Attention all parrotheads! In less than a year, cruisers will be able to “waste away again in Margaritaville,” and actually live the lazy lyrics of Jimmy Buffet’s best island hits while relaxing on board one of the world’s most talked-about new cruise ships.
Cruisers who are fans of the laid-back melodies of the legendary singer/songwriter got some exciting news earlier this month when he announced a new partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Starting in late 2015, passengers sailing on NCL’s brand-new Norwegian Escape will be able to kick back and enjoy the “get away from it all” atmosphere of the world’s first Margaritaville restaurant at sea. The dining experience will offer favorites like the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and the “Who’s to Blame Margarita.”
The ship will also welcome aboard Buffet’s signature “5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar,” a beach-theme pub and music venue located right on The Waterfront. The tropical beats of the nightly live shows will entertain guests as they sip their favorite island cocktails in the Caribbean breeze.
The collaboration between Jimmy Buffet and NCL will not stop there, however. A 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar will be coming to NCL’s resort port at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, and Margaritaville-branded eateries will open on its newest private island, Harvest Caye, Belize. In coming years, the theme restaurants and bars will also expand to other ships in NCL’s fleet.
Insiders at NCL are certainly looking forward to the new business deal. According to company executives, the easy-going, escapist vibe of Margaritaville is a perfect match for NCL’s fun-loving, “do it your way” attitude. It is especially fitting that the Margaritaville experience will debut on the Norwegian Escape. The ship, which will be the largest ship to homeport in Miami, will exclusively sail the serene Caribbean Sea, taking vacationers on seven-day cruises to island destinations like the Virgin Islands and The Bahamas year-round.
