CHECK OUT OUR OFFICAL CHANNEL SPONSOR TOURINGPLANS FOR ALL OF YOUR VACATION BOOKING NEEDS HERE! touringplans.com/Shiplife JOIN MY PATREON HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN FREE VACATIONS, EARLY VIDEO ACCESS AND RECEIVE MANY MORE PERKS & BONUSES patreon.com/user?u=80014845&Link&
I love that YOU bring the party on every cruise ship u go on u always start dancing and entertaining those around you I hope to see you and your gf lauren someday when me and my husband are on board.
As a Bahamian, we use this cruise line, as well as the previously mentioned, as a way to travel back and forth from home to the states and carry our personal cargo back. Tourists tend to have high exceptions but this is our alternative to flying.
I have heard nothing but terrible things about this ship however I must say this. This cruise line has done something so admirable and honorable by having the Hero’s program. They literally give free cruises to first responders and active military service members and retirees. No other cruise line does this which is a shame, especially the cruise lines who make billions. I am a service member and that kind gesture of appreciation speaks volumes. 🇺🇸
I’m a teacher. I sailed on the Heroes Sail Free program. My girlfriend and I had a great time. Including parking the total cost for 2 people for this 3 day cruise was around $300. This is less than staying one night in a hotel in Miami without food.
Hmm🤔 We never got anything down to $300. With the taxes and fees, ours repeatedly went to $449. Add in airfare and pray you don't need insurance and that pushed it to $800 for 2 ppl. Technically not horrible but the rooms don't even have a window. I guess it depends on what you're looking for.
I took my gf on the Bahamas paradise cruise, it was her very first cruise so she didn’t hate it.. the next year I took her on the carnival Mardi Gras and she yelled at me for taking her on the Bahamas paradise lol I always tell new cruises to start on smaller ships and smaller sailings and work your way up. Nice video. Thank u
My 1st cruise was about 6 years ago on the Carnival Sensation. I also agree to start with the smaller ships and with your way up. I did the Booze cruise with Carnival going to Ensenada on the Carnival imagination. They were both fun and more of an intimate sailing. I went on the Oasis of the seas last year and by comparison it was MASSIVE! I loved it. My next sailing is on the Celebration in February. This will be my 7th cruise.
We started with the largest cruise ship in the world at the time back in 2006 (Mariner). Have only done large ships ever since (Oasis, Freedom, and Harmony). Doing the Wonder of the Seas in 2024.
I have not cruised on this ship as a passengers, but I worked on it on 1995 when it was the Costa Classica. I met my husband there and for us that was the biggest ship at that time. I also posted a video on my channel with my tour. It was emotional to tour the ship and remember the 15 months I spent there as a crew member.❤
I have found that anything associated with the name Margaritaville is "cheesy."I do want to say that it is nice to see people having fun and the fact that they give a free cruise for First Responders is wonderful.They deserve it!
“The sail away party was as good as it could be. I danced a little bit….” Meanwhile, you’re flicking it up with the mascot, and doing flips and breakdancing like you were having a ball 😂
If it is medical, I hope you are able to find a way through that. There are only a couple of medical conditions I'm aware of that are absolutely no-go for cruising. Dialysis is something which is usually a no-go for cruising. Any major medical condition which requires checking in with a doctor or clinic every couple of days for a treatment will also make cruising impossible. But I wish you the best and hope you can cruise some day.
@@caitlin3674 Thank you so much. We are saving for a spring adventure after all the snow and I'm so excited. He loves traveling and I do also. Thank you. Best wishes to you and yours also.
@@xro1983 no! Give it a try! Right now the cruise lines are offering amazing deals because they are still ramping back up from the pandemic-esp. if you book a few months in advance. Try a 4-day cruise out of Miami for starters.
I've gotta say, we had a blast. Obviously it lacks some stuff that other bigger ships have. However the cruise was really fun. I've been on a bunch of cruises so I'm not a noob. The staff was really nice. The entertainment was pretty good. They could use some help with embarkation and debarkation but all in all it was a good time!
I say, if you consider it simply being transportation (like a fancier ferry ride) to the Bahamas as an example, then you can really enjoy it. Other cruise ships are like a hotel on the water and a vacation in itself before even leaving the ship to an island dock. If I lived in Florida, I was use this to get to the Bahamas every month! 😁
I have gone to many cruises and this cruise wasn’t too bad I enjoyed it! I liked the buffet as well. I went in November for my birthday. It’s a nice little getaway and the two for one special is a good deal .
Great review! I went on this cruise when it was the Bahamas Paradise with a group of my cousins and noticed all of the downsides you mentioned. But, we just wanted a quick getaway since we live in the general area and some of us had different budgets. I’ve been on nicer ships before, but I also really had a blast on this one because of the fun group of family I was with. So, I guess if you’re with really good company it can make the basic-ness of the cruise much more enjoyable. We got lit and turned the almost empty nightclub into our own private party 🥂 💃🏽
Thanks for the review. To avoid your debit card getting declined while traveling you should get a travel rewards credit card. Capital One Venture and Chase Sapphire are good ones. Since you travel so much you will probably rack up rewards points very quickly and can use your rewards to travel at a discount or even for free.
It wasn't a bad cruise for 2 nights. It definitely isn't for everyone, but we had a decent time on our recent trip. You just have to go in with lower expectations.
Just went on this cruise as a first responder get away. I always said I didn't want to ever do a cruise. However since it was a quick return I figured if I hated it. It wouldn't last that long. The ship was ok. But being on the beach jet skiing was definitely worth going. It made all the difference.
I’m going on this next December for the first responder deal. $88 to get away and decompress I’ll try anything once. I am going with 2 other ladies and we’re all in healthcare. How were the drinks? We’re not expecting much but, a weekend of drinking lol for a free trip.
@Sherrelle Germain I don't personally drink, however my fiance said she thought they were strong at 1st. But then quickkly realized that they put the alcohol in at the end so it sits on top. I'd suggest when they go to the beach you get off the ship. I think it's like 50$ but it's worth it to get off. They upsell for almost everything too
@Lovee Lexx if you don't book before you go. You can book when you first get to the ship while waiting or u can do it right before they go ashore. It's pretty pricy tho.
Those $1.00 and $2.00 charges to your credit card are pre-authorizations to make sure your credit card is legit. The problem might be, if they kept doing it throughout the cruise it could also trigger a fraud alert with your bank. Fraudsters will make small charges to a cloned or hacked account to see if the card is good. I am just guessing that the cruise lines practices might be triggering fraud alerts since it happened to so many passengers. Just a thought.
