Cruising is supposed to be the ultimate way to relax, right? Endless buffets, stunning sea views, and luxury cabins… but what happens when you board the worst-rated cruise ship in North America? That’s exactly what Tim from Walk With Me Tim decided to find out.
Armed with his camera, a curious spirit, and a two-day mini-cruise itinerary, Tim braved the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise – a ship with a reputation as questionable as the stains on its carpets.
Here’s everything he uncovered during his short voyage (you can watch the full video at the end of the article).
Check-In Chaos and First Impressions
Right off the bat, things didn’t look promising. A botched check-in process and non-functioning security cameras set the tone for what was to come. Tim’s first steps onto the ship were a blend of confusion and low expectations.
With little guidance from staff, passengers resorted to wandering aimlessly or seeking help from the coffee shop employee (yes, really). It was not the smooth start you hope for when embarking on a cruise.
The Room: A Stain-Tastic Experience
Tim splurged on a Grand Terrace Suite, supposedly one of the best rooms on the ship. Luxury, however, was nowhere to be found. The room featured a rubber sheet on the bed, a fruit bowl that seemed more like a science experiment, and mysterious multicoloured stains on the furniture, adding an artistic (if unintentional) touch. While the balcony was a nice addition in theory, it was marred by cheap wooden chairs, unlike the comfier ones seen in other rooms. Balcony envy is real!
The ship itself has a history. Built in 1991 in Italy for Costa Cruises as the Costa Classica, it was originally intended to be a hallmark of luxury. Plans for a major refurbishment in 2000 were abandoned, and the ship underwent several name changes and ownership transfers.
Renamed Costa neoClassica in 2014, it left the Costa fleet in 2018 to sail as the Grand Classica for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. In May 2022, following a partnership with Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels, it was rebranded as Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Despite some updates, its age shows in many areas of the ship.
Food & Drinks: The Good, The Bad, and the Plastic Plates
Cruise dining is often a highlight, but on the Margaritaville at Sea, it was a mixed bag. Tim enjoyed his steak dinner but found the breakfast grits bland and uninspiring. The buffet offered stale pastries, and meals were served on plastic plates and cups.
Drinks started at $15, with an additional 8% service charge, making even modest indulgences pricey. While drink packages were available, Tim discovered that the pay-as-you-go option wasn’t much better for the wallet.
Entertainment and Amenities: A Vintage Vibe (Not in a Good Way)
The ship’s amenities included a casino, a nightclub, and multiple pools. However, the pools were dirty and filled with stray hairs, and only one of the two hot tubs was functional.
Deck maintenance was questionable at best, with hot embers from welding work falling on Tim’s legs. Safety clearly wasn’t the top priority. Despite the challenges, the entertainment team put in their best efforts, even organizing a Conga line to boost spirits. Still, the overall vibe felt more like a budget getaway than a luxurious escape.
After a restless night filled with noise from the pool deck above, Tim woke up to the Bahamas… or at least an industrial side of it. Instead of pristine beaches, passengers were greeted by cargo containers and dustbins.
While excursions were available, Tim opted to stay on the ship to soak up the full Margaritaville experience (translation: more wandering and buffet sampling).
The Verdict: Is It Really the Worst?
So, is the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise the worst cruise ship ever? Tim’s verdict was mixed. The staff were friendly and worked hard to keep the energy lively, but the ship itself was a mix of dated charm and missed opportunities. Would he recommend it? Only if you’re looking for a quirky story to share with friends or enjoy the challenge of questionable grits.
If you’re curious to see it all unfold, check out his full video below – and let us know in the comments: would you dare to set sail on this cruise?
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Thanks for reading!
I'm Hannah and I've been cruising for as long as I can remember.
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I took this cruise in January 2025 on a whim when in Florida. I agree with some of the comments as the dinner at Fins was great each night, the buffet reminded me of a college dining hall. Food was good but not the best but Cheeseburger in Paradise was our go to lunch spot along with the upper deck bar/food station. Rooms were bigger then expected compared to NCL. Bathrooms were also larger but not a fan of the shower curtain. The show in the theater was one of the best we have seen but the seats were not very comfortable. We opted not to get the drink pkg due to the cost unlike the 10+ other cruises we were on, but if you are in the casino & play to earn point drinks are always free!
We did not have a balcony only a large port hole which is fine but we usually always have a balcony which we did miss some. The entire staff was friendly, and personable as they are on most other cruise lines.
Overall for the price & a short cruise (5days) it was well worth it and we would go back on the cruise line again!!