margaritaville at sea cruise lines

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Margaritaville at Sea

Introducing a new way to sail.

Margaritaville at Sea is an exciting new cruise line currently featuring two ships, the Islander and the Paradise.

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander is the newest flagship resort-at-sea perfectly designed to transport cruisers on a fun-soaked escape to an island state of mind. Now sailing from Port of Tampa Bay, Florida to Key West and Mexico on 4- and 5-night cruise itineraries. 

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is your easy escape for a Bahamas getaway where there’s always a party in the makin’. Kick back in comfort with live entertainment and performances, drinks by the pool, games of chance at the casino, and delicious food – always ready when you are. Sailing from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island on 2- and 3-night itineraries. 

Visit Margaritaville at Sea

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander is filled with entirely new ways to play the day away, plus your favorite Margaritaville dining and entertainment experiences among 12 newly designed passenger decks. With 12 dining venues, 13 bars and lounges, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, an all-new Margaritaville Casino, live music enclaves, all ages lounge and arcade, four distinct outdoor pool zones, and more, exploring the Islander will become an adventure all its own.

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is your easy-breezy resort at sea, with visual accents that inspire adventure. The ship’s inviting atmosphere is filled with music, lights, island-inspired sculptures, artwork, and more. Lovers of non-stop entertainment can enjoy the Margaritaville Casino, Stars on the Water Theater, and various nightclubs while wellness-enthusiasts can stop by the St. Somewhere Spa & Salon or Fins Up! Fitness Center. With pools, a retail store, and so much more, there’s something for everyone.

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..."

-Jimmy Buffett

Staterooms & Suites

Explore pricing and book your margaritaville at sea adventure, visit margaritaville at sea website.

• Cruise Knowledge

Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Ships by Size: Biggest to Smallest

Doug Parker

• March 29, 2024

The Margaritaville at Sea cruise ships may be new to many cruisers, but the iconic brand has existed for a while.

While the operator running the Margaritaville cruise brand has a checkered operational past, the line is heading in the right direction thanks to new investments and partnerships.

In late 2021, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced they would undergo a rebrand to Margaritaville at Sea , initially converting the Grand Classica to the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

And they went all-in on the branding. The staterooms have a tropical flare. The food venues are inspired by the late Jimmy Buffett and Caribbean cuisine— and the bars are essentially a Margaritaville at sea.

Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Ships by Size

Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Those familiar with Carnival Cruise Line’s Spirit-class ships will not have difficulty navigating the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. The ship was built on the same platform as Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, and Carnival Legend.

Islander was operated under Costa Cruises for most of its service life; it was transferred to Carnival’s Chinese entity, where it never entered service. It was eventually sold to Paradise Cruise Lines (operator of the Margaritaville at Sea brand).

In early 2024, it entered a dry dock in Belfast, Ireland, for multimillion-dollar renovation before operating Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa , Florida, this summer.

Itineraries: The ship will sail from Tampa, offering four and five-night cruises to Key West, Florida; Progresso, Mexico, and Cozumel, Mexico. It will also offer some one-off seven-night sailings to the Western Caribbean in late 2025.

Features: Landshark Bar & Lookout, 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool Deck & Live Music, The Tiki Bar & Pool, The Flip Flop Atrium, Holin’, Puttin’, Dinkin’ & Drinkin’, JWB Prime Steakhouse, The Far Side Teen Lounge, and Caribbean Amphibian Splash & Slide

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

Formerly, a cruise ship that belonged to Costa Cruises, named Costa Classica , entered service with Bahamas Paradise in 2018 under the name Grand Classica. It was the only ship that survived the cruise industry shutdown.

Itineraries : The ship operates two-night cruises between Palm Beach, Florida, and Freeport, Bahamas (Grand Bahama Island). Guests can also purchase extended stays on Freeport and take the overnight cruise back at a later date.

Features: Fins Dining Room, Port of Indecision Buffet, JWB Prime Steakhouse, Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, pool deck, live music, casino, St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, Mixology class, and The Fins Up! Fitness Center

Former Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Ships (Bahamas Paradise)

The cruise line also sailed two ships no longer with the company: Grand Celebration and the Bahamas Celebration. Both vessels were taken out of service because of different incidents.

Grand Celebration

This was the cruise ship that started it all with the brand until it was run aground in 2014. Carnival Cruise Line recently transferred their Holiday-class ship, MS Celebration , to Iberia Cruises, where it cruised until the brand was discontinued. It then was transferred to Costa Cruises for another refit.

A day before it was scheduled to enter service with Costa, it was announced that it was sold to an unannounced buyer. That unannounced buyer was Palm Beach-based Bahamas Paradise.

It sailed with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line from 2015 until the cruise industry shutdown. It was eventually sold for scrap metal in late 2020 . It met the shores of Alang, India, for scrapping on January 4, 2021.

MS Bahamas Celebration

This former cruise ship sailed as a ferry in Norway from 1981 to 2008. It was acquired by Celebration Cruises in 2008 and entered service as Bahamas Celebration. It sailed from Palm Beach to Freeport, Bahamas, for eight years before it was taken out of service after running aground in 2014.

Fortunately, the accident happened 200 yards from the port, and the ship returned to Freeport to debark guests, but it would never re-enter service. It sat at the cruise pier for two months with a ten-degree list. The ship was eventually sold for scrap metal in 2015 and would arrive at the scrapyard that fall.

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• Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville Paradise

Former names: margaritaville at sea paradise, mas paradise, grand classica, costa neoclassica, costa classica.

Cruise line Margaritaville at Sea (Margaritaville at Sea)

• West Palm Beach (Florida)

Margaritaville Paradise current position

Margaritaville Paradise current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 26.77050 N / -80.05300 W) cruising en route to FREEPORT. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Margaritaville Paradise

Margaritaville Paradise current cruise is 2 days, round-trip Bahamas . Prices start from USD 175 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 06 Jul, 2024 and ends on 08 Jul, 2024 .

Specifications of Margaritaville Paradise

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Margaritaville Paradise Itineraries

Margaritaville paradise review, review of margaritaville paradise.

