Margaritaville Islander

The 2000-built (as Costa Atlantica) cruise ship Margaritaville At Sea Islander (aka MAS Islander) is the first of the two SPIRIT-class Costa vessels (together with Costa Mediterranea/2003-launched) and has as a fleetmate MAS Paradise. In 2020-Q1, Costa Atlantica left Costa Cruises to start operations for the new Chinese company ADORA CRUISES LTD (fka CSSC Carnival China Cruise Shipping Ltd) - officially since January 13, 2020.

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

In 2020-Q3, Atlantica was joined by Mediterranea. From the same (SPIRIT) class are also Carnival Cruise Lines/CCL's liners Legend, Miracle, Pride and Spirit.

In March-April 2022, the CSSC ships Atlantica and Mediterranea were repositioned (via Suez Canal) from Asia to Europe, and placed at anchorage off Limassol Cyprus.

History - construction and ownership

Adora Cruises Ltd was founded in October 2015 as CSSC-Carnival Cruise ShippingAdora Cruises Ltd (renamed in June 2023) and started operations in 2020. The company is a joint venture between Carnival Corporation and China Merchants Group Ltd (Hong Kong-headquartered Chinese state-owned corporation, 1972-founded). Most of CSSC (Carnival China) is owned by Chinese shareholders (60%) and the remainder by Carnival (40%). The Chinese shareholders 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 yet-to-be-revealed buyer. The new shipowner chartered the vessel to Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Line.

The ship (in December 2023 renamed "Margaritaville at Sea Islander"/Margaritaville Islander/MAS Islander) was valued at USD 64,6 million (~EUR 61M).

The 2700-passenger ship Costa Atlantica has a 10-floor-high Atrium with glass elevators fringed with flashing lights rocketing up and down. The high-level energy ambiance is softened with Carrara marble and Byzantine mosaics (art pieces of Italy's Roman, Baroque and Renaissance eras) and Murano glass counterpoints.

Costa's last drydock refurbishment of Atlantica was in 2019.

MAS Islander refurbishment 2023-2024

Margaritaville Islander's refurbishment was planned to start on November 16, 2023, in Cagliari (Sardinia Island, Italy), but was eventually postponed to March 12, 2024.

The major refit and renovation project included redesigning of all passenger staterooms (styling, colors, new furnishings/including Margaritaville brand's bedding, linens, pillows).

Staterooms with step-out balconies were re-categorized to Islander Suites (top-tier), Corner Suites, Grand Terrace Suites, Breezy Balcony Cabins.

The Atrium was expanded to 14 floors (featuring 3x several-deck-high glass chandeliers) with the lobby level served by the Atrium Bar.

MAS Islander has a 3-deck poolside bar (LandShark Bar at Sea), a Mini-Golf Course, family-themed zones/venues (Caribbean Amphibian Splash Pool & Slide) and signature for the Margaritaville brand venues (JWB Prime Steakhouse, Rita’s Taco House, Pizzeria, Coffee Shop, Cheeseburger Bar).

Entertainment offerings include two live production shows and two themed nights (per voyage), as well as poolside fun activities and live musical performances. The shows are titled "Conky Tonkin’ at Sea" (country music-themed) and "Caribbean Heat Remix”. The theme nights are "Boots and Bubbles (Dress to Impress)" (dress up and enjoy themed menus/food and cocktails) and "Rock the Trop" (featuring the scavenger hunt Parrot Quest, as well as character meets-and-greets and other fun activities).

Follows the complete list of Margaritaville Islander restaurants and food bars.

