Ava McDonnell
In a recent expansion move, Margaritaville at Sea announced that its newest vessel, the Beachcomber, will be home ported out of PortMiami beginning in 2027. This decision marks the cruise line’s first full‑scale deployment from Miami and signals its intention to reach a broader portion of the Caribbean region through longer, immersive itineraries.
Margaritaville at Sea launched its cruise operations in May 2022 with Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, followed in 2024 by Margaritaville at Sea Islander sailing from Tampa.
The Beachcomber, a transformed former Costa vessel (Costa Fortuna), will be the fleet’s largest ship. Expected to exceed 100,000 gross tons and accommodating approximately 3,450 passengers once reimagined under the Margaritaville aesthetic.
Until late 2026, the ship will continue operating under Costa Cruises as the Costa Fortuna before entering drydock for a comprehensive refit ahead of its Margaritaville debut.
Why Miami?
PortMiami was selected as the new homeport for Beachcomber for several strategic reasons:
Connectivity and airlift: Miami offers strong domestic and international flight access, making it easier for guests to reach embarking cruises.
Cruise infrastructure: Beachcomber will operate from Terminal C at PortMiami, leveraging the port’s capacity and facilities.
Access to Eastern & Southern Caribbean: Miami’s location makes it ideal for sailings eastward and southward into new itineraries.
Growth strategy: The move expands Margaritaville’s homeport footprint to three in Florida including Palm Beach (for Paradise), Tampa (for Islander), and now Miami.
Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, explained that feedback and market research supported a pivot to longer, more destination‑rich sailings — and Miami gave them the launch pad.
Hydi Webb, PortMiami Director & CEO, welcomed the agreement, calling Beachcomber a “fantastic addition” and noting that it would bring “longer itineraries and the brand’s signature spirit of fun and escapism” to PortMiami.
Miami‑Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also weighed in, emphasizing that Miami has long been a global gateway, a role now further reinforced by the arrival of Margaritaville’s new deployment.
Cruises & Itineraries
Starting in 2027, Beachcomber will offer sailings of 4 to 8 nights from Miami, visiting ports new to the Margaritaville portfolio, such as:
Philipsburg (St. Maarten)
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Bimini, Bahamas
Oranjestad, Aruba
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Willemstad, Curaçao
The majority of those sailings are expected to span seven nights.
Bookings for Beachcomber departures from Miami are now open.
What It Means for the Brand
This move represents a significant milestone in the growth trajectory of Margaritaville at Sea. Where the brand started with short coastal cruises, it is now pushing into longer, deeper Caribbean offerings — and layering in design upgrades, new venues, and expanded guest experiences geared for multi‑day escapes. Seatrade Cruise News+5Cruise Industry News | Cruise News+5Margaritaville At Sea+5
By homeporting in Miami, Margaritaville hopes to attract a broader demographic of cruisers — not just drive markets, but those willing to fly to embark on tropical adventures. Cruise Industry News | Cruise News+1
With three homeports in Florida, the company can offer a diversified deployment strategy:
Paradise for short getaways from Palm Beach
Islander for western Caribbean departures from Tampa
Beachcomber for eastern & southern Caribbean sailings from Miami
As Beachcomber undergoes its transformation and prepares for its 2027 debut, the industry will be watching closely to see how effectively Margaritaville can compete in the longer‑duration cruise market. PortMiami, too, stands to gain as it further cements its role as a top-pick homeport destination.
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