Amanda found this cruise a year ago and has been eager to experience it firsthand, taking a short break from our travel life. The Heroes Sail Free program has been around for about a year, and we wanted to get all the details for our readers. It’s one of the best deals we’ve come across for a cruise.

Who Is Eligible to Enjoy the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Cruise?

The CEO of Margaritaville at Sea is inviting U.S. military service members (active duty and veterans), police, fire, EMS personnel, and educators to enjoy one free cruise fare to the Bahamas.

“To show our sincere gratitude for their ongoing service, we wanted to offer these frontline heroes a chance to kick off their boots and work shoes and flip-flop into a relaxing getaway,” said Kevin Sheehan, Jr., President and CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. 

The CEO of Govx has teamed up with Margaritaville to provide a portal for verifying your status with the Govx ID platform, ensuring you can enjoy a well-earned vacation. Simply verify your status with the Govx ID platform, and you’ll be able to book your cruise.

Find your sail date, book the trip, and the cost of the room will be zero for all first responders looking to get away for a quick mini-cruise.

What Are the Paradise Cruise Ship Features & What Is There to Do?

We enjoyed our cruise and received tons of value for what we thought was going to be a gimmick. We have stayed at the Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs so we assumed it would be similar in style of accommodation and experience. Check out our review for more photos, videos and tips before you set sail.

Water Theater 

One of our favorite experiences on the boat was watching Jimmy’s Ship Show in the Water Theater. The ship shows started around 9 pm and ended at 10 pm. The kids loved the music, the dancing, and the live band! 

Bars and Lounges for You to Enjoy

The cruise included live music everywhere, from the pool deck to the Euphoria Bar and Lounge. It was a full, eventful 2 days. We talked to the hotel staff at Hyatt Place Palm Beach while checking in, and one lady said she was bored. We don’t understand how because we had little downtime.

If you’re here to drink and have a good time, there’s a bar around every corner. The 12 Volt Bar offers the best outside view.

Casino Margaritaville

During the embarkation of the ship, we found our muster station (gathering point) in case of emergencies, and it happened to be in the casino. The casino has every game you could imagine, including blackjack, craps tables, and tons of slot machines.

Kids Club and Teens Club 

The kids club and teens club allow parents in only during open house. Once the ship leaves the port in Palm Beach, parents are no longer allowed, and pictures are not allowed. The staff we encountered was great. Audrey loved hanging out at the kids club, playing with other kids, and enjoying the amenities.

They had board games and console games like Playstations and Xbox. Audrey didn’t want to leave, even during the times when the club was closed. If you want a date night at the JWB Prime Steakhouse, they take the kids to dinner, but they must be there before 7 pm.

The teens club had a similar layout and vibe as the Parakeets Kid’s Club. Addy had a blast mingling with other teens onboard.

Arcade 

The arcade was a nostalgic paradise with games like Pac-Man and skee-ball. Test your luck at the claw machines for a chance to win a Margaritaville parrot or try your hand at shooting zombies in a first-person shooter game.

Fitness Center

While we didn’t get a chance to hit the gym, the ship does have a fitness center equipped with brand-new Echelon equipment. If you can’t skip your morning workout, you’re all set!

When Can You Go on the Cruise?

Taking advantage of the free offer for military members through the Margaritaville website was a breeze. Our cruise dates were from May 23rd to the 25th, and it was a fantastic experience overall. Absolutely, if you’re eligible, don’t miss out on the Heroes Pass—it’s a fantastic opportunity!

Keep an eye out for the new ship, The Islander, be on the lookout for the free fare discount to all military members, veteran military and law enforcement officers to name a few. 

Stay updated on the latest dates for the free cruise program by checking the Margaritaville website regularly.

Is the Margaritaville Military Cruise Actually Free or Is It a Gimmick?

Let’s break the numbers down and see if it is a good value for your family. It’s great to hear that the information on the Margaritaville.com cruise website was accurate.

All the information on Margaritaville.com cruise website was accurate. The website states:

• Offer is for a free fare on the first and second guest sailing together in an Inside or Ocean View Stateroom
• Offer does not include taxes, fees or port expenses, due at the time of reservation

Once on the ship we discovered that they did tack on a fuel surcharge fee of $15 a person per day. This was a bit of a surprise but did not leave us mad or frustrated because the room rate was 100% free. 

At the time of checkout, the expenses for the 2-night cruise amounted to $740.76 for a family of four. This total encompassed additional gratuities and the cost of the Swim With The Pigs and Crystal Beach excursion ($459.96).

