By Jeanni Ritchie
Sometimes the best getaways are the ones that combine sun, sand, and a little adventure. My sister Sherri, my niece Emma, and I headed to Margaritaville Biloxi for a weekend full of fun, relaxation, and family memories after five days aboard a Carnival cruise ship. From the moment we arrived, the salt air and bright energy promised a continuation of the cruise vibes—and a chance to soak up the Gulf Coast in style.
On the Beach & Resort Vibes
We spent most of our time at the hotel’s waterpark overlooking the beach and the amusement park. All the best-laid sightseeing plans drifted away with the lazy river as we lounged in the pool.
Most of our meals were at the Margaritaville Café, either indoors or on the outdoor patio just steps from our pool chairs. Breakfast was eggs and pancakes, lunch was burgers, and dinners alternated between pasta and quesadillas.
Another popular dining spot onsite is Doe’s Eat Place, a dress-up steakhouse with rave reviews and a varied menu. It looked tempting, but we stayed mostly swimsuit-clad at Margaritaville, so that was out!
Our room was bright and beachy, with two queen beds dressed in crisp white linens and plenty of space to stretch out after long days of play. A private balcony overlooked the Gulf, offering just a glimpse of the views we’d linger over later.
Activities & Adventures
Escape Arcade: Our first evening was spent in the massive arcade. We played unlimited games for an hour, and I managed to snag the high score in both Piano Keys and the floor-to-ceiling Pac-Man game. Emma conquered the ropes course, while Sherri and I braved the roller coaster simulator.
This was not your typical VR ride. We were strapped in as it flipped us upside down, tilted us sideways, and dropped us so far back we thought we’d fall right off the edge of the earth. I expected the giant screen of the coaster in front of us. I didn’t expect the equally giant screen of us broadcasting our reactions to everyone outside! Sherri’s hands-in-the-air whooping mixed with my hanging-on-for-dear-life screams made for quite the show.
Paradise Pier: As expected, my fearless sister rode everything. Upside-down free falls? No problem. Emma joined her, while I stuck mostly to the ground—except for the Ferris wheel (as long as it didn’t stop!) and the Aerobar, which lifts you 100 feet in the air and slowly rotates for ten minutes. Bridges, casino rooftops, the safety of the ground—they were all far below. Suddenly I understood why Katy Perry kissed the ground after landing from her Blue Origin flight. I wanted to do the same!
It turned into a great evening, reminding me of childhood trips to Astroworld and Six Flags with my sister. In sheer coincidence, Emma’s friend Jolene and her boyfriend Peyton were also in Biloxi and joined us at Paradise Pier. Daredevil Peyton paired up with Sherri for the wild rides, while Jo and I held down “ground control.”
Back to the Arcade: We ended our final evening with another round inside Escape Arcade, which stays open an hour later than the amusement park. I hit the jackpot in Deal or No Deal by correctly picking Case #11 and walked away with a soft pink pig as my arcade souvenir.
Dinner that night was at Farruggio’s in the arcade—Emma ordered meatballs with spaghetti, Sherri had a chicken parmesan sandwich, and I sampled a little of both.
Room with a View
Perhaps my favorite spot of all, though, was the balcony overlooking the water. The sun rose to my left and set to my right, casting a golden glow over the Gulf below. I watched fish jump, birds skim the surface, and lone boats chart a course through the twilight. It felt like a private show from the Maker Himself—my own piece of paradise on earth.
Vacation Verdict….
Margaritaville Biloxi gave each of us our own slice of fun—Sherri with her “it’s five o’clock somewhere” spirit, me with my Peter Pan syndrome, and Emma landing perfectly in between. Together, Margaritaville delivered the sweet spot where memories are made.
Jeanni Ritchie is a travel writer from Central Louisiana who loves reliving childhood memories! She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
