Erin Zempel Travel

10/22/2026

I need to take a quick break from my Universal week to bring you and INCREDIBLE deal on a Royal Caribbean sailing!

Take the family aboard Explorer of the Seas for a 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, November 27–December 2, 2026, sailing from Port Canaveral!

2 adults + 2 children
Guaranteed Oceanview Stateroom
$1,830.16 total—that’s just $91.51 per person, per night!

Your room, meals at included dining venues, onboard entertainment, all on a gorgeous ship to TWO beautiful destinations—all for less than $100 per person, per night!

Your itinerary:
• Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• Two days at sea to enjoy the ship

Try comparing that with five nights at an all-inclusive resort for four! And this vacation takes you to a new destination while you sleep.

Price is subject to availability and change. Guaranteed category means Royal Caribbean assigns your stateroom. Gratuities, travel to the port, specialty dining, most alcoholic beverages, and excursions are extra. Contact me today!

10/22/2026

Let’s talk about something that can make a BIG difference in your Universal vacation: Express Pass.

Here’s how it works:

🎢 Universal Express gives you access to a shorter line once per participating attraction. Available at all three parks.

🎢 Universal Express Unlimited lets you use the Express line again and again at participating attractions. Available only at Universal Studios and Islands of Aventure.

You don’t reserve individual ride times in advance. Head to a participating attraction and use its Express entrance. You’ll still have a wait, but you’re using a shorter line than the regular standby queue.

And here’s the hotel tip I want you to know:

Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel include Universal Express Unlimited for registered hotel guests at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure!

That benefit can change which hotel offers the best overall value for your family.

What about Epic Universe? Express is available there, too, but it requires its own applicable pass. The included Express benefit at those three hotels does NOT extend to Epic Universe.

Park admission is required separately, and Express only applies to participating attractions.

Before you book, let’s compare the total cost of your hotel AND the Express options you want. The lowest room price doesn’t always tell the whole story!

10/21/2026

A theme park vacation without planning every meal and ride time months ahead? Yes, please!

One of my favorite things about Universal Orlando is that you can leave room to wing it a little!

Dining reservations? Easy peasy. No 6 a.m. alarms to set! I still recommend making a reservation if there’s a restaurant you really want to try, but you don’t need to know months ahead what everyone wants for dinner on Tuesday.

Grab something quick in the parks, head to CityWalk for a sit-down meal, or call it a pool afternoon and eat at your hotel. You’ve got options!

And with Express Pass, there’s no scheduling individual ride times. When you’re ready to ride, head to the Express entrance at a participating attraction. Want to stop for a snack first? Go for it!

There’s still some planning involved, but having the freedom to say, “What do we feel like doing next?” is one of my favorite parts of a Universal vacation!

10/20/2026

The wand isn’t just coming home as a souvenir. You get to USE it while you’re at Universal! 🪄

Your first stop should be Ollivanders Wand Shop, where you’ll choose your wand—or perhaps the wand will choose you!

Interactive wands let you cast spells at designated locations throughout all three parks of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Follow the wand movements and watch for a magical reaction! It takes a little practice, so don’t be surprised if the adults get just as invested as the kids.

I recommend choosing a second-generation interactive wand for the extra features! Connect your wand to Universal Play in the Universal Orlando Resort app to track your spellcasting, earn house points, and take part in games and activities throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Download the app before you arrive so you’re ready to go!

And if a wand is on your list, purchase it early in your visit. You’ll want plenty of time to practice your spellwork between rides!

10/19/2026

This week, I’m highlighting one of my FAVORITE vacation destinations—Universal Orlando!

There’s so much to love, and I’ll be sharing some of my favorite experiences, tips to make your trip easier, and details you’ll want to know before booking. And yes… we’ll be talking about the Grinch! 💚

First up: Epic Universe!

Your family has a Harry Potter fan, a Nintendo fan, and someone who would absolutely move to an island full of dragons.

Good news. There’s a vacation for that. 😉

Universal Epic Universe brings FIVE worlds together in one theme park:

✨ Celestial Park
🍄 SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
🪄 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
🐉 How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
🖤 Dark Universe

If you’re picturing Epic Universe as a new section of Universal Studios, think BIGGER. Celestial Park is the center of the park, with portals leading into the other four worlds. Your family can go from the Mushroom Kingdom to wizarding Paris to the village of Berk—all without leaving Epic Universe.

And Harry Potter fans, here’s an important detail: the Ministry of Magic doesn’t replace Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. Those are still at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. That means there are now Harry Potter experiences across THREE different theme parks!

Which world would your family head to FIRST?

10/12/2026

10/07/2026

SO much to share - but most importantly we are booking NEXT WEEK!!!! Contact me to find out your exact booking date and let’s BELIEVE together!!!

10/07/2026

It’s time for our big reveal event! I can’t wait to share all the details waiting for us to discover!

10/05/2026

Fresh off my flight so excuse the look - but here is my room at Old Key West! A great choice if you are looking for an affordable deluxe resort!

10/05/2026

I’m out of the office starting today, Monday, October 5th through Thursday, October 8th!

I’ve been invited to a special training and celebration all about Disney Cruise Line’s brand-new ship, Disney Believe!🚢✨

I can’t wait to hear all the fun details that are getting ready to be announced — and, of course, share everything I learn with you!

Follow along this week for a peek at what’s coming!