships, including Same Boat, a live music venue being developed in collaboration with three-time GRAMMY Award winner Zac Brown.
There will also be reimagined dining, upgraded staterooms and a mix of entertainment and relaxation spaces.
Just another sign that Margaritaville at Sea is no longer positioning itself only as the cruise line you jump on for a few inexpensive days away.
Calling All Parrotheads
Of course, Margaritaville couldn’t plan an entire year of cruises without giving Parrotheads their own celebration.
On June 25, 2028, Islander will depart on a five-night cruise to Key West and Bimini timed around International Parrothead Day on June 28.
Of course, Key West seems like the obvious destination for this one. Jimmy Buffett and Key West are so intertwined that visiting the island during a Parrothead-themed sailing feels almost like a pilgrimage for longtime fans.
Add Bimini and several days aboard a Margaritaville ship, and this may be one of those cruises where the passengers themselves become as much a part of the experience as the itinerary.
Holiday Weekends Can Become Cruise Weekends
Margaritaville at Sea is also building several 2028 sailings around holidays. Passengers will be able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Key West, turn Mother’s Day into a five-day Key West and Cozumel getaway, and sail around Memorial Day, Father’s Day and the Fourth of July.
I can see these being particularly appealing to people who would rather give an experience than another gift. Mother’s Day cruise instead of flowers? I wouldn’t say no.
And There Will Be More Music
Music has always been baked into the Margaritaville brand, and the cruise line says it plans to expand its music-focused sailings in 2028.
The company hasn’t announced the performers yet, but says upcoming specialty cruises will feature chart-topping artists and exclusive performances at sea. Those announcements will come at a later date. I’m excited to learn about who’s coming, so stay tuned and I’ll be sure to share what I learn.
Considering that Beachcomber is getting a Zac Brown collaboration with its Same Boat live music venue, I’m especially curious to see how far Margaritaville at Sea takes the music side of the cruise experience.
Islander Is Stretching What You Can Do From Tampa
For Florida cruisers, Islander’s schedule may be the biggest surprise in this announcement. The ship will continue sailing from Port Tampa Bay, but its 2028 itineraries will reach much farther than the typical Western Caribbean cruise.
In addition to Costa Rica and Panama, passengers will have options reaching the Southern Caribbean, Mexico and other Caribbean destinations, plus the specialty event cruises. Onboard, Islander has a 14-story atrium, the three-story LandShark Bar at Sea, multiple dining and entertainment venues and spaces designed for couples, families and groups of friends. The longer itineraries make those onboard features more important.
When you’re taking a quick three-night cruise, you can spend much of your time running from one activity to another. On an eight- or ten-night trip with multiple sea days, the ship becomes a much bigger part of the vacation.
Margaritaville at Sea Is Growing Up
What I find most interesting about the 2028 announcement isn’t simply that Margaritaville at Sea is adding more cruises. It’s about the type of cruises they’re adding.
The line built much of its identity around easy, casual escapes. Now we’re seeing Costa Rica and Panama. The ABC islands. Overnight stays in New Orleans. Longer cruises. Specialty sailings. More elaborate ships. More destination variety from drive-to ports like Tampa and Galveston. That’s a very different proposition from “let’s get away for the weekend.” And I think that’s smart.
There will always be a place for a quick cruise to the Bahamas. Sometimes three or four days of sunshine, a frozen drink and not having to cook dinner is exactly what you need. Especially for those who live nearby and just need a getaway.
But frequent cruisers eventually start looking for something different.
- Give me a port I haven’t visited.
- Give me enough sea days to actually enjoy the ship.
- Give me an itinerary that’s a little harder to find from my home port.
- Or give me a reason to book the same ship again because this cruise feels completely different from the last one.
Margaritaville at Sea’s 2028 schedule seems designed to do exactly that. With 30 itineraries and 25 destinations, the question may no longer be whether Margaritaville at Sea can get you to paradise. It’s which version of paradise you want this time.
- The new Margaritaville at Sea 2028 itineraries are now on sale through MargaritavilleAtSea.com.