• Pearls Private Dining
• two MDRs/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

Follows the complete list of Margaritaville Islander lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• 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 (host daily boba teas and fun games, transforms into an adults-only venue/nightclub nightly)
• Love and Luck Casino Bar
• Margaritaville Casino
• Tween Club
• Havana Daydreamin' Sports Bar
• Retail Shops (Live Life Like a Song, Island Time)
• Flip Flop Atrium
• 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 Landshark & 5 o'Clock Somewhere bars)
• Margaritaville Coffee Shop
• Adults Only: Island Eats, Tiki Grill, Bar & Pool
• Landshark Bar & Lookout
• Paradise Pickleball at Sea (play course)
• Dis and Dat Activity Zone (Cornhole & Minigolf course)
• Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide (waterslide and splash-and-spray pad/“lily”)

MAS Islander offers 6x new (for Margaritaville at Sea) dining venues and 11x exclusive bars/lounges.

The Defying Gravity Experience is dedicated to families and offers fun activities like circus-themed workshops and interactive events (game shows, scavenger hunts, etc).

To small children and teenagers are dedicated the following four venues, all with daily scheduled supervised activities:

Jolly Mon Kids' Club (ages 3-5) offers ocean-themed games, arts-crafts, storytelling, meets-and-greets from costumed characters.

Parakeets Kids' Club (ages 6-9) offers magic-themed workshops, “Escape from Chichen Itza” puzzle game, DJ academy, ship tour, crazy hat party, sports hour on the outdoor deck.

The Hang Out Kids' Club (ages 10-12) offers fun games, sports/basketball, mini-golfing, cornhole tournaments, pickleball classes, DJ academy, magic-themed workshops, "Mar-glo-ritaville" party, pop star music competitions and sessions.

The Far Out Teen Club (ages 13-17) is the teenagers-only venue offering activities like watching movies, percussion workshops, scavenger hunts with prizes, Tik-Tok and Instagram contests, nightclub dancing.

Decks and Cabins

Costa Atlantica/Margaritaville Islander staterooms (1105 total, in 14 grades) include 52x Suites, 620x Balcony, 179x Oceanview and 228x Inside cabins. Most staterooms are sized 185 ft2 (17 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 35-55 ft2 / 3-5 m2. Around 64% of all staterooms have a private, step-out balcony.

Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 8.

The largest accommodations on the ship are the Grand Suites (365 ft2 / 34 m2 plus 280 ft2 / 27 m2 terrace).

The boat has 12 decks, of which 8 are with cabins.

Costa Atlantica decks were named after Federico Fellini's movies - Luci Del Varieta (floor 1), La Dolce Vita (2), La Strada (3), Roma (4), I Clowns (5), Amacord (6), Intervista (7), Eight And A Half (8), Ginger And Fred (9), E La Nave Va (10). La Voce Della Luna (11), Le Notti di Cabiria 12).

Costa Atlantica ship review

There are a total 12 dining venues available.

The glittering 2-deck Tiziano Restaurant is the main dining venue aboard Costa Atlantica, serving all 3 meals at traditionally fixed sittings. The MDR is longer than wide due to the placement of the ship's galley along the side walls. Choices for seating range from a handful of 2- and 4-tops to a number of bigger tables, including more for 8, or more than it's typical on American cruise ships. With the hard surfaces of the room, the noise level can be prodigious, as tables are placed very close. Though guests may choose a table at breakfast and lunch and don't need to dine at their regular sitting time, Atlantica still maintains formal seating times. The doors are closed a half-hour after the beginning of the first seating and reopened at the regular time for the second seating. Such a schedule is also maintained on port days when the volume is minimal.

The ship also offers complimentary 24-hour room service.

Follows the complete list of Costa Atlantica restaurants and food bars.

• Wellness Restaurant (serves healthy and low-calorie food; with complimentary dining room for guests in Wellness cabins, and a specialty restaurant for other passengers at a surcharge/reservations are required)
• Ristorante Tiziano (1320-seat aft Dining Room, complimentary; serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, 2 fixed dinner seatings - at 6:30 pm and 9 pm)
• Ristorante Buffet Botticelli (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary; offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea at 4-5 pm, and dinner; in the evening is transformed into Pizzeria Napoli, complimentary, with waiter service)
• Club Atlantica (123-seat, 2-tiered dinner restaurant; reservations-only)

There are three notable venues on Costa Atlantica: the Coral Lounge, Caffe Florian and Dante's Disco. Florian is a clone of its Baroque-era namesake in Venice City's St Mark's Square, down to the wall and ceiling artwork and table placement. It's a nice spot to meet with friends for a glass of cappuccino and one of the most intimate lounges onboard.

