Margaritaville at Sea Launches Nashville Auditions for Beachcomber
As onboard entertainment becomes a battleground, Margaritaville is tapping Nashville’s live-music culture to give its next ship a venue feel, not a showroom.
Margaritaville at Sea has opened live auditions for musicians and other performers as it builds the entertainment lineup for its upcoming ship, Beachcomber, which is scheduled to debut in PortMiami in early 2027.
Casting begins for Same Boat, a live music venue developed with Zac Brown
The cruise line is inviting singer-songwriters, solo artists, duos, trios, and bands to submit audition materials for a chance to perform in Same Boat, a live music venue being developed in partnership with Grammy-winning artist Zac Brown.
Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, said the project is designed to mirror the energy of Nashville’s Broadway music scene while creating a platform for emerging talent onboard. “Same Boat is set to become the most exciting live music venue at sea and working with Zac Brown to bring it to life has been incredible,” Ivy said. “With Nashville’s Broadway helping set the tone, we’re creating a stage that will bring rising talent to Beachcomber.”
Live auditions set for May 12-16 in Nashville
Margaritaville at Sea said performers should start by submitting audition materials for consideration. From that pool, selected artists will be invited to audition in person, with an additional open casting opportunity at the end of the week.
- May 12-15: Live auditions at the Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville
- May 16: Open casting call at Margaritaville Restaurant on Broadway in Nashville
The company said the May 16 open casting call is intended to give additional performers a chance to showcase their talent beyond those already invited to the earlier sessions.
Contract terms and how the entertainment roster will be built
Performers who are ultimately selected will be added to the ship’s official entertainment roster, Margaritaville at Sea said. Contracts are expected to be offered on weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly terms once Beachcomber begins sailing.
Beachcomber’s launch plans, size, and initial deployment
Beachcomber is slated to become the largest ship in Margaritaville at Sea’s fleet and will mark the cruise line’s debut in PortMiami. The company has said the ship will debut in early 2027, with a January 2027 entry into service following refurbishment and rebranding.
For its inaugural season, Margaritaville at Sea plans for Beachcomber to operate four- to eight-night itineraries to destinations in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.
The ship previously sailed as Costa Fortuna until September 2026 and is set to transition into the Margaritaville at Sea fleet after its refit. The 102,700-gross-ton vessel is expected to accommodate up to 3,470 passengers when fully booked and feature signature spaces including the 5 o’Clock Somewhere bar, License to Chill Pool Deck, and Daiquiri Shack.
Legends at Sea group sailing set for May 2027
Alongside its entertainment recruitment push, Margaritaville at Sea has also outlined a themed group cruise concept for future sailings. A Legends at Sea themed group cruise aboard Beachcomber is scheduled for May 2027 and will be hosted by three former Carnival cruise directors: Matt Mitcham, Steven Schwartz, and Jonathan “Cookie” Adams.
The cruise, organized by High Seas Cruise Co., is billed as a reunion centered on personalities and activities associated with what it describes as the “golden era” of cruising. The group sailing is set to depart Miami on May 15, 2027, on a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary with stops in Key West, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, and Nassau.
Programming for the sailing is expected to include familiar events such as the Love & Marriage show and the Quest scavenger hunt, along with additional exclusive experiences planned for the reunion. Organizers have also said it will not be a full-ship charter, and Beachcomber will carry regular guests during the voyage.
Mitcham, Schwartz, and Adams collectively have more than 30 years of experience with Carnival Cruise Line and a combined social media following of more than 226,000, according to the announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will Beachcomber begin service, and where will it homeport?
Margaritaville at Sea has said Beachcomber will enter service in early 2027 as the cruise line’s first ship to homeport in PortMiami, with a January 2027 debut following refurbishment and rebranding.
When and where are the in-person auditions for Same Boat?
Live auditions are scheduled for May 12-15 at the Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville, followed by an open casting call on May 16 at Margaritaville Restaurant on Broadway in Nashville.
What is Same Boat, and what contract options are available for performers?
Same Boat is a live music venue being developed for Beachcomber in partnership with Zac Brown. Margaritaville at Sea said selected performers can receive contracts with weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly terms once the ship begins sailing.
What is the Legends at Sea themed cruise, and what itinerary is planned?
Legends at Sea is a themed group sailing hosted by former Carnival cruise directors Matt Mitcham, Steven Schwartz, and Jonathan “Cookie” Adams. It departs Miami on May 15, 2027, on a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary with stops in Key West, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, and Nassau.
Is Legends at Sea a full-ship charter?
No. Organizers said Legends at Sea is not a full-ship charter, and Beachcomber will also host regular guests during the voyage.
Margaritaville at Sea said performers interested in joining Beachcomber’s live music lineup can submit audition materials now, ahead of the May 12-16 in-person audition dates in Nashville, as the cruise line moves toward the ship’s PortMiami debut in early 2027.
