If you’ve spent any time browsing the quirky corners of the cruise world lately, you’ve probably stumbled across Margaritaville at Sea. It’s a fun, kitschy cruise line inspired by the late Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back, tropical lifestyle. Flip-flops, cheeseburgers in paradise, and island escapism are the name of the game. The brand has carved out a very specific niche in the U.S. short-cruise market. Ahem: cheap, cheerful, boozey.

But here’s the big question for us cruise lovers based in Europe/the UK: Could Margaritaville at Sea ever come to Europe?

What is Margaritaville at Sea, anyway?

Margaritaville at Sea operates two ships: the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise (formerly Grand Classica), which sails 2-night cruises between Palm Beach, Florida, and Freeport, Grand Bahama; and the Margaritaville at Sea Islander (formerly Costa Atlantica), which began service on 14 June 2024 from Tampa, Florida, offering longer Caribbean itineraries. The cruise line is part of the broader Margaritaville lifestyle brand — known for its themed resorts, restaurants, and merchandise — all catering to Jimmy Buffett fans and anyone chasing that carefree, toes-in-the-sand vibe.

It’s not luxury, and it’s not trying to be. It’s all about fun, affordability, and sun-drenched escapism. And yes, it’s essentially a booze cruise.

Costa ships moving to Margaritaville at Sea

In 2025, the brand announced the acquisition of Costa Fortuna, a 102,500‑GT ship originally built for Costa Cruises, with plans to refurbish and relaunch it under the Margaritaville brand by late 2026. This marks the third former Costa ship to find a second life outside the brand.

Is there a market for it in Europe?

That depends. While the Margaritaville brand is a household name in the U.S., it’s not nearly as well-known across Europe. That said, themed cruising is on the rise here – think MSC Cruises with it’s 2/3 nighters from Southampton to Bruges.

A Margaritaville at Sea experience in Europe could appeal to:

• Brits and Northern Europeans seeking short breaks in the Med
• Fans of themed experiences and novelty travel
• Americans cruising Europe who are already familiar with the brand

But without that core Jimmy Buffett fandom, the line would have to market itself more as a “fun, casual, all-inclusive mini cruise” rather than leaning too hard on the Margaritaville branding.

Where could they go?

If Margaritaville at Sea ever made the leap across the Atlantic, there are a few ports that could suit their model:

• Barcelona – Easy airlift, sunshine, and a popular starting point for Mediterranean getaways.
• Palma de Mallorca – Already a resort destination with a party vibe.
• Southampton – For seasonal presence aimed at Brits.
• Greek Islands – Think Mykonos or Santorini, with island-hopping short cruises out of Athens.

Even something like a 2- or 3-night round-trip cruise from Malaga to the Canary Islands or Morocco could give off the tropical vibes they’re known for.

Realistically… will they come?

Right now, Margaritaville at Sea seems focused on keeping costs low and tapping into the U.S. weekend getaway crowd. Expanding to Europe would mean scaling up, buying or chartering new ships, and navigating a far more seasonal cruise market.

However, cruise trends are shifting. Mini-cruises are gaining popularity, and travellers are increasingly seeking themed experiences over traditional formats. If Margaritaville sees success in the U.S. and wants to grow internationally, Europe could be an exciting next step – especially in summer.

That said, I wouldn’t expect to see a Parrothead Pool Party pulling into Dubrovnik any time soon. But hey, stranger things have happened. After all, who would’ve guessed we’d one day see Virgin Voyages sailing the Greek Isles?

Would you book a Margaritaville cruise if it came to Europe? Or do you think the concept only works in Florida’s sunshine?