November 7, 2026 — Margaritaville at Sea told guests booked on today’s Margaritaville at Sea Islander sailing from Tampa to show up several hours later than planned, after the ship unexpectedly went back to Cozumel near the end of its current voyage.
What happened
The Islander left Port Tampa Bay on November 1 for a six-night Mexico and Western Caribbean cruise, calling at Cozumel (November 3), Belize City (November 4) and Roatán (November 5). After Roatán, Cruise Hive’s ship tracking showed the vessel heading back to Cozumel instead of straight home to Tampa. The line has not said why; it described the change only as “due to circumstances beyond our control.” Unconfirmed passenger reports point to a medical disembarkation.
Guests on the next sailing were notified on November 6 by email and on Facebook. Boarding for the November 7 departure from Tampa was moved from 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. to 2:00–6:00 p.m., and guests were asked to arrive about four and a half hours after the time on their boarding pass. The scheduled 3:30 p.m. departure is expected to slip; a revised departure time had not been confirmed (TBA).
Key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 7, 2026 | Delayed embarkation in Tampa, 2:00–6:00 p.m.; new departure time TBA |
| November 9, 2026 | New Orleans call |
| November 11, 2026 | Progreso call |
| November 12, 2026 | Cozumel call |
| November 14, 2026 | Return to Tampa |
The advisory did not change the ports on the seven-night New Orleans and Mexico itinerary. No refund or compensation was mentioned.
What it means for airline travelers
- Do not rush to the terminal. If you are booked on today’s sailing, follow the new 2:00–6:00 p.m. boarding window, not the time printed on your boarding pass.
- Use the extra time on the flight side. Tampa International (TPA) serves Port Tampa Bay. If you are flying in standby today, the later boarding window gives you a later flight to fall back on, but listing for the first flights of the day is still the safer plan.
- Going home on November 14: the ship’s late departure today does not change its scheduled return to Tampa, but watch for any updated arrival time from the line before listing for an early flight.
- The line has not said anything about travel-industry or interline fares.
Sources
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