Margaritaville Paradise Cruise: A Honest Review + All The Details

This past weekend (July 11–14, 2025), we set sail with Margaritaville at Sea — a cruise line we’ve heard all kinds of opinions about through online reviews, personal research, and word of mouth. As a teacher, I was able to take advantage of their Heroes Sail Free program, so we figured: why not experience it for ourselves and form our own opinion?

In this post, I’m sharing our full itinerary along with honest thoughts and impressions about the ship, the experience, and whether Margaritaville at Sea is worth booking for your next getaway. Let’s dive in!

July 10th (Thursday)- Arrival @ West Palm Beach, FL

We made the overnight drive from Kentucky to Florida, arriving in West Palm Beach around noon. The day before, I had called our hotel — Courtyard by Marriott — to confirm early check-in. They let me know it would be a $35 fee, which I was happy to pay after a long drive. When we arrived, I was immediately impressed with the customer service. The front desk agent let me know that if I signed up for the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program (which is free), she could waive the early check-in fee. I agreed — but as it turned out, I was already a rewards member! We checked in early at no extra cost. To top it off, the agent noticed it was my birthday week from my ID and upgraded our room complimentary. Small gestures like that really set the tone for a great stay. The only thing that could’ve made the experience better was complimentary breakfast, which wasn’t included. That said, for the rate, service, and location, I’d absolutely stay here again.

If you’re planning to stay overnight in West Palm Beach before or after your cruise, here are a couple of spots we personally checked out and would recommend:

1. Loggerhead Marinelife Center

We actually discovered this place thanks to a billboard advertisement — and as soon as we saw it was free admission and focused on marine life, we knew we had to visit. If you know us, you know we love aquariums and wildlife! Here’s what makes Loggerhead Marinelife Center worth the stop:

• It’s a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation facility. Injured sea turtles are treated here and, whenever possible, released back into the wild.

• In addition to sea turtles, we saw nurse sharks, fish, a pufferfish, moon jellies, seahorses, and more.

• They had around 15 sea turtles while we visited, each with its own story and journey shared on display signs.

• There’s also ocean conservation art, including a mural made from plastic and a shark sculpture made from debris.

• One of our favorite features was the live pier stream from Juno Beach. We spent time watching fish swim by — and even spotted a hammerhead shark on the camera feed!

• We spent about an hour here, and there’s also a gift shop and a nature walking trail leading to Juno Beach (about a 45–60 minute walk).

While admission is free, donations are appreciated and help support their rescue efforts.

2. Flanigan’s Seafood Bar + Grill

Whenever we visit a new city, we try to find a local spot to eat — and Flanigan’s hit the mark. There are a few locations around West Palm Beach, and we had a great experience with both the food and service.

The menu offers a little bit of everything: seafood, burgers, sandwiches, wings, steaks, and their well-known legendary ribs.

We both agreed the food was solid and worth the stop. If you’re looking for a casual, laid-back place for dinner after a day of exploring or before your cruise, we’d definitely recommend it.

July 11th (Friday)

Here is the daily planner:

 We arrived at the West Palm Beach port around 9:00 AM for our cruise, only to find that parking hadn’t opened yet—they advised us to return at 10:00 AM. To pass the time, we parked at the nearby gas station until about 9:40 AM, then headed back. By then, parking was open and a line had already started.

Parking costs $76 for a 3-day cruise or $57 for a 2-day cruise. We were lucky to be among the first cars in line, so our walk wasn’t bad, but if you don’t have priority boarding, keep in mind you may have a longer walk with your luggage.

As you arrive, there’s a luggage drop station where staff will take your bags—just make sure your luggage tags (sent via Cruise Control/email) are attached and visible. Also, print out your boarding pass and have it handy as well. They’ll also check if you’re a VIP or License to Chill member. If so, they’ll hand you a flip-flop as a fun VIP marker.

From there, you’ll go through security checks to make sure your bags are clear. Once that’s done, an escalator takes you up to the next area. At the top, a staff member was waiting to greet VIP guests. I was quickly escorted to the VIP Lounge, which offered its own check-in process, light refreshments, snacks, and a relaxing space with water views and comfy seating.

After verifying our passports and snapping our check-in photo, we were given our room key passes. I definitely recommend bringing lanyards or badge holders to keep those handy throughout the cruise—they’ll be your key to everything onboard. With our package, we received free lanyards, but they have them available for purchase at the gift shop on board. Amazon also has cheap ones!