Atlantica's Coral Lounge is placed on the very bottom deck, and is an evocative alternate performance nightclub, carrying the sense of being at the bottom of the ocean.

Dante's is a wonderful atmospheric disco. The bar and the cocktail tables are on the entrance level on Deck 2. One deck down, special effects machines fill the area of dancing with dense, smoky fog.

Follows the complete list of Costa Atlantica lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Salone delle Feste Corallo (355-seat "Coral Parties" bar lounge with live music and entertainment)
• Discoteca Dante (154-seat 2-tiered Disco Nightclub and bar lounge with DJ program nightly)
• Teatro Caruso (950-seat, 3-tiered theatre, and main show lounge; hosts grand scale show productions, musicals, classical concerts, ballet performances, circus shows)
• Piazza Madama Butterfly (lounge with a dance floor, served by Madama Butterfly bar)
• Sala Carte (cards room)
• Casino Fortuna (served by the Fortuna bar)
• Atrio La Dolce Vita (10-deck high Atrium with 3 panoramic glass elevators, live music; served by Dolce Vita Bar)
• Lounge Via Veneto (stage, dance floor, and bar)
• Sala via Veneto (jazz bar lounge)
• Terrazza Giardino (Garden Terrace, glass-roofed)
• Biblioteca and Internet Point (Library/computers room)
• Caffe Florian (specialty champagne, wine and coffee bar; a copy of the Venetian Caffe Florian)
• Piazza San Marco (lounge area served by Florian bar; with grand piano and dance floor)
• Negozi Via Della Spiga (duty and tax-free shops for brand watches, jewelry, perfumes, fashion clothes, Costa-logo merchandise, sportswear, gifts, tobacco, and liquor)
• Galleria Foto (Photo Gallery and Shop); Art Gallery
• Sala Paparazzi; Paparazzi Lounge and Bar
• Mondo Virtuale (Video Games Arcade)
• Cappella (Wedding Chapel, also used for religious services)
• Squok Club (kids lounge with Mini Club (3-6 yo) and Maxi Club (7-11 yo) playing rooms; with complimentary kids program and supervised activities; complimentary babysitting)
• Teen Zone (teenagers' lounge with Teen Junior (12-14 yo) and Teen Club (15-17 yo) rooms; complimentary supervised activities, themed parties, sports contests)
• Terme Ischia (2-level Spa and Wellness complex, with Palestra Olympia gym, Sala Olympia aerobics room; Venus Beauty Salon; Treatment Rooms; UVA Solarium; Relaxation Room; Aroma Steam Rooms; Saunas; Turkish Bath and Hydrotherapy pool; Wellness cabins receive free access to all Spa facilities)
• Solarium (the largest open-air area onboard; served by Solarium Bar)
• Lido Ginger and Fred Pools area (with 2 swimming pools, 2 Whirlpools, tennis tables, and foosball; served by Ginger and Fred Bar)
• Lido Aurora Pool area (with 1 Whirlpool; served by Aurora Bar); Lido Pinocchio (mini pool for kids)
• Toboga Waterslide
• Campo da Gioco (combined court for tennis and basketball); Pista da Jogging (Power Walking/Jogging Track); Deck Games area (table tennis, shuffleboard)

Just like the ship retained its original name and colors, most of the onboard activities continue to be Italy-themed and include a Venice Carnival party, games and contests, culinary courses.

Margaritaville at Sea Itineraries

Margaritaville Islander’s inaugural cruise is currently scheduled for June 14, 2024. The 4-night itinerary is a roundtrip from homeport Tampa (Florida USA) visiting Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya) and having two days at sea.

