PALM BEACH, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — Announced today, Margaritaville at Sea is offering an entirely new way to float into island time aboard their new flagship vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Starting June 14, 2024, the fully-reimagined ship will sail four- and five-night cruises with sun-soaked stops in Key West, Cozumel, and Progreso, expanding the growing cruise line’s itinerary availability to the Gulf of Mexico along with entertainment-packed sea days designed to fully immerse guests in the Margaritaville state of mind. Guests can reserve 2024 sailings online starting today and take advantage of exclusive preview incentives available for a limited time.

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“Since we launched our first ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, last year, we’ve been working to expand what our guests have been asking for: more amazing views, longer itineraries, and new ports of call,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “The addition of the Islander is an exciting moment for Margaritaville at Sea and marks the next chapter of growth for our business.” Christopher continued, “We are also pleased to add Tampa as a new homeport – the perfect location to provide access to our adventurous new itineraries in and around the Gulf of Mexico.”

“We’re honored Margaritaville at Sea has chosen Port Tampa Bay to homeport this new addition to their fleet and we welcome them to the Gulf Coast,” said Paul Anderson, President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay. “Our port’s cruise terminals are easy to navigate and provide a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. The ship will be a great addition to our portfolio of cruise lines and a fantastic new option for cruisers from Florida’s west coast.”

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander spans 12 passenger decks accommodating 2,650 adventure-seeking passengers. Currently undergoing an extensive transformation, Margaritaville at Sea will fully redesign all 1,100 staterooms with custom styling reminiscent of the sand, sea and sky and all new furnishings including Margaritaville’s signature bedding, pillows, and linens. With more than 700 Breezy Balcony staterooms, Grand Terrace Suites, luxurious Corner Suites, and ultra-exclusive Islander suites, couples, families, and friends alike can chase the sunset from their spacious balconies with endless gulf breezes.

The ship will feature a soaring 14-story atrium with a unique nautical Margaritaville flip flop and a lively atrium bar with three awe-inspiring multi-story floating margarita glass chandeliers. Exclusive innovations like the only three-story poolside LandShark Bar at Sea and a Margaritaville-inspired cornhole and mini-golf course alongside new family-friendly spaces like the Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide and signature favorites like JWB Prime Steakhouse and Rita’s Taco House will make sailing aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander a journey of discovery. The more than 250,000 guests who have sailed aboard the Palm Beach-based Margaritaville at Sea Paradise will find several familiar favorites, including Paradise Pickleball at Sea, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Margaritaville Coffee Shop, and Cheeseburger in Paradise, surrounded by unforgettable new spaces and experiences to explore.

“We are excited to expand our cruise line with the launch of Margaritaville at Sea Islander as our flagship vessel,” said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings. “The addition of this ship will allow our guests to visit more island destinations and, while at sea, enjoy a broader and more elevated range of fun and signature Margaritaville onboard experiences.”

Margaritaville at Sea Islander’s first available sailing will be June 14, 2024 on a 4-night itinerary from Port Tampa Bay, Florida featuring a stop in Cozumel, Mexico and two sea days.   

For additional news, updates on the vessel’s progress, and exclusive access to preview incentives on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, visit and book now at MargaritavilleAtSea.com.    

About Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea brings Margaritaville’s iconic hospitality to the open ocean for a floating offshore vacation experience. The cruise line’s maiden vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, carries guests from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, on two- and three-night sailings to the Bahamas, while the all-new Margaritaville at Sea Islander sets sail June 2024 on four- and five-night itineraries with stops in Key West, Cozumel, and Progreso. On board, guests can relax and unwind in casual-luxe comfort, featuring a range of suites, balconies, ocean view and interior staterooms dressed in nautical details and colors inspired by the sea, sand, and sky. Among the passenger decks, guests can enjoy endless entertainment and several dining venues, while unique bars and lounges provide non-stop excitement. With the addition of the Islander, guests will have even more choices for a Margaritaville at Sea vacation or getaway with a range of itineraries from two to five nights and four exciting ports of call. For more information, visit MargaritavilleAtSea.com.

SOURCE Margaritaville at Sea

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. /PRNewswire/ — “Backyarding” – the act of taking activities typically associated with the indoors outside into the green space around us – will continue taking root in 2024, according to the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of green space, including our own backyards, community parks, green space, and school yards. But next year, the TurfMutt Foundation expects the practice of “backyarding” to evolve into an ongoing sustainability practice.

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As outdoor living has become incorporated into daily life, homeowners are taking care to design cohesive outdoor spaces.

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“Now more than ever, homeowners are recognizing the power of their yards and parks doing environmental good, as well as benefitting their health and well-being,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation and its parent organization the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). “Homeowners are making improvements in their yards with many goals in mind, thinking about what’s good for their families, pets, and our planet.”

