I took a trip on America's CHEAPEST cruise - here's what it's really like on-board $25-a-night ship that passengers said smelled of POOP

What does a trip on one of America's cheapest cruises look like?

Well, in a bid to quench peoples' intrigue, YouTuber Lucas Cruikshank booked a two-night trip with Margaritaville At Sea from Miami to the Bahamas.

Rates with the cruise company - which has a 'poor' to 'average' rating on Tripadvisor - start from as little as $25 per person per night, as it runs various 'buy one get one free' deals throughout the year.

Lucas paid $200 for himself and his friend Jacob to go on a two-night trip but he said once extra fees were applied, it rounded out at $400 - so $100 per person per night. 

The avid traveler opted for a room with an ocean view, which bumped the fare up, and he also purchased one unlimited soda package for himself.  

YouTuber Lucas Cruikshank booked a two-night trip with Margaritaville At Sea from Miami to the Bahamas with his friend Jacob

The avid traveler opted for a room with an ocean view, which bumped up his fare, and he also purchased one unlimited soda package for himself

When their cabin was ready, the two cruise-goers went below deck to check it out and they were happy with what they found 

From start to finish, Lucas documented his budget trip at sea, which also marked his first ever cruise.

To start, he said he didn't know what to expect and he found the damning online reviews a little off-putting.  

He explains: 'So, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise has pretty low reviews but we all know with one star reviews, people are dramatic. 

'Like people are just perpetually in bad moods and they take it out on these review websites so I have to test if this ship actually deserves the low rating it has.'

He said one review he found equivalated the ship - which was built in 1991 - to a 'floating Super 8 hotel,' while others had said it 'smelled like poop.' 

However, once Lucas and Jacob board the ship, they seem pleasantly surprised with what they found. 

Lucas told viewers: 'We got on the ship and I was impressed.

'Even though this ship is over three decades old, they redid it. Maybe we'll see some cracks in that later but for the most part, I was like okay.'

After boarding the ship, the duo ventured to lunch. Despite lots of reviewers 'despising' the food, Lucas said the offering was good. 

Instead of the buffet, he opted for a ham panini, some pigs in a blanket and an apple. His one complaint was that there was no ketchup for his pigs in a blanket and he had to make do with mustard instead.

Touching on what the buffet offering was like, he added: 'Yeah, the buffet was fine. I mean, it wasn't Michelin star food... but [I got] BOGO... like why are you complaining!

'I've been to gross buffets, this wasn't one of them. It was like a mediocre buffet.'

On the drinks side of things, Jacob noted that his water tasted like chlorine, but said that it was 'fine' and drinkable.

When their cabin was ready, the two cruise-goers went below deck to check it out and they were happy with what they found. 

In terms of the food offerings, the Paradise ship has six restaurants, with three of them complimentary and three of them involving extra charges

Lucas and Jacob stuck to the free dining spots included in their package. On both nights they checked into Fins Dining

Lucas' only complaint was that the entrees were 'tasty,' but small and when they tried to order an extra dish, the server warned another portion would incur a $8 charge

Lucas exclaimed: 'Oh my gosh, it's bigger than I expected. Of course, we did pay for an ocean view.'

They filmed a quick tour of the bathroom, with the faux marble counter top and 'cozy' walk in shower highlighted. 

While reviewers said the rooms were outdated and in need of refurbishment, with leaking portholes being another complaint, Lucas and Jacob didn't find too much wrong with their cabin.

Their only gripes included a stray hair on the bedside table and some damaged cabinetry.

Another area of the ship reviewers complained about were the public restrooms. 

Lucas said people grumbled about the doors getting jammed, them not locking and being 'a mess.'

While he didn't have any problems with the public restrooms, Jacob got locked in a cubicle at one point but eventually broke free. 

In terms of the food offerings, the Paradise ship has six restaurants, with three of them complimentary and three of them involving extra charges. 

Lucas and Jacob stuck to the free dining spots included in their package.   

On both nights they checked into Fins Dining.

Out of all of the dishes they tried, Lucas said the pumpkin soup 'slapped,' while a bowl of macaroni which looked 'gross' was actually 'good.'

His only complaint was that the entrees were 'tasty,' but small and when they tried to order an extra dish, the server warned another portion would incur an $8 charge.

When they reached Freeport in the Bahamas, Lucas and Jacob opted to enjoy some drinks on the shore at Senor Frogs.

Back on the ship, other areas they explored on the vessel included the casino, the nightclub, the bingo hall, and the hot tub. 

After spending just over 48 hours on America's cheapest cruise ship, Lucas offered his verdict.  

While some critics of the ship said the 'best part of the cruise was getting off,' Lucas said while he was 'excited' to get off he had enjoyed his time at sea. 

'I think two days is perfect,' he mused.