Margaritaville at Sea just turned three, and it’s celebrating in a big way—by adding a third ship to its growing fleet. The cruise line has announced the purchase of Costa Fortuna, a 102,500-gross-ton vessel currently operated by Costa Cruises, marking its biggest ship acquisition to date. The ship will continue sailing under Costa through late 2025 before being transformed with Margaritaville’s signature island flair.
The move follows the successful launches of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Margaritaville at Sea Islander, which introduced a new kind of cruise experience built around the laid-back lifestyle inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s music and brand. Now, with Costa Fortuna, the cruise line is scaling up in size—and possibly scope.
Meet the Future Margaritaville at Sea Ship: Costa Fortuna
Originally launched by Costa Cruises, Costa Fortuna is a Destiny-class ship built in 2003 and previously refurbished in 2018.
It’s larger than either of Margaritaville’s two current ships, boasting:
- Gross Tonnage: 102,587
- Passenger Capacity: Approx. 3,470
- Staterooms: 1,358
- Passenger Decks: 13
- Features: An eight-story central atrium, expansive pools, lounges, and large outdoor areas
- 464 Balcony Cabins, 9 Swimming pools and hot tubs, 5 Restaurants and snack bars, 10 Bars and Lounges
Though the exact plans for the ship’s transformation haven’t been released, Margaritaville at Sea has promised a full reimagining, infusing the ship with its signature tropical vibe, laid-back atmosphere, and beachy design sensibilities.
The ship is expected to begin sailing under the Margaritaville brand from a new homeport in 2026.
The Existing Fleet
Margaritaville at Sea might still be a young cruise line, but it has quickly carved out a niche in the industry. Here’s a look at the two ships already making waves:
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise
- Launched: May 2022
- Homeport: Palm Beach, Florida
- Former Identity: Grand Classica (Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line)
- Capacity: ~1,600 passengers
- Highlights: Short 2-night cruises to Grand Bahama Island, plus the “Cruise & Stay” program for longer stays
This was the brand’s first ship and brought Margaritaville to sea with themed dining, entertainment, and décor. It offers quick getaways that are big on island vibes and often appeal to first-time cruisers or weekend escapees.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander
- Launched: 2024
- Homeport: Tampa, Florida
- Former Identity: Costa Atlantica
- Capacity: ~2,100 passengers
- Highlights: Longer itineraries and more onboard amenities
With the launch of Islander, the brand stepped up its game, offering more extensive routes and upgraded onboard experiences while still keeping the casual, escapist feel at its core.
With three ships in just three years, Margaritaville at Sea is clearly gaining momentum. The addition of Costa Fortuna suggests the cruise line is ready to play in the big leagues—bringing its distinctive style to larger ships and possibly longer, more varied itineraries.
If Islander was about refining the experience, Costa Fortuna could be about broadening it—bringing more space, more guests, and potentially new onboard concepts to the table.
As of now, there’s no word yet on the ship’s new name, itineraries, or which port it will call home, but fans of the brand can expect more details in the months ahead.
Margaritaville at Sea isn’t the only cruise line expanding its footprint with help from Costa Cruises. Carnival Cruise Line has also tapped into the Costa fleet for its own growth strategy. Through its “Costa by Carnival” initiative, the company has welcomed two Costa-built ships—Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze—into its lineup.
Now sailing as Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze, these ships were extensively refitted to blend Carnival’s signature “Fun Ship” vibe with the Italian design elements of their Costa origins.
