Margaritaville at Sea is preparing to start homeporting operations from Galveston (Texas) in autumn 2027, deploying its newest and largest vessel, MAS Beachcomber.
Margaritaville announced the expansion at an event at Pier 21, where executives outlined plans for the new vessel and its upcoming Galveston schedule.
MAS Beachcomber will join Margaritaville at Sea’s existing fleet of MAS Islander and MAS Paradise and is being positioned as the largest ship operated by the company.
According to Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy, MAS Beachcomber incorporates experience gained by the company during its first four years of operations and represents the next stage in the development of the brand.
At more than 100,000 gross tons, MAS Beachcomber will feature several established Margaritaville concepts, including the Five O’Clock Somewhere poolside bar and lounge area, described by the company as the largest of its kind, along with the License to Chill outdoor deck, LandShark sports bar and Permanent Reminder tattoo studio.
A new feature specific to Beachcomber will be Same Boat, a live music venue designed in collaboration with country music artist Zac Brown, who serves as a Margaritaville at Sea brand ambassador. Nashville-based country performer Jessica Rose, who previously appeared at Margaritaville’s Atlantic City operation, will be among the artists helping introduce the venue when the ship enters service.
Beachcomber is scheduled to debut in Miami in January 2027 before relocating to Galveston in October. From Texas, the ship will offer 4-night Cozumel Express cruises as well as 7-night itineraries visiting destinations including Aruba, Bimini, Curacao, Grand Bahama Island and Key West, Florida.
Ivy said the Galveston programme had been developed around a broad selection of destinations intended to distinguish the brand's Texas offering from other operators serving the market. Margaritaville is currently the only cruise line with a scheduled call at Veracruz (Mexico) - on January 19th, 2028.
The arrival of Margaritaville at Sea will make the company the 7th cruise line operating from the Port of Galveston. Port of Galveston Director and CEO Rodger Rees said the addition would increase visitor traffic to the port and surrounding attractions while generating further economic activity for local and regional businesses.
The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees approved an operating agreement with Margaritaville at Sea in August 2026. Under the agreement, the cruise line will share Terminals 25 and 28 with CCL-Carnival Cruise Line, DCL-Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
The initial agreement covers 13 months and requires Margaritaville at Sea to generate at least 200,000 passenger movements through embarkations and disembarkations. Two subsequent 5-year renewal periods would require 210,000 and 220,000 passenger movements respectively.
Margaritaville at Sea, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, was established in 2017 as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and adopted its current brand in 2022 after entering into a licensing agreement with Margaritaville Holdings. Current fares across the fleet range from ~US$149 to US$1,600+, while the currently published Galveston departures are priced between ~US$429 and US$999. Bookings are open.