The 1991-built (as "Costa Classica") cruise ship Margaritaville At Sea Paradise (aka MAS Paradise, fka "Grand Classica") between 2014-2018 was operated under the name "Costa neoClassica". In April 2018, neoClassica was renamed "Grand Classica" and joined the fleet of the Florida-based Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line . Until 2020, the company's fleet consisted of two ships - Grand Classica and Grand Celebration (1987-built/2020- scrapped ). In 2023, the fleet was expanded with a second ship the 2000-built Costa Atlantica/MAS Islander .

The vessel (IMO number 8716502) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311000969) and registered in Nassau .

In December 2021 was announced that Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels (Florida-based hospitality group) signed a partnership deal with Bahamas Paradise to start the new cruise brand "Margaritaville at Sea". The new travel brand is currently scheduled for inauguration on May 13, 2022 (Margaritaville Paradise's Maiden Voyage). The renamed Grand Classica starts service for Margaritaville at Sea following an extensive wetdock refit at Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport).

• The Margaritaville Cruise Line brand is expected to add more ships to its future fleet, with Margaritaville Paradise being the first one.
• The long-term ship charter was signed by John Cohlan (Margaritaville's CEO) and Oneil Khosa (Bahamas Paradise's CEO, who also serves as Margaritaville Cruise Line's CEO).
• The shipowner remains the same (Paradise Cruise Line Operator Ltd).

Margaritaville Paradise continued the regular 2-night cruise schedule from Palm Beach to Freeport, restarting operations on May 10, 2022.

History - construction and ownership

In 2018, Grand Classica joined Grand Celebration as the fleet's second ship. In 2017, the shipowner Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line signed with The Bahamas a 3-year deal (until 2020) to bring both vessels (Celebration and Classica) to Grand Bahama Island (Freeport) via 2-night roundtrip Florida-Bahamas itineraries. With both ships, the company had an annual passenger shipping capacity of over 0,5 million.

On August 2, 2017, Costa Cruises announced that neoClassica leaves the fleet in March 2018. The ship's last Costa voyage was scheduled for March 4, 2018 (7-day "India and Maldives" from Mumbai India to Male Maldives ). Last refurbished in 2014, neoClassica was Costa's oldest vessel. The decision was made following the 4 new ships order , with scheduled deliveries between 2019-2022. Costa's new boats are with GT 183,000 tons, with 2600+ cabins and max passenger capacity ~6600.

The 1680-passenger ship Grand Classica was inaugurated in 1991. In 1999 was proposed a ship-stretching project that was abandoned in favor of a later refit (in 2000 / budgeted USD 20 million).

The ship has an impressive onboard art collection of sculptures and original paintings, murals and crafts.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced the vessel's purchase from Carnival Corporation (Costa's parent company) on December 13, 2017. The ship's drydock refurbishment in 2017 (October) also included improvements required by the new shipowner Paradise Cruise Line Operator Ltd.

On December 4, 2023, the company confirmed a second ship ( Costa Atlantica/Margaritaville Islander ) scheduled for Caribbean voyages leaving roundtrip from  Tampa Florida .

Decks and Cabins

Margaritaville Paradise has 13 decks (10 passenger-accessible, 5 with cabins) and total 658 staterooms . Cabins are in 5 grades/categories and include 12x Suites (Balcony and Junior), 430x Oceanviews, 216x Inside. Costa neoClassica additionally had 10x single cabins. Only the Suites have step-out balconies.

All public spaces are located on Decks 8-14. The largest accommodations are the Grand Terrace Suites (525 ft2 / 49 m2, with balcony sized 150 ft2 / 14 m2).

All main public areas are on decks 8 through 14.

Grand Classica decks were all named after famous Italian Riviera cities. Following the ship's acquisition, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line renamed all decks after Bahamian islands.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Grand Classica has all 8 dining venues (restaurants and food bars):

• Yellow Elder is the complimentary main dining room with 2 fixed seating times plus "My Time Dining" option).
• Ocean View Buffet offers complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks.
• Admiral's Steak & Seafood is a dinner restaurant offering 5-course gourmet meals.
• Rock Grill offers gourmet burgers and meats cooked on lava rock grill.
• Crow's Nest Bar & Grill is the ship's Sports Bar / Pub serving pub fare, beers, cocktails.
• A Slice Above is an Italian pizzeria offering traditional and build-your-own gourmet pizzas by the slice.
• Grand Cafe is a cafeteria/patisserie for specialty coffee drinks, gourmet ice-cream (gelato) and desserts.
• Fins Dining (specialty restaurant)
• Hemisphere Nightclub (discotheque with DJ programming)

The cruise company also provides Room Service (at extra charge).

The ship has a bar lounge, a casino lounge, live entertainment (in the theater and regal room), wellness facilities (spa, gym, beauty salon), 2 swimming pools.

Other amenities include a conference center seating 80, Jolly Mon Kids' Club (for children ages 3-17), retail shops, a card room, Internet Lounge.

Follows the complete list of Grand Classica lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Legends Grand Theater( 2-level theater offering comedy, song- and dance shows)
• Para-A-Dice Casino (offers a range of table games and slot machines - 101 of the most famous slot games, along with 10 table games, such as blackjack, craps, roulette, three card poker, ultimate Texas hold 'em poker are offered)
• Encore Lounge (features live music and a drink, along with a central stairway leading to The Grand Cafe and A Slice Above)
• Regal Room (a lounge with a large bar and stage for live entertainment)
• Main Pool (a large swimming pool surrounded by a sundeck with lounge chairs and the adjacent Plunge Bar serving beverages and specialty cocktails)
• The Oasis (adults-only area featuring an aft pool, 2 whirlpools, and its own bar)
• Jogging Track (one deck above the ship's main pool)
• Indulgence Spa, Fitness Center & Salon (massages, facials, skin treatments are offered in the spa and beauty parlor, while the ocean-view fitness room has a wide range of free weights and fitness equipment)
• Kruzers Kid's Club (offers free activities for kids aged 3-17)
• Internet Lounge & Card Room
• 80-person conference room
• Retail Outlets
• Photo Gallery

Margaritaville Paradise ship's new venues include JWB Prime Steak & Seafood (restaurant), Frank & Lola's Pizzeria, Port of Indecision Buffet (Lido restaurant), LandShark Sports Bar, Margaritaville Coffee & Pastry Shop (patisserie), Stars on the Water Theater (show lounge), Euphoria Lounge, Par-A-Dice Casino, Sunset Bar, 5 O'clock Somewhere Bar & Grill (includes the burger bar "Cheeseburger in Paradise"), redesigned wellness complex (St Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center), new leisure activities, live entertainment, more retail shopping options.