You could have taken the Brightline train from Miami to West Palm Beach. If you buy a premium ticket (~$52) you get free transfers up to 5 miles from the station plus free drinks and snacks. Or for a regular ticket (~$22) you can still use the Port of Miami shuttle to the station, but you would have to get an Uber to the Port of Palm Beach from the West Palm station (~$14)
My husband and I just got back from a a long Christmas whirlwind trip which included cruising on the Margaritaville. While we have been on RC as well as Celebrity (by far our favorite) we actually enjoyed this cruise. The staff were beyond friendly, the food was better, in my honest opinion, than the food we had on Allure of the Seas in July. We were also happy to spend time and money in GB. Our little island was hit by hurricane Dorian after it devastated Grand Bahama and the Abacos and Supporting their community was definitely worth it. We also didn’t mind the room and slept quite comfortably. I’ve yet to meet a ship that compares to Celebrity but this one wasn’t the worst one I’ve ever been on. I agree it’s a starter cruise and I also appreciate the Hero’s sail for free they are offering. My husband is a teacher so he sailed for free and we met several nurses as well as military personnel who were also thankful for the getaway. I love your channel and I’m sorry we missed you onboard.
It's interesting to see but I really wouldn't recommend this Margaritaville thing. He did it for research purposes ... There are better deals out there, on normal cruise lines.
@@talkswithtara7109 The best way to start is to figure out if there's a specific place you want to see vs a specific ship (or company) you want to take. (eg: "I want to go to Aruba" vs "I want to travel on Wonder of the Sea" (Royal Caribbean's newest/biggest ship); if you have no major preference, then I recommend keeping an eye on sales and deals - if you're traveling alone keep in mind that not all cruise lines/ships offer studio rooms so you may wind up paying for 2 tickets since most operate under the assumption that it's two people per room (most people take friends/family to avoid that issue)
We had a great time on the Paradise. It WAS our first cruise, and chose it to see if we wanted to do more. My wife and I are in your review several times, and we saw you filming going up the staircase. Small world.
I got this cruise for free through a heroes program, and I agree with everything you stated. I had just gotten off the NCL EPIC on a Mediterranean trip. This ship is definitely a starter and no offense, it's also for lower budget and not the frequent traveler. Luckily for us, my wife decided to add a "license to chill" package that gave us a bottle of champagne, wine tasting, express embarkation and unbarkation. We also bought a drink package. The closet would open and close on its own when the boat was rocking while we were trying to sleep. The bartenders were not as enthusiastic as on previous ships I've been on, as if they knew they were dealing with a low budget crowd that may bot tip well. I will say, that when we got to the Bahamas, we jumped in a van for $40 and got a great tour of the island, had some local potato bread, fresh conk, and a distillery tour. The driver went by "uncle". As you said, you get what u pay for. There really isn't much to do on that boat, especially since it's such a shirt trip. I will say, having express checkout made it a breeze getting off, cause like u stated, there were ppl pissed trying to get off. I don't regret cruising with them but I will definitely not be doing it again.
I’ve been on every major cruise line, I went on the Margaritaville cruise it’s low expectations because I knew it would be different, all and all it wasn’t TERRIBLE. You cannot go on it expecting the world, it’s a small ship, not much entertainment but it’s a cheap get away. It’s great especially if you live in FL, GA, AL and don’t have to travel far.
Gf and i were on it this past weekend. We are avid carnival patrons so cruising is not new to us. We had the worst experience on this ship than any other ship. Mainly the rooms we had. We booked a interior queen and ended up with a small interior bunk bed room. We got that changed the first day. The second room had 0 AC. nothing was getting it to turn on after contacting the front desk multiple times. The room got too hot to sleep, i would guess in the high 80s/90s. Got to change again. The last room was in a hallway that smelt like sewage or something foul. that was better than previous rooms so we handled it. Other things wernt great like the food and things to do, but that is not their fault. We wont be going on this cruise again. Thanks for coming to my ted talk
I am a Carnival cruiser, also, and even one of their smaller, older ships they are better than this ship looks and is described! I am going on the Vista for about the third time, in April.
All of this is spot on. Will never go on this cruise again. My room had the same foul sewage smell in the bathroom. I kept having to tell myself it's only a day and a half just to get thru it.
Finally an honest review! I said I can't be the only one. There's definitely something that isn't going to sit well with people who have allergies to musty areas that's for sure. We'll say that and keep it nice.
Really appreciate this as my cousin and I had talked about taking one of the short cruises. She lives in St. Pete and it was something we could do for a couple of days while I was down there. Like the pros and cons.
To be honest, I'd do a short cruise with Carnival before I'd do this one. You'll get a lot of the party vibes, but on a larger and better equipped ship. And bang for the buck, you can't beat some of Carnival's pricing for their short cruises.
Not gonna lie as someone that went in June it was a great trip if you live in Florida and are on a budget this cruise is great for what it is and the all inclusive resort was amazing definitely good to get away from the rat race in the states
Just letting you guys know you can also take this ship One-Way either to West Palm Beach or Freeport. Right now (or at least when we went in November) for two people in the ocean view room it was about $330 plus $12 each for fuel. So for around the cost of a plane ticket (at least when I went) you can go to the Bahamas or to West Palm Beach in possibly a more relaxing way than a flight. God bless everyone.
@@jimroscovius Not sure if you understood me. I was saying you can use this cruise instead of a place ride if you want to either go to Freeport or West Palm Beach. Just letting people know that. God bless you.
I dunno what your personal financial situation is, but I STRONGLY suggest multiple credit cards for these exact reasons. Your Amex gets declined? Use your Visa. Or your Discover. Or your MasterCard. Even if your credit is bad you can typically get "secured credit cards" where you give the bank a $500 deposit and they give you $500 credit. And that's all before points / rewards, fraud protection, charge backs, etc. So, if it's not an option that's cool, but please don't stick with just a debit card if you've got options.
Thank you for your honest review! This is clearly not the cruise or cruise company for me, but it might work for people who need a quick and inexpensive getaway, or are Parrotheads. :) There is indeed a cruise and are cruise lines for everybody!
For kicks and giggles, I went to their website to see what their pricing was like, and I was unable to get a rate for a single because there "were no accommodations available on this sailing", yet when I changed it to two passengers, suddenly there were plenty of staterooms available. I understand that the single supplement is a necessary evil when cruising solo, but come on. At least let me try. Anyway, I just stumbled onto your videos today, and I am loving them! Keep up the good work!
My last cruise was in 2007. Mexican Riviera. The ship was built in 1972. I mean 1872. Sulphuric eggs was apparently the special du jour. There was an art auction. But when I got off the vessel I didn’t want to take a piece with me. Here’s the word on cheap cruises: if you don’t drink, don’t go. Did I mention if you don’t drink don’t go?
Good info mate! A friend of mine that I have cruised with before on RCCL took a cruise on that ship when it was the Paradise cruise line. When I asked them about it afterwards, they told me the cocktails were made very strong and it was more of a party boat. I'm a huge Jimmy Buffet fan however I don't have any desire to go on a cruise on that ship even before watching your video! Lol! The cruise line (it is still Bahama Paradise Cruise Line, it is partnered with Margaritaville Enterprises) is still majority owned by a former Norwegian cruise line CEO. I was sort of surprised with so many good cruise ships being sold off (some for scrap) recently that Bahama Paradise didn't try to buy a newer built cruise ship that had balconies. I get that this cruise line fills a niche for quick & inexpensive cruise getaway however they will need a lot more time to develop it into something completely unique and up to the rest of cruise line standards in my opinion.