While waiting to board, we were able to relax in the VIP lounge, but there were also opportunities to book things like salon and spa treatments, JWB Steakhouse dinner, brunch, and shore excursions. I definitely recommend handling this as early as possible—by the time we checked, the spa had very limited availability, mostly for the day of departure, which wasn’t ideal. If possible, I’d suggest calling ahead to reserve spa appointments before your trip; I’ll be looking into that for future cruises. That said, everything else was easy to book right there in one spot without any hassle.

When boarding time came, the VIP group was called first. From the time we scanned our key cards, snapped a quick welcome photo in front of the signature sandal, and stepped onto the ship, I’d say the whole process took about five minutes—quick and smooth.

Our first stop once onboard was Deck 9 for the safety briefing. It was short and to the point: just a simple check-in and a quick explanation of where to go in case of an emergency.

After that, we headed straight to Deck 8 to pick up our drink packages inside the Euphoria Lounge. We had purchased the unlimited soda package for about $45 each, which we found to be well worth it, plus we each had five alcoholic drinks included with our Ultimate License to Chill package. They handed us reusable drink cups right there—super convenient for the rest of the trip.

If you purchase the soda package, one thing to keep in mind is making sure you actually get your money’s worth. The key is knowing which bars are open and when—this info is listed in the daily planner. There are several spots around the ship where you can refill your soda cup, but some bars open later in the day, so it helps to plan ahead. There are not random soda fil up stations around the boat- you have to have a staff member fill it up for you at a bar.

Now, let’s talk about the difference between the Ultimate License to Chill package we purchased and the version currently being offered.

We booked before April 10, 2025, so our package included quite a few extras for both of us as a pair. Here’s what was included for two guests:

• No Doubts Drink Package (for both guests)

• Two dinners at JWB Prime Steakhouse (1 per guest)

• Two sparkling brunches (1 per guest, each morning)

• Two shore excursion credits (some exclusions apply)

• $300 credit for St. Somewhere Spa and Salon

• Two wine tasting experiences (1 per guest)

• Wi-Fi for two devices

• Express check-in and priority debarkation

• Priority luggage delivery

• VIP lounge access at Port of Palm Beach

• Reserved seating at both production shows at Stars on the Water Theater

• Shore excursion booking assistance

• Margaritaville at Sea merchandise gift

• Bathrobes for use during your stay

• Cabin decorations

Since then, Margaritaville at Sea has updated the Ultimate License to Chill package, and the newest version is now priced per guest instead of per cabin. Here’s what’s currently included per person:

• 1 Ultimate Beverage Chill Package

• 1 Dinner at JWB Steakhouse

• 1 Sparkling Brunch

• $25 dining credit for à la carte purchases at Far Side Sushi

• $100 shore excursion credit

• $200 credit for St. Somewhere Spa and Salon

• Premium streaming Wi-Fi for 1 device

• Express check-in

• Priority luggage delivery

• VIP lounge access during embarkation at Port of Palm Beach

• Shore excursion booking assistance

While both versions offer solid value, the earlier version definitely felt more generous—especially if you’re traveling with two people under the same reservation. Something to consider when planning your trip!

Once we boarded, we did have to wait a bit before our rooms were ready while the crew finished cleaning from the previous sailing. During that time, there were plenty of options to relax and grab a bite.

The buffet was open, along with Cheeseburgers in Paradise, and both the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar and Euphoria Lounge Bar were already serving drinks. They even had live music—a mix of piano and steel drum performances—which really helped set that laid-back, island vibe from the start.

We grabbed some food and enjoyed the live music while we waited. Honestly, it made the wait feel more like part of the experience rather than just killing time.

Although the cruise announcement said rooms wouldn’t be ready until 1:30 PM, they actually made the call around 12:45–1:00 PM letting everyone know they could head to their cabins early. I took a video walking to our room and filmed a quick room tour, which you can check out below!

Here are a few things to keep in mind about the staterooms:

1. The shower is very small—ladies, shaving your legs will take a little creativity.

2. Get an ocean view room if possible. Watching the sea at night and first thing in the morning was worth it.

3. There’s only one outlet. I highly recommend bringing a power strip or charger with multiple USB ports. There’s no outlet in the bathroom.

4. There is a safe and mini-fridge included.

5. Opt for the queen bed setup rather than two twin beds pushed together—it’s more comfortable.

6. The TV signal was hit or miss. Ours barely worked while at sea but seemed to come back toward the end of the cruise.

7. There’s a closet for hanging clothes and outfits.

8. They may decorate your room for special occasions like birthdays—not super elaborate, but definitely a thoughtful touch!

