A cruise ship carrying the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett’s Island Spirit is now based in the Port of Tampa Bay.
The Margaritaville at Sea Islander will sail year-round from Tampa, beginning with its maiden voyage on Friday.
The 2,650-guest ship will offer four- and five-night cruises calling at Key West and Mexico, with six-night and limited edition seven-night cruises planned for 2025.
Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivey said adding Tampa to its homeport is an exciting moment.
“Since launching Sea Paradise’s first ship, Margaritaville, last year, we have been responding to our guests’ requests to expand with more spectacular views, longer itineraries and new ports of call,” Ivey said.
Sea Paradise’s Margaritaville currently sails from Palm Beach.
Choosing Tampa as the company’s next homeport was an easy decision, said Amanda Travaglini, the company’s chief marketing officer.
“We’ve started looking for a second port location and Tampa is just a great opportunity, it allows us to reach a lot of people in Central Florida,” Travaglini said. “I know what a great community it is and how much it’s grown, it has great amenities and we’re going to invite our guests to come and experience it.”
A Jimmy Buffett singing video plays on the pool deck at Landshark Lookout.
Impact on Tampa area businesses
Port of Tampa Bay officials welcomed the SeaIslander’s Margaritaville during an event for media and travel agents on Tuesday.
Wade Elliott, senior vice president of marketing and business development, said the new ship will have a positive impact on travelers as well as businesses in Tampa Bay.
“When these ships call at Tampa, it generates more than $360,000 per ship,” Elliott said. “It’s a huge boost for the area, the hotels, restaurants, bars and the airlines that carry them, so it really has an impact that goes beyond just the passengers.”
Elliott said cruises like SeaIslander’s Margaritaville could attract tourists and encourage them to return to Tampa.
“We’re finding that more and more people are coming to Tampa just to take a cruise, and then they get blown away by everything that’s going on here, and then they come back later and maybe just vacation,” Elliott said. “They’re visiting the parks, the beaches, spending time downtown, taking the trolley to Ebor and enjoying Tampa.”
The Port of Tampa Bay is home to eight ships from five different cruise lines.
Guests will be greeted on board with classic Jimmy Buffet-style flip flops.
How to respect service providers
The company is running a special campaign called “Heroes Sail Free, Heroes Sail First” for U.S. military personnel, both active duty and veterans, police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, nurses and teachers.
Travaglini said eligible guests will board the ship for free alongside paying guests and will enjoy priority boarding and a complimentary welcome drink.
“There are so many great teachers in this area, as well as a large active military and veteran population,” Travaglini said. “We wanted to celebrate the Tampa community as well, which is why we made the Islander launch so special.”
Elliott said the program is a great opportunity for service providers in the Tampa Bay area.
“It’s wonderful that they’re giving back and recognizing the heroes among us and giving them an opportunity to really give back and enjoy time with their families,” Elliott said. “I think (this) is really innovative and really sets the standard for how our most important service providers can be recognized.”
And for those who think of “Margaritaville” and think of drunk Jimmy Buffett fans, Travaglini said the cruise is aimed at all ages.
“People always ask me, ‘Is Margaritaville for adults?’ No, Margaritaville is about a state of mind,” Travaglini says. “It’s a lifestyle, it’s about a place you really want to go, a place you really want to have a great vacation.”
Elliott added that Sea Islander’s Margaritaville will be a great addition to the Tampa Bay area.
“This is truly an innovative and eye-catching brand for Tampa Bay, providing another key flavor of ice cream for people when they come to our ice cream stores for the holidays.”
Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” was honored as part of the Margarita at Sea Islander cruise’s combined mini-golf and cornhole activity course.
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