In January 2023, Margaritaville at Sea signed a partnership deal with Tipsy Scoop ( NYC -based Ice Cream Shop selling liquor-infused flavors/with bourbon, rum, vodka, tequila or sangria). Now Margaritaville Paradise passengers can order the five Tipsy Scoop "boozy ice creams", of which two are exclusive to the cruise ship - Blue Margarita Sorbet (with Margaritaville Silver Tequila) and Bahama Mama Ice Cream (with Margaritaville Coconut Rum).

Drydock refurbishment 2023 review

During the drydock in 2023 (refurbishment project conducted in May at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport) were several new venues and many facilities were redesigned and/or renovated.

By this drydocking project, the ship received Paradise Pickleball at Sea (certified pickleball court with an open-air lounge seating), Keys on the Water (dueling piano bar with live evening performances), Cheeseburger in Paradise (complimentary fast food bar for burgers/at 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill), Jolly Mon (indoor playground for children), Fin City Arcade (machine gaming lounge), Hemisphere Nightclub, Fins Dining.

Two new theater productions were introduced - "Caribbean Heat" and "Radio Margaritaville: LIVE! At Sea".

All passenger staterooms were renovated. All Suites received Internet-connected workout mirrors.

Fins Up! Fitness Center was redesigned and received new gym equipment including Group Cycle Connect bikes, rowing machines, treadmills, steppers, Touch Smart Fitness Mirrors (for yoga).

Margaritaville at Sea Itineraries

Just like Grand Classica, Margaritaville Paradise ship's itinerary program offers exclusively Bahamas cruises leaving roundtrip from Florida.

At the end of August 2017, Port Palm Beach District Commission signed a 10-year agreement for the former Costa neoClassica to service the Florida-Bahamas route West Palm Beach - Freeport . The liner has a regularly scheduled itinerary program of 3-day / 2-night Bahamas cruises to Freeport and back to Palm Beach FL.

Costa neoClassica itinerary program was based on roundtrips from Dubai and as well as Mediterranean voyages leaving roundtrip from homeports Barcelona Spain , Savona Italy , and Tenerife Canaries Spain .

Departing August 17, 2019, from Port Palm Beach, the ship offered Bahamas Paradise's first-ever Panama Canal transition cruise . The 9-night itinerary included as call ports Key West Florida, Grand Cayman Island and Panama Canal (transit), ending in Puerto Caldera/Puntarenas (Costa Rica) . Grand Classica's South American charter season was scheduled to end in October. Repositioning cruise prices started from USD 500 per person (double occupancy inside cabin). Early-booking discount deals (bookings made before May 31, 2019) offered 3rd and 4th passengers in the stateroom pricing of USD 300 pp.

Following the Coronavirus crisis (2020-2021), Grand Classica had to be the first large cruiser to resume voyages out of the USA, with the first departure (Palm Beach to Freeport) scheduled for July 2, 2021. However, the first post-COVID voyage was later rescheduled for July 8th. In August, the boat was chartered by "Entergy New Orleans" (electricity provider) to house relief workers (in Port NOLA-New Orleans ) after Hurricane Ida.

The renamed Margaritaville Paradise marked the Margaritaville at Sea brand's inauguration with the Maiden Voyage departing out of Palm Beach on May 13, 2022 (rescheduled from April 30th).

Ultimate Paradise Pass

In March 2023, Margaritaville at Sea introduced the industry's first seasonal pass "Ultimate Paradise Pass". It allows pass holders to embark on an unlimited number of non-consecutive 2-night cruises to the Bahamas (Freeport) leaving roundtrip from Palm Beach Florida on Margaritaville Paradise.

The pass prices started at US$899 (per person based on double occupancy) exclusive of taxes/fees/port expenses, which are due at booking.

The "Ultimate Paradise Pass" cruises can only be reserved 24-72 hours in advance.

With only several limited blackout dates, passes expired on December 31st (2023).

In addition to the unlimited Florida-Bahamas roundtrip voyages, Ultimate Paradise Pass' onboard perks include welcome amenities, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive sneak peeks of new activities (on select voyages). Pass holders can additionally book shore excursions, upgrades, and packages at a 10% discount.

Photos of Margaritaville Paradise

Margaritaville Paradise ship related cruise news

Margaritaville at Sea's ship Islander sets sail for homeport Tampa Florida after major refurbishment

The newest Margaritaville at Sea vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, has commenced her voyage to Tampa, Florida USA. Departing from the...

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise ship fails CDC inspection with numerous violations

The cruise ship Margaritaville at Sea Paradise didn't pass the USPH inspection conducted by CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The...

Margaritaville at Sea introduces Key West cruise aboard MAS Paradise ship

Margaritaville at Sea is offering a voyage to Key West Florida and Freeport Grand Bahama on its MAS Paradise ship, providing a convenient alternative...

27-year-old woman found dead on Margaritaville Paradise cruise ship with suspected cocaine

A tragic incident unfolded aboard the Margaritaville Paradise cruise ship bound for The Bahamas, where a deceased woman was discovered inside a cabin...

35-year-old woman dies on Margaritaville Paradise ship after choking incident during dinner

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Port West Palm Beach places probation after loaded gun incident on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise...

Port West Palm Beach has instituted a probationary period for its security provider (Weiser Security Services Inc) following an incident where a...

Margaritaville at Sea faces lawsuit after crew/bartender's alleged sexual assaults

In a disturbing maritime incident, a West Virginia woman, identified as Jane Doe, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Classica Cruise Line...

Cruise chaos: severe weather forces major itinerary changes for multiple cruise companies

Several ships from various major cruise companies/brands encountered significant itinerary changes as severe weather conditions affected areas from...

(Margaritaville at Sea Islander) Costa Atlantica ship sold by Carnival through Adora Cruises

Carnival Corporation has officially confirmed the sale of its ship Costa Atlantica through its Adora Cruises joint venture with China State...

Margaritaville at Sea launches “Summer Sail-A-Bration” to unveil upgrades to Margaritaville at Sea...