After settling in, we headed to one of the featured activities: the JWB Wine Tasting. This was included in our package (though it’s no longer part of the newer packages after April 10th).

We sampled two red wines and two white wines, along with a snack plate featuring cheeses, bread, grapes, and raisins. I’ll admit—I’m not a wine drinker, but my husband enjoyed it. We probably wouldn’t have booked this on our own, but as part of the package, it felt like a fun, fancy way to kick off the cruise experience!

After the wine tasting, we headed over to the casino to pick up our player cards and try our luck. One thing to note: when the casino opened around Sail Away time, there was already a long line with just one person working the player card booth. If you want to grab a player card right away, I suggest showing up early to beat the rush.

Our player cards came with a $10 free play credit and included complimentary drinks while playing. That said, don’t expect non-stop drink service. There were only a few servers walking around, and they seemed to focus more on the card tables. If you’re at the slot machines, be ready to flag someone down or ask a couple of times if you want a drink.

When we signed up, they also gave us raffle tickets for late-night prize drawings—you had to return around 10–11 PM to see if you won, so keep that in mind if you’re feeling lucky.

A couple of other casino notes:

• The air conditioning is definitely on the lighter side. It can feel warm in there, especially when it’s crowded.

• $5 Blackjack Happy Hour is offered most days—a great low-stakes option if you enjoy table games.

• The slot machines actually hit decently well! It’s not like some cruises where everything feels tight. We had a good time testing our luck and would definitely recommend spending a little time there if that’s your thing.

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For dinner that night, we ate at Fins, which is the ship’s main dining room and a great included option if you don’t want to pay extra for specialty dining. The menu at Fins changes nightly and features a three-course setup: Starter, Entrée, and Dessert! You’ll find a variety of options like salmon, gumbo, chicken, jambalaya, pies, cakes, and more. There’s something for just about every taste, whether you want something light or more filling.

One extra detail: while dining at Fins, you also have the option to order select items from the JWB Steakhouse menu without having a steakhouse reservation. Just note that those items do come with an additional charge. It’s a nice bonus if you want to sample the upgraded dishes without booking a full steakhouse experience.

To wrap up our first night onboard, we headed to the Volcano Variety Show—a fun mix of singing, dancing, and acrobatics. Since we had the License to Chill package, we got VIP seating right up front, which made the experience even better. That said, the theater is set up well, and there really aren’t many bad seats.

Pro tip:

Make sure to arrive early—especially for popular shows like this one. Seating is first-come, first-served, and once the theater fills up, latecomers may have to stand. I recommend getting there about 30 minutes early if you’re a VIP guest to get the most out of your reserved section.

And to end the night on a relaxing note, here’s a quick video I captured from our ocean view stateroom. Watching the sea from our room was honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole trip—it was peaceful and absolutely worth the upgrade.

July 12th- Day at Sea

Itinerary attached:

Spa + Salon Experience

I kicked off my morning by using my Ultimate License to Chill spa credits. My husband chose not to use his, and the staff was great about letting me apply the full $300 credit toward my treatments. As I mentioned earlier, you can book spa services once you board, but I’d suggest calling ahead if possible to lock in the time slots you want—especially for massages, as those fill up quickly.

They were running a special for a 55-minute massage package that included several extra amenities for $179. I went for it and still had enough credit left over for a pedicure. Both services were excellent—very relaxing, and the spa staff was extremely professional and accommodating.

I would highly recommend carving out time for the spa if you’re sailing with this package. It was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Bonus tip: The fitness center is located in the same area as the spa, along with a tucked-away serene lounge space with comfy chairs. It’s a quiet spot that not everyone knows about, perfect for relaxing or just unwinding with a view. Below, I’ve included a snapshot of the regular spa service pricing to help you plan ahead.

Sparkling Brunch at Fins Dining Room

This was included with our Ultimate License to Chill package.The menu had a great variety—omelets, chicken and waffles, all-American breakfasts, sandwiches, and more. We both really enjoyed the food. As part of the experience, we were served two mimosas each (even though I’m pretty sure it’s only supposed to be one per person—no complaints here!). You can choose between a mimosa, Bellini, or sparkling wine.

We had a reservation for 8:00 AM, but didn’t make it until around 11:30 AM. Thankfully, they still seated us with no issue. When we booked, the staff mentioned that as long as you have a reservation, you can show up anytime before brunch ends, which is nice if you’re not an early riser. NOTE: You must have a reservation for the brunch! We did witness them turning people away because they didn’t have one.

