Margaritaville Islander

The 2000-built cruise ship Margaritaville at Sea Islander (formerly Costa Atlantica, also known as MAS Islander) is the first of two SPIRIT-class Costa vessels, alongside her sistership Costa Mediterranea (launched in 2003). She now sails as a fleetmate of MAS Paradise. In Q1 2020, Costa Atlantica left Costa Cruises to begin operations with the new Chinese company Adora Cruises Ltd (formerly CSSC Carnival China Cruise Shipping Ltd), officially starting service on January 13, 2020.

As Costa Atlantica, the vessel (IMO 9187796) was Italy-flagged (MMSI 247645000) and registered in Genoa. MAS Islander is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311001063) and registered in Nassau.

In Q3 2020, Atlantica was joined by Mediterranea. Other ships from the same Spirit class include Carnival Cruise Line’s Legend, Miracle, Pride, and Spirit.

In March–April 2022, both CSSC ships Atlantica and Mediterranea were repositioned via the Suez Canal from Asia to Europe and anchored off Limassol, Cyprus.

History – construction and ownership

Adora Cruises Ltd was founded in October 2015 as CSSC-Carnival Cruise Shipping Ltd (renamed Adora Cruises Ltd in June 2023) and began operations in 2020. The company is a joint venture between Carnival Corporation and China Merchants Group Ltd (a Hong Kong–headquartered, state-owned enterprise founded in 1972). The ownership structure is 60% Chinese shareholders and 40% Carnival Corporation. The Chinese stakeholders include CIC (China Investment Corporation) and CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation).

On October 16, 2023, Carnival Corporation (as shipowner) officially confirmed the sale of the 23-year-old Costa Atlantica (through Adora Cruises Ltd) to a new buyer, MV Cruises I Vesselco Ltd. The vessel was subsequently chartered to Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Line.

Renamed “Margaritaville at Sea Islander” (MAS Islander) in December 2023, the ship was valued at USD 64.6 million (~EUR 61 million).

The 2,700-passenger Costa Atlantica featured a 10-deck-high atrium with glass elevators accented by vibrant lighting. Her energetic atmosphere was softened by Carrara marble, Byzantine mosaics, and Murano glass details inspired by Italy’s Roman, Baroque, and Renaissance artistry.

Costa’s last drydock refurbishment of Atlantica was completed in 2019.

MAS Islander refurbishment 2023–2024

Margaritaville Islander’s refurbishment was initially scheduled to begin on November 16, 2023, in Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), but was postponed to March 12, 2024.

The extensive refit and renovation project involved a full redesign of all passenger staterooms, featuring new styling, colors, and furnishings, along with Margaritaville-branded bedding, linens, and pillows.

Balcony staterooms were reclassified into new categories, including Islander Suites (top-tier), Corner Suites, Grand Terrace Suites, and Breezy Balcony Cabins.

The ship’s atrium was expanded to 14 decks and now features three multi-deck glass chandeliers, with the lobby level served by the Atrium Bar.

New onboard highlights include a 3-deck poolside venue (LandShark Bar at Sea), a Mini-Golf Course, and family-themed areas such as the Caribbean Amphibian Splash Pool & Slide. Signature Margaritaville venues include JWB Prime Steakhouse, Rita’s Taco House, Pizzeria, Coffee Shop, and Cheeseburger Bar.

Entertainment options feature two live production shows and two themed nights per voyage, plus poolside games and live music. The shows are titled “Conky Tonkin’ at Sea” (country-themed) and “Caribbean Heat Remix.” The themed nights include “Boots and Bubbles (Dress to Impress)” (with themed menus and cocktails) and “Rock the Trop” (featuring the Parrot Quest scavenger hunt, character meet-and-greets, and more).

Below is the complete list of Margaritaville Islander restaurants and food bars:

• Pearls Private Dining
• Two Main Dining Rooms (Fins Dining Room, Islander Dining Room)
• Far Side Sushi & Boba
• Rita’s Taco House
• Mexican Cutie Cantina
• Island Eats
• Tiki Grill
• Cheeseburger in Paradise
• Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria
• Port of Indecision Buffet
• JWB Steakhouse and Lounge

And the complete list of Margaritaville Islander lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for all ages:

• Stars on the Water Theater
• Coral Reef Lounge
• Hot Hot Hot Night Club
• Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits
• Flip Flop Atrium & Bar
• Far Side of the World Lounge
• Teen Lounge
• Far Side of the World Arcade & Lounge/Nightclub (daytime for games and boba teas, adults-only nightclub at night)
• Love and Luck Casino Bar
• Margaritaville Casino
• Tween Club
• Havana Daydreamin’ Sports Bar
• Retail Shops (Live Life Like a Song, Island Time)
• Compass Rose Conference Room
• Bubbles Up Lounge & Champagne Bar
• QMN & Fins Up Fitness
• St. Somewhere Spa
• Pool Deck with LandShark & 5 o’Clock Pools (served by corresponding bars)
• Margaritaville Coffee Shop
• Adults-Only Area: Island Eats, Tiki Grill, Bar & Pool
• LandShark Bar & Lookout
• Paradise Pickleball at Sea
• Dis and Dat Activity Zone (Cornhole & Mini Golf)
• Caribbean Amphibian Splash & Slide (waterslide and spray pad)

MAS Islander introduces six new dining venues and eleven exclusive bars and lounges to the Margaritaville at Sea brand.

The Defying Gravity Experience caters to families, offering circus-themed workshops and interactive entertainment such as game shows and scavenger hunts.

Dedicated youth areas include the following supervised venues:

Jolly Mon Kids’ Club (ages 3–5): ocean-themed games, arts and crafts, storytelling, and character meet-and-greets.

Parakeets Kids’ Club (ages 6–9): magic workshops, “Escape from Chichen Itza” puzzle game, DJ academy, ship tour, and themed parties.

The Hang Out Kids’ Club (ages 10–12): sports, mini-golf, pickleball, tournaments, DJ sessions, magic workshops, and “Mar-glo-ritaville” glow parties.

The Far Out Teen Club (ages 13–17): movies, percussion workshops, scavenger hunts, TikTok and Instagram contests, and dance parties.

Decks and Cabins

Costa Atlantica/Margaritaville Islander staterooms (1105 total, in 14 categories) include 52 Suites, 620 Balcony, 179 Oceanview, and 228 Inside cabins. Most staterooms measure 185 ft² (17 m²), with balconies ranging from 35–55 ft² (3–5 m²). About 64% of all accommodations feature private step-out balconies.

There are 8 wheelchair-accessible cabins onboard. The largest accommodations are the Grand Suites, measuring 365 ft² (34 m²) plus a 280 ft² (27 m²) terrace.

The ship has 12 decks, 8 of which are dedicated to cabins. Decks were named after Federico Fellini’s films: Luci Del Varietà (1), La Dolce Vita (2), La Strada (3), Roma (4), I Clowns (5), Amarcord (6), Intervista (7), Eight and a Half (8), Ginger and Fred (9), E La Nave Va (10), La Voce Della Luna (11), and Le Notti di Cabiria (12).

Costa Atlantica ship review

The ship offers a total of 12 dining venues. The elegant, two-deck Tiziano Restaurant serves all three main meals at traditional fixed sittings. The venue is long and narrow due to the galley’s side placement. Seating options include tables for two and four, as well as larger tables for groups of eight or more. While breakfast and lunch are open seating, dinner maintains fixed sittings with doors opening at set times. The restaurant’s hard surfaces contribute to a lively, often noisy atmosphere typical of Italian dining.

Complimentary 24-hour room service is available to all guests.

Other dining options include:

• Wellness Restaurant – serves healthy and low-calorie meals; complimentary for Wellness cabin guests, surcharge for others (reservation required)
• Ristorante Tiziano – 1,320-seat main dining room, complimentary; open-seating breakfast and lunch, two fixed dinner sittings (6:30 pm and 9 pm)
• Ristorante Buffet Botticelli – self-service buffet for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea (4–5 pm), and dinner; transforms into Pizzeria Napoli in the evening (complimentary with waiter service)
• Club Atlantica – 123-seat, two-tier specialty restaurant (reservation required)

Notable venues include the Coral Lounge, Caffè Florian, and Dante’s Disco. Caffè Florian is a near replica of Venice’s iconic café, with Baroque décor and intimate ambiance. The Coral Lounge, located on the lowest deck, evokes an underwater atmosphere, while Dante’s Disco offers a multi-level dance club experience with special effects and fog machines.

Margaritaville at Sea itineraries

Margaritaville Islander’s inaugural voyage was scheduled for June 14, 2024—a 4-night roundtrip from Tampa, Florida, visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, with two sea days.

Her year-round program is based in Port Tampa Bay, offering 4- and 5-night cruises visiting Key West, Cozumel, and Progreso.