Margaritaville at Sea has launched its "Summer Sail-A-Bration," unveiling a multimillion-dollar series of upgrades and additions to Margaritaville...

•   show more news

Other Margaritaville at Sea cruise ships

• Margaritaville Islander

Margaritaville Paradise Wiki

When serving Costa Cruises , the ship (Costa Classica) was christened by godmother Emilia Costa (1967-born Italian actress). For the Margaritaville cruise line, Margaritaville Paradise was christened by Shaquem Alphonso Griffin (1995-born American, NFL football player/linebacker).

Margaritaville's naming ceremony was held on May 13, 2022, in Port Palm Beach , and was attended by Margaritaville at Sea's executives (John Cohlan/CEO, Oneil Khosa/COO, Kevin Sheehan Jr/President) and numerous VIP guests (including company partners and travel agents). The Maiden Voyage for Margaritaville departed Palm Beach on May 14th. The special sailing to Freeport featured a live concert by Jimmy Buffett/James William Buffett (1946-born American musician, singer, songwriter, author, actor, businessman).

Grand Classica joined Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line on April 13 (Friday) 2018, when the vessel docked at Port Palm Beach. The drydock refurbishment in 2017 resulted in improved systems and onboard infrastructure. All wetdocks and drydocks (including in 2021/November-December, and 2022/April-May) are conducted at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport .

During cruise October 12-14 (2018), the liner hosted PalmCon - Palm Beach's 8th annual Comic-Con convention. The annual event is themed after superheroes, anime and sci-fi movies, games (video, role-playing, fantasy cards). The themed cruise was the first Comic-Con at sea and had numerous pre-planned onboard activities (celebrity guests, workshops, original art, comics, toys, contests, live entertainment).

On January 21, 2019, Bahamas Paradise announced a partnership with Viva Travel resulting in a cruise to Cuba roundtrip from Palm Beach Florida. The 4-night Cuban itinerary on Grand Classica was scheduled to depart on February 14, with booked berthing in Havana (Feb 15, 10-hour port stay), sea day (Feb 16), back to Havana (Feb 17, 8-hour port stay) and back to Palm Beach (Feb 18). The special voyage featured Cuban cuisine and entertainment, and open-deck concerts (on Feb 16) with live performances by Los Cuatro, Laritza Bacallao and La Pantoja.

Deckplan changes/ship refurbishments review

Margaritaville Paradise ship's first drydock refurbishment was in 2022 (April-May) conducted at Grand Bahama Shipyard ( Freeport Bahamas ). The project resulted in all staterooms being modernized and all public spaces renovated with new soft furnishing and carpets.

The list of changes and renovations after drydock refit 2014 refurbishment (Nov 8 - Dec 18, done in Genoa Italy ) included:

• The vessel's hull was repainted. Engine rooms were updated. All hotel areas were renovated.
• Public areas and all passenger cabins were renovated (including new furniture in all balcony Suites).
• New cabin amenities were added, including Illy coffee machines and Elemis bath products.
• Tivoli Restaurant was upgraded - more 2-4 seats tables were added, as well as the sea days Brunch option.
• On deck 11, new TRX (classes area) was added to the SPA.
• The menu of Dolce Amore Bar (deck 9) was upgraded with a new pizza dinner option.

The refurb project cost Costa Cruises around USD 28 million.

During the ship's 2013 drydock in Genoa (Nov 12 - Dec 21) were done routine maintenance (hull, engine, hotel), public areas and passenger cabins renovation, new Suite furniture, Tivoli restaurant upgrade, SPA refurbishment (new TRX classes/sports area was added).

neoClassica's last drydock (by Costa Cruises) was in October 2017.

Costa neoClassica ship review

• Total number of cabins: 654 (of which 10 Suite, no Balcony, 210 Inside rooms) in 5 grades
• Dining Rooms: Tivoli
• Restaurants and food bars: La Trattoria (buffet), La Tavernetta (pizzeria).
• Lounges & Bars: Colosseo (theater), Galileo (nightclub), Colosseo (lobby), Piazza Navona, Dolce Amore (patisserie), Puccini (ballroom), Squok Club (kids), poolside (Positano, Tiveri pizza).
• Amenities: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service & Babysitting, Supervised Children Program, Internet, Laundry, Onboard Weddings.
• San Remo (casino), Promenade (Deck 8), Caracalla Spa, 4 jacuzzis, 2 pools (Fountain, Capri), Jogging Track, Mondo Virtuale (arcade).

neoClassica was Costa's first Classica-class liner, with sistership Costa neoRomantica (1993-built/2021-scrapped) .

In 2000, Costa Crociere made an extensive renovation of the Classica liner. During the drydock, the sound problems in the dining room were also solved, new leather chairs and wood paneling were added. The lobby's interior was changed by removing the old nude figures.

After a major refurbishment in 2014, the liner was renamed from "Costa Classica" to "Costa neoClassica". Among its most popular amenities are 2 swimming pools and 4 big hot tubs, 9 bars, 2 large restaurants.

Most Costa neoClassica staterooms were 175 f2 Oceanview rooms (428). There were a total of 654 staterooms in 5 main categories, The ship had 6 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest staterooms were the Balcony Suites (505 ft2).

The Tivoli Dining Room offered basic continental cuisine. The Trattoria was the ship's self-service buffet. Casual dining was offered at the Alfresco Cafe. International cuisine and Italian specialties were often presented at all onboard restaurants. Follows the complete list of Costa neoClassica restaurants and food bars.

• Ristorante Tivoli (aft Dining Room, complimentary; serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, 2 fixed dinner seatings - at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
• La Tavernetta Pizzeria (Italian pizzeria restaurant & bar)
• Ristorante Buffet La Trattoria (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary; offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea at 4-5:00 p.m., and dinner)
• Piazza Tiveri (complimentary pizza by the slice, poolside).

The 2-deck high Colosseo Show Lounge (ship's amphitheater) provided cabaret shows, dancers and specialty acts. The ship had a large range of bars and lounges, including the 360-degree Galileo Disco and Puccini Ballroom. After the 2014 refit, Costa neoClassica offered the Stargazer experience, which is an original activity on all Costa neoCollection ships. It gives cruisers the use of high-quality telescopes on board, being assisted by experts. On Deck 11 there are 2 swimming pools and 2 large jacuzzis (by the aft pool), plus 2 more jacuzzis at the Spa & Fitness Center. The Fitness is fitted with top-line Technogym equipment. The Spa complex has an authentic Roman bath and offered a full range of Steiner-managed spa treatments.

