Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Returns Jan. 20 After Freeport Drydock
Drydocks are becoming brand resets, not just repairs, as operators fight for weekend cruisers out of South Florida. Margaritaville’s makeover shows how older ships stay relevant.
Margaritaville at Sea is set to return the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise to service on Jan. 20, 2026, following a drydock project at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.
The 1991-built, 53,000-ton ship accommodates about 1,300 passengers and underwent a program that combined scheduled maintenance and statutory work with a refresh of public areas and staterooms, the company said. Taylor Karr, Margaritaville at Sea’s senior director for strategy and operations, said the work went beyond cosmetic changes across several of the ship’s most-used spaces.
Drydock work focused on modernization across guest areas
Margaritaville at Sea said the Paradise arrived in Freeport earlier this month for the project, which included routine maintenance alongside updates intended to modernize core guest venues. The company also shared a behind-the-scenes look at the refurbishment as it prepares to restart short-cruise operations from Palm Beach.
High Tide Market replaces the ship’s traditional buffet
One of the headline changes is the introduction of High Tide Market, a food-hall-style venue that replaces the Paradise’s traditional self-service buffet. Karr described it as the brand’s “new food hall concept,” built around multiple stations serving different cuisines.
As part of the redesign, Karr said, “We painted the entire thing in the most beautiful shade of blue,” adding that the team stripped the floors and installed new carpeting. The venue also received a new ceiling and new lighting.
Margaritaville at Sea has said the High Tide Market concept is expected to extend beyond Paradise, with plans to bring it to the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, which is scheduled to enter service for the brand in 2027.
Refreshed interiors in the Euphoria Lounge and Margaritaville Casino
On the entertainment side, the Euphoria Lounge was overhauled with new carpets, lighting, upholstery, and wall coverings. Describing the extent of the flooring work, Karr said, “We removed the flooring all the way down to the bare steel,” before adding new underlay and a woolen carpet.
The Margaritaville Casino also received a redesign that included refinished tables and a reworked overhead look. “All of our tables have been freshly refinished,” Karr said, adding that the work included “new upholstery and new felts.” Karr also pointed to new carpeting, a black-painted ceiling, and a tropical-themed vinyl wrap applied to lighting fixtures, along with the addition of “tons of new games.”
Pool deck upgrades add cabanas and new deck material at the 12-Volt Pool
On the open decks, Margaritaville at Sea added new cabanas on the main pool deck, which Karr said feature high-quality furniture. The 12-Volt Pool was also updated with new loungers and fresh paint, along with new synthetic deck material.
Karr said the team removed the existing material around the pool area and replaced it with “a material called Life Floor,” an update the company framed as part of a broader push to improve comfort and safety in heavily trafficked areas.
Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio added on Deck 8
Another new feature introduced during the refurbishment is the Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio, located on Deck 8. Margaritaville at Sea said the tattoo studio debuted first on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander before being added to Paradise.
Itineraries from Palm Beach begin with short Bahamas sailings
When the ship returns on Jan. 20, it will resume short cruises to the Bahamas and Florida from Palm Beach. The post-drydock schedule is set to include weekday four-night itineraries and weekend three-night sailings, with planned ports of call including Key West, Freeport, and Nassau.
The first sailing after the project is scheduled as a three-night cruise to Nassau that includes a day at sea.
Ship history and fleet plans
Originally built for Costa Cruises as Costa Classica in the early 1990s, the ship later operated for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line before joining Margaritaville at Sea in early 2022. The vessel was the first ship to enter service for the Jimmy Buffett-inspired brand, launching short-cruise operations from Palm Beach.
Margaritaville at Sea also operates the Margaritaville at Sea Islander from Tampa, and the company is preparing to add the former Costa Fortuna to its fleet in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise return to service?
The ship is scheduled to resume operations on Jan. 20, 2026, sailing short cruises from Palm Beach.
What is the High Tide Market on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise?
High Tide Market is a new food-hall-style dining venue with multiple stations serving different cuisines. It replaces the ship’s traditional self-service buffet and was renovated with new finishes, including new lighting and a new ceiling.
What itineraries will Margaritaville at Sea Paradise offer after the drydock?
After returning to service, the ship will sail a mix of weekday four-night itineraries and weekend three-night sailings from Palm Beach. Planned ports of call include Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas, along with Key West, and the first post-drydock trip is scheduled as a three-night cruise to Nassau with a day at sea.
What updates were made to the pool area?
Margaritaville at Sea added new cabanas on the main pool deck and upgraded the 12-Volt Pool area with synthetic Life Floor deck material, new loungers, and new paint.
What is the Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio?
The Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio is a tattoo venue added on Deck 8 during the refurbishment. Margaritaville at Sea said it first debuted on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander before being introduced on Paradise.
