Bahama Paradise Cruise Line has partnered Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts to launch a new cruise brand called Margaritaville at Sea.
Florida-based Bahama Paradise will rename its 53,000-gt, 1,680-berth Grand Classica (built 1991) Margaritaville Paradise in April and then operate it under the new brand name.
The ship, which Bahama Paradise bought from Carnival Corp's Costa Cruises, will be refurbished at a cost of "tens of millions" of dollars, chief executive Oneil Khosa said.
He would not disclose how much money each company will contribute to the overhaul, but said the new brand is a "partnership" in which Margaritaville at Sea will handle the ship and cruise operations.
The Margaritaville Paradise will begin offering the same two-night round-trip itinerary from Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island on 30 April that Bahama Paradise has offered for two decades.
Khosa said he is not sure how many bookings have been made for the Margaritaville Paradise.
"The response has been overwhelming," he told TradeWinds. "Industry publications have welcomed the development strongly."
Margaritaville at Sea will provide "a different dimension to the cruising industry" that offers the same carefree experience of John Cohlan-led Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts, named after singer Jimmy Buffett's 1977 hit Margaritaville.
"Margaritaville at Sea will provide guests with Margaritaville’s authentic culture, entertainment and food, en route to a beautiful destination in Grand Bahama Island," Khosa said.
Bahama Paradise sold the 1,908-berth Grand Celebration (built 1987) in November 2020, soon after the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention lifted a no-sail order but required simulated voyages.
