The former Costa Cruises ship Costa Atlantica (acquired by Margaritaville at Sea/Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in 2023) arrived at Harland & Wolff shipyard (Belfast) on January 10th, 2024.
After extensive renovations, the cruise ship will re-launch as the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, departing from Tampa Florida USA in mid-June 2024.
During her stay at the shipyard, public areas, staterooms, and essential technical work will be transformed to reflect the cruise line's style.
Guest operations are scheduled to commence on June 14, 2024, marking Harland & Wolff's first conversion of a used cruise ship for a new cruise line.
The shipyard, known for its shipbuilding tradition, expanded to include cruise ship repairs in 2020.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander, having been out of service for ~4 years, presents a challenge for both the shipyard and the cruise line. Originally planned to follow her sistership, Costa Mediterranea, Costa Atlantica changed course in 2023, finding a new home with Margaritaville at Sea.
With this addition, the cruise line's fleet now consists of two ships, and the Margaritaville at Sea Islander will operate 4- and 5-day Caribbean cruises from Tampa to Key West and Mexico, starting June 2024.