Margaritaville at Sea just announced a new $899 pass that allows for unlimited cruises for the rest of 2023, but is this a deal that’s actually worth it?
Many cruise lines have been announcing deals lately, like this cruise that lets you sail around the world for just $79 per day.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Margaritaville at Sea Unlimited Paradise Pass, and whether it’s a good value for travelers:
What Is Margaritaville At Sea?
Margaritaville at Sea is a cruise line currently operating one cruise ship, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which sails from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport, Bahamas.
This cruise line is unique because they only offer 3-day, 2-night sailings to the Bahamas.
If you’re looking for a longer cruise or to visit other destinations in the Caribbean, Margaritaville at Sea is not for you. But if you want a quick and fun tropical getaway, it can be a great choice.
As you can probably guess by the name, Margaritaville at Sea is themed to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand — but you don’t need to be a Jimmy Buffett fan to enjoy these cruises.
Although the demographic for Margaritaville at Sea skews older, cruisers of any age can enjoy a Bahamas getaway onboard the Paradise.
What Is The Margaritaville At Sea Unlimited Paradise Pass?
Margaritaville at Sea announced the Unlimited Paradise Pass this week, and it quickly made waves in the cruising world (pardon the pun.)
The pass is the first of its kind in the cruising world, and it offers pass holders unlimited cruises for the rest of 2023 for just $899.
You can take as many 3-day, 2-night voyages to the Bahamas as you want, and the pass includes your stateroom on the ship, standard food and beverages, and entertainment.
But what’s the catch? If this deal sounds too good to be true to you, you’re not alone.
Here’s what you need to know about the fine print regarding the Margaritaville at Sea unlimited pass.
Restrictions To the Unlimited Paradise Pass
The Margaritaville at Sea Unlimited Paradise Pass comes with a few restrictions.
First, it can only be used on non-consecutive sailings, so you can’t stay on the ship for a week doing multiple 3-day, 2-night sailings.
You also must book your cruise 24 to 72 hours in advance.
The price is based on double occupancy, so you’ll want to bring along a second person, or else you’ll have to pay a $159 single occupancy surcharge.
The pass does not include taxes, fees, and port expenses. These add up to $94.40 and must be paid for each cruise. Gratuities are also not included.
You cannot select your stateroom in advance, and you’ll be assigned an inside stateroom or ocean-view stateroom at the terminal.
Finally, there are several blackout dates for the rest of 2023 when the pass cannot be used: July 2, July 28, September 2, November 23, and December 31.
So Who Is This Pass Good For?
The Margaritaville at Sea Unlimited Paradise Pass is not for every traveler, but there are some situations where it might be a good deal for you.
If you live in the Palm Beach County, Florida area already, have a travel companion, and want to visit the Bahamas at least three times this year on a short getaway, then the Unlimited Paradise Pass could be a good value for you.
Since 3-day, 2-night Margaritaville cruises start at $169 per person (plus taxes, fees, port expenses, and gratuities), the Unlimited Paradise Pass pays for itself after about three cruises.
If you don’t live near the Port of Palm Beach, you’ll have to factor in transportation costs to get to the port, which can quickly add up and make this pass unaffordable.
Similarly, if you’re a single traveler and have to pay the $159 single supplement each time, this pass is probably not going to be a good value.
