What does a trip on one of America’s cheapest cruises look like?
Well, in an attempt to quell people’s intrigues, YouTuber Lucas Cruickshank booked a two-night trip with Margaritaville At Sea from Miami to the Bahamas.
Rates with the cruise line — which has a “poor” to “average” rating on Tripadvisor — start from as little as $25 per person per night, as it runs various “buy one get one free” deals throughout the year.
Lucas paid $200 for himself and his friend Jacob to go on a two-night trip, but he said when extra fees were added, it rounded out to $400 — or $100 per person per night.
The avid traveler opted for an ocean view room, which increased the price, and he also bought himself an unlimited soda pack.
YouTuber Lucas Cruikshank booked a two-night trip with Margaritaville At Sea from Miami to the Bahamas with his friend Jacob
The keen traveler opted for a sea view room, which increased his ticket price, and he also bought himself an unlimited soda pack
When their stateroom was ready, the two cruise guests went below deck to check it out and were pleased with what they found
From start to finish, Lucas documented his budget trip at sea, which also marked his first ever cruise.
To start with, he said he didn’t know what to expect and found the damning online reviews a bit off-putting.
He explains: “So, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise has pretty low reviews, but we all know with one star reviews, people are dramatic.
“Like people are just always in a bad mood and they take it out on these review sites, so I have to test if this ship actually deserves the low rating it has.”
He said one review he found equated the ship – which was built in 1991 – to a ‘floating Super 8 hotel’, while others had said it ‘smelled like faeces’.
But when Lucas and Jacob board the ship, they seem pleasantly surprised by what they find.
Lucas told viewers: ‘We got on the ship and I was impressed.
“Even though this ship is over three decades old, they redid it. Maybe we’ll see some cracks in it later, but for the most part I was okay.’
After boarding the ship, the duo ventured to lunch. Despite many reviewers ‘despising’ the food, Lucas said the offering was good.
Instead of the buffet, he chose a ham panini, some pigs in a blanket and an apple. His one complaint was that there was no ketchup for his pigs in a blanket and he had to make do with mustard instead.
Regarding what the buffet offer was like, he added: ‘Yes, the buffet was nice. I mean it wasn’t michelin star food… but (I got) BOGO… like why are you complaining!
‘I’ve been to gross buffets, this wasn’t one of them. It was like a mediocre buffet’.
On the beverage side, Jacob noted that his water tasted of chlorine, but said it was ‘fine’ and drinkable.
When their cabin was ready, the two cruise guests went below deck to check it out and were pleased with what they found.
In terms of food offerings, the Paradise ship has six restaurants, three of which are complimentary and three of which incur additional charges
Lucas and Jacob stuck to the free dining options included in their package. Both nights they checked into Fins Dining
Lucas’ only complaint was that the appetizers were “tasty” but small, and when they tried to order an extra dish, the server warned that a second portion would incur an $8 charge.
Lucas exclaimed: ‘Oh my god, it’s bigger than I expected. Of course, we paid for an ocean view.’
They filmed a quick tour of the bathroom, highlighting the faux marble countertop and the “cozy” walk-in shower.
While reviewers said the rooms were dated and in need of renovation, with leaky portholes being another complaint, Lucas and Jacob didn’t find too much wrong with their cabin.
Their only complaints included a stray hair on the nightstand and some damaged cabinets.
Another area the ship reviewers complained about was the public toilets.
Lucas said people complained about the doors getting stuck, not locking and being “a mess”.
Although he had no problems with the public restrooms, Jacob was locked in a cubicle at one point, but eventually broke free.
In terms of food, the Paradise ship has six restaurants, three of which are free and three of which cost extra.
Lucas and Jacob stuck to the free dining options included in their package.
Both nights they checked into Fins Dining.
Of all the dishes they tried, Lucas said the pumpkin soup ‘struck’, while a bowl of macaroni that looked ‘gross’ was actually ‘good’.
His only complaint was that the entrees were “tasty” but small, and when they tried to order an extra dish, the server warned that another portion would incur an $8 charge.
When they reached Freeport in the Bahamas, Lucas and Jacob opted to enjoy some shoreside drinks at Senor Frogs.
Back on the ship, other areas they explored on the vessel were the casino, night club, bingo hall and hot tub.
After spending just over 48 hours on America’s cheapest cruise ship, Lucas offered his verdict.
While some critics of the ship said ‘the best part of the cruise was getting off’, Lucas, while he was ‘excited’ to get off, said he had enjoyed his time at sea.
“I think two days is perfect,” he mused.