Pleasantly Surprised! | Margaritaville at Sea Islander FULL EXPERIENCE

Come aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander for a look at my FULL cruise experience! From embarkation day and exploring the ship to food, drinks, entertainment, days at sea, and port visits, you'll see how this cruise unfolded from beginning to end. I'll also share a few tips along the way. After reading mixed reviews, I decided to test this cruise out for myself and was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was! This was my 14th cruise, but my first time experiencing the Margaritaville at Sea cruise line. This cruise was a 5-day sailing out of Tampa, FL, with stops in Cozumel and Progreso. I drove to Tampa the day before the cruise, explored the International Mall, and enjoyed lunch before heading to my hotel, about 30 minutes from the cruise terminal depending on traffic. Staying close to the cruise terminal was outside my budget, so this saved a good bit on hotel expenses. I spent the first day of the cruise exploring the ship and my room, grabbing a delicious burger at Cheeseburger in Paradise, testing out a few drinks, enjoying dinner, and then watching a show. It was a unique experience to sail under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Day 2 started with coffee overlooking a gorgeous sunrise, followed by more exploring and steak tacos at Mexican Cutie Cantina. I also managed to spend some time at the pool and tried a few drinks before having to get ready for a business meeting later in the day. Then came dinner in Fins Dining Room, followed by outstanding entertainment. We arrived in Cozumel, Mexico on Day 3. I've been there many times, so I decided not to venture beyond the port area during this trip. The Margaritaville restaurant was right in the port. Even if you have no other plans in Cozumel, it's worth getting off the ship. After a short stroll through the port, I was back on the ship by lunchtime. Naturally, I had to try more drinks to get my money's worth from the drink package! 🤷‍♀️🍹 I also tried the pizza at Frank and Lola's Pizzeria, and it was really good. Then I spent time at the pool. The entertainment that night included Joshua J. Superstar and was absolutely hilarious! After the show, I went to the Bubbles Up Lounge to listen to live music and to try their famous Bubbles Up drink. Watching the bartender make it was part of the fun! After that came the White Hot Neon Nights Party, which was energetic and so fun. You'll find yourself dancing, even if you don't usually dance! We arrived in Progreso, Mexico on Day 4. I explored the port a bit, then hopped on the free shuttle that goes into town. The shuttle ride was about 15 minutes long. From the shuttle dropoff, I walked a few blocks to Playa Progreso, a free public beach that was gorgeous! Then I got back on the bus and returned to the ship for lunch. That evening, I went to Far Side Sushi, which is not complimentary, but worth every penny. The sushi was delicious! The evening continued with fabulous entertainment, game shows, and a visit to the Hot, Hot, Hot Nightclub. Day 5 was the last day of the cruise. After breakfast, I attended Islander's Salute to the Heroes, a special heart-tugging tribute honoring active-duty military members, veterans, fallen and missing service members, healthcare workers, educators, government workers, and first responders. Then squeezed in my last little bit of pool time before heading in for dinner. The entertainment that evening was fantastic! When we got back into Tampa, I could honestly say I had an excellent cruise experience on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. There were so many things that I really loved about this cruise. Everyone I encountered was so friendly, the entertainment blew me away, the drinks were the best I've had on a cruise, my room was spacious and comfortable, and I especially enjoyed having the balcony. I would definitely do this cruise again! 👉 SEA the full Margaritaville at Sea Islander Playlist here:    • Margaritaville At Sea Islander   🌊 SEA ME on my next cruise — subscribe here: https://tinyurl.com/SUBSCRIBE-SEA-ME-... 🛳️ Ready to set sail? Go here and filter to Margaritaville at Sea Islander from the cruise list to see sailings: https://tinyurl.com/MVASIslander This was a hosted FAM sailing with complimentary cruise fare as part of travel advisor training. Taxes, fees, and onboard expenses were not included. Music: Call Me Musician: Liqwyd License:   / call-me   Music: Vibe On, Brisa Tropical, Island Vibes, Skyline Sparks, Rhythms of the Journey Musician: VN VideoEditor Review Sources: Yelp — https://m.yelp.com Cruise Critic — https://www.cruisecritic.com Tripadvisor — https://www.tripadvisor.com Reviews and ratings shown are from these websites and are included for commentary and context. Individual reviewers' opinions are their own. #margaritavilleatsea #cruiselife #cruisetips