Follows the complete list of Costa neoClassica lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Teatro Colosseo (2-level theatre and main show lounge; hosts grand scale show productions, musicals, classical concerts, ballet performances, circus shows)
• Bar Colosseo (foyer bar with a seating area; serves Ferrari sparkling wines)
• Piazza Navona Grand Bar (lounge & bar area with stage and dance floor; offers various entertainment programs, dancing lessons, daily trivia games)
• Il Dolce Amore Pasticeria (coffee bar & patisserie selling specialty coffee and tea, pastries, shakes; doubles as Pizzeria in the evenings)
• Sala Carte (cards room)
• Casino San Remo (served by the San Remo bar)
• Sala da Ballo Puccini (grand lounge & bar “Ballroom Puccini”; with dance floor, stage, ample seating)
• Biblioteca & Internet Point (Library & Internet computers room)
• Ponte Vecchio; Negozi Shops; Boutique Shops (duty & tax-free shops for brand watches, jewelry, perfumes, fashion clothes, Costa-logo merchandise, sportswear, gifts, tobacco, and liquor)
• Galleria Foto (Photo Gallery & Shop)
• Mondo Virtuale (Video Games Arcade)
• Cappella (Wedding Chapel, also used for religious services)
• Alfresco Cafe (outdoor canopied seating area with live trees)
• Squok Club (kids lounge with Mini Club (3-6 yo) and Maxi Club (7-11 yo) playing rooms; with complimentary kids program and supervised activities; complimentary babysitting)
• Caracalla Spa & Fitness (neoClassica Wellness Centre with Beauty Salon, Gymnasium, Aerobics Room, Turkish Bath, Massages-Treatment Rooms, Spa products shop, Caracalla Cafe /juice bar)
• Fountain Pool area (pool with cascading water)
• Capri Pool area (with two Whirlpools)
• Bar Positano (serves the pool areas)
• Galileo Disco (Nightclub & Observatory located at the top of Costa neoClassica)
• Pista da Jogging (Power Walking/Jogging Track).

Costa neoClassica India cruises 2016-2017

Costa Cruises deployed the neoClassica ship in India, offering regular departures from Mumbai .

Costa's new India cruise itinerary program (winter 2016-2017 season) offered 7-day (one-way Mumbai to Male, and the reverse Male to Mumbai) and 14-day (roundtrip Mumbai) itineraries to ports in the Maldives (Male), Sri Lanka (Colombo) and India (Cochin, Mangalore, Mormugao-Goa).

Itineraries were bookable through the company's Italian website (costacrociere.it).

The neoClassica ship had previously scheduled 7-day roundtrip itineraries leaving from Dubai UAE .

Margaritaville at Sea sets sail on choppy waters: Why you should wait to book a cruise

As I stepped off the gangway and into the atrium for one of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise's first sailings, I saw a massive blue flip-flop sculpture surrounded by a white life buoy, both emblazoned with the name of the cruise line.

I knew going into this cruise that Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was a 30-year-old ship, previously run by Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line , that had received a multimillion-dollar Margaritaville-themed refurbishment. The atrium, though small, with its freshly painted light blue-and-white walls and subtle tropical theming, made the ship feel brand-new.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

As I explored the rest of the ship, my hopes were high that I would return home from my sailing with the recommendation that Margaritaville at Sea was the ideal weekend getaway for both Parrotheads and the not-yet-indoctrinated Jimmy Buffett fans alike.

By the end of my two-night voyage to Grand Bahama Island, however, I realized the best advice I could give to future cruisers is to hold off until the Margaritaville dream has been fully realized.

What I loved

It's hard to complain about a cruise that starts at just over $250 per person (before gratuities and fuel charges). That cost covers your accommodations; meals (aside from specialty dining); select nonalcoholic beverages such as water, coffee and tea; entertainment; and onboard activities.

By the end of my cruise, I had racked up roughly $300 in extra charges for a shore excursion that included a day relaxing at a nearby all-inclusive beach resort, iced coffees, a burger from the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar, a souvenir T-shirt and, yes, a few margaritas.

You could keep costs down by cutting back on the add-ons or throw caution to the wind and go all-out. After all, you're on vacation — and at least this vacation doesn't consume too much paid time off.

Related: Parrotheads can soon earn perks on Margaritaville cruises, too

The stateroom

I've never cruised before and wasn't sure what to expect from the staterooms other than assuming I'd feel like a canned sardine. I was relieved to find the cabins were spacious and bright, with crisp white bedding, tropical artwork on the walls and a large porthole that looked out over the ocean.

There was a minifridge, a flat-screen television in the corner, a large closet with plenty of storage drawers, a small seating area near the porthole and a desk with a large mirror. I found more than enough USB ports for one guest, but two or more people trying to charge their devices may get into a few scuffles.

The excursions

When we docked in Freeport, some guests grabbed a taxi to one of the island's public beaches, some stayed on the ship to enjoy an uncrowded pool deck and others, including myself, boarded a shuttle bus for one of the ship's prearranged excursions.

You could swim with dolphins or the famous Bahamian pigs or visit one of two nearby all-inclusive resorts. I paid $99 for a day at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Resort, which included beach and pool access, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, lunch and use of kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear.

Our excursion left the ship around 9:15 a.m. and we had to be back on the bus at 3:15 p.m. to be back at the boat by 4 p.m. All in all, I felt it was a good value for a day on the beach and an escape from the crowds on the ship. The ship never felt too crowded (unless you were standing in line at the bar), but nothing feels as secluded as a long stretch of sandy beach.

The onboard entertainment

Aside from a day spent reading and collecting shells on the beach, the absolute highlight of my cruise was "Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy's Ship Show," a musical production based on Buffett's bestselling book, "Tales from Margaritaville."

The performers were phenomenal, the musical numbers hit all of Buffett's most popular tunes and audience participation was encouraged. The show even ended with a conga line through the theater. I was such a fan that I watched the show both nights and would do so again were I to sail with Margaritaville in the future.

