A Sergio Leone Review of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise

[Fla Mike]

 

Well, Lovey told me the title of this review is silly, so I’ll explain.

Just in case…

Sergio Leone is the director of the “Spaghetti Westerns”, most notably, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”. So, now you get the drift on where this review is heading.

First, I am not posting any photos as there are plenty of reviews from the YouTube crowd that shows the condition of the ship.

Just keep in mind that this ship is over 30 years old and there is some visible rust in places. But none that I saw that would render ship un-safe.

 

There is a lot of good.

 

·        Get the Express Pass, it is $49 per cabin, ($24.50 each for Lovey and I) and worth every penny.

We got out of the car at the valet station and we were immediately taken to a check in desk adjacent. Our luggage was tagged in red and we were personally escorted past the whole line, (and it was busy). Our escort then went to the main desk, got out room cards and again personally escorted us though the various desks for dinner and drink packages and stayed with us until we were ready to board, again he walked us past every line. From car to ship in less than 10 minutes.

 

On our departure, we were given a pass that showed express. We went down to deck 5 about 7:50 AM to get off and there we about 100 people crowded by the gangway. Showed the girl at the gangway our pass and we were told to go right though after the folks that needed assistance. When we got down to customs, (which was a total cluster) it was all old-fashioned customs line. I showed our pass and was sent to another line for express. We were the only ones in that line and were taken immediately though to customs. No kidding, we were in our car at 8:02 AM. I have never been on or off a ship so fast, and we have status with Royal and Celebrity.

 

We entered the ship on the deck 5 lobby around noon, were given Leis to wear, and were then greeted by a huge crowd waiting to get a photo taken by the giant Flip Flop.

I asked someone when the rooms would be ready and she walked away. Ok, so we went to check on our room and it was ready, so we went in. More on the room later.

 

·        We headed to lunch and the food was much better than expected. The buffet is small in both seating and selection but we had no problems finding something to eat and sit, although if you are there at prime time be prepared to share a table. I hit the pasta station and it was very good, Penne Alfredo with pesto, chicken and broccoli. Lovely had a burger and she said it put Guy’s to shame and it looked like it did too.

I can’t see the extra pay burgers worth it after that. Other food was typical to Carnival or Royal in both taste and presentation. Salad selection was good.

Dinner in Fins Dining Room was also better than expected, the menu is varied and most service was good. We both had the short ribs and again, no complaints. We signed up for early seating which was 6PM, and given a dinner card, just like the olden days, but when we arrived at the entrance, no one asked to see our card or cared and we were whisked to a table for four, but it was only us. The MDR was only about ¾ full.

 

The entertainment on board was first rate. The Jimmy’s Ship show was really very, very good. The dancers in particular were tight and all in step, I honestly can’t remember a show that good unless on Oasis Class Royal Ship.

There were other performers though-out, most notable a sax player and the “License to Chill Trio”.

 

·        I purchased the 10 drink “Package” for $99.00 including gratuity and it allowed the purchase of any drink up to $12.00. Anything over was charged, plus tip. I was under the impression that anything was included, but was told no. Lovey had a Pinot Noir at dinner and we were charged $1.18.

There is some inconsistency there as Lovey also drinks Brandy and Ginger and when I called Hennessey, just to see what happened, there was no charge. Same for me, I was calling Titos and soda, but when I called Grey Goose, no charge also, so you know what I drank the rest of the cruise.

I also HAD TO HAVE one of those Booze in The Blender Cups. $20.00 plus tip and they will fill it with whatever. If you have the drink package and want it filled all the way it is an extra $5.00.

Now, these folks can pour. I watched and they were heavy pouring. I felt it after than one big blender drink!

 

 

 

[Fla Mike]

I’m not saying bad…just indifferent

 

·        There really wasn’t anything bad about this cruise, (oh, wait until the ugly).

 I’m calling this stuff indifferent because it really did not matter much in the overall enjoyment of the cruise.

The room was redecorated, sort of. Yes, there were new beds and tropical wallpaper and Jimmy Quotes on the wall, but other than a new curtain for the shower, that was it.

The bath was old and outdated, but it worked fine.

There room was also spacious, there was plenty of room for a loveseat or another chair, but all we got was an empty wall.

There is only one 110v outlet, and it is near the floor by the desk. Bring a 220-110 plug if you need to charge stuff.

 

·        Like I mentioned earlier, the ship is older and although well maintained in the public areas, you will see some rust outside.

·        The adult pool area in the aft called the 12-volt pool was our go to place, adults only and a bit more mellow. The main pool area is loud and just like a Carnival Ship.

·        Speaking of Carnival, at the prices we paid, do not expect to your fellow ship mates to be seasoned world travelers. This is a budget cruise all the way. Lots of first-time cruisers and it seemed at times like a lot of these folks have never been in a public setting before. (Now, before someone flames me, we cruise at least one short Carnival cruise every year, lastly May 2022).

·        The Euphoria Lounge was the main area. Nice. New carpet. The theater was done over in a tropical feel. Seats on the floor were removed and replace with tables and chairs. At first reserved for suite and folks who spring for the “License to Chill” package.

 

[Fla Mike]

Yes, Virginia…The Ugly

 

I’m starting to ramble, and with no photos this is getting long, so I’ll cut to the chase.

I almost hate to bring this up, and Lovey tells me I overreacted, but this actually ruined any chance of us returning again.

·        When we headed back to the room on Friday night about 11:30 (1^st night), there was a letter in the mailbox next to the door.

I have to first mention, when at the 12-volt bar, the bartender told me my card wasn’t working and to get it exchanged in the morning. They swipe your card even with the package and a wrist band).

The letter said my, (not Lovey’s) charging privileges were revoked due to a problem with my credit card. It stated I needed to go down to Guest Services to correct.

Off to the desk I go…upset.

20 people ahead of me. All complaining about their credit cards bouncing, or the tips, fuel charge, etc.

I was told the card is OK, but I am not authorized, and Lovey needs to come down in person, approve my charges, and authorize me.

She did not want to hear that it was actually my card to begin with.

She was quite insistent that Lovey come down.  Lovey is not coming down here after midnight! Well, after about 15 minutes, and my loud, NY Italian in overdrive, she agreed leave it alone. Then she says, but when your card is declined tomorrow, you will be back here anyway.

She would not take another card either.

That did it, I asked for the Staff Captains name, and told her she would be explaining it all to him tomorrow.

All of a sudden, she started typing, and like magic all was OK, and she said to enjoy my cruise.

I still demanded the Staff Captains name and she then explained to me that it seems that when we did the express check in who ever checked us in only let Lovey have charging privileges.

 

In closing a good cruise, gone bad, and then good again, and I did enjoy the rest of the cruise, but that one experience soured me.

 

I still encourage you to try this if the price is right, but price it out, you maybe able to do just as well price-wise on Royal or Carnival,

 

Fire way with questions if you have any.

 

[Fla Mike]

So, I fibbed, here are some photos, uncaptioned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 14, 2022 by Fla Mike

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I'm fascinated by your Ocean View cabin because mine was much larger with two chairs and a table adjacent the porthole. I was on Deck 5 which is not an upgrade yet the larger cabin.

[Fla Mike]

We were on deck 6, 6101

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

2 hours ago, Fla Mike said:

We were on deck 6, 6101

Mine was deck 5, 5091.

I've booked a future cruise in the same cabin.

[Rothko1]

It seems to me that the bottom line is that if your expectations are in order, you get a pretty good experience.