Go you will enjoy yourself maybe first cruise a 4 or 5 day cruise will work. But what fun you’ll have my wife and I go on two or three cruises a year love them
I sailed with my family a couple of years ago with it was the Bahama Paradise, we loved it. The food was great and so was the entertainment. We have also cruised on carnival several times. I loved this little cruise. We don't drink alcohol so it was a very inexpensive and fun cruise.
It sounds like the banks have them flagged for fraud which is why cards are declining. It happens when a business gets an unusually high number have claims against it.
I went in the Grand Classica right before everything shut down due to you know what, and we had a great time and I can’t wait to experience Margaritaville at sea. My only complaint was they require you to do valet parking in that sketchy part of town.. I had to drag stuff out of the car that I didn’t plan on taking onboard. Thank God I accidentally left my personal protection at home!
I think this was a good public service announcement. The visuals of the ship started to get depressing after a bit. I’m a snob I guess, but the situation you described was like a bad dream cruise. I don’t know that I’d suggest this as a starter cruise.
Plus, the size of it equates to ship rocking so definitely not good for newbies. I found better deals for newer, but not new 😉 ships on Carnival & RC. I'd probably recommend that route.
I mean having high expectations for the “cheapest” and “shortest” cruise is kinda crazy right 😂. I’m also a service member and while I appreciated the gesture, I knew I wouldn’t go. I’ve been on too many nice expensive ships to even think about how a cheap one would be.
I experienced Margaritaville Resort for my birthday last year. Very overpriced, AND just like this cruise, some areas were clearly updated, and others older. I was told by staff the resort was purchased by another older company and all updates weren't complete. 'Also I was VERY disappointed at what they designated a "private island" on their website, was actually a shallow, muddy lake literally the size of an average home's backyard. It was a complete eyesore. But it sounds like you had a worse experience than me. The whole card being flagged/declined is an absolute nightmare. I would NEVER travel with them. Thank you for the video!
Yo this page is too useful. I’ve been getting a business plan together for travel agency & your videos have been a huge help in getting started & identifying what direction I want my business headed towards. Much appreciated
I think i was on this ship for my first ship ever. It was a good way to decide if i would like cruising. Then i hit the carnivals liberty i cant wait to see the difference with royal carribean.
We went on this cruise a couple of months ago. We normally sail with NCL and it wasn't as nice as NCL, but due to the price we had lowered our expectations (we paid about $300 total for both of us). The show was ok, but the piano player does a sing along piano bar thing afterwards, which we went to both nights because he was so good. Must have been a different comedian for us because he was decently funny, but not as good as we typically see on the NCL ships. The buffet food was just ok, but we thought the main dining room food was really good. We didn't like the grand Bahama island port but overall, we would go on this for a weekend away again
I went on one cruise. It was a prize. It was short. I got seasick. My wife got sick. Our cabin had no window. Still I enjoyed myself. I just like being out on the ocean. Like being in a good hotel but moving. Constant food. If I could afford to take another cruise, I would. Even though ours was kinda like this one.
Sidenote: if you're looking to schedule a security interview for your Global Entry card this port is (at least pre COVID) super easy to get it done. You technically didn't need an appointment. Just show up and wait until the appointment people are seen and they'll start taking walk ins. The fact it's a small cruise ship port means they don't get nowhere near as many people scheduling in the first place.
I used to go on a ship similar to this ship nearly 20 years ago. Palm Beach Port and "day" cruises from there is mostly for your local cruiser just getting away for the day or so. Back when I cruised on that ship I used to go specifically for the Pay Per View boxing fights and they brought in old time boxers like Hector Camacho, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes to name a few for meet and greet and sign autographs. That was cool and a fun time. I guess you really can't compare this type of day cruise to RC, NCL or any of the much larger ships. I guess the key thing is, did the other people have fun and enjoy themselves? If so, then I guess it's worth it. Thanks for all your videos..
I just took this cruise and liked it for the fact that I was able to stay on the island for 5 days then get back on. Everything was all inclusive as well as drinks on the boat and on the resort for only $1300 for 2 people for a whole week in the Bahamas! That right there made it all worth it. I filmed my trip on the boat and the all inclusive resort if your interested in doing the sail and stay package 💛
I just went on the margaritaville in December.. it was aight but theres a reason its the price it is. Its really like a weekend getaway if you have a tight budget.
Thanks for the detailed review. We have talked about doing this list for something to do. (We have been on 38 cruises) I'd look at this like going camping instead of staying at the Marriott. 🙂
5:55 I really commend you for this and I am happy to hear that you let them have their fun in bliss, not giving them FOMO or anything that might ruin their experience. Allowing those who can only afford this type of cruise to have their fun really makes me happy too in a way. 7:40 edit Also liked how you're honest AND cool with crew mess type of food too fam.
Thanks for the review. Doesn't sound like a cruise worth traveling a great distance to go on. For locals and first timers might be ok. The price you showed seems to close to a 4 day major cruise line rate (with discounts).
Totally agree. I surprised when I met a decent amount of people from out of state. Maybe not a bad option as an addition to an already planned vacation
@@JSHIPLIFE the very first cruise I went on I did alone and ended up sitting with a Britt, a Swede, and a west African man… All of them were on the ship for the same reason. It was cheaper then a Miami hotel room for a few days… I have to wonder how many folks will end up on this ship for the same reason.
LOL Bougie! Jay, something has changed. I hope you're just tired and need to regroup. Keeping you in my thoughts. Rest/Relax and take time to regroup. Hugs and wishing for the happiest of a New Year
Me and my Wife went in October for the First Responders and Service Members free Deal and it was Horrible the surprise fees and mandatory service fees for literally everything was ridiculous the food was basic the island was vacant, the vehicle service scammed us, the charger ports didn’t work and the Wi-Fi was fictitious
There use to be a whole lot more to do in Freeport, Grand Bahama. But after all the hurricanes a lot has changed 😢hoping that things get back to normal soon 🤞thanks for the review 🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸
I am a young-at heart 52 y/o - lol. I sailed on this ship when it was Grand Bahamas about 8 years ago for $79. I figured nothing was lost if I didn't like it. That was not my first cruise. I had a nice time and could appreciate it even though I had sailed on several other cruise lines. I sailed on Margaritaville last year and had a nice time (with the exception of a few hiccups). The food in the buffet has improved a lot. I like that dinner in the main dining room is included (which was actually pretty good), I don't think that was included before. The entertainment staff worked really hard to keep us entertained. I enjoyed the night club, bands and singers. This was my 24 y/o nephew's first cruise. He has since sailed on two different Royal Caribbean ships but has often said that he wouldn't mind sailing on Margaritaville again for a quick weekend get-a-way. Apparently disembarkation is often an issue. Things were pretty backed up to the point guests were told to go back to their waiting area on the ship! There was an issue in customs, luckily we were escorted pass the crowd through customs by an employee because we had an early flight. What can I say, I just LOVE TO SAIL!! I love your channels and I hope to meet you and Lauren on the Celebrity sailing in April!
I've often wondered if it would be profitable to take a ship like this and make it "all suite" by combining 2-3 old cabins into larger ones. It'd make things a lot less crowded, and allow them to charge more. I dunno be interesting to see.
