For making history, passengers on this cruise received both cheers and booze.
Margaritas weren’t just on the menu aboard Princess Cruise Line’s Feb. 17 voyage from Galveston, Texas to Cozumel, Mexico. The tequila-based beverages actually made history during the seven-day trip, as the approximately 3,560 guests on the ship, aptly named the Regal Princess, set a new Guinness World Record for the most margaritas sold in an eight-hour span.
The saucy honors came almost perfectly timed to National Margarita Day, Feb. 22.
“After reviewing all of the evidence, I can confirm, Regal Princess, you achieved a total of 3,410 margaritas,” said Thomas Bradford, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, addressing seafarers on the majestic steamer.
The announcement triggered a roar of applause, whoops and whistles from the boat’s spirited crew members and vacationers alike.
“You have achieved a brand new Guinness World Record title,” Bradford yelped while presenting the celebrants with a plaque. “Congratulations, you are officially amazing!”
Talk about cruising the high “C’s” — cocktails, that is.
Be it taking the gold for hosting the “largest chicken wing eating competition” — an accolade recently bestowed upon Buffalo, New York — defying the odds and being crowned the “oldest living cat” on Earth at age 30 or toppling a tower made of 63,000 beer coasters, breaking a Guinness World Record is no easy feat.
In fact, the global authority warns that becoming a “record-holder requires determination, extraordinary skills and commitment,” on its site, before outlining the eight-step process wannabes must successfully complete for consideration.
The guideline includes “exploring the world records database thoroughly,” “understanding the requirements and evidence needed for the attempt,” “carrying out your official world records attempt” and “submitting your evidence, cover letter and all other required documents.”
Trippers on the Regal Princess, obviously, didn’t mind drinking to that.
Ahead of becoming margarita megastars, cruise director Rachael Griffiths took to the deck of the luxury liner, tasking passengers with their boozy, record-breaking mission.
“The record currently is 2,728 [margaritas sold in eight hours],” said Griffiths at the start of the challenge. “We’re aiming for a solid 3,000.”
Motel Mexicola, a buzzy Mexican restaurant based in Seminyak, Bali, previously held the GWR title, pumping out 2,728 margs to its parched patrons in September 2024.
But thanks to their thirst for winning, water-travelers surpassed that milestone with flying colors.
The record attempt was officially conducted under Guinness World Records guidelines and adjudicated on site to ensure compliance with all conditions required for verification, Princess Cruises said in a statement.
Transforming the tub into a “floating fiesta,” voyagers guzzled down the line’s signature “24K Margaritas.”
The cocktails were handcrafted with 177 bottles of Pantalones Organic Blanco Tequila — founded by Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves — 67 containers of Cointreau, 45 jugs of Grand Marnier, 11 pounds of salt, plus copious amounts of margarita mix, ice cubes and limes.
But securing world-record bragging rights wasn’t the only victory Princess Cruises had to toast.
Across its entire fleet, the company also sold more than one million “24 Margaritas” between January 2025 and January 2026, making the concoctions one of the most popular specialty drinks at sea.
“Celebrating one million 24K Margaritas and making history with a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title on National Margarita Day captures the incredible spirit and enthusiasm our guests brought to create this unforgettable moment at sea,” Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises Vice President of Food and Beverage, said in a statement.
“Now, they’ll forever be part of this unforgettable chapter in Princess history.”
Cheers!
