From a pickleball court to a piano bar: Vacation ship getting expensive makeover
The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship will be temporarily dry-docked this month, but for a long list of good reasons.
Margaritaville at Sea, which carries passengers from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, will undergo a variety of upgrades tied to feedback the company has gotten from its customers.
“We’ve been listening to our friends and fans and have invested in the kinds of new offerings passengers said will best enhance their sailing experience,” said Kevin Sheehan, Jr. President and CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. "The venues we’ve added and enhancements we’ve made are going to take our experience to the next level and will surprise and delight new guests and returning cruisers alike."
The ship will be in dry dock starting on May 21 and is scheduled to set sail again on June 2.
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Among the upgrades and new additions is a regulation size pickleball court that will be located on the ship's forward deck. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing recreational sports in the world and it is particular popular in Florida.
To celebrate the occasion, the cruise line has launched a Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) special, offering its three-day, two-night cruises from Palm Beach to Freeport for $169 per person. The second guest sails for free.
Here are the other Margaritaville at Sea changes/additions coming
Keys on the Water Dueling Piano Bar: This new venue will feature two piano players, nightly entertainment and craft cocktails.
Stars on the Water Production Shows: Two new theater shows, the Caribbean Heat and Radio Margaritaville: LIVE! At Sea.
Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar: It will be located at the 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar.
Other additions include: a fitness center, Jolly Mon Kid’s Club, Hemisphere Nightclub, Fins Dining and updated cabins.
Margaritaville at Sea is also expanding its onshore excursions in Grand Bahama to add the Ultimate Party Boat and Snorkeling Experience as well as Grand Bahama Cycling Adventure.
How it began: Sailing away again: Jimmy Buffett entertains guests on the new Margaritaville Paradise cruise
Six things to now about the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship
The Margaritaville Paradise embarked on its inaugural sail from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island on May 14, 2022.
The Paradise is the first cruise ship from the brand-new line, Margaritaville at Sea, a partnership with the owners of the former Bahamas Cruise Paradise Line and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.
It sails twice a week from the Port of Palm Beach.
The ship used to be called the Grand Classica.
The Paradise has 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins in various stateroom categories.
The ship’s cabins and common spaces feature Margaritaville’s signature casual-luxe design with subtle nautical details and colors influenced by the surrounding sea, sand and sky.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Margaritaville at Sea cruise ship to offer new experiences in June
