Costa Fortuna Renamed Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber
The 103,000-ton vessel has officially transitioned to its new name ahead of a major refurbishment in Belfast.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Cruises
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Costa Cruises renamed its 2003-built vessel, the Costa Fortuna, to the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber during a technical call in Brindisi. The ship has also moved to the Portuguese flag registry as it prepares for an upcoming transformation.
Why it matters
The renaming marks a strategic fleet expansion for the Margaritaville brand, which intends to introduce its signature tropical-themed venues to the 2,720-passenger ship. The vessel is now heading to Northern Ireland for extensive upgrades before entering service in the U.S. market.
The 103,000-ton vessel features a passenger capacity of 2,720 and was originally built in 2003. Future cruise offerings aboard the ship are expected to range from 3 to 8-night durations.
The players
Margaritaville at Sea
This cruise line operator focuses on offering vacation experiences inspired by the lifestyle brand created by Jimmy Buffett.
Costa Cruises
An Italian cruise line known for its Mediterranean-style voyages and large fleet of passenger vessels.
Harland & Wolff
This historic shipbuilding and repair company based in Belfast manages complex maritime construction and maintenance projects.
The details
The ship underwent its renaming process in Brindisi, Italy, in mid-September 2026 before setting sail for Gibraltar. Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is set to perform the refurbishment, which will modernize the vessel for its future operations.
Timeline
The vessel was renamed in Brindisi during mid-September 2026.
The ship is expected to arrive at the Port of Gibraltar on September 21, 2026.
The maiden season is scheduled to begin from PortMiami in early 2027.
The inaugural cruise is slated for January 2027.
The ship will reposition to Galveston, Texas, in late 2027.
Travel Outlook
This transition follows the broader trend of major cruise lines rebranding existing 20-year-old vessels to accommodate rapid fleet growth. The move positions the ship to meet the rising demand for themed, mid-size cruise experiences departing from major U.S. homeports.
Travelers looking to book a vacation on this ship can expect 3 to 8-night itineraries starting in early 2027 from PortMiami. Potential passengers should monitor official announcements for the exact inaugural sailing date and the opening of reservation windows for the new fleet addition.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how cruise operators leverage existing maritime assets to accelerate the launch of new vacation concepts. Prospective guests should look for updated cabin configurations and venue details as the ship completes its scheduled refit in Belfast.
Further reading
For more information on the latest fleet changes and industry movements, visit our Cruises section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cruise Industry News.
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