Margaritaville at Sea

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My Parrothead friend Dale asked a few months ago if I would be representing Margaritaville at Sea.

At the time, I said it seemed unlikely, because Cruise Planners had steered clear of its predecessor, Paradise Cruises, because that niche forte of 2-night cruises from West Palm Beach seems geared for Florida locals looking for a quick escape or perhaps someone vacationing in Florida gets ready to do something different while they're in the vicinity.

Margaritaville at Sea, with Jimmy Buffett-inspired graphics and updated decor, has generated renewed excitement for cruises on the rebranded Grand Classica, which I toured long ago when it was called Costa Classica and had an Italian flair.

It remains a casual ship with architecture of a prior generation when balconies were not yet in vogue, so most rooms are standard ocean view and interior, with a handful of suites that have balconies.  Most guests will opt for the large porthole of an ocean view room, even if they normally cruise in balconies on more modern cruise ships.  As the presenter at a recent seminar pointed out, there are no rock-climbing walls, roller coasters or other super-structure above the swimming pool deck to impede the sky views.

The brand aims to please Parrotheads like Dale with entertainment including a live production show written by Jimmy Buffett.

What caught the interest of Cruise Planners, however, is the new alternative cruise plus Grand Bahamas all-inclusive resort packages of 4- or 6-nights.

Basically, you cruise over to Grand Bahama, go to one of two all-inclusive beach resorts for two or four nights, and then cruise back, splitting the 2-night cruise in half.

Choose Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach or the more upscale Grand Lucayan Resort for an extended stay on Grand Bahama, and you get a free beverage package onboard your cruise each way.

While most dedicated cruisers will likely stay with a balcony room on their favorite line, if you want to go to an all-inclusive in the Caribbean/Bahamas, this is a very affordable, convenient way to go.

Group trips are also available for these affordable vacations.

How do you get to the cruise port?

There are no transfers available through Margaritaville at Sea from the West Palm Beach Airport, so you'd need to catch a cab, but Brightline Train will connect you from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to West Palm Beach for $22.

If this all-inclusive combo or just a very short cruise interests you, let me know.  

Wes