Central Florida apparently doesn’t want us to stay home. Seriously. Between a nonstop flight to Japan, a giant new cruise ship moving into our backyard and a cruise line basically saying, how would you like a season pass? (not to Disney, but for cruising), Orlando travelers are having a moment. So if you live in Orlando, I have some travel news for you, plus a little more.
Nonstop From Orlando to Tokyo
You can go all the way from Orlando to Tokyo, nonstop. I am blown away by this, because I have been absolutely dying to go back to Japan. And you know my number one rule: if you can find a nonstop flight, you take it. Don’t follow your loyalty. I know you’re all laughing at me and getting mad at me right now, but I don’t care. If you find a nonstop flight, you take it. You save the time, you deal with it and you just take it.
The flights are operated by ZIPAIR, a low-cost subsidiary airline flying Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Listen, this is going to be one long flight to get from MCO straight to Japan. But if you can do it without stopping, more power to you. Get there, get started and see all the things. If it’s your first time, I did a whole episode on what first-timers should be doing in Japan, and it’s all in my first trip to Japan guide.
Now here’s the sad part. This is only a seasonal charter, so availability is limited. There are only four flights scheduled: February 24, March 1, March 6 and March 11, 2027. That’s four options within a month, which is really sad and depressing after all this excitement about a nonstop flight from MCO to Japan. So, Orlando, get on it. Go and actually fly there, because then maybe they’ll give us more and we’ll have a nonstop flight to Japan for good, which would be amazing. Especially for when it’s my turn to go back, because 2027 is already a little crazy town for me. Throw a pin at the map, and that’s pretty much where I’m going next year. I hope these flights sell out so fast that they say, bingo, we need to fly from MCO to Japan.
Good to know (checked November 2026): ZIPAIR, Japan Airlines’ low-cost long-haul carrier, first flew Orlando to Tokyo Narita in February and March 2026 and added charters in August. The four 2027 round trips (February 24 and March 1, 6 and 11) are pending government approval, use the 787-8 and are mostly sold as tour packages, with individual tickets expected on ZIPAIR’s website in late November 2026. On the 2026 schedule, the Orlando to Tokyo leg took just under 15 hours.
A Record Year for Cruising
AAA has forecast that more than 22 million Americans will cruise in 2027. Twenty-two million Americans are choosing cruising as their vacation!
Now, I always love it when people tell me, no way, I’m not getting on a cruise. I ask, why not? It’s the easiest and best way to travel. Everything’s right there, especially if you have a group. When people call me and say, we have this group and we don’t know what to do, I say, go on a cruise. And they’re like, really? Yes, go on a cruise. It’s the best way for groups to travel because it’s contained. You have everyone right there on the ship, dining is already scheduled for you, everything is pretty much done for you and you can get your cabins in a row, really close together. It’s just an easy way to be with a group and celebrate any milestone.
The Reasons People Give Me for Not Cruising
There are many, many reasons, and trust me, I get it. My favorite ones:
“I’m just in the vast ocean, and there’s nothing around.” I get the anxiety and the thought process behind that. But I also don’t get it, because I love water.
“I don’t want to be stuck on a boat.” They think cruising is basically being stuck on a boat.
“It’s too all-inclusive and too scheduled.” Here’s your dining every night, then you go to the show afterward. That’s not what cruising is about anymore. They’ve changed it completely. You don’t have to go to dining at a certain time, and there are so many restaurants to choose from. You can eat at the buffet, have some pizza or grab a sandwich in Central Park on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class. It’s not as structured as it used to be. (And if it’s still not for you, you don’t have to want to cruise either. That’s the nice part.)
“Only old people cruise.” What old people? There are way more young people cruising than ever now.
Cruising is also one of the most economical ways to travel, because pretty much everything’s included. Obviously some cruise lines are going to nickel and dime you a bit more once you get on board, but on others you know exactly what you’re paying, and you can walk off the ship without a single bill if you want to. So look into it and make sure you’re checking.
Not sure which cruise line fits you? Take the cruise finder quiz here on Talk Travel with Samantha. It’s short and super easy, and you don’t even have to put in an email. I developed it because I thought it was hilarious. When my friends take it, they say, you’re never going to believe what came up for me, and I sit there and guess. I was so close: I missed one by accident. Go see what your cruise personality is.
Good to know (checked November 2026): AAA’s 2027 cruise forecast, prepared with Tourism Economics, projects 22.4 million Americans taking ocean cruises in 2027, a 3.6% increase over 2026 and the fifth record year in a row. In 2019, the figure was 14.2 million.
