New Ship Preview: Margaritaville at Sea Expanding Fleet With Beachcomber

To mark its third anniversary, Margaritaville at Sea announced the acquisition of Costa Fortuna from Costa Cruises, representing Margaritaville's third vessel purchase in as many years.

The ship — now named Beachcomber — will become the largest in the cruise line's growing fleet when it begins operations under its new flag in early 2027. 

The Costa Fortuna, weighing more than 102,500 gross tons and capable of accommodating approximately 3,450 passengers, features more than 1,340 staterooms, 13 passenger decks, expansive outdoor spaces and an eight-story center atrium. The vessel will undergo a complete transformation to incorporate Margaritaville's island-inspired design aesthetic.

"Over the last three years we have been incredibly focused on building Margaritaville at Sea by delivering more of what our guests love — a uniquely laid-back island attitude with award-winning hospitality," said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. "With the acquisition of our third ship in three years, we are proud to once again invite guests to step into the Margaritaville state of mind on the open ocean."

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Since launching in May 2022 with the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, followed by the Margaritaville at Sea Islander in 2024, the cruise line has transported hundreds of thousands of passengers. The company has also received industry accolades including Cruise Critic's No. 1 Cruisers Choice Award and Newsweek's 2025 Best Ship for Families designation.

The vessel will continue operating as Costa Fortuna under Costa Cruises through late next year before transitioning to the Margaritaville fleet.

"Margaritaville at Sea has been on an exceptional trajectory since its launch only a few short years ago," said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville. "We're thrilled to once again expand the experience of our brand on the water and share the cruise line's signature experiences and amenities with even more guests."

Onboard Experiences

Altogether, Beachcomber will introduce 15 brand-new experiences exclusive to the ship, in addition to fan-favorite venues. These include the signature photo-op-ready Flip Flop Atrium, the world’s biggest 5 o'Clock Somewhere venue (complete with its own bar), the Hemisphere Dancer, a JWB Prime Steakhouse, a Cheeseburger in Paradise burger bar and the License to Chill pool deck.

5 o’Clock Somewhere will serve as a four-deck-tall “poolside playground” where guests can enjoy live music and tropical food and drinks. The Mexican Cutie Cantina taqueria will serve custom street-style tacos and rice bowls topped with fresh salsas, while the Daiquiri Shack will be an all-new option for grabbing a frozen beverage.

Meanwhile, the License to Chill pool deck will be home to the Six Strings Stage for live entertainment, as well as a waterslide, whirlpools and a sea-view bar. There will also be cushioned adults-only cabanas available to rent; these come with private ocean vistas and dedicated bar service.

"With Beachcomber, we wanted to create a design that captures the spirit of fun, warmth and relaxed adventure," said Martha Brabham, head of design at Margaritaville at Sea. "We drew inspiration from nostalgic beach scenes, vintage surf art and the carefree escapism that defines the brand. The result is a design that feels joyful and instantly familiar — one that builds on the award-winning aesthetic we introduced with Islander in 2024."

As part of the line’s appreciation of military service members, Beachcomber will also highlight Heroes Hall. The venue will be a walk-through gallery full of large-format photos and other memorabilia for guests to peruse, along with a gathering space for onboard programming.

Family-Friendly Activities

In addition to the fan-favorite Parrot Quest scavenger hunts and Family Discos coming to Beachcomber, the ship will introduce three youth facilities divided by age. Jolly Mon Kid’s Club will cater to ages 3-5 with ocean-themed aesthetics extending to an indoor pirate-ship playground — plus swings and a treehouse — and interactive activities to match. The creative and colorful Parakeet’s Kid’s Club will serve ages 6-9 with craft tables, reading nooks and character pop-ins, while guests of 10-12 years will have The Hangout Tween’s Club all to themselves, including a neon-accented musical lounge space, shared sofas and tables, gaming stations, classic ping pong and a nightclub atmosphere. Even without a dedicated venue, social outdoor zones and spaces for teens throughout the rest of the ship will offer programming such as socials, late-night gaming, other interactive challenges and group events.

All-ages venues will further extend to the Dis ’N Dat Activity Zone & Sports Court for families to engage in outdoor games and sports including basketball, mini-soccer and pickleball. The open-air Caribbean Amphibian Playground will be home to various climbing structures, play towers and other playful offerings for children. The Front Yard & Mini Golf area will add even more alfresco gaming and lounging, as well as mini golf play itself. Tropical Twist Waterslide will round out the amenities, descending upon the License to Chill pool deck with a vibrant and meandering body slide.