"Tales from Margaritaville" was certainly the headlining act, but it was far from the only live entertainment on the ship. Both days were packed with live musical acts, dancing, trivia and game shows, family programming and more.

I'm not much of a gambler, but I did walk away with close to $100 from the ship's Par-A-Dice Casino after spending about 10 minutes at the penny slots, so the casino gets a thumbs-up from me.

The food and drink

Aside from the less-than-exciting buffet, which I can only assume is par for the course on most cruise lines , the food on Margaritaville at Sea was delicious and plated with care.

To be fair to the buffet, breakfast was totally acceptable, especially the made-to-order omelets. But after one lunch at the buffet, I knew it would be my last. The food that was meant to be hot was lukewarm at best and the food that was meant to be cold was room temperature.

One night, I had dinner at Fins, the included sit-down restaurant, and on the second night, I ate at the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill.

The fried cauliflower starter and braised short rib entree I ate at Fins were tasty and well cooked. Because it was included, I said yes to dessert and had a creamy, tangy lemon meringue tart.

My $15 burger and fries from the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill were equally delicious and I loved the addition of the shark fin toothpick in my burger. The menu also had nachos and a few other burger and sandwich options, all priced a la carte.

Aside from the buffet or the add-on breakfast at JWB Prime Steakhouse, it was tough to find food and drinks until late afternoon when the lounges, coffee shop and other dining venues opened for the day.

I was told by my steward there was room service, but I never received any information about hours or what was on the menu. I had the lunch that was included as part of my second-day excursion and I was glad I did. When I returned to the ship around 4 p.m., my only choices until dinner were pizza, salad or cupcakes from the coffee shop (or a margarita, I guess).

I'm more of an IPA gal than a cocktail drinker , but I was a big fan of the margaritas (both frozen and on the rocks) on board the ship. The bars were almost always busy, but the bartenders were friendly and fast and the drinks didn't have that "straight out of a bottle of cocktail mix" flavor that makes me shy away from cocktails in the first place.

What I didn't love

The ship is still actively being refurbished.

Though I hadn't sailed on this ship (or any ship) before, I could easily pick out which carpeting, furniture and wall colors were left over from the ship's prior life as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica. In fact, painters were actively updating the ship's Euphoria Lounge during my cruise (which I could both see and smell, though no areas were closed due to ongoing work.)

After chatting with other passengers, I learned that the ship is currently only in phase one of a three-phase refurbishment.

Because the inaugural sailing had already been delayed, I assumed that meant the ship would be fully renovated when I stepped on board. Because that wasn't the case, I asked the cruise line's public relations team what the timeline was for completion.

Updates are ongoing, they told me, such as the painting I witnessed during my trip. Here's what's changed in the couple of weeks since my cruise:

• New carpet has been installed in the Euphoria Lounge.
• Smokers were installed to provide cruisers with barbecue lunch options when they return from their shore excursions.
• The styling of the buffet has been updated to match the Margaritaville vibe.
• Back-of-house updates have been made to improve the guest experience in terms of air conditioning and sanitation.
• Upgraded kitchen equipment has been installed to enhance the JWB Prime Steakhouse experience.

Margaritaville at Sea is also in the process of implementing wristband technology that guests can use to redeem drink packages on board and for entry into VIP "ticket-only" functions the cruise line has planned for holidays such as New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. They are also installing a mobile pool bar for guests.

If I'd known this in advance of my cruise, I would have waited to book until the rebranding process was complete for the full Margaritaville experience.

The ship is showing its age

On top of being nowhere near finished with renovations, or maybe because work is ongoing, this 30-year-old ship is showing its age, both in style and wear and tear.

The wood paneling found throughout the ship, for example, felt dated and out of line with the beachy Margaritaville style. Paired with the matching furniture in the staterooms and common areas, it was a bit of oak-wood overload.

Though the staterooms had been completely overhauled, it was obvious the bathrooms hadn't been touched.

Related: 22 cruise ship cabin hacks that will transform your voyage

Everything was in working order, but the bathroom fixtures and colors looked the same as photos I had seen of the ship prior to being refurbished. Even a palm tree-dotted shower curtain would have made the room feel fresh and on brand.

It wasn't just the style of the ship that snapped me out of my Parrothead paradise. Each time I passed through the buffet, I saw buckets catching water from ceiling leaks in different spots. On its own, I wouldn't have thought much of a little leak, but when combined with the ship's other shortcomings, it stuck out as yet another issue to address.

As with any new experience, changes are often made in the early days as customer feedback rolls in and real-time issues are addressed. The cruise line did not share specific details on plans to update the bathrooms or other cosmetic features of the ship, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen in the future.

The pools were tiny

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise has two pools on board — the all-ages License to Chill pool and the adults-only 12 Volt pool. Both are small and square, and once 10 or so people were in the water, I felt there wasn't much room for anyone else. I loved that Margaritaville at Sea provided beach balls and floats (cheeseburger- and parrot-shaped inflatables, of course), but they took up most of the pool's real estate.

The atmosphere was not so family-friendly

While there were a few families with young kids on board, most passengers were couples, friend groups or families with adult children. There were three kids clubs for children of various age groups and a few family-centered activities each day, but this was definitely an adult-oriented ship.

It was also obvious most people were there to party. Nobody was out of control, but the activities and dancing later in the evening were aimed at a mature audience. My kids aren't quite ready to see people "showing off their sexiest dance moves" or "pretending to give birth" — both of which were directives in the team scavenger hunt on the second evening.

Between the lack of swimming space and the dearth of activities until later in the evening, I'd be hesitant to set sail with my kids.

Who goes on a Margaritaville cruise (and what did they think of it)?

I spoke with a lot of my shipmates during the cruise. (They all hailed from Florida, by the way.) I wanted to know what drew people to Margaritaville at Sea and how they felt about the experience.

Some had been on the ship prior to the rebranding and wanted to sail again now that it had been updated. Some were celebrating birthdays or anniversaries and wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. A few lived so close to the beach that they could go whenever they wanted and were looking to shake things up.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time and enjoying their "floating island vacation," but some were less impressed by the ship than others.