Brunch is open until 12:30 PM, so you’ve got a good window if you want to sleep in and enjoy a more relaxed morning onboard.

Movies in the Stars on the Water Theater

Throughout the day, the ship hosts various events in the Stars on the Water Theater, including movie screenings. During our cruise, they were showing Wicked, which I haven’t seen yet but looked like a fantastic choice. The theater offers a great atmosphere for catching a movie at sea—comfortable seating and a nice screen—but heads-up: they don’t provide popcorn or drinks, so I recommend bringing your own snacks and beverages to make the experience even better.

Midday Lunch

We tried and highly recommend the Cheeseburger in Paradise Bar on board. Their burgers were surprisingly good—juicy, flavorful, and served with crispy (slightly spicy) fries and they offer a tasty special sauce for burgers that really pulled everything together.

If you’re like us and have specific food preferences, here’s a plus: they’re happy to accommodate if you don’t eat cheese or need it left off for any reason. Just let them know when you order, and they’ll make it the way you want it. After they make your burger, you can add your own variety of toppings including: grilled onions, mushrooms, pickles, etc.

JWB Steakhouse Dinner

One of the highlights included in our package was a dinner at the upscale JWB Steakhouse. The restaurant offers a four-course meal paired with a glass of wine, making for a special night out.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. My steak arrived a bit underdone for my preference, but everything else was excellent. If you go, definitely try the Wagyu Meatballs and the mashed potatoes—they were absolute standouts!

Overall, the steakhouse is a fantastic option if you want to treat yourself to a refined dining experience without leaving the ship.

Live Music at Euphoria Lounge

After dinner, we still had some drink vouchers left, so we headed over to the Euphoria Lounge to unwind. One of our favorite acts was the Fusion Groove Band—an incredibly talented duo that plays a wide range of music. If you’re into a laid-back, relaxing vibe, this is definitely the spot to be. Plus, the strawberry daiquiris here are hands-down the best on the ship. If you want something a little stronger to kick off the night, I recommend the Long Island Iced Tea—it’s potent and perfect for getting you in the party mood!

Adult Comedy Show

Later, we attended the 18+ comedy show featuring Rich Purpura. He was hilarious, super engaging, and mixed in some magic tricks that kept the audience involved throughout the night. If you enjoy comedy with a bit of audience participation, I highly recommend checking out his show—it’s a fantastic way to end an evening onboard! They also offered a family-friendly version earlier in the night.

White Hot Neon Party

On sea day nights, the ship hosts a White Hot Neon Party, and although we didn’t attend, it definitely looked like a high-energy event with a huge turnout—seems like a big part of the ship was there! The party runs until 2 AM and features beats from DJ Valentino to keep everyone dancing late into the night.If you’re looking to let loose and enjoy a lively party atmosphere onboard, this event is an absolute must-do!

July 13th- Nassau, Bahamas

Sparkling Brunch (Round Two)

Thanks to our old package, we had another credit to use for the Sparkling Brunch. The new package only includes it for one day, but no worries—the buffet serves breakfast every morning, so you won’t go hungry if you miss it.

British Colonial Resort Excursion

With our original package, we had $300 in credits to spend on shore excursions or other extras. The updated package now offers $200 in credits. We chose to use ours at the British Colonial Resort, an all-inclusive spot offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plus food, which totaled exactly $300.

If you’re just going for a day pass and unlimited soda, it costs about $90 per person. We thought it was well worth it, especially using the package credit. Our final bill showed we would have paid the full $300 out of pocket for food and drinks alone. Over our 6-hour visit, we enjoyed around 15 drinks between us! Additionally, this hotel requires no taxi drive or boat transports. It is the closest to the port (10-15 minute walk maximum) right next to Senor Frogs.

What I really loved about this resort was the atmosphere—it was much quieter and more relaxed than some of the busier family-focused excursions. There weren’t many kids, there was a lovely pool, and the food was delicious. Service was fantastic too; every time we got out of the pool, our waitress had our drinks ready. They definitely earned a great tip!

I highly recommend this excursion for couples or anyone seeking a more peaceful getaway. I noticed many other guests headed to the Margaritaville Resort and Water Park, especially families with kids or larger groups.

A quick tip: the night before the excursion, you’ll receive a ticket with details on when and where to meet, plus what to bring—so no need to worry about last-minute scrambling like I did! We had access to the port from 8 AM to 4 PM, giving plenty of time to enjoy the day.