Def not. This cruise obviously makes money on alcohol since there's no all inclusive option. They also let heros sail for free and don't charge much for the rooms. Probably all about drink sales
3 หลายเดือนก่อน
impressed, good choice of words, covered issues that needed covering, good images, will look at your others - i sailed from japan to Calif, took 12 days, no pool, just food and card games -an ordeal
I got 2 free cruise tickets to this Margaritaville ship. Got them on a Military free cruise deal. I threw the tickets away. I Don’t even like Margaritaville on land.
Margaritaville seems like a popular enough brand that it could fill a larger, more modern ship. Maybe that's in their future. On the other hand, perhaps they would be better-served partnering with an existing cruise line for a themed experience, as the band Kiss does.
Spot on with this review. I did it in December as a test cruise to see how I would do on a cruise. I did not get sick so now I will be on Wonder of The Seas in August. Great job on the review as usual.
I was on the same dec 3rd sailing. We are educators and used the Heroes Sail Free. We had a blast but I agree, you get what you pay for. I have been on around 30 cruises. I would never sail on Margaritaville at Sea again. I say this not because it was terrible but because we had to switch rooms because of roaches in our first cabin. The Customer service rep at the desk, Priya, was incredibly rude. I'll stick to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
Short cruises is what MSC does the best..because you can with MSC embark and disembark in any port it stops in Mediterranean (i saw people embarking and disembarking and where there was no port at all ,where you go to land with small boats) ,so if i want to spend more days somewhere like Rome or Naples i would disembark there ,spend there 3-4 days and then embark on other MSC ship and go where i started (off course you need to book that all before )
This cruise is not for the big-time cruiser. It's for the couple/family that works like a dog and can only get off work for 2 days. Cheap place to get away with a few friends, throw back a few drinks and just pretend they are getting away from the everyday life. Fair to say many locals go on this on a regular basis. If you are flying in from some other state this cruise is not for you as 2 days goes by super-fast. The staff on this small ship I think stands tall compared to the fancy cruise lines. I idea of cruising with a few thousand people with only 200 lounge chairs around the ship, SUCKS. Glad to see Margaritaville took the courage and brought something local for the everyday working person......
This was very informative. I sailed on a carnival for the second time 2 weeks ago and have another one in 2 weeks. I have wondered about this cruise. Very good overview.
I've heard that a sampler cruise, 2-3 day weekend, was worth the money. Not that one, but the Washington and Alaska one. Nice way to spend a weekend and have a break.
I have to wonder if perhaps in the future they don’t end up with a Fantasy class ship when Carnival retires one of the last two ? It would be a huge upgrade for them by the sounds of it. Even if they replaced the current ship a Fantasy would be an upgrade.
I went on a cruise with this company when they had 2 ships, and I thought it was cute. There isn't a lot to do, but it was a fun way to get to the Bahamas. There used to be an option to add a few nights on Grand Bahama, and then cruise back, so you could get more variety in the overall vacation experience. I was on the ship that had been part of the Italian fleet because you could see some signage in Italian that had not been changed out yet.
I traveled on the Italian Line as a child. They were owned by the Vatican. That was wonderful and special. They went out of business, probably because they didn't make enough profits.
CHECK OUT OUR OFFICAL CHANNEL SPONSOR TOURINGPLANS FOR ALL OF YOUR VACATION BOOKING NEEDS HERE! touringplans.com/Shiplife
JOIN MY PATREON HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN FREE VACATIONS, EARLY VIDEO ACCESS AND RECEIVE MANY MORE PERKS & BONUSES
patreon.com/user?u=80014845&Link&
Omg, I was just about to book a trip on this ship! My friend worked there as an entertainment programmer! I wanted to support! Thanks for the review!
Jesus loves you
Good morning which royal Caribbean cruise ship got a pool table on it that travel from Barbados?
I use to be a seaman, small ship, I use to work with celebrity cruise, I would never do it again
I love that YOU bring the party on every cruise ship u go on u always start dancing and entertaining those around you I hope to see you and your gf lauren someday when me and my husband are on board.
As a Bahamian, we use this cruise line, as well as the previously mentioned, as a way to travel back and forth from home to the states and carry our personal cargo back. Tourists tend to have high exceptions but this is our alternative to flying.
Amen sis
That is a smart idea
that makes it sound so much better to me. i still have to watch the vid tho.(still scouring the comments for what happens to old boats)
Now we know why it's so bad.
That is just awesome. Like really that is awesome.
“I danced a little bit, had some fun”
*hits full backflip and breakdance*
LOL
😂🤣 That's what I said
Literally stole the show 😂😂
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
I have heard nothing but terrible things about this ship however I must say this. This cruise line has done something so admirable and honorable by having the Hero’s program. They literally give free cruises to first responders and active military service members and retirees. No other cruise line does this which is a shame, especially the cruise lines who make billions. I am a service member and that kind gesture of appreciation speaks volumes. 🇺🇸
The hero’s program also offers free cruises for teachers.
@@annemariemono6928 awesome!! That’s so great to know. I had no clue it incorporated teachers.
They offered me one. I came to this review to learn more from a real review lol
I wonder if counselors and mental health professionals will be included??
Counselors are included, It’s verified through your email
“ I danced a little bit”
Cuts to him doing flips and doing advanced break dancing moves 🕺🏾😂
I’m a teacher. I sailed on the Heroes Sail Free program. My girlfriend and I had a great time. Including parking the total cost for 2 people for this 3 day cruise was around $300. This is less than staying one night in a hotel in Miami without food.
Hey. How was the cruise overall? I’m thinking about doing it as well.
It’s a great, budget friendly cruise. I will go again. It’s great for the PRICE.
Glad yall enjoyed it! Sending love and light!
Are teachers covered under the heroes program?
Hmm🤔 We never got anything down to $300. With the taxes and fees, ours repeatedly went to $449. Add in airfare and pray you don't need insurance and that pushed it to $800 for 2 ppl. Technically not horrible but the rooms don't even have a window. I guess it depends on what you're looking for.
“I dance a little bit” full out break dancing 😂
Thank you😂
We all come from different walks. Whether a cheap cruise or once and a lifetime opportunity, we all just want to have fun
I don't like to have fun.
Well said!
I know he's acting like he's "all mighty'
Thought the song goes girls just want to have fun.😅😅😅
@@asiaking9422 I caught that to and it dosent sit well with me..let ppl enjoy what they like
I took my gf on the Bahamas paradise cruise, it was her very first cruise so she didn’t hate it.. the next year I took her on the carnival Mardi Gras and she yelled at me for taking her on the Bahamas paradise lol I always tell new cruises to start on smaller ships and smaller sailings and work your way up. Nice video. Thank u
I 100% agree!
My 1st cruise was about 6 years ago on the Carnival Sensation. I also agree to start with the smaller ships and with your way up.
I did the Booze cruise with Carnival going to Ensenada on the Carnival imagination. They were both fun and more of an intimate sailing.