MSC World Atlantic Is Coming to Port Canaveral
With more than 22 million Americans forecast to cruise, of course the cruise lines are creating newer, bigger and better things to get more people on board. So let’s talk about MSC World Atlantic, which is scheduled to come to Port Canaveral on November 13, 2027.
When you call something “World,” I feel like it’s massive at that point, and Atlantic also seems very large. And she is. She holds 6,758 guests. I am repeating that because it’s insanity, the number of people who are going to be on this cruise ship: 6,758 guests, 2,582 cabins and 22 decks. Twenty-two decks is a lot of decks. If you’re a cruise ship nerd and you like those numbers, her gross tonnage is 215,863. She is definitely a mega ship.
Now, I will tell you that is not for everybody. A ship of almost 7,000 people is not for everybody, because let’s be honest, if they added 300 more, you’d never feel it. So we should just call it 7,000, but I’m sure MSC would be very mad at me for saying that.
What’s New on MSC World Atlantic
The Grand Hamptons Villa in the MSC Yacht Club, a brand-new villa.
Cliffhanger, an over-the-water swing. You’re just swinging over the water, which is interesting at best. I don’t know that I would do it, but maybe I’d try it with a little bit of liquid courage.
Seven pools, which they should have for 7,000 people, because that’s a lot of people.
An aqua park. Most of their ships have one, and they’re really cool. The kids love them. They’re pretty intense, I’ve got to be honest.
A family clubhouse.
Viva La Musica, a Latin-themed venue. This one is interesting to me, because when I’ve been on MSC ships, I do feel like it is very Latin heavy: tons of Latin music and tons of Latin-inspired events. So if that’s your jam, 100% check out MSC, because they do it well.
Good to know (checked November 2026): MSC World Atlantic floated out at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, on September 26, 2026, and is due to be delivered in 2027. Her first sailing from Port Canaveral is a seven-night Caribbean cruise on November 13, 2027, and she’ll sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, including MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay. The 6,758 figure is her maximum capacity; at two guests per cabin she carries about 5,400. Bookings are open.
Why I Love the MSC Yacht Club
If you have never sailed the Yacht Club, you are missing out, my friend. It is one of my favorite ways to sail. I have done it twice now, and I do not want to sail any other way on MSC. It is a ship within a ship. You get a butler, your own bar, your own restaurant, your own pool and basically your own buffet up there, and the rooms are much bigger.
One of my favorite perks is that they give you a wristband, and you can control the elevator with it. You put your wristband underneath, you say you want to go to deck 7 when you’re on deck 13, and the cool part is it doesn’t stop. It goes straight from 13 to 7, and you’re golden. You don’t have to stop to pick up anybody. It’s the coolest feature.
Why MSC’s Price Point Is So Attractive
People love MSC’s price point. Whether you’re doing the Yacht Club or their regular cabins, it’s very favorable, because you can get just the cruise itself, or you can add in drinks and Wi-Fi and be at almost all-inclusive pricing. Then you don’t have to worry about anything unless you’re buying the spa, activities on board, an excursion or two, or specialty dining, of course. You can purchase all of that before getting on board, too. Seeing one MSC price that says drinks and Wi-Fi are included along with your cruise fare is really, really nice.
A Little MSC Background (and My First Sailing)
MSC actually owns the shipping cargo company, and it’s been family owned for decades. And I’ve got to be honest, the coolest part is that they didn’t need to start an ocean cruise line. I’m putting words in their mouth by saying they were bored, but that’s the best way to explain it: they had tons of money from their shipping company, and they started a cruise line because they thought it would be super cool.
Back in the day, I sailed on them when they first came to the U.S. Travel agents got on board for free, because obviously they wanted us to go check out the product, which was really cool of them. And it was very European, because of course it’s a European company. They’re Italian. I thought it was hysterical, because their shows were opera, which is great, but it’s not the American product we’re used to. America wants flashy sequins and top 40 songs. We don’t want opera and chilling in the lounge. There were tons of lounges and cafes, just like Europe, and lots of drinking. One of the shows was impersonators: Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears. That probably works over there, but not here. We don’t need impersonators. We just want to hear the music, and as long as you sing it correctly and have a backup dancer, we’re happy as can be.
That’s how MSC came over here. Well, they listened to everybody and made all kinds of changes, and now the product is a really great mix of what Americans want and what Europeans like. When you get on board, it’s definitely different from any other cruise line.
