In rebranding Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Margaritaville announced its foray into cruising with “Margaritaville at Sea.”
On 30APR 2022, Margaritaville Paradise will sail from Port of Palm Beach Florida to Grand Bahama Island on its first passenger sailing. The ship will include 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins in various stateroom categories. Following a multi-million dollar investment and refurbishment, the ship’s cabins and common spaces will feature Margaritaville’s signature design with some nautical details and colors influenced by nature.
“We’re excited about this new partnership as we launch Margaritaville at Sea out of the Port of Palm Beach. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and are appreciative of our loyal customers and trade partners who have stood by us through so much. We’re excited about this next phase of our evolution, rebranding as Margaritaville at Sea. The collaborative concept will add a different dimension to the cruising industry, appealing to a new audience of travelers,” added Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, who will serve as CEO of Margaritaville at Sea.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line also clarified that it has not been purchased by Margaritaville, and that ownership is "100% the same."
Margaritaville Paradise, formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s flagship vessel, Grand Classica, will feature gourmet food and beverage options, including JWB Prime Steak & Seafood, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Port of Indecision Buffet, LandShark Sports Bar, and Margaritaville Coffee & Pastry Shop as well as the Euphoria Lounge, Sunset Bar, and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Additionally, the ship will offer onboard leisure activities and entertainment, including the Par-A-Dice Casino, a Stars on the Water Theater, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, pools, a retail shop, and more.
“Margaritaville at Sea will be a new, exciting, and fun way for guests to escape and vacation in Margaritaville,” said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville.
Future Plans
Cohlan elaborated further on the company's plans, saying that Margaritaville was attracted to Bahamas Paradise's short cruises and the ability to shape the product offerings.
"It's a small company with one ship, and we've got plans to expand dramatically," he said. "It just gives us an opportunity to really define our brand, as opposed to doing it within somebody else's system."
Cohlan elaborated that there may be several resort destinations in the Bahamas were Margaritaville could add ships, but the focus is to make sure Margaritaville Paradise sets sail successfully. Some initial expansions may include Nassau and Key West, where Margaritaville holds properties.
Khosa added that the "elevated" onboard experience that will extend to the terminals in both Palm Beach and Freeport, which the line will operate exclusively "so that the vibe and the theme and the essence is like Margaritaville."
Singer and Margaritaville founder Jimmy Buffett weighed in, saying, "To me, the only thing better than being on a beach by the ocean is to be on the ocean. Now you can follow in our wake."
Khosa added that Buffet toured the ship and "was delighted" with what it has to offer. "He was very pleasantly enamored with our crew and the chef and got very excited," Khosa said, adding that Buffet is motivated to "see that this carries his legacy going forward."
As reported by Travel Weekly, the company also plans to develop a private beach experience called Margaritaville Beach Club.
For more information, visit Margaritaville at Sea's web site.