One guest told me she missed the "French elegance" the ship had before the rebrand. It is true that most ships have a formal dress-up night, which Margaritaville at Sea Paradise does not. In fact, save for Fins and the JWB Prime Steakhouse, there weren't any other areas where guests were required to change out of their swimsuits and flip-flops.

A casual vibe is on brand for Margaritaville, but if you're used to how other cruise lines do things, you might be in for a surprise.

When a certificate for a free cruise showed up in my stateroom on the final evening, along with a letter inviting me back to "experience everything the ship had to offer," I wondered if this was normal for a cruise and asked other passengers if they received one, as well.

The general consensus was that there had been so many complaints during our cruise that everyone was given a certificate to come back and see it once more work has been done, though the cruise line said this was a special offering for guests who sailed over Memorial Day weekend in order to "recognize the holiday and delight guests."

Bottom line

I can have fun anywhere, and I had more than my fair share on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, but I'd want the ship's upgrade and rebranding to be fully finished before I cruise on that ship again.

I'd also do a few things differently if I were to sail on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise again. I would choose a cabin more toward the front of the ship to avoid some of the vibrations I could feel in my room and I'd pack snacks to make up for the lack of midday dining availability.

I'd love to see the ship again once the renovations are complete. I was told that the ship's phased refurbishment should be completely finished in the coming weeks, though no specific date was provided, and I'd have to recommend that other cruisers find out if the ship is fully renovated before going "Fins Up" with Margaritaville at Sea.

I feel most insignificant gazing up at the stars or pondering what happens inside a supermassive black hole. Or, you know, reading how Harvard researchers recently said aliens could be on Earth passing as humans, which, correct me if I’m wrong, is the plot of “Men in Black.”

Other times, a Jimmy Buffett cruise does the philosophical trick.

Haven’t you heard? A new Margaritaville at Sea cruise just launched from Port Tampa Bay with trips to Mexico and Key West. The vessel is an ode to the musician who died in 2023 at 76. In his life, Buffett became a marketing behemoth on behalf of Total Relaxation, a spokesperson for the delusion of leaving one’s problems in the snowy driveway, embodying the son of a son of a sailor and getting schnockered on sugary margs.

Per our reporter, the ship’s soaring premises house a large teal flip-flop, margarita chandeliers, floating fish, flying parrots and a replica of Buffett’s personal seaplane. A message on the side of the vessel declares the time always five o’clock. There’s a Port of Indecision buffet, a Fins Up fitness center, a Cheeseburger in Paradise burger bar and endless opportunities to tune out life in pursuit of pickleball and vacation meats.

Buffett’s empire, which grew to include restaurants, stores, vacation clubs, marijuana and more, represents a fantasy; anyone from Florida knows that falling asleep face-down on the sand is a dermatology invoice waiting to happen. And while it’s tempting to punch down at Parrotheads for partaking, the reality is that this cruise sounds … fun. Whatever Buffett was like in private, he built a massive, colorful persona that will long outlive him.

Here’s the sunscreen rub: The deaths of our icons make us take stock of our own smaller lives. What I mean is, we’re all going to die someday — this is going great, pour a rum runner! — and we better have our proverbial cruise ships in order. When the living think back on us, a set of imagery will spring to mind. The iconography of our life. The dressings of our memory. The salt on our rim.

In the spirit of the man who esoterically wrote “My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, and I Don’t Love Jesus,” let’s play a game. If someone were to fashion a cruise ship experience around your personal universe, how would that materialize? Email me, I beg you, and I’ll publish the best answers in my next newsletter .

I’ll go first. My cruise ship would be littered with Diet Coke cans that have two warm gulps left in the bottom. There would be a laundry facility, but the laundry would never get done. For entertainment, we’re talking gallons of cold sauvignon blanc and a portable karaoke machine with one busted microphone and the complete catalog of Destiny’s Child. Four half-read novels would litter every table, not a single coaster in use.

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As a Gemini, my cruise would party hard for three to five days, which does not sound all that different from the Margaritaville cruise. However, after getting a mysterious aura behind the eye, the ship would need to dock back at the home port and go dark. When potential new customers try to book a trip, my customer service bot would reply a week later with, “Sorry, just seeing this.”

My cruise would be an acquired taste, as would yours, as is Margaritaville at Sea. But, hey, in these times rife with internet judgment, high interest rates and societal pressure to never be cringe, it might be exciting for us all to become a little more acquired. Who wants their legacy to be “large format beige tile that will aid in resale”? What cruise ship can be decorated with sensible slacks and sound financial decisions?

Go off, Margaritaville at Sea! Blast “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” a song that made my parents feverishly attempt to fast-forward the tape deck every time. Serve ersatz Huli Huli chicken and yoga mimosas. Deploy the character actor in the plushy parrot suit. Cascade forth from Tampa Bay as a gaudy, confident reminder to steer our freakish ships, however uneven they may sail.

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Stephanie Hayes is a columnist offering her thoughts on current events, life and culture. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Passenger Files Lawsuit After Allegedly Being Sexually Assaulted By Bahamian Hotel Employee

A former Margaritaville at Sea cruise passenger has filed a lawsuit against the cruise’s parent company, Classica Cruise Operator, alleging that she was sexually assaulted last year by a Wyndham hotel employee at a lodging booked for her by the company.

According to USA Today, the unidentified accuser, known as Jane Doe, is a Missouri resident. Her filing specified that in August 2023, she ventured on a two-day cruise from Florida’s West Palm Beach to the Bahamas. The lawsuit states that the Wyndham employee forced her into the hotel’s theater control room and raped her. The assault allegedly happened while she’d stepped out of her room to get water to drink.

Her filing claims that the hotel Classica Cruise Operator booked for her to stay at had a history of sexual assault allegations raised against it. The parent company supposedly booked her stay at Wyndham’s Viva Fortuna Beach location in Freeport—the main city in the Grand Bahama isle—because there were no cruise cabins to accommodate her.

Jane Doe is suing for damages regarding her physical injuries, post-traumatic stress, medical expenses, and more. Since the incident, she claims she’s suffered “mental anguish” and “loss of enjoyment of life.”

What Else Is There To Know About The Lawsuit?

The woman filed her suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in late June. Her filing reportedly claimed that there was a resort “practice” of encouraging guests to drink alcohol “with a motive to sexually assault and/or rape them if they became vulnerable.”