The TurfMutt Foundation predicts these 10 backyarding trends for 2024:

• Improving Existing Space (Rather Than Moving to a New One). High interest rates and low housing inventory mean more homeowners have chosen to renovate rather than move into a new home. With interior improvements complete, the focus turns to backyard improvements that customize the outdoor space and artfully merge indoor and outdoor living.
• Seeking a Home Near a Park or Nature. Even homeowners looking to downsize still want to maintain a connection with nature. They know backyarding can happen in any size yard and seek additional connection to nature through community parks, school yards, and other green space.
• Return of Neighborhood Parties…in the Backyard. Over the last several years, homeowners have invested in their outdoor living areas, and now they are using that space to bring back neighborhood block parties in their own backyards. 
• Creating a Backyard Oasis for Fun. From parents looking for ways to lure their kids away from screens to neighbors wanting to connect with friends, homeowners are turning their backyards into a place for fun and games. Some go all out to install a pool or pickleball court while others take a simpler approach like designating a strip of grass for cornhole or a small soccer pitch.
• Taking Better Care of Living Landscapes. Since homeowners have come to value their lawns, trees, and plants more than ever, they are investing in their care like never before. This means investing in equipment for DIY work and calling in professionals, as needed, for pruning, rescuing diseased trees, and revitalizing turfgrass, just to name a few.
• Choosing Real Grass. The trend of ripping out real grass and replacing it with fake, plastic alternatives is fading as homeowners and communities recognize the limitations – and downsides – of plastic grass. Synthetic turf is hard to clean, hot on feet and paws, and difficult to recycle.
• Planting for Pollinators. Once a niche practice, planting for pollinator support is omnipresent. Homeowners understand the importance of their backyards to provide food and shelter to pollinators like birds, butterflies, and bats year-round. And they are selecting plants for their yards with pollinators in mind.
• Adding Drought Tolerant Plants. Plants that are especially adapted to drier landscapes are better for water-stressed areas in our environment. Homeowners are doing their research and selecting plants that will thrive in their micro-climates.
• Mixing Materials. As outdoor living has become incorporated into daily life, homeowners are taking care to design cohesive outdoor spaces. They factor in landscaping, hardscaping (patios, outdoor kitchens, etc.), and natural aesthetics (trees, boulders, etc.).
• Backyard Birding. The birdwatching craze really took flight during the pandemic, but it’s not a fleeting fad. Birdwatching is not only relaxing; it is a great way to connect with the nature right outside our back doors.

For more, sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here. To learn more about creating the yard of your dreams, visit TurfMutt.com. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show.

About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Championed by Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Weekly Reader, Discovery Education and Scholastic, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” Today, TurfMutt is an official USGBC^® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat was featured in the 2017-2020 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.

SOURCE TurfMutt Foundation

PURCHASE, N.Y., Dec. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals, STARRY® and NBA® 2K24 are dropping a gaming-ready combo at Pizza Hut® that will make it easy for players to snack and game simultaneously.

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Starting December 5, when players order the NBA® 2K24 STARRY® combo, which includes the choice of any Pizza Hut Melts® and 20 oz. crisp, clear, refreshing, lemon-lime flavored STARRY, they will score a Locker Code for NBA® 2K24*. Once players redeem their NBA Locker Code in NBA® 2K24, they will have access to in-game apparel and MyPLAYER skill boosts for 10-games. Additionally, players can earn 2X Rep during wear and earn events, purchase apparel in Swags including a denim patch jacket, suit, tie-dye tee, pizza box jersey, and branded jersey, play in a theater event, and earn their own bike with branded embellishments.

“In its first year as the official soft drink of the NBA, fans have seen first-hand that STARRY Hits Different and shows up during basketball’s biggest moments,” said Scott Finlow, CMO of PepsiCo Global Foodservice. “We’re pumped that gamers and basketball fans can level up their meal at Pizza Hut and experience unique in-game offerings with STARRY.”

The NBA® 2K24 STARRY® combo is available at PizzaHut.com or on the Pizza Hut app for $8.49. For more information about the NBA® 2K24 STARRY® combo or to gain access to a Locker Code, in-game apparel, and perks, follow @starrylemonlime and @nba2k on social media.

*NBA® 2K24 Locker Codes are available with online orders of the NBA® 2K24 STARRY® Combo only through February 18th, 2024, while supplies last. Locker Code redemption requires a copy of NBA 2K24 (sold separately) and an NBA 2K Account (must be 13+). NBA 2K Accounts are free. Limit (1) one code per customer a day, with no more than (5) five codes per NBA 2K Account. Locker codes will be delivered within 24 – 48 hours after qualifying purchase via the email connected with the qualifying purchase. Locker Codes must be redeemed by March 31, 2024. Availability, prices, and participation may vary. STARRY® is a registered trademark of Portfolio Concentrate Solutions UC. © 2023 NBA Properties, Inc. All rights reserved.

About 2K
Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for video game consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices, with product availability including physical retail and digital download. The Company is home to many talented development studios, including Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber and HB Studios. 2K’s portfolio currently includes several AAA, sports and entertainment brands, including global powerhouse NBA®️ 2K; renowned BioShock®️, Borderlands®️, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization®️ and XCOM®️ brands; popular WWE®️ 2K and WWE®️ SuperCard franchises; as well as the critically and commercially acclaimed PGA TOUR®️ 2K. Additional information about 2K and its products may be found at 2K.com and on the Company’s official social media channels. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc..

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

About Pizza Hut®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and since then has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation with the creation of icons like Original Pan® and Original Stuffed Crust® pizzas. In 1994, Pizza Hut pizza was the very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading the way in the digital and technology space with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order. Hut Rewards is open to U.S. residents 16+. See applicable terms at https://hutrewards.pizzahut.com/terms/. A global leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 19,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Through its enormous presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for its team members and communities around the world. For more information, visit www.pizzahut.com. You can remain up to date on what’s happening at Pizza Hut by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

SOURCE PepsiCo