Margaritaville at Sea has hired MJM Marine and Mivan to oversee a significant refurbishment of the Beachcomber, the former Costa Fortuna. The multi-million-pound project will transform the vessel before it enters drydock this summer. This marks a major upgrade for the growing Margaritaville cruise brand.
📰 Reported — from industry news sources
Photo: Travel Mutiny
Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber Gets Major Makeover
Margaritaville at Sea has tapped MJM Marine and Mivan to oversee a substantial refurbishment of the Beachcomber—the former Costa Fortuna—ahead of a drydock this summer. This multi-million-pound investment signals the cruise brand's intention to compete harder in the leisure segment as it scales its fleet.
What happened, and who is affected?
The Beachcomber, recently rebranded under the Margaritaville banner, will undergo significant modernization during the upcoming drydock cycle. The project involves both MJM Marine and Mivan, specialists in marine refurbishment work. Existing Beachcomber passengers with future bookings, as well as anyone considering sailing on this vessel, will be directly affected—both by the operational disruption during drydock and by the upgraded onboard experience once the work is complete. Margaritaville's growth strategy depends on differentiating itself in a crowded mid-market, and this overhaul is central to that pitch.
The refurbishment timing matters: drydock windows typically force cancellations or itinerary reshuffles for 2–4 weeks, depending on the scope. Passengers booked during that window face rebooking or refund options. Those sailing after the work completes should see newer cabins, refreshed public spaces, and potentially new dining and entertainment venues—though Margaritaville hasn't yet detailed specific upgrades.
Photo: Travel Mutiny
What does this actually mean for travelers' wallets?
Drydock-triggered cancellations leave passengers with two standard paths: a full refund of the cruise fare (minus nonrefundable deposits if the line's policy allows) or rebooking on an alternative sailing, often with onboard credits as an incentive. Most cruise lines, including emerging brands like Margaritaville, will refund prepaid add-ons—specialty dining packages, beverage packages, excursions—though timing can stretch 30–60 days post-cancellation. However, if you've already paid for airfare independently (not through the cruise line), you're exposed: airlines typically charge change fees ($75–$150 per person on legacy carriers) or restrict you to rebooking at the same price with the same airline. Those fees aren't cruise-line liability.
If Margaritaville books you on a shorter itinerary as a rebooking option, your per-diem costs actually increase. A 7-day cruise rebooking to 5 days spreads the same onboard and beverage spending across fewer days. Travel insurance with cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage typically reimburses up to 75–90% of prepaid cruise fares if you cancel before the line officially cancels, but it doesn't cover airline change fees. Standard trip cancellation insurance covers line-triggered cancellations only if the reason falls under named perils (illness, death, weather events)—and a scheduled drydock doesn't qualify.
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What should travelers watch next?
Monitor Margaritaville's official communications for the exact drydock dates and any advance notice about cancellations or rebooking windows. Brands in the Margaritaville tier often announce drydock schedules 90–180 days ahead, giving you time to evaluate rebooking or refund options. Check your Cruise Planner or email for official notices; don't rely on third-party sites for timing.
If you're already booked, document what you've prepaid (fares, add-ons, airfare confirmation numbers) in a spreadsheet—you'll need these for refund claims and insurance submissions. Request written confirmation of any rebooking offer, including the new sailing date, itinerary length, and any onboard credits promised. If you're considering a future Margaritaville booking, ask the sales agent directly whether drydock is scheduled during your desired sailing window before committing.
The upgraded Beachcomber will likely justify higher positioning fares post-refurb, so early-bird pricing on current bookings won't carry over to the next sailing season. That's another reason to lock in timing now if this ship appeals to you.
Traveler Tip:
I always tell people: when a drydock cancellation lands in your email, your first call should be to your travel agent (if you booked through one) or directly to the cruise line's guest services, not your insurance company. Guest services can often slide you into a comparable sailing with onboard credits that insurance won't reimburse—I've seen $200–$500 in credits awarded just for the inconvenience. Insurance is your fallback, not your first move. Get the offer in writing before accepting it.
Sources:
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Last updated: June 4, 2026. This is a developing story — check back for updates.