Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was founded and majority owned by the Sheehan family, led by Kevin Sheehan Jr., before the brand evolved into Margaritaville at Sea, which is now owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners.
The original Bahamas Paradise brand rebranded in stages starting in December 2021, entering a partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand before Sycamore Partners acquired the operating company in late 2023.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line built its identity around short, affordable two night cruises between Palm Beach, Florida and Grand Bahama Island, a niche largely ignored by larger cruise lines.
Kevin Sheehan Jr.’s father previously served as president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, giving the founding family deep roots in the broader cruise industry before launching their own short cruise concept.
What surprises many travelers is that the Bahamas Paradise name has effectively been replaced in the marketplace, with the fleet and operations now sailing under the Margaritaville at Sea brand.
This guide explains exactly who founded and owned Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, how the Margaritaville partnership and later Sycamore Partners acquisition changed the company, and what happened to its original ships.
It also covers what the brand was known for and how its legacy continues today under new ownership and a new name.
Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Was Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line?
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line launched in 2016, offering short two night cruises from Palm Beach, Florida to Grand Bahama Island and Nassau.
The company was formed by former Celebration Cruise Line executives, led by the Sheehan family, and purchased the Grand Celebration to begin operations.
It later added a second ship, Grand Classica, in 2018, expanding its short getaway itinerary offerings.
The brand marketed itself as an American owned, family run cruise line focused on affordable micro vacations rather than long international voyages.
Who Founded and Owned Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line?
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was majority owned by the Sheehan family, with Kevin Sheehan Jr. serving as a leading figure in the company.
His father, Kevin Sheehan Sr., previously served as president and chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line, bringing significant industry experience to the family’s venture.
The company operated as a privately held business based in Florida, without any public shareholders or stock exchange listing.
How Did Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Become Margaritaville at Sea?
In December 2021, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced a strategic partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand, rebranding its fleet as Margaritaville at Sea.
The flagship Grand Classica was renamed Margaritaville Paradise and underwent a multimillion dollar refurbishment before returning to service in April 2022.
Oneil Khosa, who had served as CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, continued on as CEO of the newly branded Margaritaville at Sea, providing leadership continuity through the transition.
In late 2023, private equity firm Sycamore Partners acquired the Margaritaville at Sea operating company, moving ownership away from the original Bahamas Paradise founding structure entirely.
Is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Publicly Traded or Privately Owned?
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was always privately held and never traded on any public stock exchange.
Its successor brand, Margaritaville at Sea, remains privately owned today under Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm that also owns the Azamara cruise line.
This means the underlying business has stayed entirely outside public markets throughout its ownership changes.
What Happened to the Original Bahamas Paradise Ships?
Grand Classica, one of the two original Bahamas Paradise ships, was renamed Margaritaville Paradise and continues sailing under the rebranded company.
Grand Celebration, the line’s original flagship, was sold as the company streamlined operations, with reports at the time confirming the sale rather than scrapping.
The rebranded company later added Margaritaville at Sea Islander, a former Costa Atlantica vessel, expanding the fleet under new Sycamore Partners ownership.
What Was Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Known For?
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was known for pioneering short, two night cruises with daily departures between Palm Beach and Grand Bahama Island.
The brand marketed itself as a family owned, American operated cruise line focused on accessible micro vacations rather than week long voyages.
Its short cruise and stay packages made it a popular option for South Florida travelers seeking a quick, affordable island getaway.
Is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Legacy Really Good or Really Worth It?
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was generally well regarded for its friendly service, affordable pricing, and convenient short cruise format during its years of operation.
Guests frequently praised the personalized crew interactions and the lack of crowding compared with larger mainstream ships.
The brand’s legacy continues today through Margaritaville at Sea, which carries forward the same short cruise format under new ownership and branding.
- Pioneered short, affordable two night island cruises
- Strong personalized service reputation
- Convenient Palm Beach homeport for South Florida travelers
- Brand identity fully replaced by Margaritaville at Sea
- Limited itinerary variety beyond Grand Bahama Island routes
- Older ship tonnage compared with newer mainstream vessels
Customer Service and Official Contact Information
Travelers looking to book the successor brand can reach guest services through the official MargaritavilleAtSea.com website.
Background on the Sycamore Partners acquisition and current operations was reported by Travel Weekly.
Additional history on the original rebrand is available from Seatrade Cruise News.
For more on the current brand and other short cruise operators, see WhoMakeThis’s guide to who owns Margaritaville at Sea and the related breakdown of who owns Carnival Cruise Line.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was founded by the Sheehan family and later rebranded as Margaritaville at Sea, which is now owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners after its late 2023 acquisition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Who owned Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line?
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was majority owned by the Sheehan family, led by Kevin Sheehan Jr., before it rebranded as Margaritaville at Sea.
Does Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line still exist?
The Bahamas Paradise brand name has been replaced in the marketplace by Margaritaville at Sea, though the same short cruise format and some original leadership continued through the transition.
Who owns Margaritaville at Sea now?
Margaritaville at Sea, the successor to Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, is owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners following its late 2023 acquisition.
What ships did Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line operate?
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line operated Grand Celebration and Grand Classica, with Grand Classica later becoming Margaritaville Paradise under the rebranded company.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.