Margaritaville at Sea Selects Harland & Wolff for New Ship Transformation

Margaritaville at Sea has selected the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast to transform the Costa Fortuna into its newest cruise ship, the Beachcomber.

According to Navantia UK, which acquired the Belfast facility in late 2024, the project is expected to generate approximately £40 million in economic impact for the Belfast region.

The Costa Fortuna is scheduled to be delivered to Margaritaville at Sea in September and will become the largest ship in the company’s fleet.

Originally built for Costa Cruises at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Italy, the 103,000-ton vessel will undergo an extensive transformation, including upgrades to public areas, staterooms and technical systems.

Navantia UK said the multi-million-pound project will be supported by a number of local contractors and suppliers, including MJM, Mivan and Madden Marine.

“This project is another major vote of confidence in our Belfast yard’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class cruise ship repair, refurbishment and revitalization,” said Graham Couser, director of ship repair at Navantia UK.

“Being selected for a second major vessel from the Margaritaville at Sea fleet demonstrates the trust that international cruise operators have in our facilities, our people and our ability to deliver complex projects to demanding schedules,” he added.

“The transformation of the Beachcomber represents the next step in the continued growth of Margaritaville at Sea, and we’re pleased to once again partner with the team in Belfast to help bring that vision to life,” said Minas Miliaras, chief maritime officer at Margaritaville at Sea.

​The Harland & Wolff shipyard previously transformed the former Costa Atlantica into the Margaritaville at Sea Islander in 2024.

“Their work on the Islander demonstrated the quality, craftsmanship and expertise required for a project of this scale, giving us the confidence to return as we prepare the Beachcomber for its global debut,” Miliaras continued.

“As we continue expanding our fleet, having trusted partners who understand our commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience is invaluable.”

Navantia UK said the Beachcomber project represents the largest investment in a cruise ship revitalization at the Belfast yard since the Islander.

The Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber is scheduled to enter service in early 2027, offering year-round Caribbean cruises from PortMiami.