October 2, 2026 — Margaritaville at Sea has put its 2028 program on sale: 30 itineraries to 25 destinations, including first-ever calls in Costa Rica and Panama.
The new ports are Limón, Costa Rica, and Colón, Panama, on eight-night cruises aboard Islander from Tampa that also call at Grand Cayman. Islander’s 2028 schedule also includes a Mardi Gras cruise and a Halloween cruise, each with an overnight in New Orleans (dates TBA), a sailing to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and a five-night Key West and Bimini cruise departing June 25, 2028. Beachcomber sails from Galveston to Cozumel, Progreso and Veracruz. Fares were not published. Chief executive Christopher Ivy said the aim is that “no two escapes have to look the same.”
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What it means for airline travelers
- Airports: Tampa sailings are served by Tampa International (TPA), with St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE) and Sarasota (SRQ) as alternates. Galveston is reached from Houston Hobby (HOU) or Intercontinental (IAH), each roughly an hour or more away by road.
- Flying standby? Florida flights are tight around Mardi Gras, spring break and summer holidays, which is when several of these themed cruises sail. Arrive the day before.
- Documents: the Costa Rica and Panama itineraries go well beyond the usual short Bahamas run; carry a passport.
- Interline rates: the announcement does not mention travel-industry rates.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News: Margaritaville at Sea Unveils 30 Itineraries for 2028
- Cruise Critic: Margaritaville at Sea’s 2028 Itineraries Include New Destinations
- TravelPulse: Margaritaville at Sea Opens Bookings for 2028 Sailings
- Travel Market Report: Margaritaville at Sea Unveils 30 Itineraries for 2028