Original Production Shows

What’s more, Beachcomber will stage a trio of original production shows. “Friday Night Country” will take its cues from a live outdoor concert, playing hit country tunes, including opportunities to sing along while acrobatics further spice things up. “Red, White & Margaritaville,” by comparison, will be rock-focused, following the story of a small-town band seeking stardom, with live music framed by expansive stage effects and other illusions. And last but not least, “Club Fuego” will bring to life the Latin musical stylings of Miami, Puerto Rico and Havana, highlighting high-energy vocals and rhythmic dance.

“Live music and original entertainment have always been central to the Margaritaville at Sea experience and are one of the ways we create a vacation unlike any other,” said Karen Maybury, vice president of entertainment at the line. “With Beachcomber, we’re introducing three all-new productions that capture the energy, escapism and sense of fun that define our brand, while giving guests even more ways to immerse themselves in the experience from the moment they step onboard.”

Onboard Bar Options

Expanding on the core venues already mentioned will be eight unique watering holes.

“The bars onboard Beachcomber are designed to be social and approachable,” said Eric Neuwirth, vice president of food and beverage at Margaritaville at Sea. “Each venue has its own identity, while maintaining a consistent level of hospitality that encourages guests to linger, connect and return.”

To start, Cowboy in the Jungle will be an intimate, South American-inspired speakeasy operating on a first-come-first-served basis; guests can expect rum- and agave-based drinks here. Then Daiquiri Shack will be a poolside bar for frozen staples and custom cocktails, and the Polynesian Lounge will elevate the line’s already-present tiki vibes. The latter venue will also offer live music and other fun activities.

As their names imply, the LandShark Sports Bar will be the place to catch the big game across multiple big screens (with a beverage and snack in hand, of course), and the all-ages Lah De Dah Juice Bar will be nestled between the teens club and spa; clients can stop by here for blended juices, fresh smoothies and mocktails.

The Flip Flop Bar will be another musical spot at the center of the ship, set just below its shopping promenade. The Front Yard will serve the likes of spritz favorites and other aperitifs. Last but not least, Floridays will be a bonus restaurant and lounge specializing in Floridian coastal fare (think: seafood and tapas washed down with sangria and even more drinks).

Zac Brown's Same Boat Music Venue

Onboard entertainment will not conclude at 5 o’Clock Somewhere, nor the Six Strings Stage. Same Boat — a venue developed in collaboration with multi-platinum, three-time Grammy-winner Zac Brown — will be the ship’s central hub of nightlife. The signature spot will host live musical acts (befitting its talented namesake) and be yet another bar experience.

Spa, Fitness Center and Tattoo Parlor

Making up the line’s largest-ever wellness footprint will be the ship’s St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, Fins Up! Fitness Center and Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio.

Treatment rooms will better highlight the sea by including ocean vistas, in addition to offering signature services such as the “Lost Shaker of Salt Scrub” and other exclusives. Relaxation spaces and quiet areas will offer rest and relaxation before and after treatments.

Meanwhile, the fitness center will be the largest in the fleet in a similarly bright and open space complete with distinct yoga and studio rooms, in addition to a range of exercise equipment, high-energy classes and low-impact workouts.

Alternatively, the tattoo parlor will let guests get custom ink by onboard artisans. The offering can commemorate milestones, memories or simply the trip itself. In Maori style, the venue will be perfectly positioned next door to the aforementioned tiki bar.

Bridge Suites

Beachcomber will transform the guest experience with a pair of Bridge Wing Suites, the largest ever for the brand. As the name implies, they will be positioned directly above the ship’s navigation bridge on Deck 9 for unparalleled forward-facing views. In fact, guests will even be treated to a private tour of the bridge during their stay.

Each suite will be themed to either Jimmy Buffett’s "Captain and the Kid” or “Son of a Son of a Sailor” songs with enhanced residential-style finishes.

“These suites were designed to tell a story as much as offer a place to stay,” Brabham said. “From their elevated location above the bridge to design elements rooted in seafaring tales, every detail deepens the guest’s connection to life at sea. By offering only two Bridge Wing Suites, we’re creating an exclusive, distinctive experience within our portfolio.”

The new accommodations will be based on the line’s Grand Terrace Suite offerings, including suite-level amenities, expansive private terraces and indoor-outdoor living spaces, dedicated concierge service and priority embarkation and disembarkation, plus available alfresco breakfast and dinner.

Itineraries

Roundtrip itineraries from Miami are on sale now. Eastern Caribbean routes starting in 2027 will be four to eight nights in length and visit destinations such as Philipsburg, St, Maarten; St. Thomas, USVI; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Bimini, Bahamas; Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire; and Willemstad, Curacao.

Editor's Note: This article was originally generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Margaritaville at Sea. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor, and was updated with additional details on June 24, 2026.