I went on the Oasis of the seas last year and by comparison it was MASSIVE! I loved it. My next sailing is on the Celebration in February. This will be my 7th cruise.
@@MisterrJmark awesome hope u have a great time on celebration!! Cheers 🍻
You should try the Wonder next.
We started with the largest cruise ship in the world at the time back in 2006 (Mariner). Have only done large ships ever since (Oasis, Freedom, and Harmony). Doing the Wonder of the Seas in 2024.
Bros dance moves are out of this world! 5:33
Thanks!
@@JSHIPLIFE that was you? damn
@@ducheau100 Yes and that was with a hangover lol I had literally just got off the Carnival Celebration that morning😅
@@ducheau100 he was a Professional Dancer at one point and man can you tell, I have to lay down for a few hours after just watching him. Lol
Show off! 😅
I have not cruised on this ship as a passengers, but I worked on it on 1995 when it was the Costa Classica. I met my husband there and for us that was the biggest ship at that time. I also posted a video on my channel with my tour. It was emotional to tour the ship and remember the 15 months I spent there as a crew member.❤
You danced a little bit?!? Man you were the entertainment!!🤣😂
I have found that anything associated with the name Margaritaville is "cheesy."I do want to say that it is nice to see people having fun and the fact that they give a free cruise for First Responders is wonderful.They deserve it!
have you ever had Landshark beer? it's pretty good; tastes nothing like cheese 😜
@@surj138 its corona.
Yes. The name is a drawback (for me) because those aging parrot heads are cheesy and low rent.
Not true. I’m extremely picky but Margaritaville resorts are beyond excellent. Definitely not like this cruise.
“The sail away party was as good as it could be. I danced a little bit….” Meanwhile, you’re flicking it up with the mascot, and doing flips and breakdancing like you were having a ball 😂
😭
Looked like the best party ever lol
😂😂
As someone who will never be able to take a cruise (many reasons) I love these videos. It's like getting a glimpse of that life. I love this channel 💜
If it is medical, I hope you are able to find a way through that. There are only a couple of medical conditions I'm aware of that are absolutely no-go for cruising. Dialysis is something which is usually a no-go for cruising. Any major medical condition which requires checking in with a doctor or clinic every couple of days for a treatment will also make cruising impossible. But I wish you the best and hope you can cruise some day.
@@jeromep it's not medical but my son is special needs and I can't ever leave him as I'm his caretaker. I know a cruise would be unsafe for him
The last time I was in Nassau, I could not exchange Bahamian dollars for US dollars before I left. Has that changed?
@@mylittlesuperhero581 I relate very much. May you and your son find small adventures on land 💕
@@caitlin3674 Thank you so much. We are saving for a spring adventure after all the snow and I'm so excited. He loves traveling and I do also. Thank you. Best wishes to you and yours also.
I've never gone on a cruise but i have become obsessed with this channel
Can't even decide if I want to but these are great
Don’t do it cruises suck. Book a flight and stay at a hotel.
@@xro1983 no! Give it a try! Right now the cruise lines are offering amazing deals because they are still ramping back up from the pandemic-esp. if you book a few months in advance. Try a 4-day cruise out of Miami for starters.
Im scared of cruises but I love water / ocean so im trying to desensitize myself lol
I really appreciate the honest & sage advice! It was nice you didn't diss on people enjoying their (perhaps first or only) cruise. Safe sailing!
I thought the same thing. He was very kind, thoughtful and did not judge.
I've gotta say, we had a blast. Obviously it lacks some stuff that other bigger ships have. However the cruise was really fun. I've been on a bunch of cruises so I'm not a noob. The staff was really nice. The entertainment was pretty good. They could use some help with embarkation and debarkation but all in all it was a good time!
I say, if you consider it simply being transportation (like a fancier ferry ride) to the Bahamas as an example, then you can really enjoy it. Other cruise ships are like a hotel on the water and a vacation in itself before even leaving the ship to an island dock. If I lived in Florida, I was use this to get to the Bahamas every month! 😁
I have gone to many cruises and this cruise wasn’t too bad I enjoyed it! I liked the buffet as well. I went in November for my birthday. It’s a nice little getaway and the two for one special is a good deal .
"If somebody were to win a free cruise, this is the cruise they would be on"
😂
Very true.
I did get 2 free tickets on a Military offer.
I live in Florida, and I still dumped the tickets.
🤣
I received a free cruise and it was on Grandeur of the Seas. Definitely not comparable to the Margaritaville. It was a full fledged cruise.
😆😜
Lmao lmao
Great review! I went on this cruise when it was the Bahamas Paradise with a group of my cousins and noticed all of the downsides you mentioned. But, we just wanted a quick getaway since we live in the general area and some of us had different budgets. I’ve been on nicer ships before, but I also really had a blast on this one because of the fun group of family I was with. So, I guess if you’re with really good company it can make the basic-ness of the cruise much more enjoyable. We got lit and turned the almost empty nightclub into our own private party 🥂 💃🏽
Your reviews are always well detailed and objective. I'm so glad I found this channel
LMFAO! Jay does this so we don't have to! LOLL!
🦸🏾♂️ 😂
Thanks for the review. To avoid your debit card getting declined while traveling you should get a travel rewards credit card. Capital One Venture and Chase Sapphire are good ones. Since you travel so much you will probably rack up rewards points very quickly and can use your rewards to travel at a discount or even for free.
It wasn't a bad cruise for 2 nights. It definitely isn't for everyone, but we had a decent time on our recent trip. You just have to go in with lower expectations.
Just went on this cruise as a first responder get away. I always said I didn't want to ever do a cruise. However since it was a quick return I figured if I hated it. It wouldn't last that long. The ship was ok. But being on the beach jet skiing was definitely worth going. It made all the difference.
I’m going on this next December for the first responder deal. $88 to get away and decompress I’ll try anything once. I am going with 2 other ladies and we’re all in healthcare. How were the drinks? We’re not expecting much but, a weekend of drinking lol for a free trip.
@Sherrelle Germain I don't personally drink, however my fiance said she thought they were strong at 1st. But then quickkly realized that they put the alcohol in at the end so it sits on top. I'd suggest when they go to the beach you get off the ship. I think it's like 50$ but it's worth it to get off. They upsell for almost everything too
@@LifeIsChill13 what?
How did you jet ski ?
@Lovee Lexx if you don't book before you go. You can book when you first get to the ship while waiting or u can do it right before they go ashore. It's pretty pricy tho.
Those $1.00 and $2.00 charges to your credit card are pre-authorizations to make sure your credit card is legit. The problem might be, if they kept doing it throughout the cruise it could also trigger a fraud alert with your bank. Fraudsters will make small charges to a cloned or hacked account to see if the card is good. I am just guessing that the cruise lines practices might be triggering fraud alerts since it happened to so many passengers. Just a thought.
You could have taken the Brightline train from Miami to West Palm Beach. If you buy a premium ticket (~$52) you get free transfers up to 5 miles from the station plus free drinks and snacks. Or for a regular ticket (~$22) you can still use the Port of Miami shuttle to the station, but you would have to get an Uber to the Port of Palm Beach from the West Palm station (~$14)
Yes I know. I’ll use them next time
That cost more than valet parking though.
