If your idea of a white Christmas involves a pool deck and a frozen cocktail, Margaritaville at Sea has you covered. The cruise line has confirmed the return of Very Merry Margaritaville, running from November 30 through December 31, 2026, across both of its ships — the Paradise and the Islander.
All month long, the two vessels get a full festive overhaul: holiday decor throughout, seasonal crafts, ugly sweater contests, holiday trivia, and ornament-making sessions with Mrs. Claus. On the drinks front, the Mistletoe Margarita and Candy Cane Colada are back, joined by holiday-themed coffee drinks, speciality dining menus and festive desserts. Evening entertainment includes carol singalongs, holiday movies under the stars, and a new theatre show called A Very Merry Holiday Show performed by the onboard cast. Onboard shops will stock seasonal merchandise too.
The itineraries blend the holiday cheer with warm-weather ports. Festive sailings include a four-night Bahamas Duo trip aboard the Paradise departing December 24, and a five-night Key West and Cozumel cruise on the Islander leaving December 23 — handy if you want to wake up somewhere tropical on Christmas morning. For those stretching the holidays, December 28 offers a four-night Bahamas Duo on the Paradise and a five-night Mexico Duo on the Islander calling at Progreso and Cozumel.
Shore excursions get a seasonal twist as well. Depending on the sailing, you can add a Mexican mariachi experience or a traditional Christmas celebration in Cozumel — a way to see how the holidays unfold locally rather than just importing your own traditions onto a ship.
There is also a deal to know about before you book: the line's Early Access to Black Friday promotion knocks 65 percent off cruise fares, plus free fares for third and fourth guests on selected dates. For families or groups, that could make a Christmas-at-sea trip notably cheaper than a conventional resort holiday.
Why it matters: this is a niche but growing style of trip — the festive cruise that swaps turkey-and-telly routines for sunshine, ports like Key West and Cozumel, and enough onboard programming (crafts, trivia, shows) to keep kids and grandparents happy. It suits travellers who want the Christmas atmosphere without the cooking, or who would rather escape winter entirely. Book early if you are eyeing the Christmas Eve or Christmas week departures, as those dates traditionally fill fastest, and check whether the Black Friday discount applies to your chosen sailing before you commit.
