In this episode of the Where We Roam Podcast, John and Dayna spill the (salt-rimmed) tea on the newly renovated Margaritaville at Sea Islander. After a $150 million refresh and a wave of influencer hype, does this tropical-themed cruise deliver paradise—or disappointment?

Dayna breaks down her 5-night cruise from Tampa to Key West and Cozumel, covering everything from refurbished rooms and Jimmy Buffett-themed decor to murky pool water, drink package surprises, and sushi served... during karaoke? 😅

We compare the Islander to other budget-friendly cruise options from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL, and give our take on who this cruise is really for (hint: fans of flip-flops, frozen drinks, and zero stress).

Timestamps:

03:00 – The real history behind the Islander ship

10:00 – $150M renovation: worth it?

16:00 – Pool & layout quirks you should know

24:00 – Live entertainment, karaoke, and “Conky Tonkin’ at Sea”

31:00 – Drink package pros & surprising liquor inclusions

34:00 – Dining review: buffet vs. specialty

48:00 – Dayna’s excursion fail in Cozumel

50:00 – Who should cruise Margaritaville—and who shouldn’t

#MargaritavilleAtSea