MAS Islander’s 2027 schedule adds longer 4- to 10-night Western Caribbean itineraries, including:

• 8-night Mardi Gras Overnight & Mexico Cruise – includes an overnight in New Orleans and calls at Progreso and Cozumel.
• 8-night Jamaica and Western Caribbean Cruise – visits Cozumel, Belize City, Montego Bay, and George Town (Grand Cayman).
• 7-night Key West and Mexico Cruise – calls at Key West, Cozumel, and Progreso.
• 5-night Bahamas Duo Cruise – visits Freeport and Nassau.
• 5-night Key West and Grand Bahama Cruise – visits Key West and Freeport.

These special voyages opened for booking in March 2025.

Costa Atlantica itineraries

During her service with Costa Cruises, Costa Atlantica operated seasonal 8-day roundtrips from Dubai, UAE, as well as deployments in East Asia, homeporting in Shanghai and Singapore.

CSSC-Carnival China’s 2023 program for Costa Atlantica was based on 4- and 5-night roundtrips from Shanghai and Shenzhen-Shekou, visiting popular Japanese destinations in Okinawa and Kagoshima, including Miyakojima Island and the Yaeyama Islands (Iriomote-jima, Yonaguni-jima, Taketomi-jima).

Costa Atlantica is one of Costa Cruises’ SPIRIT-class liners (inaugural voyage on July 17, 2000), with sisterships Costa Mediterranea and the Carnival Cruise Line ships Spirit, Pride, Legend, and Miracle.

The vessel was built by STX Finland (formerly Kvaerner Masa-Yards) at the Helsinki New Shipyard (Helsinki), under yard/hull number 498. She has a gross tonnage of 85,861 GT, a deadweight of 8,600 tons, and a maximum draft of 8 m (26 ft). The powerplant consists of six Wärtsilä marine diesel engines (models 9L46C and 9R46/dual-fuel) with a combined output of 61.95 MW (84,230 HP). The diesel-electric propulsion system drives two AZIPOD units with a total output of 35.2 MW (47,860 HP).

One of the ship’s signature features is the 10-deck atrium with panoramic glass-walled elevators.

Costa Atlantica’s interiors blend Roman, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. All decks were named after Federico Fellini’s films and adorned with Carrara marble, Murano glass tiles, and paintings by Milo Manara. The ship also featured a replica of Venice’s famous “Caffè Florian.”

Costa Atlantica first arrived in Singapore on May 3, 2013, joining Costa Victoria in Asia. Between May and June 2013, she operated 3- and 4-day roundtrips from Singapore to ports in Thailand and Malaysia. In June, the ship was homeported in Keelung, Taiwan, offering two 5-day cruises to Japan and South Korea. From July to December 2013, she was homeported in Shanghai, China, sailing 4- and 5-day roundtrips to Japan and South Korea, visiting ports such as Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kobe, Cheju, Busan, and Incheon. Costa’s Asia-based ships in 2017 also included Costa Fortuna, Costa neoRomantica, Costa Serena, and Costa Victoria.

On November 30, 2016, Costa Atlantica embarked on a 46-day World Voyage to the South Pacific, departing roundtrip from Tianjin, China with over 2,000 passengers. The itinerary included ports on two continents and 12 islands across nine countries, with highlights such as Vanuatu, Tonga, French Polynesia, American Samoa, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea.

Under the Margaritaville brand, the MAS Islander’s namesake is the Lindblad Expeditions vessel National Geographic Islander II (built in 1991, formerly Crystal Esprit).

In May 2024, it was announced that the MAS Islander’s godmother would be Savannah Jane Buffett (born 1979), an American radio personality and daughter of the late singer-songwriter James William Buffett (1946–2023).

Margaritaville Islander refurbishment 2024 review

On January 10, 2024, Costa Atlantica arrived at Harland & Wolff Shipyard (Belfast, Ireland). Following several wetdocking projects, she entered drydock on March 12.

The scheduled drydocking included an extensive refit and refurbishment to convert the former Costa vessel into the MAS Islander (Margaritaville at Sea Islander).

The project featured a complete renovation and redesign of public areas and staterooms, alongside general maintenance and technical overhauls, machinery updates, classification inspections, and hull cleaning and repainting.

Interestingly, Harland & Wolff began offering cruise ship drydock services in 2020 during the COVID crisis. The shipyard is also renowned as the builder of the RMS Titanic and is regularly contracted for drydock maintenance of Viking Ocean Cruises’ fleet.

MAS Islander was scheduled to enter service with her new owner on June 14, 2024, sailing from Port Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.