Margaritaville at Sea to Add Food Hall-Style High Tide Market in 2026
Cruise dining is drifting from long buffet lines to food hall stations, and Margaritaville is betting that variety and faster flow can win over short-cruise guests.
Margaritaville at Sea plans to debut High Tide Market, a new food-hall-style dining venue, when the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise returns to service in January 2026.
The company has described the venue as a modernized alternative to a traditional cruise buffet, positioning it as a response to guest input and part of one of its most extensive coordinated dining enhancements to date. The concept is being installed during the Paradise’s current drydock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas, and is expected to expand to other ships in the fleet.
A new self-service concept designed to replace the traditional buffet
High Tide Market is planned as a casual dining “market” built around multiple stations rather than a single buffet line. Margaritaville at Sea has said the goal is to offer more variety and a different layout and service style than a conventional buffet, aiming for a more contemporary, higher-energy approach.
While the company has not provided details such as deck location, seating capacity, or operating hours for High Tide Market on the Paradise, it is intended to serve as a core, everyday dining option, particularly on short cruises where flexible meal timing can be important.
No comments from named executives or port officials were included in the information released about the project.
What will be offered inside High Tide Market
The Paradise version of High Tide Market is set to combine returning offerings with new additions. Margaritaville at Sea’s lineup includes:
- Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria, serving signature stone-baked pizzas
- License to Chill Sandwich Shack, focused on sandwiches and classic casual fare
- Slice of Paradise Desserts, a dessert bar
- Mexican Cutie Cantina, offering build-your-own tacos and bowls, plus additional Mexican-inspired items
Paradise drydock scope and ship background
The Paradise is in drydock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard for a project that includes routine maintenance and statutory work, as well as updates to public spaces and staterooms. High Tide Market is among the most visible guest-facing changes tied to the yard period.
The 53,000-gross-ton ship was built in 1991 and has a passenger capacity of about 1,300. It originally entered service for Costa Cruises as Costa Classica, later operated for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, and became the first ship in Margaritaville at Sea’s fleet in early 2022 after a significant upgrade ahead of its debut under the Jimmy Buffett-inspired brand.
Return date and new short-cruise pattern from Palm Beach
Margaritaville at Sea has scheduled the Paradise to resume service on January 20, 2026, returning to short cruise operations from Palm Beach, Florida. The ship will shift to a split itinerary pattern built around four-night weekday sailings and three-night weekend sailings.
Those cruises are set to include calls in Nassau and Freeport in The Bahamas, along with Key West in Florida. The first sailing after the ship’s return from drydock is scheduled as a three-night cruise to Nassau that also includes a day at sea.
Fleet rollout plans, including 2027 additions
After the Paradise debut, Margaritaville at Sea expects to extend High Tide Market to additional ships, starting with the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, which is expected to enter service for the brand in 2027. The company has also indicated the concept may not be identical across the fleet, with an updated version planned for the Margaritaville at Sea Islander in 2027.
The Islander currently operates short itineraries from Tampa. Looking ahead, the company is also preparing to add another former Costa Cruises ship, Costa Fortuna, in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise return to service?
The ship is scheduled to resume service on January 20, 2026, after completing its drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.
What is High Tide Market?
High Tide Market is a food-hall-style, self-service dining venue that Margaritaville at Sea is introducing as a replacement for the Paradise’s traditional buffet, with multiple stations and an expanded mix of returning and new options.
What destinations will the Paradise visit on its new schedule?
Beginning in 2026, the Paradise is set to operate weekday four-night and weekend three-night cruises from Palm Beach, with itineraries that include Nassau and Freeport in The Bahamas and Key West in Florida. The first post-drydock sailing is scheduled as a three-night cruise to Nassau with a day at sea.
Which other ships are expected to get High Tide Market?
After the Paradise debut in January 2026, Margaritaville at Sea plans to roll out High Tide Market to the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber when it enters service in 2027, followed by an updated version planned for the Margaritaville at Sea Islander in 2027.
