The Most Bizarre Things About Margaritaville's Newest Cruise Ship, The Islander

With over 20 bars and restaurants, three pools, entertainment venues, and an entire casino spread across 12 passenger decks, the impressive new Margaritaville cruise liner might be on your radar for your next vacation. However, the ship — which you'd share with around 2,650 other passengers — has some quirky features, and those who have already set sail on the new vessel have come away with mixed reviews. From the ship's labyrinth-like layout to an abundance of Jimmy Buffett decor, there are a few logistical and stylistic decisions that left passengers scratching their heads. 

The overall experience receives a solid 3.5-star rating on Cruise Critic, but the operation is still working out some kinks after its recent launch, so there's room for improvement. The ship sails to several family-friendly vacation destinations in the Caribbean and includes kids' clubs for different age groups on board. It has everything you might need for an enjoyable cruise vacation and is still an improvement from the cruise line's first ship, the Sea Paradise — even with its eccentricities.

It seems the cruise company has taken the launch of its new ship as an opportunity to honor the late Jimmy Buffett, who passed away in 2023. While the rock-star-turned-cruise-ship-mogul has always been at the forefront of the business, some passengers noted a distinct theme throughout the ship. From quotes and in-room reading materials to Buffett-inspired artwork, he's everywhere. If you're a big fan, you'll likely find these features endearing. But if you're more into sipping margaritas than listening to the 1977 hit "Margaritaville," you may not care for the decor that features song lyrics outside every suite.

Another bizarre thing passengers noticed was the ship's maze of hallways and staircases. It was originally built in 2000 for another cruise line, so while the Margaritaville Islander's transformation cost $150 million, there was little they could do about the layout. The vibrant pops of color that adorn every wall, ceiling, and floor of the ship's public spaces give it a fresh look, and the cabins are a clean and cozy place to relax. Just make sure you bring a paper copy of the deck plan so you can find your way back to your room.

Cruise ships aren't exactly known for their eco-friendliness (many cities have started banning cruise ships because of the destruction they can cause), but the new Islander's excessive paper use is another surprise. For a modern ship, it has a distinct lack of modern technology. For example, passengers require paper boarding passes, which have mostly been fazed out and replaced with handy apps by other cruise lines. Even some restaurants on board still manage reservations the old-fashioned way, and guests need to reference paper copies of the daily schedule to find out what's happening on board. A bit of paper here and there isn't so bad, but when you multiply that by the thousands, it's hard to understand why the cruise liner didn't go digital before launch.

However, a Margaritaville cruise may still be worth it if you're looking for a low-cost paradise at sea. The extensive entertainment and dining options that come at no additional cost make it easy to enjoy your vacation on a reasonable budget. If you can get past the unconventional features, it offers a fun vibe and is an experience worth adding to your bucket list.