Had we not picked an excursion to do the total amount would have been $280.80 for the cruise alone with the added fees & gratuities. It’s noteworthy that this figure may vary depending on the party size and discretionary tipping.

Our State Rooms (2 Included in Offer)

Due to our party size of four, we required two rooms for accommodation. Upon boarding, we observed that one room had been reassigned to a different floor due to ongoing maintenance. Consequently, one room was relocated to floor 5.

The front desk promptly addressed our concerns, although we were initially apprehensive about the bill discrepancy. We received an email instructing us to pay the new room rate, contrary to our booking under the Heroes Sail Free Cruise program.

After resolving the billing hiccup, we eagerly settled into our nautical-themed passenger cabins. Complete with Margaritaville vibes, we lucked out with two staterooms featuring portholes, offering us scenic views throughout our journey.

Room one was designed to accommodate up to three people, featuring a convenient Murphy bed that could be folded up into the wall. Meanwhile, room two, situated in the aft of the ship, boasted two lounge-style chairs and a small accent table, foregoing the hideaway bed option. 

The nautical-themed passenger cabins exuded a cozy ambiance, with Caribbean map wallpaper and blue pillows featuring a charming nautical compass design. The comfy mattresses, adorned with subtle parrot motifs, added to the relaxing atmosphere of the well-decorated rooms.

Suggestions if You Are Booking the Free Cruise for Government Employees

I’d recommend purchasing the License to Chill package (Express Pass). It offers perks listed on the website, plus some bonus surprises upon arrival. With a VIP bracelet included, the package provides excellent value, especially considering the complimentary room.

Faster Chill Includes:

• WiFi for two devices
• Express Check-In
• Priority Port Debarkation
• Priority Luggage Delivery
• Shore Excursion Booking Assistance
• 18% service gratuity included (added to the final package price)

License to Chill (Includes The Faaster Chill Items Above):

• 1 Boat Drinks Package (10 drink wristband, $12 max each)
  • The beverage options included margaritas, wine and beer and you could pay for the difference on the more expensive drinks. 
• $150 St. Somewhere Spa credit
• Dinner for two at JWB Prime Steakhouse
• Sparkling wine breakfast at JWB Steakhouse 
• Two premium coffees & pastries at the Margaritaville Coffee Shop
• Wine tasting experience for two
• Margaritaville at Sea merchandise gift
• Margaritaville at Sea bathrobes to use during your stay

Things We Noticed After Being on the Ship and Made Our Life Just a Tad Bit Sweeter Below:

• Floor seating and front row to the Water Theater shows
• Being first to transit through customs back into the USA with your passport in hand can lead to a cheaper ride share rate, as there are typically fewer people at the pickup location.

Where Does the 2-Night Cruise Go?

Embark on your Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Line adventure from the Port of Palm Beach, setting sail for the beautiful Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas. Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with relaxation, fun, and tropical vibes!

Where to Eat on the Cruise?

We’re listing just a few of our favorite spots to eat on the cruise here but if you want to check out all the offerings we wrote about it in the full review of the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

JWB Prime Steakhouse

Treating ourselves to a night at the JWB Prime Steakhouse was worth it—the food was superb. Among the delicious options, the standout for me and Amanda was definitely the Wagyu Short Ribs. 

The Wagyu Short Ribs were cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. Alongside, we enjoyed the Sautéed Broccolini and the Creamy Spinach, both bursting with flavor. To top off the meal, we indulged in the Key Lime Pie—a must-try in Florida. Dining at the JWB Prime Steakhouse was a gourmet food experience worth every penny. 

Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar 

Indulge in the delicious dining options aboard the ship, with the Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar becoming our favorite lunch spot. The cheeseburgers were tasty, and we loved customizing them with all the toppings we desired.

Why You Should Go on This Cruise Margaritaville Military Cruise!

The Heroes Sail Free  Cruise is Margaritaville’s way of giving back to the hardest-working people of our community. Margaritaville at Sea invites you to enjoy a much-deserved 3-day or 2 -day cruise aboard the ship Paradise, where your room rate will be completely free.

If you’re eligible, don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a free cruise by verifying your ID status on the government e-commerce site. We had an incredible time with our family and highly recommend taking advantage of the Heroes Sail Free promotional offer. The Margaritaville military cruise offer is the real deal. If you’ve already experienced this cruise, drop a comment and share your favorite moments with us! and if you’re planning to go on this cruise check out the full review.