Start with Margaritaville at Sea Islander if…
The more complete Margaritaville at Sea experience, supporting longer Western Caribbean routes.
- Florida drive-market cruisers
- Casual couples
- Short-getaway groups
Cruise ship comparison
Margaritaville at Sea Islander vs. Margaritaville at Sea Paradise
Two casual island getaways with different trip lengths and homeports.
The useful distinction
What changes between these ships?
Islander is the larger ship in this guide and supports longer Western Caribbean trips from Tampa, with a broader onboard lineup. Paradise is a more compact option built around short two- to five-night getaways from Palm Beach. The choice starts with departure port and available vacation time, then moves to the amount of onboard variety you expect.
Quick fit check
Which ship should you start with?
These are editorial fit notes, not a ranking. Use the side-by-side facts below to test the fit.
Start with Margaritaville at Sea Paradise if…
Best understood as a short two- to five-night escape rather than a modern mega-ship experience.
- Short getaways
- First-time cruisers
- Budget-conscious groups
Cruise Made Clear take
Different strengths—not a universal winner.
Use these sourced facts and clearly labeled fit notes to decide which tradeoffs suit your trip. See how we research →
Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea Islander
The more complete Margaritaville at Sea experience, supporting longer Western Caribbean routes.
Editorial fit notes
Florida drive-market cruisersCasual couplesShort-getaway groups
Read the full Margaritaville at Sea Islander guide →Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise
Best understood as a short two- to five-night escape rather than a modern mega-ship experience.
Editorial fit notes
Short getawaysFirst-time cruisersBudget-conscious groups
Read the full Margaritaville at Sea Paradise guide →Side by side
Ship basics
Capacity figures are approximate and cruise lines can publish different occupancy measures.
Overall feel
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
A 14-story tropical atrium, JWB Steakhouse and tropical entertainment shape the line’s larger ship.
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
A compact ship centered on casual bars, pool time and frequent Palm Beach departures.
Original build year
This is the vessel’s original build year, not necessarily the year it joined its current brand.
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
2000
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
1991
Class and scale
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Islander
Mid-large ship in this guide
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Paradise
Mid-size ship in this guide
Approximate guests
Treat these as orientation only; berth basis and published capacity definitions vary.
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
~2,100
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
~1,680
Guide highlights
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
- 14-story tropical atrium
- JWB Steakhouse
- Tropical shows
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
- 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar
- Short getaways
- Casual pool deck
Side by side
Dining
These are the choices currently documented in our guides, not a guaranteed complete venue count. Inclusion can change by fare, package, cabin category, meal period and sailing.
Dining approach
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Core dining and casual choices are included, with specialty restaurants and beverage packages available for an added cost.
Cruise-line-level context; confirm the exact ship and fare.BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Core dining and casual choices are included, with specialty restaurants and beverage packages available for an added cost.
Cruise-line-level context; confirm the exact ship and fare.Typically included
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show choices listed in this guide
- Fins Dining
- Port of Indecision Buffet
- Cheeseburger in Paradise
- Mexican Cutie Cantina
- Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria — standard items
- Select pool-deck snacks
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show choices listed in this guide
- Fins Dining
- Port of Indecision Buffet
- Cheeseburger in Paradise
- Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria — standard items
- Select pool-deck snacks
Usually extra or restricted
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show extra or restricted choices
- JWB Prime Steak & Seafood
- Far Side Sushi
- Island Eats specialty items
- Specialty coffee
- Room service and delivery charges
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show extra or restricted choices
- JWB Prime Steak & Seafood
- Specialty sushi or ship dining pop-ups
- Specialty coffee
- Room service and delivery charges
Side by side
Pools, activities and entertainment
Compare the actual spaces your group will use, not a made-up feature score.
Pools and water
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show pools and water features
- Main pool
- Adult pool or retreat area
- Whirlpools
- Family splash areas
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show pools and water features
- Main pool
- Whirlpools
- Family splash area
Activities
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show activities
- Mini golf
- Sports court
- Arcade
- Themed deck activities
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show activities
- Sports court
- Arcade
- Themed deck activities
Entertainment
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show entertainment
- Main theater shows
- Live music
- Comedy
- Deck parties
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show entertainment
- Main theater shows
- Live music
- Comedy
- Deck parties
Casino and smoking policy
Casino rules can vary by ship, region and sailing. Confirm before booking if smoke exposure matters.
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Conflicting published smoking policies
Margaritaville’s conduct policy limits smoking to designated outdoor decks, while its ticket contract also names designated casino and nightclub spaces. Confirm the current rule for your exact ship and sailing.
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Conflicting published smoking policies
Margaritaville’s conduct policy limits smoking to designated outdoor decks, while its ticket contract also names designated casino and nightclub spaces. Confirm the current rule for your exact ship and sailing.
Side by side
Families, adults and wellness
A ship can serve several audiences, but the amount and placement of dedicated space still change the feel.
Kids and teens
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show kids and teen spaces
- Parakeets Kids Club
- Teen programming
- Family activities
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show kids and teen spaces
- Parakeets Kids Club
- Teen and family activities
Adult spaces
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show adult spaces
- Bars and lounges
- Casino
- Spa
- Adult pool area
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show adult spaces
- Bars and lounges
- Casino
- Spa
Spa and wellness
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Show wellness choices
- St. Somewhere Spa
- Fitness center
- Salon services
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Show wellness choices
- St. Somewhere Spa
- Fitness center
- Salon services
Side by side
Cabins and accessibility planning
These are cruise-line-level planning notes. Request exact accommodations before sailing.
Cabin approach
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
A straightforward mix of interior, ocean-view, balcony and suite categories varies by ship.
Line-level guidance; categories and layouts vary by ship.BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
A straightforward mix of interior, ocean-view, balcony and suite categories varies by ship.
Line-level guidance; categories and layouts vary by ship.Accessibility planning
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Contact Margaritaville at Sea directly to confirm accessible-room inventory and assistance for a specific sailing.
Confirm needs and availability directly with the cruise line.BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Contact Margaritaville at Sea directly to confirm accessible-room inventory and assistance for a specific sailing.
Confirm needs and availability directly with the cruise line.Worth knowing
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
These are smaller, older vessels than the newest resort ships, with a more limited range of venues and attractions.
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
These are smaller, older vessels than the newest resort ships, with a more limited range of venues and attractions.
Side by side
Homeports and representative itineraries
These examples are not a live schedule, price or availability search.
Homeport snapshot
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Tampa
Representative finder snapshot; deployments change.BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Palm Beach
Representative finder snapshot; deployments change.Itinerary examples
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
- 4-night Mexico
- 5-night Mexico
- 6–7 night Western Caribbean
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
- 2–3 night Bahamas getaways
- 4–5 night Bahamas, Key West and Grand Turk routes
Side by side
Sources and freshness
The month below records when the linked core ship page was reviewed. Dining inclusions, policies and deployments can change independently.
Official ship source
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Casino policy source
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
Open the official casino or smoking policy ↗
Open the additional official policy ↗
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
Open the official casino or smoking policy ↗
Open the additional official policy ↗
Core ship page reviewed
AMargaritaville at Sea Islander
July 2026
BMargaritaville at Sea Paradise
July 2026
Keep deciding
Check the actual sailing before you book.
Open both full ship guides, then confirm the exact date, route, fare inclusions, cabin and current policies with the cruise line.