If you’re dreaming of pairing your cruise holiday with a trip to Universal Orlando Resort, this blog is your sign to start packing. Six days. Four theme parks. One magical Orlando escape. Follow Cruise Nation’s Cruise Specialist Kayleigh as she joins our partners Virgin Atlantic and Universal Orlando Resort on an exclusive VIP trip to Orlando, Florida.
Day 1 & 2: Flying Premium with Virgin Atlantic
When I arrived at the boarding gate at London Heathrow, I was expecting to fly Economy to Orlando—which, by the way, I don’t mind, because Virgin Atlantic are fabulous wherever you sit. But then I heard an unexpected beep as I scanned my boarding pass. Seat upgrade alert: Premium Economy! Cue my inner happy dance (and visions of those adorable silver salt and pepper shakers).
Spacious seating with extra legroom, noise-cancelling headphones for the must-watch movies, and top-notch food—especially the afternoon tea with coronation chicken sandwiches and a few glasses of rosé—made the flight fly by.
Before I knew it, I was checking into my hotel room at the brand-new Terra Luna Resort—fresh, spacious, and filled with all the mod cons. I had just enough time to freshen up before dinner at CityWalk.
Dinner was at Antojitos – An Authentic Mexican Eatery. Think spicy guac made tableside, sizzling fajitas, and a tequila list that could rival anything in Cancún. We wrapped up the evening with a craft beer at the sports bar and—because who could resist—a late-night Voodoo Doughnut run. Calories don’t count on holiday, right?
Day 3: Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
An early start saw us straight onto the complimentary shuttle to the park gates. Thanks to VIP access and our legendary tour guide Joey, we walked onto every ride—no queues, just non-stop thrills.
I rode front row on VelociCoaster—an adrenaline rush like no other; that launch hits hard and doesn’t let up. The Hulk flung us out of the tunnel like we were in our own Marvel movie, and with zero wait time, we went back on for round two. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure? We rode it twice—once on the motorbike, once in the sidecar—both gave a totally different, equally magical ride through the Forbidden Forest.
Even the Universal Mega Movie Parade, which I’d usually skip, had me grinning and swaying along. There’s something about dancing Minions and pumping music that’s impossible to resist.
That evening, we had dinner at The Kitchen (Hard Rock Hotel)—a cheese lover’s dream. Truffle Lobster Mac & Cheese? Insert heavenly choir sounds here. Washed down with Whispering Angel rosé, then a spontaneous Uber to Señor Frogs on International Drive—think yard-long cocktails and dancing on tables. Orlando, you wild thing.
Day 4: Universal Orlando Resort -Epic Universe
Rain or shine, Universal Orlando Resort delivers. Ponchos on, spirits high—we were ready for another day of fun at the brand-new Epic Universe.
From the eerie magic of Dark Universe to my new favourite coaster ever, Stardust Racers, this park is jaw-droppingly good. The Ministry of Magic alone was worth the visit—even though the ride wasn’t open yet, I felt like an 8-year-old wizard walking into the films. Accio nostalgia!
We dried off with black bun burgers at Burning Blade Tavern, explored Isle of Berk (those dragons look real!), and unleashed our inner gamers at Super Nintendo World.
We ended the day with a spectacular fountain show, grabbed a few souvenirs (mugs are my weakness), and paid a visit to an American supermarket (hello, Walgreens) for snacks and drinks for a chilled night by the hot tub at Terra Luna Resort.
Day 5: Volcano Bay & Hotel Tours
This morning, I slowed the pace with a visit to Volcano Bay. I floated through the lazy river while others took on the slides—bliss.
Next, we toured a selection of Universal Orlando Resort hotels, which was a great chance for me to experience exactly what I recommend to Cruise Nation customers.
Here’s my hot take on the hotels we explored:
- Cabana Bay: A retro dream and perfect for families—with spacious suites for up to six, mini kitchenettes, and a lazy river for post-park wind-downs. It’s got that playful 50s vibe but with all the modern perks.
- Dockside Inn & Suites: One of Universal’s value options, but it feels anything but budget. The stylish lobby and roomy two-bedroom suites are ideal for families or groups.
- Aventura Hotel: A hidden gem. Sleek, modern and perfect for adults—with a rooftop bar offering panoramic park views. Top of my list for a future grown-up getaway.
- Sapphire Falls: My personal favourite. Caribbean-inspired luxury with a laid-back twist, a stunning pool area, and the Strong Water Tavern serving up tapas-style dishes (the goat curry? Unreal).
That evening, we hopped on the free water shuttle to Pat O’Brien’s at CityWalk—famous for hurricanes (the cocktail, not the weather) and raucous singalongs. A few of us found ourselves back at Señor Frogs for college night. Worth the late bedtime? Absolutely.
Final Thoughts on Universal Orlando Resort
Whether you’re planning a pre-cruise stay at Universal Orlando Resort or just craving a theme park getaway done right, this trip ticked every single box. Unforgettable parks, thrilling rides, drool-worthy food, gorgeous hotels, and a generous dose of fun!
Ready to plan your own Universal Orlando Resort adventure?
Give Kayleigh a call on 0179 200 2502 and let her tailor your perfect stay before you set sail on a cruise around America or the Caribbean.
You can view Cruise Nation’s Universal Orlando Resort Cruise & Stay holidays HERE
