There is nothing quite like the excitement of cruise morning — that mix of exhaustion, adrenaline, and anticipation that somehow hits all at once. Our adventure started bright and early (and by bright, I mean pitch-black) with a 2:00 a.m. wake-up call. Yep, you read that right. When your flight arrives at 6:15 a.m., and you have got to be at the airport by 4:30, there is no such thing as sleeping in. a 4:00 a.m. Uber Ride later, we were officially en route to kick off our seven-day escape aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander.

The flight down to Tampa on Southwest Airlines was smooth sailing — or, I guess, smooth flying. No drama, no delays, just yawns, and the sweet satisfaction of knowing that the next time our feet hit the ground, we would be one step closer to that first tropical drink.

Tampa Airport is Very User friendly, big bold signs and nice layout. we heard they had a giant Flamingo artwork, and we had to check it out.

with Bags in hand, we grabbed an Uber straight to the Port of Tampa, where the Islander awaited. The ship itself has quite the story — originally built for Costa Cruise Lines about 25 years ago, she has now been completely reimagined under the Margaritaville flag. Smaller than some of the floating cities out there, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in personality. The renovations are stunning — bright, beachy, and perfectly Jimmy Buffett. Everywhere you look, there is that laid-back island charm — from the palm-patterned carpets to the neon “License to Chill” signs that whisper, you are officially on island time.

Our check-in window was technically 11:30 to noon, but we managed to get through early and were onboard by about 11:00. And let me tell you, when that ocean breeze hit and the steel drums started playing, every bit of that 2:00 a.m. wake-up call was instantly forgotten.

Now, after hours of travel, there was one thing on our minds — food. The rooms were not ready until about 1:00 or 1:30, so we did what any self-respecting traveler would do: we hunted down the buffet. But then we spotted Cheeseburger in Paradise, and, well… there was no contest.

This spot is basically Margaritaville’s answer to Guy’s Burger Joint from Carnival — a made-to-order burger bar serving up juicy smash burgers topped with melted American cheese on a perfectly grilled bun. We went classic: secret sauce, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, all paired with seasoned fries that were just the right amount of crispy. One bite in and I swear I heard Jimmy Buffett singing somewhere in the distance.

With bellies full and smiles wide, we finally made our way to our cabin once it was ready — a balcony stateroom on Deck 7, midship. Spacious enough to feel comfy, cozy enough to feel like home for the week ahead, and with a view that promised seven days of pure escape.

And just like that, the vacation had officially begun.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where I will dive into our first day onboard — sail away celebrations, exploring the ship, and finding out just how many margaritas it takes to find that lost shaker of salt.

Take the trip. The Adventure is about to Begin!

Coming soon: the Cruise continues

Cruisin’ to Paradise: Day One — A Balcony, a Bar, and a Long-Lost Cousin

Our adventure aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander kicked off with early flights, a cozy cabin, and tropical vibes at the Flip Flop Bar. But the biggest surprise of the day? Finding out I had family onboard — and meeting my long-lost cousin at sea! Grab a drink, pull up a deck chair, and sail into Day One of this unforgettable voyage.