Wasting Away Again with Margaritas on Margaritaville at Sea

When it comes to the quintessential tropical beverage of a laidback lifestyle guru like Jimmy Buffett, no cocktail better captures that breezy, beachside spirit than the classic margarita. It's no wonder the frosty, tart, salt-rimmed concoction became Buffett's drink of choice and the inspiration behind his breakout 1977 hit "Margaritaville" that fully cemented his island escapism brand.

On Buffett's new Margaritaville at Sea cruise line, this iconic beverage is elevated to an art form and celebrated across the entire oceangoing experience. From themed margarita bars and lavish tasting events to margarita-inspired culinary offerings and fresh fruit sourced from Caribbean ports, the famous cocktail takes center stage in ways even Buffett himself could never have imagined.

The signature drinks menu alone is a love letter to the margarita's simple yet sublime flavor profile. The Classic "Margaritaville" version naturally features premium tequila, fresh lime, and orange liqueur, but with twists like a graham cracker crusted rim and a skewer of candied citrus. For the ultimate indulgence, the "Cheeseburger Margarita" cleverly infuses savory components including crispy bacon and a cheeseburger garnish.

Cabana-style margarita bars are found throughout the open-air pool decks and outdoor spaces, each with over a dozen variations on the tequila-based refreshment. The "Fin to Stern" bar even stretches the entire length of the ship and proffers a rotating list of unique creations as you meander the deck. Roving margarita carts pedal past for on-the-go sipping convenience.

For true margarita devotees, the "5 o'Clock Somewhere" Rita Lounges offer dedicated programming and special experiences. Weekly three-hour grazing events called "Margarita Safaris" guide guests through a roving sampling of various styles of margaritas perfectly paired with Latin-inspired cuisine like lump crab taquitos. The "Firedancer" and "Riptide" margaritas steal the show with liquor poured over dramatic flames and liquid nitrogen capsules that create billowing smoke effects tableside.

Anchoring the ship's nightlife scene is the lively "Salt Air Cantina" where cruisers can enjoy a dazzling outdoor dinner and margarita show featuring skilled mixologists and gravity-defying performances set to Latin music on the towering rig above the bar. Order the multi-course "Last Mango in Paris" flight to sip through both classic and avant-garde margarita variations.

Beyond beverages, the margarita's presence is infused into unique culinary offerings as well. Decadent margarita cupcakes, margarita shrimp skewers, and even a cured "Salt Air" margarita sashimi make appearances alongside more traditional staples like margarita salsa and a five-alarm margarita chicken wing challenge that's not for the faint of heart.

An homage to one of Buffett's most iconic songs, the pervasive margarita influence on Margaritaville at Sea manages to both embrace tropical simplicity and continually surprise with over-the-top indulgences—a perfect encapsulation of that carefree, "no worries" spirit Jimmy always aims to convey. As the salt-rimmed refrain goes, wasting away in Margaritaville never tasted so good.