Solo Cruising: My Journey from Orlando to Margaritaville at Sea Islander

After attending the Expedia Cruises Navigator Rally in Orlando, I decided to keep the adventure going by hopping aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander cruise out of Tampa. But first, I had to figure out how to get from Orlando to Tampa without renting a car. Enter: FLIX bus!

Getting to Tampa: FLIX Bus Tips

I found the FLIX bus to be a budget-friendly and surprisingly easy option. My ticket was just $26 for two seats (I splurged on the extra seat for only $4 to guarantee some elbow room). The bus leaves from the Orlando Greyhound station, which, if you’ve ever visited, isn’t exactly the most glamorous spot. I took an Uber from my hotel near Disney Springs—about a 20-minute ride.

Once at the station, I found my bus info on the screen and settled in. The bus was about 10 minutes late, but boarding was quick. Tickets are digital, so just show your QR code to the driver and you’re good to go. After a brief stop in Lakeland, I arrived at the Tampa bus station about 1 hour and 20 minutes later. The station was outdoors and the building was locked (it was Sunday morning), so I trusted my solo traveler instincts and walked a couple blocks to a safer, open area for my ride share to the port.

Tip: Next time, I’ll try the Amtrak train! The station is right across from the Port of Tampa, and tickets are around $15—definitely worth considering for future trips.

Embarkation: Room for Improvement

I arrived at the port right on time, and the porters were quick to take my bag. Embarkation for Margaritaville at Sea Islander could use some upgrades, though. The process took over an hour, mostly because the cruise line’s technology isn’t quite up to speed. You can’t pre-register a credit card for onboard purchases, so everyone has to do it at check-in. Plus, we had to wait outside in the heat, and the air conditioning inside was out that day—yikes!

First Impressions & Food Finds

Once onboard, I dropped my bag in my cabin and made a beeline for Cheeseburger in Paradise. The ship’s layout reminded me of older Carnival ships, and I soon learned the Islander was formerly the Costa Atlantica—a Carnival Corporation brand. There are two mid-ship pools: 5’Oclock Somewhere (where the band plays) and the quieter Landshark pool.

Tip: On embarkation day, skip the buffet! It’s packed. Instead, try Cheeseburger in Paradise or Mexican Cutie Cantina for quicker, tasty bites.

The burger was delicious, but the crew was a bit behind on cooking—expect a short wait for fresh food. Later, I explored the ship and found it bright, clean, and beautifully remodeled. My cabin was fresh, with fun Islander-themed art and pillows.

Dining & Ports

Dinner at Fins dining room was a treat, though there was a wait. The meatballs with Italian-spiced bread were the highlight! I appreciated the plentiful food, but with my smaller post-gastric bypass stomach, I stuck to one item per course.

Our first port was Cozumel, Mexico. I booked the Islands beach resort VIP Experience through MVAS for $89.99 (pre-cruise discount). It rained as we docked, but the weather cleared up quickly. The beach was rocky—bring water shoes! The pool was small and underwhelming, but the food (especially the Pork Chuc) was excellent. Drinks were included but very weak.

Tip: For a livelier vibe and better drinks, check out Mr. Sanchos Beach Resort in Cozumel.

Sea Days & More Ports

After Cozumel, we had a sea day en route to Jamaica. I spent it reading and napping—pure bliss! Dinner at Islands dining room was good, but service was slow that night.

In Ocho Rios, Jamaica, I tried the Bamboo Beach Club VIP Experience ($116.99 pre-cruise). Honestly, it wasn’t worth the cost. The beach was small, drinks were weak, and we only had 2.5 hours at the resort due to long transportation times. The food was good but limited, so picky eaters beware.

Grand Cayman was next, but I stayed onboard since I’d visited twice already. Sometimes, you just need a pool day and some people-watching!

Entertainment & Crew Shout-Outs

The entertainment on the Islander was varied and enjoyable. The production cast was talented, and the aerialists (Omar and Valeria) were fantastic. I missed the mystery musical, but the comedian was great—wish there had been a second show!

My balcony cabin was quiet and comfortable. Shout-out to my cabin steward Youngkey and dining room staff Rogers, Tina, and Lisa for their excellent service. I met several first responders and teachers onboard who got great deals on their cabins—if you fit those categories, definitely look into it!

Final Thoughts

Overall, my trip on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander was enjoyable and a great value, except for the Jamaica excursion. As a travel agent, I love sharing these experiences to help fellow solo travelers know what to expect. If you’re looking for an affordable cruise with friendly vibes, give MVAS Islander a try—and don’t forget to trust your instincts and seek out the hidden gems along the way!

Criticisms:

Criticism 1: Update/Upgrade the technology used for pre-boarding and onboard.  This would solve many of the frustrations of passengers.

Criticism 2: The dessert menu is very limited.  Each night there were three items to choose from, two were static and on every night’s menu, one item changed each night.  The two static items were ice cream, and something called Colada Lush that looked like a pineapple/coconut cake.  I found almost all the cakes I tried on the ship were dry.  It is hard to keep cake moist when you are making such a large amount and keeping it out for passengers, so I get it, but they were nothing to write home about and it was disappointing when the three dessert choices were not varied. 

Criticism 3: The same issue on all cruise ships is pervasive on MVAS, people putting their items on a lounger and disappearing.  I sat on a lounger for up to 5 hours and two loungers near me had towels and a small bag on them, but the occupants were only in the loungers for about 15 minutes in the 5-hour period I sat there.  It is annoying that the loungers are not monitored.