The lawsuit argued that “prior to the subject incident, (Classica and Wyndham) knew or should have known that the resort was not reasonably safe and/or employees at the Resort had a proclivity for sexual misconduct.”

According to Cruise Radio, Jane Doe’s filing cited a 2016 TripAdvisor review wherein a woman said Wyndham employees raped her during an incident the day after her wedding. A June 2024 Palm Beach Post report noted that Margaritaville settled two lawsuits regarding two female cruise cabinmates who claimed they were sexually assaulted by a bartender who trespassed into their room. One of the women became pregnant following the assault and “was forced to terminate the pregnancy, from which she then suffered serious complications,” according to a December 2023 lawsuit.

“We want to make people aware,” Alex Perez, the Jane Doe’s attorney, told USA Today. “These things happen in foreign ports. I know you’re on vacation but you have to be careful.”

Margaritaville at Sea passenger files lawsuit saying she was raped in Bahamas hotel

• A passenger on a Margaritaville at Sea cruise is suing the cruise line’s parent company Classica Cruise Operator claiming she was sexually assaulted by an employee of the hotel booked by the company.
• The hotel has a history of sexual assault allegations, and the cruise line was liable to warn about and protect passengers from the hotel’s “dangerous conditions,” said the lawsuit.
• This is the latest in a string of sexual assault incidents involving Margaritaville at Sea cruises.

A Margaritaville at Sea passenger is suing the cruise line’s parent company Classica Cruise Operator claiming she was sexually assaulted by an employee of the hotel booked by the company, according to the lawsuit filed last week.

The hotel has a history of sexual assault allegations, and the cruise line was liable to warn about and protect passengers from the hotel’s “dangerous conditions,” said the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

“We want to make people aware,” Alex Perez, the passenger’s attorney from the maritime and admiralty law firm Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., told USA TODAY. “These things happen in foreign ports. I know you’re on vacation but you have to be careful. This can help people make informed decisions.”

The passenger, named “Jane Doe” in the case, is a Missouri resident who went on a two-day cruise from West Palm Beach, Florida, to the Bahamas and back in August 2023. 

According to the complaint, Classica had arranged for the passenger to stay at the Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, located in Freeport in the Bahamas because the ship did not have cabins available for her.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Resources and laws: What to know if you're sexually assaulted on a cruise

The lawsuit states that the passenger left her room at night to get water when an employee forced her into the control room of the resort’s theatre, locked the door and raped her. 

This isn’t the first allegation of rape at the Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham. In 2016, a TripAdvisor user who went to the resort to get married wrote a review saying she was gang raped by staff when a security officer opened her door while her husband was out. The general manager had responded to the review by saying the resort takes “allegations of violence very seriously.” The investigation hit a dead-end when no evidence was found. 

Resort employees have a “practice” of encouraging alcohol to the guests “with a motive to sexually assault and/or rape them if they became vulnerable,” according to the complaint.

“Prior to the subject incident, (Classica and Wyndham) knew or should have known that the resort was not reasonably safe and/or employees at the Resort had a proclivity for sexual misconduct,” the lawsuit said. However, Classica neglected to warn the passenger or provide her with security during her stay there. 

Margaritaville at Sea and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment. 

Jane Doe is suing the resort for damages for the physical injuries and pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, “mental anguish,” “loss of enjoyment of life” and medical expenses among other things she experienced from the assault. 

The lawsuit will help “prevent any of this happening to anyone else,” Perez said. “That’s step No. 1. I’m not here to make the cruise lines look like the bad guy. I have a sister, a mother, there’s women in my life, and I don’t want anything like this to happen to someone.”

This is the latest in a string of sexual assault incidents involving Margaritaville at Sea Cruises. Last year, two women aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship said they were raped by a bartender who snuck into their room at night, ultimately impregnating one. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Third woman reports rape after sailing from Port of Palm Beach on Margaritaville cruise

The latest lawsuit against the south florida cruise line comes weeks after it settled with two other passengers who said they were raped aboard the bahama-bound ship..

WEST PALM BEACH — A third passenger who set sail from the Port of Palm Beach aboard a Jimmy Buffett-themed cruise said she was raped during a weekend trip to the Bahamas .

She sued Margaritaville at Sea Paradise in June, two weeks after the cruise line signed confidential settlement agreements with two other women who accused a bartender of sneaking into their room and raping them while they slept.

In the latest lawsuit, a Missouri woman said she was attacked in the seaside hotel on Grand Bahama island where Margaritaville arranged for passengers to stay during an overnight trip in August. The woman said that when she stepped out of her hotel room to get a glass of water, an employee forced her into the hotel's theater control room and raped her.

The woman's attorney, Luis Perez of Coral Gables, said the cruise line should have warned passengers about prior instances of sexual abuse at the Wyndham Viva Fortuna Beach on Grand Bahama island. Perez pointed to a 2016 review on TripAdvisor, in which a different woman said she was gang-raped by four hotel employees on her wedding night.

"Please do not stay here," the 1-star review concluded. "Protect your friends and family from this happening to them."

The lawsuit does not mention criminal charges stemming from either the plaintiff's report or the 2016 one. During a 2016 interview about the incident described in the TripAdvisor review, a general manager for the hotel told reporters that police found no evidence of rape.

Last month's lawsuit names the cruise's parent company, Classica Cruise Operator, as a defendant, along with three companies associated with the Wyndham Viva Fortuna Beach and the accused assailant, who has not yet been identified.

Two cabinmates sued Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Classica last year after they said a bartender plied them with alcohol, pocketed one of their room keys and later raped them while they slept. One of the women said she became pregnant and "was forced to terminate the pregnancy, from which she then suffered serious complications."

The bartender, Hoobesh Dookhy, admitted to having sex with one of the women but told investigators their encounter was consensual. Faced with the possibility of life in federal prison for sexual abuse, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge — forgoing his right to a trial by jury but cementing a deal with prosecutors to have the worst of the charges against him dropped.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon sentenced Dookhy to two years in prison in January. He is scheduled to be released before his 28th birthday. According to court records, he will remain on supervised release for five years and must register as a sex offender.

Attorneys for Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise declined to comment in the wake of the confidential settlements and did not respond to subsequent requests concerning the latest lawsuit.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at  [email protected] .