God bless everyone.
@@FeedingFrenzy91 he said he did an Uber for $100
@@Wandafully_Wanda Ah mb thanks. Guess it makes sense then.
God bless you.
My husband and I just got back from a a long Christmas whirlwind trip which included cruising on the Margaritaville. While we have been on RC as well as Celebrity (by far our favorite) we actually enjoyed this cruise. The staff were beyond friendly, the food was better, in my honest opinion, than the food we had on Allure of the Seas in July. We were also happy to spend time and money in GB. Our little island was hit by hurricane Dorian after it devastated Grand Bahama and the Abacos and Supporting their community was definitely worth it. We also didn’t mind the room and slept quite comfortably. I’ve yet to meet a ship that compares to Celebrity but this one wasn’t the worst one I’ve ever been on. I agree it’s a starter cruise and I also appreciate the Hero’s sail for free they are offering. My husband is a teacher so he sailed for free and we met several nurses as well as military personnel who were also thankful for the getaway. I love your channel and I’m sorry we missed you onboard.
The fact that he took over the dance floor is what’s sending me 🤣🤣🤣🤣😭
Watching these videos is slowly giving me the courage to go on my first cruise.
It's interesting to see but I really wouldn't recommend this Margaritaville thing. He did it for research purposes ... There are better deals out there, on normal cruise lines.
@@GunnerHillTX Thank you! I want to go on my first cruise-I’m 40, but have no clue where to start. So thanks for your comment!!!
@@talkswithtara7109 The best way to start is to figure out if there's a specific place you want to see vs a specific ship (or company) you want to take. (eg: "I want to go to Aruba" vs "I want to travel on Wonder of the Sea" (Royal Caribbean's newest/biggest ship); if you have no major preference, then I recommend keeping an eye on sales and deals - if you're traveling alone keep in mind that not all cruise lines/ships offer studio rooms so you may wind up paying for 2 tickets since most operate under the assumption that it's two people per room (most people take friends/family to avoid that issue)
@@XxXBitternessXxX Thank you!
I took my first cruise and plane last year. I loved everything about my cruise to Alaska!! Go, enjoy yourself!! I was on Carnival Splendor!!🎉🎉
We had a great time on the Paradise. It WAS our first cruise, and chose it to see if we wanted to do more. My wife and I are in your review several times, and we saw you filming going up the staircase. Small world.
Listening to Jimmy buffet all day would make me jump over board.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I got this cruise for free through a heroes program, and I agree with everything you stated. I had just gotten off the NCL EPIC on a Mediterranean trip. This ship is definitely a starter and no offense, it's also for lower budget and not the frequent traveler. Luckily for us, my wife decided to add a "license to chill" package that gave us a bottle of champagne, wine tasting, express embarkation and unbarkation. We also bought a drink package.
The closet would open and close on its own when the boat was rocking while we were trying to sleep. The bartenders were not as enthusiastic as on previous ships I've been on, as if they knew they were dealing with a low budget crowd that may bot tip well.
I will say, that when we got to the Bahamas, we jumped in a van for $40 and got a great tour of the island, had some local potato bread, fresh conk, and a distillery tour. The driver went by "uncle".
As you said, you get what u pay for. There really isn't much to do on that boat, especially since it's such a shirt trip. I will say, having express checkout made it a breeze getting off, cause like u stated, there were ppl pissed trying to get off.
I don't regret cruising with them but I will definitely not be doing it again.
wdym by a starter ship and not the frequent traveler?
I’ve been on every major cruise line, I went on the Margaritaville cruise it’s low expectations because I knew it would be different, all and all it wasn’t TERRIBLE. You cannot go on it expecting the world, it’s a small ship, not much entertainment but it’s a cheap get away. It’s great especially if you live in FL, GA, AL and don’t have to travel far.
Gf and i were on it this past weekend. We are avid carnival patrons so cruising is not new to us. We had the worst experience on this ship than any other ship. Mainly the rooms we had. We booked a interior queen and ended up with a small interior bunk bed room. We got that changed the first day. The second room had 0 AC. nothing was getting it to turn on after contacting the front desk multiple times. The room got too hot to sleep, i would guess in the high 80s/90s. Got to change again. The last room was in a hallway that smelt like sewage or something foul. that was better than previous rooms so we handled it. Other things wernt great like the food and things to do, but that is not their fault. We wont be going on this cruise again. Thanks for coming to my ted talk
I am a Carnival cruiser, also, and even one of their smaller, older ships they are better than this ship looks and is described! I am going on the Vista for about the third time, in April.
All of this is spot on. Will never go on this cruise again. My room had the same foul sewage smell in the bathroom. I kept having to tell myself it's only a day and a half just to get thru it.
"...This is the worst trip I've ever been on."
Sloop John B by The Beach Boys
@@MrX-zz2vk I feel the same way. I call it a vacation from hell.
Finally an honest review! I said I can't be the only one. There's definitely something that isn't going to sit well with people who have allergies to musty areas that's for sure. We'll say that and keep it nice.
Really appreciate this as my cousin and I had talked about taking one of the short cruises. She lives in St. Pete and it was something we could do for a couple of days while I was down there. Like the pros and cons.
To be honest, I'd do a short cruise with Carnival before I'd do this one. You'll get a lot of the party vibes, but on a larger and better equipped ship. And bang for the buck, you can't beat some of Carnival's pricing for their short cruises.
Not gonna lie as someone that went in June it was a great trip if you live in Florida and are on a budget this cruise is great for what it is and the all inclusive resort was amazing definitely good to get away from the rat race in the states
Just letting you guys know you can also take this ship One-Way either to West Palm Beach or Freeport. Right now (or at least when we went in November) for two people in the ocean view room it was about $330 plus $12 each for fuel. So for around the cost of a plane ticket (at least when I went) you can go to the Bahamas or to West Palm Beach in possibly a more relaxing way than a flight.
God bless everyone.
Now it’s $29 for fuel
@@jencyjeanty I just did it in November. Weird though I think since we were doing one-way we only had to pay for fuel for one-way.
God bless you.
That's why we only do 7-day cruises. We have to pay for a plane fare from the Plains states, so we want to make it worth the plane ride.
@@jimroscovius Not sure if you understood me. I was saying you can use this cruise instead of a place ride if you want to either go to Freeport or West Palm Beach. Just letting people know that.
God bless you.
I dunno what your personal financial situation is, but I STRONGLY suggest multiple credit cards for these exact reasons. Your Amex gets declined? Use your Visa. Or your Discover. Or your MasterCard. Even if your credit is bad you can typically get "secured credit cards" where you give the bank a $500 deposit and they give you $500 credit.
And that's all before points / rewards, fraud protection, charge backs, etc.
So, if it's not an option that's cool, but please don't stick with just a debit card if you've got options.
Yes I know
But if the issue is with the ship's history of fraudulent charges, resulting in bank flags, multiple cards will only result in multiple headaches.
