Few cruise lines launch with their brand so well established as Margaritaville at Sea. Built around the life and legend of musician Jimmy Buffett, the cruise line has plenty of material to draw from, including the successful land-based resorts, when building a culinary program its two ships, the Paradise and the fresh-from-drydock Islander, said Eric Neuwirth, Margaritaville at Sea’s director of food and beverage.

“Looking first to the legacy of the Margaritaville brand is always an important place to start. Whether it’s gathering inspiration from Jimmy Buffett himself, or the lifestyle he lived, we have so much freedom to build a food and beverage program,” said Neuwirth. “The Margaritaville brand, and all the properties within its portfolio, push to deliver an elevated and differentiated experience with food and beverage. Margaritaville is our true north that allows us to dream up island-inspired creations with a chef-crafted twist that put ingredients and quality preparation at the forefront.”

Buffett fans, known as Parrotheads, adore names and themes playing on his 32 studio albums and six books.

There’s room for a diversity of offerings within the brand, Neuwirth said. With the elevated JWB Prime Steakhouse or the carefree state of mind at a 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar; the line has created a unique spin on Buffett lore that speaks to cruisers, he said.

“We have familiar favorites like cheeseburgers in the Paradise Burger Bar as well as new-for-Margaritaville-at-Sea flavors like Island Eats, with fun mashups like Sea-Cuterie Boards. We very much keep in mind that guests, especially guests of all ages, are looking for variety on longer cruises. We get to push the envelope, thinking up ways for them to find our signature brand of fun, no matter the venue, menu, or meal,” Neuwirth said.

“Several signature favorites, like Key Lime Sponge Cake, have made the jump to the new ship,” he said.  “We’re excited to launch Mexican Cutie Cantina too, where guests will take that same build-it-your-way approach to tacos. Because let’s be honest, is there anything better than sitting back in the sun by the pool with tacos and an ice-cold margarita?”

Keeping it all going is a team effort, Neuwirth said, especially in the age of labor and supply shortages.

“We have an incredible team and really great vendors, but like any entity in the hospitality space, we have hiccups from time to time,” he said. Overcoming obstacles requires keeping nimble, even more so when rolling out a new ship.

“The variety of restaurants aboard the Islander also lets us wander into uncharted waters and deliver something new. We’re offering boba tea at Far Side Sushi, close to our Far Out Arcade and Teen’s Club, because we know it’s a family-friendly favorite. We’re introducing the Bubbles Up Lounge and Champagne Bar for guests looking for something to kick off their evening meal in the Islander Dining Room. Plus, we have three pools, all with a different atmosphere, and the food and beverage program at each will match the vibe of the experience.”

And where would a margarita-themed cruise line be without its beverage program which Neuwirth described as well-thought out and robust.

Each of the thirteen bars and lounges have their own signature margarita highlighting the venue’s ambiance.

“We usually push out more than 1,875 margaritas each day on the Paradise, which translates to around 80 to 90 bottles of tequila. I’ve stopped counting the limes so don’t ask!” he said. “I’m confident that whether a guest is looking for the perfect pour of something tall and strong or a delicately balanced cocktail, we’re ready to deliver.”

Excerpt from the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine Summer 2024