Beachcomber Gets New Lounge Designed With Zac Brown Band

November 5, 2025 Randy Young

Margaritaville at Sea is quickly growing in the US cruise market, with its third ship scheduled to debut in 2027. All of Margaritaville at Sea’s ships are refurbishments of older vessels, but this is far more than a fresh coat of paint. The brand’s immersive theming transforms the ships into something that feels new and lively. Now, we’ve learned that the upcoming Beachcomber will feature a fresh venue designed in partnership with the Zac Brown Band.

Same Boat Is an Artist-Curated Live Music Venue

Margaritaville at Sea just announced a new lounge called Same Boat, set to become the largest live music venue on the ship. The venue takes its name from a song Jimmy Buffett performed with Zac Brown on the deluxe edition of The Comeback. Guests can look forward to live performances and elevated cocktails.

According to the cruise line, this will be the first artist-curated live music venue at sea. The team collaborated with Zac Brown to shape a space that feels like one of his concerts, focusing on warm design and immersive acoustics.

When we started talking about this partnership, I knew I didn’t just want to design a room — I wanted to create an experience that truly captures the spirit of Margaritaville at Sea,” said Zac Brown.
“Designing Same Boat has been about bringing that easygoing energy that’s always guided my music to life. Every detail reflects pieces of my own journey — from the stage to the sea — all coming together to create a place where people can connect, share a drink, listen to great music, and feel that incredible sense of freedom you only find at a show or out on the open water. That’s my kind of medicine.”

Same Boat Bar Replaces Leonardo da Vinci 1960 Lounge

costa fortuna leonardo da vinci lounge — The current lounge on *Costa Fortuna* .

While Same Boat does not yet appear on deck plans, the shape and location in the renderings strongly suggest it will replace the Leonardo da Vinci 1960 Lounge at the aft of Deck 5 on Costa Fortuna.

same boat bar and windows on beachcomber

Comparing photos of the existing lounge to the renderings, it is almost hard to believe they are the same space. The space captures a rustic country charm mixed with a nautical edge, featuring extensive warm wood paneling, rich teal seating, and walls adorned with vintage memorabilia and American flags. With its boat-shaped bar and the Zac Brown Band logo prominently displayed, the decor creates a unique, welcoming atmosphere perfect for enjoying live music and cocktails while sailing.

A Good Sign for Crowds on Beachcomber

Beachcomber is the updated version of Costa Fortuna. That ship shares a similar platform with Carnival’s Destiny/Sunshine class, which has not always been a fan-favorite. In fact, a recent poll by Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald found that only 4% of guests selected that class as their favorite, the lowest percentage for any Carnival class of ship. Common criticisms of the class are the awkward layouts, crowd flow challenges, and too many people.

The inclusion of this new lounge is a promising sign for Beachcomber in terms of crowds. When Carnival converted Destiny, Triumph, and Victory into Sunshine, Sunrise, and Radiance, they removed the aft lounge to squeeze in 53 additional cabins. Margaritaville at Sea is taking a different approach by prioritizing public space and maintaining a dedicated aft venue. It suggests they are thinking big-picture about the passenger experience and atmosphere, rather than maximizing cabin count.