Thank you for your honest review! This is clearly not the cruise or cruise company for me, but it might work for people who need a quick and inexpensive getaway, or are Parrotheads. :) There is indeed a cruise and are cruise lines for everybody!
For kicks and giggles, I went to their website to see what their pricing was like, and I was unable to get a rate for a single because there "were no accommodations available on this sailing", yet when I changed it to two passengers, suddenly there were plenty of staterooms available. I understand that the single supplement is a necessary evil when cruising solo, but come on. At least let me try.
Anyway, I just stumbled onto your videos today, and I am loving them! Keep up the good work!
Honestly 341 for a two night cruise seems high. And for such an old ass ship. I sail solo and try to get around 100-125 per night including taxes.
My last cruise was in 2007. Mexican Riviera. The ship was built in 1972. I mean 1872. Sulphuric eggs was apparently the special du jour. There was an art auction. But when I got off the vessel I didn’t want to take a piece with me. Here’s the word on cheap cruises: if you don’t drink, don’t go. Did I mention if you don’t drink don’t go?
Yeah, I heard you!
Thank you ... I don't drink ... thank you for the heads up!
I have sailed on Cunard and I still enjoyed the old school vibe of the Grand Classica.
I just got off the 2 day cruise March 24th to March 26th 2024 and we had an amazing time.
Good info mate! A friend of mine that I have cruised with before on RCCL took a cruise on that ship when it was the Paradise cruise line. When I asked them about it afterwards, they told me the cocktails were made very strong and it was more of a party boat. I'm a huge Jimmy Buffet fan however I don't have any desire to go on a cruise on that ship even before watching your video! Lol! The cruise line (it is still Bahama Paradise Cruise Line, it is partnered with Margaritaville Enterprises) is still majority owned by a former Norwegian cruise line CEO. I was sort of surprised with so many good cruise ships being sold off (some for scrap) recently that Bahama Paradise didn't try to buy a newer built cruise ship that had balconies. I get that this cruise line fills a niche for quick & inexpensive cruise getaway however they will need a lot more time to develop it into something completely unique and up to the rest of cruise line standards in my opinion.
I just booked my first cruise a few weeks ago. Glad I didn't go super cheap.
" You get what you pay for..."
Hmmm... I've never taken a cruise before. Not only is this "currently" in my budget, but it may be a good crash course for a newbie!
Go you will enjoy yourself maybe first cruise a 4 or 5 day cruise will work. But what fun you’ll have my wife and I go on two or three cruises a year love them
I sailed with my family a couple of years ago with it was the Bahama Paradise, we loved it. The food was great and so was the entertainment. We have also cruised on carnival several times. I loved this little cruise. We don't drink alcohol so it was a very inexpensive and fun cruise.
It sounds like the banks have them flagged for fraud which is why cards are declining. It happens when a business gets an unusually high number have claims against it.
I went in the Grand Classica right before everything shut down due to you know what, and we had a great time and I can’t wait to experience Margaritaville at sea. My only complaint was they require you to do valet parking in that sketchy part of town.. I had to drag stuff out of the car that I didn’t plan on taking onboard. Thank God I accidentally left my personal protection at home!
I think this was a good public service announcement. The visuals of the ship started to get depressing after a bit. I’m a snob I guess, but the situation you described was like a bad dream cruise. I don’t know that I’d suggest this as a starter cruise.
Plus, the size of it equates to ship rocking so definitely not good for newbies. I found better deals for newer, but not new 😉 ships on Carnival & RC. I'd probably recommend that route.
I mean having high expectations for the “cheapest” and “shortest” cruise is kinda crazy right 😂. I’m also a service member and while I appreciated the gesture, I knew I wouldn’t go. I’ve been on too many nice expensive ships to even think about how a cheap one would be.
I experienced Margaritaville Resort for my birthday last year. Very overpriced, AND just like this cruise, some areas were clearly updated, and others older. I was told by staff the resort was purchased by another older company and all updates weren't complete. 'Also I was VERY disappointed at what they designated a "private island" on their website, was actually a shallow, muddy lake literally the size of an average home's backyard. It was a complete eyesore. But it sounds like you had a worse experience than me. The whole card being flagged/declined is an absolute nightmare. I would NEVER travel with them. Thank you for the video!
I used to live in West Palm, I think they have enough population there to support the ship as a staycation option
10:25 "the house always wins" - yeah, most entertainment isn't free. It's all about whether you find it entertaining or not.
I like the ship & cruise. For a quick weekender it's fun & a starter cruise for newbies.
A shiplife upload, today is a great day time to kick back and watch Jay your awesome buddy keep it up
I’m going on this in may for Mother’s Day I never been on a cruise 🚢 so I’m going just to see how I like it
Yo this page is too useful. I’ve been getting a business plan together for travel agency & your videos have been a huge help in getting started & identifying what direction I want my business headed towards. Much appreciated
I think i was on this ship for my first ship ever. It was a good way to decide if i would like cruising. Then i hit the carnivals liberty i cant wait to see the difference with royal carribean.
This guy is the GOAT of cruise tutorials
We went on this cruise a couple of months ago. We normally sail with NCL and it wasn't as nice as NCL, but due to the price we had lowered our expectations (we paid about $300 total for both of us). The show was ok, but the piano player does a sing along piano bar thing afterwards, which we went to both nights because he was so good. Must have been a different comedian for us because he was decently funny, but not as good as we typically see on the NCL ships. The buffet food was just ok, but we thought the main dining room food was really good. We didn't like the grand Bahama island port but overall, we would go on this for a weekend away again
I went on one cruise. It was a prize. It was short. I got seasick. My wife got sick. Our cabin had no window. Still I enjoyed myself. I just like being out on the ocean. Like being in a good hotel but moving. Constant food. If I could afford to take another cruise, I would. Even though ours was kinda like this one.
I learned my lesson year ago. I don't go on those short cruises or older ship. You are correct, you get what you pay for
Sidenote: if you're looking to schedule a security interview for your Global Entry card this port is (at least pre COVID) super easy to get it done. You technically didn't need an appointment. Just show up and wait until the appointment people are seen and they'll start taking walk ins. The fact it's a small cruise ship port means they don't get nowhere near as many people scheduling in the first place.
I used to go on a ship similar to this ship nearly 20 years ago. Palm Beach Port and "day" cruises from there is mostly for your local cruiser just getting away for the day or so. Back when I cruised on that ship I used to go specifically for the Pay Per View boxing fights and they brought in old time boxers like Hector Camacho, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes to name a few for meet and greet and sign autographs. That was cool and a fun time. I guess you really can't compare this type of day cruise to RC, NCL or any of the much larger ships. I guess the key thing is, did the other people have fun and enjoy themselves? If so, then I guess it's worth it. Thanks for all your videos..
I just took this cruise and liked it for the fact that I was able to stay on the island for 5 days then get back on. Everything was all inclusive as well as drinks on the boat and on the resort for only $1300 for 2 people for a whole week in the Bahamas! That right there made it all worth it. I filmed my trip on the boat and the all inclusive resort if your interested in doing the sail and stay package 💛
Hey there! I’ve visited your channel before for your cooking videos 🙂
Can i have more info
I just went on the margaritaville in December.. it was aight but theres a reason its the price it is. Its really like a weekend getaway if you have a tight budget.
