Adventures with Ariel

If you’re looking for a quick and easy getaway that offers tropical vibes, great food, and relaxation, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is a fantastic option. Jeff and I took a two-day cruise from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport, Bahamas, and we had an amazing time filled with great dining, beach adventures, and unforgettable experiences.

Getting There

Our adventure started early Wednesday morning in Mount Pleasant, as we made our way to O’Hare Airport for our flight to West Palm Beach, Florida. We always fly United, and this time was no exception—the flight was smooth and on time. Once we landed at Palm Beach International Airport, we breezed through the terminal with no delays. The airport is efficient, small, and not crowded, making for a stress-free arrival.

From there, we grabbed an Uber and headed straight to the Port of Palm Beach, where the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was docked. The boarding process was seamless—we got inside within minutes, checked in through the Faster to Chill line in just 10 minutes, and then made our way to the VIP lounge. After a short wait, we were among the first to board.

First Impressions & Exploring the Ship

Once onboard, we kicked things off with a couple of drinks and set out to explore the ship. First stop? Lunch at the buffet. While the buffet isn’t huge, it had a good variety for the ship’s size. We enjoyed pizza, desserts, and some light snacks before heading to our room to unpack.

At 2:30 PM, we attended a wine tasting where we got to sample four different wines for just $16 each. Our sommelier was fantastic, walking us through the flavors of two whites and two reds. This was also when we met the cruise director, Anna Banana, who was an absolute blast—her energy really set the tone for the rest of the trip!

We also booked dinner at JWB Prime Steakhouse for 6 PM, where we scored 50% off bottles of wine for dining on the first night.

Dinner & Nighttime Fun

Dinner at JWB Prime Steakhouse was worth every penny ($58 per person). We started with French onion soup and steak tartare, followed by Ribeye for Jeff and Lamb Chops for me—both were phenomenal! We had a window seat and met some great people, which made for a fun and relaxed dining experience.

After dinner, Jeff grabbed a cigar and we enjoyed some wine on the smoking deck by the pool. We checked out some of the ship’s entertainment, including two fantastic shows:

Caribbean Heat – An acrobatic, dancing, and singing show inspired by Key West and Mexico.

Radio Margaritaville – A musical tribute to the Margaritaville lifestyle.

Though we wanted to check out the nightclub, it didn’t open until 11:00 PM, and after a long day of travel, we decided to call it a night.

Day Two: Freeport, Bahamas

The next morning, we grabbed a quick omelet at the Cheeseburger in Paradise bar before heading off the ship. For the first time, we didn’t have a set itinerary and decided to wing it—and it worked out great!

We rented a car at the port for $85 with a $100 refundable deposit and hit the road.

Exploring Freeport

1. Lucaya Market – We did some shopping but quickly realized that the Straw Market vendors were quite pushy. Unfortunately, the aggressive sales tactics made the experience less enjoyable, so we decided to avoid Straw Markets in the future.

2. Taino Beach – This was the highlight of the day! The white sand, turquoise water, and perfect breeze made for a stunning beach day. Chair rentals were available ($12.50 for a lounge chair, $15 for cushions, $25 for an umbrella, and $5 for towels), but if you bring your own towels, you can relax for free. We also checked out Pirate’s Cove, which offers ziplining, snorkeling, and jet skiing.

3. The Stoned Crab (First Visit) – Our first stop at The Stoned Crab was for a quick bite and drinks. We tried the Cracked Lobster, which was absolutely delicious! The pepper panko crust gave each bite an amazing crunch and flavor. For drinks, I had the Miami Vice (with white rum) and Jeff had the Rosemary Greyhound (rosemary-infused vodka, super refreshing!).

4. Churchill Beach & Fortune Beach – Fortune Beach wasn’t great for lounging, but Churchill Beach was really cool. Banana Bay restaurant is located here, and the low tide created sandbars, so we could walk far into the ocean. Jeff tried the local Sands beer, which he really liked.

5. The Stoned Crab (Second Visit) – We loved our first meal so much that we came back for lunch later in the day. This time, we shared the grilled Grouper fillet, which was perfectly cooked and served with roasted veggies and mac n’ cheese—another fantastic meal. We also met the owner, who was incredibly welcoming. Jeff tried the beer flight, and I enjoyed another Rosemary Greyhound.

6. Pier One Restaurant – Before returning to the ship, we stopped here for a sushi dinner and drinks. The best part? Feeding sharks right off the deck! For $12, you can buy a bucket of chicken to toss to the sharks. We saw one large shark, a medium one, and three baby sharks—such an amazing experience!

Final Night on the Ship

Once back onboard, we relaxed on the top deck before showering and heading to dinner at Fins. We started with chicken tortilla soup, gumbo, and ahi tuna, followed by Shrimp Pasta for Jeff and Pineapple Chicken for me—another great meal!

We spent some time in the casino, played Blackjack, and enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere. Unlike most cruise casinos, this one wasn’t smoky or overly crowded.

To wrap up the night, we ordered a pizza from Lola’s for room service (took about 40 minutes to arrive), and it was delicious!

Departure & Final Thoughts

The next morning, we had breakfast at the buffet outside at the Cheeseburger Bar while watching the ship dock. By 8 AM, we had to vacate our rooms so they could prepare for the next round of passengers. Our room steward, Paul, was fantastic, and thanks to him, I received a free cruise certificate after completing a survey!

A few other amazing crew members included:

Maria at the Euphoria Bar – She remembered our drink orders and made the best Espresso Martini.

Anna Banana – A phenomenal cruise director who kept everyone entertained and engaged.

By 8:30 AM, we were off the ship, grabbed an Uber to PBI Airport, and flew home to O’Hare before heading back to Mount Pleasant—where our kids and dogs were excited to see us after just two days!

Would I Cruise Margaritaville at Sea Again?

Absolutely! The ship has new upgrades, the rooms are spacious, the food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. We had such a great time that we’ve already booked two more Margaritaville at Sea cruises for the next two months!

If you’re looking for a quick and affordable getaway, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is definitely worth checking out!