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Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber Begins Major Conversion Process
The former Costa Fortuna has been officially renamed and reflagged to Portugal, marking the start of a comprehensive overhaul before its 2027 debut.
Margaritaville at Sea has transitioned the former Costa Fortuna into its next operational phase. Following the vessel's final voyage for Costa Cruises in early September 2026, the ship arrived at Brindisi, Italy, where it was formally renamed the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber.
The vessel is now relocating to the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This site will host a full-scale physical refurbishment to align the ship with the brand's casual, island-inspired identity.
Key Facts Breakdown
- Vessel Origin: Originally launched in 2003 as a Destiny-class ship.
- New Identity: Renamed Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber; now flagged to Portugal.
- Capacity: Approximately 2,720 guests.
- Tonnage: 103,000 gross tons.
- Launch Timeline: Passenger service begins early 2027.
- Deployment: Initial homeport at PortMiami, relocating to Galveston, Texas, in late 2027.
- Itineraries: 3- to 8-night cruises covering the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico.
Technical Specifications & Identity
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Previous Name | Costa Fortuna |
| New Name | Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber |
| Original Launch Year | 2003 |
| Ship Class | Destiny-class vessel |
| Passenger Capacity | Approximately 2,720 guests |
| Gross Tonnage | 103,000 tons |
| Current Flag | Portugal |
| Previous Operator | Costa Cruises |
| New Operator | Margaritaville at Sea |
| First Passenger Season | Early 2027 |
| Initial Homeport | PortMiami |
| Future Homeport | Galveston, Texas |
Onboard Experience & Destinations
The conversion focuses on replacing traditional cruise formality with branded, casual venues. The refurbishment includes:
- 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar: Signature entertainment and relaxation.
- JWB Steakhouse: Specialty dining.
- Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar: Casual brand-inspired dining.
Planned Port Rotations:
- From PortMiami: Cozumel (Mexico), Freeport (Grand Bahama), George Town (Cayman Islands), and various Bahamas ports.
- From Galveston (Late 2027): Aruba, Curaçao, Belize, Veracruz (Mexico), and additional Caribbean ports.
Why This Matters
From a logistical perspective, this move signals a strategic shift toward "lifestyle cruising." By acquiring a 103,000-ton vessel, Margaritaville at Sea is scaling its capacity to compete with major Caribbean operators.
For travelers, the real impact is the removal of the "formal" cruise barrier. The integration of specific brand venues—like the Cheeseburger in Paradise bar—transforms the ship from a mere transport vehicle into a destination itself. Furthermore, the late 2027 move to Galveston is a calculated market expansion, capturing the high-growth Texas passenger demographic and reducing the reliance on Florida-centric departures.
Industry Outlook
The Beachcomber project highlights a continuing trend in the aviation and maritime sectors: the high-value conversion of existing assets. Rather than commissioning new builds, operators are leveraging the structural integrity of older Destiny-class vessels and applying modern, themed overlays to meet current consumer demands for casual luxury. Expect the 2027 launch to test whether brand-heavy "lifestyle" ships can maintain high occupancy rates across varying itinerary lengths (3 to 8 nights).
