The state of Florida has designated Aug. 30^th as “Jimmy Buffett Day,” which likely means some Parrotheads will celebrate that special day aboard one of Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea ships.

“The date celebrates the life and music of Jimmy Buffett, whose free-spirited life and significant contributions to nation and state culture are commended and celebrated,” the proclamation states.

Buffett died Sept. 1, 2023, after a long battle with skin cancer. He was 76.

The Florida Legislature also passed a bill to rename State Road A1A as “Jimmy Buffett Highway” from its tip in Ferdinand Beach to Mile Marker 0 in Key West. Supporters said the road choice is particularly appropriate since Buffett’s fifth studio album was named “A1A.”

Jimmy Buffett Highway will cross through 13 counties with roadway markers along it. Although he was not born in Florida, Buffett owned a home in Palm Beach, Florida, for much of his life and was a frequent beachgoer in the Florida Keys. He was regarded as a symbol of the Key West lifestyle.

                                        New Islander joins Paradise

Buffett’s newest ship in his Margaritaville at Sea line, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander is now sailing from Port Tampa Bay to Key West and Mexico on four- and five-night cruise itineraries.

Flip Flop Bar on Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Launched June 11, 2024, Islander joins sister vessel Margaritaville at Sea Paradise which cruises out of West Palm Beach. Befitting her name, the new Islander is filled with Buffett music and island touches.

Stepping onboard, passengers are greeted with a huge 14-foot flip-flop sculpture with a pop-top under it in the main ship lobby. The sculpture is a reference to Margaritaville lyrics, “Stepped on a pop-top, blew out my flip-flop.” A welcoming sign notes “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” and another offers cruisers a “License to chill, and I believe I will.”

After all, this ship is a tribute to Buffett with lively beach colors, bold dramatic style, delicious Caribbean cuisine, creative cocktails and energetic entertainment. The ship has an appealing airy feeling with expansive windows, sweeping staircases and glass elevators that soar up to Deck 10.

Above the main lobby, a replica of Buffett’s own personal seaplane soars along with lovely margarita-glass chandeliers, floating fish and parrots galore. Buffett was a licensed commercial pilot and his aircraft Hemisphere Dancer was central to the action in his best-selling memoir “A Pirate Looks at Fifty.”

The plane also is a reminder of the now-poignant words that Buffett sang: “Way up high, I feel free on those wings you can’t see.”

                                      Old ship renovated for new use

The “new” Margaritaville at Sea Islander is actually 24 years old. The ship was originally built in 2000 as the former Costa Atlantica and underwent an extensive $150 million transformation.

“Essentially every space on this vessel was relatively touched. There are really no areas of the vessel that didn’t have an extensive reimagining,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “I love the layout of this vessel…It is really unique, a fun ship to be on.”

Flip Flop photo spot on entrance to Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Spanning 12 decks with 1,100 staterooms, the 2,650-passenger Islander features 12 eateries plus 13 bars and lounges, each with its own cocktail menu.

At the heart of the Islander’s soaring 14-story atrium, the Flip Flop Bar serves signature cocktails as well as having a stage behind the bar for entertainment. Islander also has a casino, theater, three swimming pool areas, spa, kids’ clubs, arcades, hot tubs, fitness center, shops and plenty of quiet spaces to soak up the Caribbean sun.

Games and activities include corn hole, mini-golf, pickleball, scavenger hunts, craft classes, karaoke, line dance and salsa dance classes and much more.

                                     Abundant Jimmy Buffett music

Jimmy Buffett concerts are shown twice a day on the jumbo screen as well as regularly on stateroom televisions. Plenty of live music can be heard around the ship – a solo violinist, guitar player, ship band, steelpan player, pianist and more.

Two new musical programs are produced live on the cruise in the Stars on the Water Theater (named for Buffett’s 1983 country rock hit). The stage shows are Caribbean Heat Remix and Conky Tonkin’ (the original name for Buffett and Kenny Chesney’s 2004 “License to Chill” hit).                    

Serving as godmother of the Islander is Buffett’s oldest daughter, Savannah, who spent much of her childhood traveling on seaplanes, sailboats and tour buses with her father. She also co-authored two children’s books with her father, “Jolly Mon” and “Trouble Dolls.”

Cheeseburger in Paradise, of course

“Bubbles up. Cheers to many a lovely cruise,” Savannah Buffett said at the ship’s christening. “To the winds in our hair and margaritas in our shoes, fins up forever.”

A replica of Jimmy Buffett’s personal seaplane soars with gigantic parrots to the top of the ship.

Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

Cover photo of ship courtesy of Margaritaville at Sea Islander

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