Margaritaville at Sea Welcomes Its One Millionth Guest
At PortMiami, a Miami-Dade County committee advanced a five-year preferential berthing agreement covering about one hundred seventy Beachcomber visits at Terminal C.
Margaritaville at Sea said it welcomed its one millionth guest on June 25, surprising the passenger during a presentation aboard Margaritaville at Sea Islander. The cruise line is preparing to add Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber in January 2027, taking the branded fleet to three ships.
The figure spans operations that began in May 2022 with Margaritaville at Sea Paradise sailing from the Port of Palm Beach and expanded in June 2024 when Islander debuted from Port Tampa Bay.
Beachcomber is the next fleet addition
Beachcomber currently sails as Costa Fortuna for Costa Cruises. The 102,669-gross-ton, Fincantieri-built ship entered service in 2003 and carries 2,702 passengers at double occupancy, with maximum occupancy listed at 3,470.
After rebranding, the ship is scheduled to sail mainly week-long Caribbean cruises from Miami during its inaugural Margaritaville at Sea season. The onboard product announced for the vessel includes three original production shows performed multiple times per sailing, an expanded lineup of bars and lounges, St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, Fins Up! Fitness Center and an expanded Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio.
Rathbane Group companies MJM Marine and Mivan have been appointed to deliver a large share of the multi-million-pound refurbishment. Their work will cover public and guest areas including the central atrium, spa, children’s facilities, specialty dining venues, nightclub, external VIP areas and Flip Flop Bar.
“Beachcomber represents an important next step for Margaritaville at Sea as we continue expanding the fleet and investing in the guest experience across our ships,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea.
PortMiami advances a berthing deal for Beachcomber
At PortMiami, a Miami-Dade County committee has advanced a five-year preferential berthing agreement for Beachcomber, the port’s first such agreement with a new cruise line in seven years. The arrangement would give the ship preferential berthing rights at Terminal C on specified dates, cover about 170 port visits over five years and produce a projected positive $23.15 million impact to the seaport using existing terminal space.
Kyle Anderson, chief commercial officer of Margaritaville at Sea, told commissioners that the line had grown from one ship, one homeport and one destination to multiple ships serving more than 20 destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico. “I can think of no better place to homeport our new flagship vessel the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber,” Anderson said.
Costa Fortuna is expected to remain in Costa Cruises service through the summer before entering a 12-week drydock in late September 2026. The shipyard for the conversion has not been disclosed.
