On February 17, the Regal Princess wasn't just another Caribbean cruise ship docked in Cozumel, Mexico. For eight hours, it became the epicenter of one of the most unexpected record-breaking moments in maritime history.
Passengers aboard the seven-day Western Caribbean voyage, which had departed from Galveston, Texas, came together to smash the Guinness World Record for most margaritas sold in a single eight-hour window. The final count: 3,410 margaritas. That's nearly one drink for every single person on board and a massive leap beyond the previous record of 2,728.
How a Floating Fiesta Made History
The crew transformed the entire ship into what Princess Cruises called a "floating fiesta," strategically timed to coincide with National Margarita Day celebrations. Every bar and lounge on the Regal Princess participated in the push, pouring what the company calls its signature 24K Margarita. Each one arrived carefully crafted with Pantalones Organic Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and margarita mix, served over ice in a salted-rim glass. These weren't casual poolside pours; they were handcrafted cocktails designed to stand out.
Thomas Bradford, the official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, was there to witness the chaos. "You could feel the celebration in every bar of Regal Princess as Princess Cruises made history with a new Guinness World Records title for Most Margaritas Sold in 8 Hours," he noted in the official verification.
Beyond the Record The Bigger Picture
This single record-breaking day turned out to be part of something even larger. Between January 1 and January 7, 2026, Princess Cruises sold more than 1 million of these 24K Margaritas across its entire fleet, making the cocktail one of the most ordered specialty drinks at sea. That's not a fluke. That's a phenomenon.
The tequila behind the record comes from Pantalones Organic, a brand founded by actors Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves. The partnership runs deeper than just one signature cocktail. Pantalones is now available in Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo expressions across all Princess bars, and it anchors a whole menu of handcrafted drinks developed with Princess mixologist Rob Floyd. Beyond the 24K, you'll find playfully named options like Pants on Fire, Sea Legs, Hot Pants, and Fancy Pants Paloma, each built with fresh juices and premium ingredients.
The Celebrity Connection
McConaughey and Alves' involvement with Princess Cruises extends beyond the bar menu. The pair recently served as godparents for the christening of the company's newest ship, Star Princess, ceremonially blessing it with a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila. For cruise enthusiasts who follow celebrity news and luxury travel, that kind of star power carries real appeal.
Back on the Regal Princess, the record attempt was officially conducted under strict Guinness World Records guidelines. An on-site adjudicator made sure everything met the requirements for verification. After the eight-hour sprint to history was complete, the ship returned home on February 22, coinciding perfectly with National Margarita Day itself.
For anyone thinking about booking a Princess cruise in the coming months, know this: there's a genuine food and beverage culture happening on these ships. The 24K Margarita has transcended novelty status and become a legitimate signature drink that passengers are seeking out. Whether you're cruising the Caribbean or elsewhere, the bar scene aboard these vessels offers something beyond the typical ship cocktails. The crew even documented the record-breaking moment online for travelers curious about what went down that day.
Sometimes the best travel stories aren't about monuments or museums. Sometimes they're about a ship full of strangers raising glasses together and accidentally making history. The Regal Princess proved that memorable vacations can be found in the most unexpected places, even if those places are floating in the middle of the ocean.