One thing they get slack for is their food. I’ve never had an issue with it. I love me some good Italian food, and the pizza on board is phenomenal. I’ve done both specialty dining and regular dining and had no issues, so I don’t know why the slack is there. So don’t skip MSC because you’re thinking, that’s a low price point, I’m not so sure about that. I could see that being scary. Go for it, because I hope you’ll be pleasantly impressed, especially if you book one of their newer mega ships, which are really, really great.
If MSC World Atlantic is on your list, I would love to help get you on board.
Margaritaville at Sea’s Unlimited Cruise Pass
I’m going to preface this by saying I have never sailed on Margaritaville at Sea, just so you know. I don’t know the product. I know that people love it, and I know that some people have said they would never step foot on it again. I also know they’re trying to change their reputation. So know that.
Margaritaville at Sea started out as a ship that went back and forth to Freeport in the Bahamas, almost like a ferry, to a degree. You’d spend one night on the way over, stay on the island for two to three days at one of the hotels they had an arrangement with, then spend one night on the way back. So you were barely on the ship. Well, they’ve turned themselves into a true cruise line now. And by the way, they give away a ton of cruises. If you’re military, you’d better check out those military deals, because they’re handing out cruises like water over there. They have a limited number, so they’re not handing out a whole year of free cruises, but if you’re looking for a free cruise and you don’t mind trying Margaritaville at Sea, have at it.
I’ve always said I want to try it. I haven’t, because it just isn’t on my radar, and they’re not the best with travel agents. Don’t come at me, Margaritaville at Sea, but that is very true. You don’t play nice with travel agents. You do, but it’s really difficult. However, we can still book you. It’s just not the easiest thing for us.
How the Annual Pass Works
But here’s what I think is really interesting: Margaritaville at Sea has started an annual pass. An annual pass! I can’t quite figure out how it works for them, to be honest, because it’s uber cheap. For two adults, unlimited sailings start at $2,499, and you can sail through December 31, 2027.
Now, that’s a starting price, so know what comes with it: basically nothing but your cruise fare. Every single time you book, you still pay your taxes, fees and gratuities. So that $2,499 is almost like a base. It gets you in the door. If you sold cruising for a living like I do, that makes sense to you. It’s how it works even when they give you a free cruise: you always have to pay your taxes, fees and gratuities. Any onboard enhancements are extra too, so if you want a drink package or specialty dining, you pay for that. And if you work from sea, Wi-Fi is not going to be included. You have to pay that extra.
The pass is for double occupancy. Solo travelers pay an additional supplement, so look that up, but you can do it solo if you want to.
Booking, Ships and the Fine Print
When you book: no more than 30 days before you sail. So if you want to hop on a cruise tomorrow and they have cabins left, you’re in like Flynn, which is very, very cool.
What you can choose: any of the ships across the fleet, from short escapes to seven nights, in cabins all the way up to the Breezy Balcony.
Limited cabins: cabin availability for members is limited and controlled by the cruise line. Of course they can’t sell out the ship to everybody at that price every single time. My guess is they hold maybe 10 cabins back on each sailing for pass members, and if you get one, you get one.
Blackout dates: just like any other annual pass, blackout dates apply, and you can’t go on holidays, which is usually the case for most companies.
I know Margaritaville at Sea isn’t really in our backyard here in Orlando, but it sails out of Palm Beach and Tampa and is starting Galveston really soon, and let’s be honest, those aren’t super far. If you have a lot of time on your hands or you can work from sea, and you like to sail and be on the water, it’s a great annual pass. Go check it out on Margaritaville at Sea’s website, or call me about it.
Good to know (checked November 2026): the 2027 Annual Cruise Membership starts at $2,499 for two adults in a double-occupancy cabin (returning Paradise Pass holders got a lower price for a limited time). It covers eligible sailings of up to seven nights on Paradise (Port of Palm Beach), Islander (Port Tampa Bay) and the new Beachcomber, which sails from PortMiami from January through September 2027 and then from Galveston starting in October 2027. It’s valid from purchase through December 31, 2027, you can book up to, but not beyond, 30 days before a sailing, and you can hold one active reservation at a time. Taxes, fees and port expenses are paid on every sailing. Check the cruise line’s pass terms for blackout dates and gratuities.
Your Next Fabulous Adventure
That’s my Orlando travel news: a nonstop to Tokyo worth grabbing while you can, a mega ship on the way to Port Canaveral and an annual cruise pass that’s a fun little adventure if it works for you. We don’t want basic vacations. We want the best vacations ever, so if you’re looking for your most fabulous adventure, my team at Fabulous Adventures Travel would love to help. Want the whole story? Watch the Orlando travel news episode. Until next time, travel smarter and vacation harder.