Radio Margaritaville Live Show

One of the highlights onboard was the Radio Margaritaville Live Show. I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of musical genres, and the production cast—the singers, dancers, and performers—were incredibly talented. There was something for everyone, and the show was very well put together. Definitely a must-see if you want to experience the Margaritaville spirit in full swing!

Lip Sync or Swim

Don’t miss the Lip Sync or Swim game show—this one’s a total blast for adults! It’s hilarious, high-energy, and if you’re brave enough to participate and win, you could even score a free cruise! The show features popular songs from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, and guests compete by lip-syncing their hearts out to give the best, most entertaining performance.

Whether you’re on stage or just watching, this is a must-see event that guarantees lots of laughs and good vibes. Highly recommend!

July 14- Departure

Final Morning & Disembarking

Breakfast on the last day opens bright and early at 6:00 AM at the buffet, so you can fuel up before heading off the ship.

I highly recommend stopping by Guest Services on Deck 5 to review your onboard charges before disembarking. While some say they do this nightly, you can definitely pick up your final bill before you leave. Mine matched exactly what I expected, which made the process stress-free.

A quick heads-up about fees: on the Paradise ship, there is a $15 per day fuel surcharge and $20 per day gratuity per guest. These fees are noted in several places, so it wasn’t a surprise for us, but some guests seem unaware, so it’s good to keep in mind.

Disembarking Experience

Disembarking was by far the most chaotic part of the trip. They assign specific times and meeting spots for each floor (starting with the top floor and suites), but with so many VIP and Priority guests, it felt overcrowded. It seemed like no one was actually verifying who had priority, so it quickly turned into a bit of a free-for-all when they called everyone to head to Deck 5—survival of the fittest!

For this cruise, you can disembark with a birth certificate and ID, but passport holders definitely move through the lines faster.

Other Thoughts & Tips

1. The staff and crew truly make the cruise special. Their energy and friendliness are unmatched. Our cruise director, Terry, was hilarious and personable, and cast member Abeer made us feel like her “favorites” by greeting us every time she saw us. They work hard around the clock, even doing late-night touch-ups and cleaning to keep the ship looking great.

2. They do have two small (very small) pools on the top deck. One is usually crowded with kiddos, and the other is adults only. Going into the pool (since we had a beach excursion) was not important to us, so we never used them. But if it’s a want for you, it is very small and can be crowded.

3. There’s a small arcade on board—pay-as-you-go style—that we didn’t get to try but looked fun for a quick game fix.

4. Bingo was popular, too! It cost about $30 to play with cash or charge to your account. We didn’t join in, but the room was always full of enthusiastic players.

5. The ship’s air conditioning could use some improvement—our room, bars, and most areas were comfortable, but hallways, elevators, and the casino were noticeably warmer.

6. For late-night cravings, there’s free pizza available, plus room service (for an upcharge) until around 2 or 3 AM.

7. My husband never felt the ship moving, but I did. If you’re prone to motion sickness, I recommend bringing Dramamine or similar medication just in case.

8. The food isn’t gourmet or Michelin-star quality, but it’s far from terrible (contrary to some reviews). There are plenty of options, and the staff was very accommodating with our picky tastes, always finding something for us to enjoy.

9. There were not as many kids as we expected. It was definitely more adult focused on this cruise, so this may be a pro or con for you depending on what you are wanting!

10. As far as the drink packages, 15 drinks is A LOT! You might be able to reach that amount on the day at sea if you start early, or if you can down them like a champ, but it’s a lot of drinks in the Ultimate Package. You also don’t have to worry about paying gratituty with the drink or drinks at the casino- they are included unless you want to show appreciation to the staff!

I have been asked how I find the daily planner for the trips before traveling. The answer is that there is no way to see those. You can get the pattern of the days by looking at them a few weeks before your cruise on the day you are going, but things do slightly differ for each cruise. They create and upload the planner each day on this website: https://www.margaritavilleatsea.com/paradise-gateway?utm_campaign=obrv&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=gateway

So, What’s the Verdict?

BOOK THAT DANG CRUISE!

Don’t listen to the nitpicky reviews—this trip was absolutely worth every moment. We had the time of our lives and can’t wait to plan our next Margaritaville adventure. After reading some of the bad reviews to my husband on our drive back home, and he actually stated verbatim "were they on the same ship as us?" Yes, we are easy-going travelers, and didn't expect any perfection.

As Jimmy Buffett would say, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere,” so grab your flip-flops, kick back, and let the good times roll!