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Zac Brown Named Godfather of New Margaritaville Ship

The musician helped design the cruise ship which will launch from Miami in 2027.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Cruises

Vector illustration of an acoustic guitar leaning against a ship railing, looking out toward a blue ocean horizon.
Margaritaville at Sea has named musician Zac Brown as the godfather of its newest cruise ship, the Margaritaville Beachcomber, which launches from Miami in 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Margaritaville at Sea has appointed Zac Brown as the godfather of its newest vessel, the Margaritaville Beachcomber. The musician collaborated on the ships design and will perform during its inaugural celebration.

Why it matters

The partnership aims to honor the musical legacy of Jimmy Buffett through deep integration of design, artwork, and music programming. It also builds on the brands role as a sponsor for the Zac Brown Band Love & Fear U.S. Tour.

The Margaritaville Beachcomber, a 102,500-gross-ton vessel formerly known as the Costa Fortuna, will undergo a 12-week dry dock renovation to introduce 15 new venues. The ship will officially debut from PortMiami in January 2027.

The players

Zac Brown

He is a musician and the lead singer of the Zac Brown Band who has taken on the role of godfather for the new cruise ship.

Margaritaville at Sea

This cruise line operates ships themed around the lifestyle brand created by Jimmy Buffett.

Jimmy Buffett

He was an iconic singer-songwriter and entrepreneur whose music and lifestyle brand inspired the creation of the cruise line.

The details

Zac Brown played a hands-on role in the creative process, including designing the Same Boat music venue and curating onboard programming. The ship will conclude its initial Miami run before relocating to Galveston in October 2027.

Timeline

  1. The Costa Fortuna vessel was originally built in 2003.

  2. The Zac Brown Band performed at Fenway Park on August 2, 2026.

  3. The inaugural celebration for the ship will occur in Miami in January 2027.

  4. Zac Brown will headline a concert in Nassau on January 28, 2027.

  5. The ship is scheduled to reposition to Galveston in October 2027.

Travel Outlook

This move follows a trend established by the 2026 Zac Brown Band concert at Fenway Park where massive giveaways are used to market tour partnerships. The cruise line expects this collaboration to capitalize on the peak demand for music-themed travel experiences.

Travelers interested in the new ship should monitor launch schedules for early 2027 departures from Miami. Guests who previously received cruise vouchers from the Fenway Park performance should ensure they verify their redemption terms before booking.

The takeaway

Music-themed hospitality continues to be a major differentiator in the competitive cruise market. Fans can maximize value by engaging with brand-sponsored tours that often feature exclusive travel rewards.

Further reading

Find more information about upcoming voyages on our Cruises page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Sun Sentinel.

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Do partnerships between cruise lines and musicians make you more likely to book a cruise?