Margaritaville at Sea is raising the bar on fun and tropical vibes with its latest announcement. A third cruise ship, named Beachcomber, is set to join the fleet and begin sailing from Miami to the Caribbean in 2027.
This new addition builds on Margaritaville’s lifestyle brand, promising amplified poolside experiences, bold entertainment venues, signature bars, and a full-blown party atmosphere at sea.
A transformation from Costa to Margaritaville
Rather than commissioning a completely new build, Margaritaville is acquiring a ship from Costa Cruises and will put it through a dramatic transformation. The refit will retrofit the vessel into a floating day party meets tropical resort, aligning with the brand’s identity of relaxed island life with flair.
At the center of the redesign is the “5 o’Clock Somewhere” multi-deck poolside destination — a place where cocktails, live music, and tropical vibes converge. This centerpiece promises to span four decks, making it a focal point for onboard social life and leisure.
Surrounding this will be new venues such as License to Chill Pool Deck, All-New Daiquiri Shack, License to Chill Bar, the Flip Flop Atrium, JWB Prime Steakhouse, and beloved Margaritaville features like Cheeseburger in Paradise and Mexican Cutie Cantina.
According to Margaritaville’s CEO, Christopher Ivy, “Poolside experiences on Beachcomber are the main event… we’ve taken the signature fun up to an entirely new level.”
What makes Beachcomber stand out
Here are some key features and aspects that make Beachcomber a standout addition to the cruising world:
Four-deck poolside playground: Few cruise ships dedicate so much vertical real estate to their central pool and social hub. The scale implies a heavy emphasis on outdoor, water-oriented fun.
Live entertainment and atmosphere built in: The “Six Strings Stage” being centrally located on the pool deck indicates live music will be woven into the daytime environment, not just evening performances.
Multi-venue dining and bars: Beyond the staple Margaritaville venues, the ship will include high-end dining like JWB Prime Steakhouse, catering to both casual and upscale tastes.
Brand immersion: Every design choice seems aimed at reinforcing the Margaritaville experience — from the Flip Flop Atrium to signature bars and casual eateries — so passengers feel consistently in the brand’s world at sea.
Beachcomber itineraries and deployment
Beachcomber is slated to sail primarily from Miami, offering Caribbean itineraries starting in 2027.
This deployment aligns well with the brand’s tropical, beach-centric ethos, giving guests access to some of the Caribbean’s most sought-after ports.
Because the ship is being converted rather than newly built, Margaritaville can accelerate the timeline, bringing fresh vibrancy to its fleet more efficiently. This also allows them to lean on existing fan base and cruise market dynamics in the southeast U.S.
Challenges and considerations for Beachcomber
No project is without complexity, as converting a ship designed for one brand to another carries risks:
Refit complexity: Structural changes (pool decks, bars, entertainment stages) require careful engineering, especially around weight distribution and ship stability.
Brand consistency vs operational realities: Margaritaville passengers expect a certain level of entertainment, drink access, beachy aesthetics. The converted ship must deliver without compromising maritime safety, environmental regulations, or performance.
Competition and differentiation: As more themed or concept ships enter the market, Margaritaville must ensure Beachcomber stands out not just in branding but in guest experience, service, and itinerary value.
Regulatory and certification adjustments: The ship will need to comply with maritime safety requirements, classification societies, and possibly environmental upgrades, especially to be competitive and sustainable.
Margaritaville at Sea’s boldest move yet
So far, Margaritaville at Sea has leaned into laid-back luxury with casual vibes. Beachcomber promises to amplify that, putting the brand’s party, music, and tropical wanderlust identity front and center.
In addition, the cruise line will be increasing fleet capacity and market share. In this way, a third ship provides more room to grow and serve repeat and new guests.
The cruise line is also paving the way to be a trendsetter for lifestyle cruise experiences. Beachcomber will have an emphasis on pool-centric social zones, multi-level entertainment, and branded immersion shows how cruise lines are evolving beyond just cabins and ports to fully themed, experiential journeys.
Beachcomber represents an elevation of their brand concept into full immersion. If executed well, it could reshape what themed cruising means: not just a fun overlay but a fully immersive lifestyle vessel where every public space, bar, pool, and restaurant reinforces the identity.
For fans of Margaritaville’s relaxed, tropical ethos, Beachcomber could be the ship they’ve been waiting for.