Margaritaville Islander's itinerary program is based on year-round homeporting in Port Tampa Bay and 4-night and 5-night cruises visiting Key West (Florida) and Mexico's ports Cozumel and Progreso/Merida.

Costa Atlantica Itineraries

For Costa Cruises, Costa Atlantica itinerary program was based on seasonal roundtrips from homeport Dubai UAE (8-day itineraries). The ship was also deployed in East Asia with homeporting in Shanghai China and Singapore.

CSSC-Carnival China's 2023 schedule for Costa Atlantica is based on homeporting in China. The short (4-5-night) voyages depart roundtrip from Shanghai and Shenzhen-Shekou and visit popular destinations in Japan's prefectures 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 cruise July 17, 2000), with sisterships Costa Mediterranea, and the CCL-Carnival ships Spirit, Pride, Legend, Miracle.

The vessel was constructed by STX Finland (at Kvaerner Masa-Yards/Helsinki New Shipyard in Helsinki) under yard/hull number 498. It has volume 85861 GT-tons, DWT/deadweight 8600 tons, max draught 8 m (26 ft). The powerplant is based on six Wartsila marine diesel engines (models 9L46C and 9R46/dual-fuel) with total power output 61,95 MW (84230 HP). The propulsion system is diesel-electric and based on two AZIPODs (combined output 35,2 MW/47860 HP).

The ship's main features include the 10-deck Atrium with panoramic (glass-walled) elevators.

Costa Atlantica's interior combined Roman, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. All decks were named after Federico Fellini's movies; decorated with Carrara marble and Murano glass tiles, paintings by Milo Manara; a replica of the "Caffe Florian" (Venice).

Costa Atlantica arrived in Singapore for the first time on May 3, 2013, joining in Asia Costa Victoria. In the period May-June 2013, Atlantica's itinerary program offered 3- and 4-day roundtrips from Singapore to ports in Thailand and Malaysia. In June, the liner was homeported in Keelung Taiwan for two 5-day roundtrips to Japan and South Korea. In the period July-December 2013, the ship was homeported in Shanghai China for 4- and 5-day roundtrips to Japan and South Korea, visiting Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kobe, Cheju, Busan, Incheon. Costa Asia ships in 2017 also included Fortuna, neoRomantica, Serena and Victoria.

On November 30, 2016, Costa Atlantica started a 46-day World Voyage to the South Pacific, leaving roundtrip from Tianjin China with 2000+ passengers. The boat visited ports on 2 continents, including 12 islands in 9 different countries. The itinerary's main destinations were Vanuatu, Tonga, French Polynesia, American Samoa, New Caledonia, PNG-Papua New Guinea.

Under the Margaritaville brand, MAS Islander ship's namesake is the Lindblad Expeditions vessel National Geographic Islander II (1991-built, fka Crystal Esprit).

In May 2024 was announced that MAS Islander's godmother would be Savannah Jane Buffett (1979-born American radio personality, the daughter of the famous American singer-songwriter James William Buffett/1946-2023).

Margaritaville Islander refurbishment 2024 review

On January 10, 2024, Costa Atlantica arrived at Harland & Wolff's shipyard (Belfast Ireland). After several wetdocking projects, the vessel entered drydock on March 12th.

The scheduled drydocking was for an extensive refit and refurbishment, to convert/reconstruct the former Costa vessel into the MAS Islander (Margaritaville at Sea Islander).

The project included complete renovation and redesign of public areas and staterooms, as well as general/routine maintenance works (technical overhaul, machinery updates, classification inspections), superstructure and hull cleaning and repainting.

Curiously, Harland & Wolff started to offer drydock repairs for cruise ships in 2020 (during the COVID crisis). The company is also famous for being the shipbuilder of RMS Titanic. The shipyard is regularly booked for routine drydocks serving Viking OCEAN's fleet.

MAS Islander was planned to restart operations/inauguration by the new shipowner on June 14, 2024, leaving out of Port Tampa Bay, Florida USA.