Margaritaville Taps MJM Marine and Mivan for Beachcomber Refit
Costa Fortuna is due to enter a twelve-week drydock in late September 2026, and Margaritaville has not yet named the yard for the work.
Margaritaville at Sea has appointed Rathbane Group companies MJM Marine and Mivan to carry out a significant share of the refurbishment that will convert Costa Cruises’ Costa Fortuna into Beachcomber. The ship will remain in Costa service through the summer before entering a 12-week drydock in late September 2026, then relaunch for Margaritaville at Sea in 2027 from Miami.
The project advances Margaritaville at Sea’s move from a two-ship operation to a three-ship fleet. Beachcomber is planned for PortMiami service on mainly week-long Caribbean cruises, with four- to eight-night Southern and Eastern Caribbean itineraries scheduled for its launch program.
Rathbane companies take on major guest-area work
The refurbishment is described as a multi-million-pound project, though Margaritaville at Sea has not disclosed individual contract values for MJM Marine or Mivan. The assigned work covers major public and guest-facing areas, including the atrium, spa areas, children’s spaces, specialty restaurants, nightclub, external VIP spaces and the 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. Ivy said the line is assembling the technical and outfitting capability needed for a conversion of this scale.
“Our teams are highly experienced in delivering complex outfitting programs within defined drydock windows across the world,” said MJM Marine CEO Gary Annett.
Mivan CEO John Cunningham said the company was returning to work with Margaritaville at Sea after a joint project in 2024. Both MJM Marine and Mivan are headquartered in Northern Ireland and operate within Rathbane Group.
Beachcomber product details continue to emerge
The contractor appointment follows a series of onboard product announcements for Beachcomber, including an expanded lineup of bars and lounges. Margaritaville at Sea also recently introduced the ship’s St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, Fins Up! Fitness Center and the next version of Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio.
“From the spa and salon to the fitness and tattoo studios, these venues are designed to feel welcoming, comfortable and connected to the energy of being at sea,” said Martha Brabham, vice president of design at Margaritaville at Sea.
Fins Up! Fitness Center is planned as the largest fitness venue in Margaritaville at Sea’s fleet, with dedicated yoga and studio rooms in addition to exercise equipment. Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio will return on Beachcomber with expanded space and a roster of artists for custom work.
Costa Fortuna gives Margaritaville a larger ship
Costa Fortuna was built by Fincantieri in 2003 and is a 13-deck ship of about 103,000 gross tons. The vessel carries up to 3,470 passengers at maximum occupancy, or about 2,702 at double occupancy, with a crew of about 1,090.
Beachcomber will join Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which sails from the Port of Palm Beach to Key West and The Bahamas, and Islander, which operates Caribbean itineraries from Port Tampa Bay. The drydock yard has not been named.