Thanks for the detailed review. We have talked about doing this list for something to do. (We have been on 38 cruises) I'd look at this like going camping instead of staying at the Marriott. 🙂
Yep! Lol!
5:55
I really commend you for this and I am happy to hear that you let them have their fun in bliss, not giving them FOMO or anything that might ruin their experience. Allowing those who can only afford this type of cruise to have their fun really makes me happy too in a way.
7:40 edit
Also liked how you're honest AND cool with crew mess type of food too fam.
Thanks for the review. Doesn't sound like a cruise worth traveling a great distance to go on. For locals and first timers might be ok. The price you showed seems to close to a 4 day major cruise line rate (with discounts).
Totally agree. I surprised when I met a decent amount of people from out of state. Maybe not a bad option as an addition to an already planned vacation
@@JSHIPLIFE the very first cruise I went on I did alone and ended up sitting with a Britt, a Swede, and a west African man… All of them were on the ship for the same reason. It was cheaper then a Miami hotel room for a few days… I have to wonder how many folks will end up on this ship for the same reason.
LOL Bougie! Jay, something has changed. I hope you're just tired and need to regroup. Keeping you in my thoughts. Rest/Relax and take time to regroup. Hugs and wishing for the happiest of a New Year
One of the best reviews that I've ever watched. Thanks!
Me and my Wife went in October for the First Responders and Service Members free Deal and it was Horrible the surprise fees and mandatory service fees for literally everything was ridiculous the food was basic the island was vacant, the vehicle service scammed us, the charger ports didn’t work and the Wi-Fi was fictitious
There use to be a whole lot more to do in Freeport, Grand Bahama. But after all the hurricanes a lot has changed 😢hoping that things get back to normal soon 🤞thanks for the review 🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸
Credit cards offer far more consumer protections than debit cards also many credit cards offer no foreign transactions fees.
I would never sail with a debit card for many reasons. No cash rewards just for a start.
My top 3 cruise TH-camrs & i must say you’re the nr 1 because of honesty and vibes
I am a young-at heart 52 y/o - lol. I sailed on this ship when it was Grand Bahamas about 8 years ago for $79. I figured nothing was lost if I didn't like it. That was not my first cruise. I had a nice time and could appreciate it even though I had sailed on several other cruise lines. I sailed on Margaritaville last year and had a nice time (with the exception of a few hiccups). The food in the buffet has improved a lot. I like that dinner in the main dining room is included (which was actually pretty good), I don't think that was included before. The entertainment staff worked really hard to keep us entertained. I enjoyed the night club, bands and singers. This was my 24 y/o nephew's first cruise. He has since sailed on two different Royal Caribbean ships but has often said that he wouldn't mind sailing on Margaritaville again for a quick weekend get-a-way. Apparently disembarkation is often an issue. Things were pretty backed up to the point guests were told to go back to their waiting area on the ship! There was an issue in customs, luckily we were escorted pass the crowd through customs by an employee because we had an early flight. What can I say, I just LOVE TO SAIL!! I love your channels and I hope to meet you and Lauren on the Celebrity sailing in April!
I think the woman at the buffet wearing the "Cruisin & Boozin" tee shirt sums up this trip perfectly 😂😂.
I've often wondered if it would be profitable to take a ship like this and make it "all suite" by combining 2-3 old cabins into larger ones. It'd make things a lot less crowded, and allow them to charge more. I dunno be interesting to see.
Def not. This cruise obviously makes money on alcohol since there's no all inclusive option. They also let heros sail for free and don't charge much for the rooms.
Probably all about drink sales
impressed, good choice of words, covered issues that needed covering, good images, will look at your others - i sailed from japan to Calif, took 12 days, no pool, just food and card games -an ordeal
Hooking up the veterans and ems/fire crowd is reason enough to support the growth of the line.
Costa Classica was my very first cruise back in 94. I might take this cruise for a trip down memory lane.
I got 2 free cruise tickets to this Margaritaville ship.
Got them on a Military free cruise deal.
I threw the tickets away.
I Don’t even like Margaritaville on land.
Margaritaville seems like a popular enough brand that it could fill a larger, more modern ship. Maybe that's in their future. On the other hand, perhaps they would be better-served partnering with an existing cruise line for a themed experience, as the band Kiss does.
A seasoned ship? I guess they found that missing salt shaker
Spot on with this review. I did it in December as a test cruise to see how I would do on a cruise. I did not get sick so now I will be on Wonder of The Seas in August. Great job on the review as usual.
I was on the same dec 3rd sailing. We are educators and used the Heroes Sail Free. We had a blast but I agree, you get what you pay for. I have been on around 30 cruises. I would never sail on Margaritaville at Sea again. I say this not because it was terrible but because we had to switch rooms because of roaches in our first cabin. The Customer service rep at the desk, Priya, was incredibly rude. I'll stick to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
Short cruises is what MSC does the best..because you can with MSC embark and disembark in any port it stops in Mediterranean (i saw people embarking and disembarking and where there was no port at all ,where you go to land with small boats) ,so if i want to spend more days somewhere like Rome or Naples i would disembark there ,spend there 3-4 days and then embark on other MSC ship and go where i started (off course you need to book that all before )
This cruise is not for the big-time cruiser. It's for the couple/family that works like a dog and can only get off work for 2 days. Cheap place to get away with a few friends, throw back a few drinks and just pretend they are getting away from the everyday life. Fair to say many locals go on this on a regular basis. If you are flying in from some other state this cruise is not for you as 2 days goes by super-fast. The staff on this small ship I think stands tall compared to the fancy cruise lines. I idea of cruising with a few thousand people with only 200 lounge chairs around the ship, SUCKS. Glad to see Margaritaville took the courage and brought something local for the everyday working person......
This was very informative. I sailed on a carnival for the second time 2 weeks ago and have another one in 2 weeks. I have wondered about this cruise. Very good overview.
Comedians & magicians. I really don't think cruise ships need to hire them anymore.
I've heard that a sampler cruise, 2-3 day weekend, was worth the money. Not that one, but the Washington and Alaska one. Nice way to spend a weekend and have a break.
I have to wonder if perhaps in the future they don’t end up with a Fantasy class ship when Carnival retires one of the last two ? It would be a huge upgrade for them by the sounds of it. Even if they replaced the current ship a Fantasy would be an upgrade.
Yep! I have been on the Carnival Paradise, and that seems like it would be a great upgrade if they had it and it is also an older ship.
“Dance a little bit” breaks dance, and does a back flop 😆🔥
I went on a cruise with this company when they had 2 ships, and I thought it was cute. There isn't a lot to do, but it was a fun way to get to the Bahamas. There used to be an option to add a few nights on Grand Bahama, and then cruise back, so you could get more variety in the overall vacation experience. I was on the ship that had been part of the Italian fleet because you could see some signage in Italian that had not been changed out yet.
I traveled on the Italian Line as a child. They were owned by the Vatican. That was wonderful and special. They went out of business, probably because they didn't make enough profits.