Costa Fortuna Begins Transformation Into Beachcomber

The former Costa Fortuna has entered the early stages of its transformation into Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, with photographs shared online showing the ship’s name removed from both its bow and stern.

Despite the removal of its name, the vessel is currently still displaying Costa Cruises’ distinctive yellow, blue and white livery.

Margaritaville at Sea acquired the 102,500-gross-ton Destiny-class vessel from Costa Cruises. Following the completion of its final Eastern Mediterranean season for Costa in September 2026, the ship was handed over to its new owner ahead of an extensive conversion.

The major refurbishment is scheduled to take place during a 12-week drydock beginning in late September 2026 at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Belfast facility, now under Navantia ownership, previously carried out the conversion of another former Costa Cruises vessel that became Margaritaville at Sea Islander.

During the upcoming refit, the ship’s public areas and staterooms will be extensively redesigned to reflect Margaritaville’s relaxed, tropical “island-inspired” style. Among the planned additions is a large multi-deck “5 O’Clock Somewhere” pool complex at the stern. The area is expected to include a main swimming pool, waterslide, hot tubs, stadium-style seating, live music stages and cabanas.

Once the conversion has been completed, Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber is scheduled to begin sailing from PortMiami in January 2027.

The vessel will become the largest ship in the Margaritaville at Sea fleet, measuring approximately 30% larger than Paradise. It is set to operate four- to eight-night Caribbean cruises, helping the company expand its presence in the North American cruise market.

Originally built in 2003, the ship can accommodate approximately 3,400 to 3,470 passengers. Its conversion will mark a significant change from Costa’s Italian-style cruise experience to Margaritaville’s more relaxed concept centered around music and island living and inspired by Jimmy Buffett.