Margaritaville at Sea inaugural sailing delayed 2 weeks
Jimmy Buffett fans hoping to get a taste of the island life the acclaimed musician so often sings about will have to wait a bit longer for their cheeseburger in paradise.
Buffett's latest foray into the cruise industry – Margaritaville at Sea – was scheduled to set sail on April 30 but, as a result of shipping delays, has been pushed back two weeks to May 14.
The sailing will take place on board the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica, a 30-year-old, 1,680-passenger ship that is being rebranded as the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.
Related: Bahamas cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
In fact, the Grand Classica's final sailing leaves the Port of Palm Beach in Florida on April 16 and returns April 18. That leaves less than two weeks to overhaul the ship and hit the original April 30 launch of Margaritaville at Sea. Even without delays, that's a tight turnaround.
COVID-19-era cruise ship delays are not unheard of, but most have been new-builds, not dry dock remodels. Oneil Khosa, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, said in a statement, "Due to global shipping delays and in an effort to ensure the very best onboard experience, we have made the decision to postpone our first passenger sailing until May 14." Khosa also apologized for the inconvenience caused to guests and thanked guests and Margaritaville at Seas's business partners for their patience.
The ship will receive the full Parrothead treatment, with a multimillion-dollar refurbishment including Margaritaville-themed bars, nautical-inspired cabin decor and the phrase "Where it's always 5 o'clock" emblazoned on the hull.
As a result of the delay, six sailings in early May were canceled. Affected guests were given the opportunity to cancel and receive a full refund or rebook on any future sailing and receive a complimentary cabin. Any money held on the original booking for the stateroom charge will be provided as an onboard credit.
Each trip on Margaritaville at Sea is a two-night, three-day "offshore resort experience" from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Pricing begins as low as $169 per person for an interior cabin (based on double occupancy) and includes all meals (excluding specialty dining), select nonalcoholic beverages, live entertainment and supervised kids programs. Shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and Wi-Fi require an additional fee.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville-themed businesses also include hotels, timeshares, all-inclusive resorts, bars and restaurants.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees