Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber to Homeport in Miami

Published on Sep 23, 2025, 7:56 pm CDT

6 min read

Margaritaville at Sea will base its newest flagship, Beachcomber, at PortMiami beginning in 2027, opening a slate of four to eight night cruises across the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Bookings are now available, with a port list that includes St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Plata, Bimini, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. At more than 100,000 gross tons and room for about 3,450 guests, Beachcomber becomes the largest ship in the brand's three vessel fleet, adding longer sailings and expanded onboard options to the lineup.

Key Points

Why it matters: Miami deployment expands Margaritaville at Sea into weeklong Caribbean cruising.
Travel impact: New four to eight night options include St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan, and the ABC islands.
What's next: Ship debuts in early 2027 with more than 15 new venues and upgraded staterooms.
Fleet context: Paradise remains in Palm Beach, Islander continues from Tampa with longer runs.
Miami trend: More big-ship capacity concentrates at PortMiami through 2027.

Snapshot

Beachcomber's Miami move gives the lifestyle brand a true weeklong product out of the Cruise Capital. The 102,500 gross ton ship adds predominantly seven night itineraries, plus select four, five, six, and eight night options. Early route maps feature Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, USVI, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Bimini, Bahamas, and Southern Caribbean calls at Oranjestad, Aruba, Kralendijk, Bonaire, and Willemstad, Curaçao. Onboard, Margaritaville says travelers can expect more than 15 new or reimagined venues, expanded dining, refreshed rooms, and familiar brand staples like live music and the St. Somewhere spa. The deployment complements shorter Bahamas trips on Paradise from Palm Beach and Islander's four to 10 night Western Caribbean runs from Tampa.

Background

Margaritaville at Sea has grown from a one ship, short break product into a three ship brand serving three Florida homeports. Paradise continues two to four night Bahamas and Key West escapes from the Port of Palm Beach. Islander, introduced in 2024, operates from Port Tampa Bay on four and five night loops, with new eight and 10 night sailings starting in 2026. Beachcomber, the former Costa Fortuna, brings larger scale and longer cruises to the portfolio as the line steps into PortMiami. Executives frame the Miami base as the "next chapter," citing broader accessibility and a wider mix of destinations for loyal guests and first timers. For Miami, the move adds another marquee name to a crowded roster and underscores the port's pull for brands seeking stable airlift, efficient terminals, and year round Caribbean demand. For more on the ship reveal, see Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber: Fleet's Biggest Ship Revealed.

Latest Developments

Bookings open for Miami-based Beachcomber itineraries

Margaritaville at Sea opened reservations on September 23, 2025 for Beachcomber's 2027 schedule, positioning the ship year round in Miami. The line highlights Eastern and Southern Caribbean routes that are new to its network, adding variety beyond the brand's Bahamas and Western Caribbean staples. Leadership says the Miami homeport gives travelers more time at sea, more islands to choose from, and the convenience of sailing from one of the world's busiest cruise gateways. The program is expected to lean into seven night trips, with targeted shorter and longer departures to fill shoulder weeks and holiday peaks. The company also points to expanded trade support as it courts advisors selling multi-generation vacations and value-minded travelers who want a laid back vibe without giving up itinerary depth.

Largest Margaritaville ship broadens destination mix

At about 102,500 gross tons and a capacity near 3,450 guests, Beachcomber becomes the fleet's largest ship, enabling longer runs and a wider circle of ports. The announced lineup includes Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, USVI, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Bimini, Bahamas, and the ABC islands. Onboard, the ship introduces more than 15 new venues alongside upgraded dining and accommodations. The brand signals that Beachcomber will balance sea days with culturally rich calls, a shift from its short break origins. Miami's strong airlift and easy pre- and post-stay options support the longer format, while terminal operations at PortMiami should streamline turnarounds. The move also fits a broader Miami capacity pivot as other lines add beds, noted in MSC Meraviglia Shifts From NYC to Miami for 2026 and 2027 Season.

Analysis

Basing Beachcomber in Miami formalizes Margaritaville at Sea's transition from novelty short breaks to an all-around Caribbean player. The brand's lifestyle positioning resonates on two to four night trips, but weeklong itineraries demand a deeper destination bench and more onboard variety. With 3,450 berths, Beachcomber gives the company room to scale entertainment, dining, and family programming without losing the casual tone that defines the product. The announced port mix is smart, pairing reliable crowd-pleasers like St. Thomas and San Juan with the ABC islands, which test well with divers, beach fans, and winter sun seekers.

From a commercial standpoint, Miami simplifies air and hotel planning for national customers and supports strong shoulder-season pricing. It also places the brand in direct comparison with mainstream rivals on similar seven night tracks. That competition will pressure Margaritaville to sharpen inclusions, dining variety, and kids' offerings. Expect pricing to open value-forward, then firm as brand recognition grows and as the new hardware proves its earning power. Travel advisors should watch for resident rates, Florida drive-market promos, and trade bundle offers to seed early sailings.

For PortMiami, the deployment expands the mix of themed experiences and adds mid-size capacity that can flex between Eastern and Southern circuits. If the line sustains year round load factors, Beachcomber could unlock additional Miami-based products later in the decade, including mixed length rotations and limited Western Caribbean samplers. The takeaway for travelers is simple. Miami will offer more ways to cruise the Caribbean, and Margaritaville at Sea now competes meaningfully in the seven night arena.

Final Thoughts

Beachcomber's Miami plan signals a confident step for a young brand that is learning quickly from its Florida base. The destination list covers classic beaches and culture heavy calls, while the larger platform adds the venues and breathing room weeklong guests expect. With bookings open and a 2027 start, travelers and advisors can plan well ahead, compare value across brands, and watch for introductory offers. If execution matches the promise, Miami gains another signature option for sun-seeking families and friend groups who want a relaxed, music-forward vibe at sea. That is a win for the port, for the market, and for the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber.