Orlando without a car?

[oneofakind]

Due to a set of circumstances I am going on holiday with my friend in Feb 2026. She has fixed dates (around 12-13 nights) and is set on long haul but a budget of around £1.4k. She ideally wants a beach break as she was due to go to a tropical place and was really looking forward to it but this has had to be cancelled.

The only place I can find within budget is Orlando, Florida. The weather would be good , flights not too long and the hotels look ok but, although I drive and have been to Florida before, I don’t want to hire a car. I just don’t feel comfortable driving abroad any longer and wouldn’t want to do this in the US. Having been before (but Disney/Universal then) a car seemed to be quite essential.

Ideally we’d want a beach holiday somewhere warm but places are either too expensive (Caribbean, Mexico) or the flights are too long for a 12 night break (Thailand).

I suppose I feel a bit of pressure as she’s been through a hard time but doesn’t want Canaries/Egypt/Cape Verde and it’ll be her first time long haul. She’s saved for a long time for this trip.

Any advice please?

Look for a Caribbean cruise with inclusive flights - Iglu have some good last minute deals with P&O, or try Marella (Tui). You may have better luck in a couple of weeks as the deals seem to go to early Feb at the moment. You should be able to get 14 nights from Barbado on P&O Arvia for £1400 if you pick an inside cabin. She’s designed for warm climates so has lots of outside space for sunbathing.

Thanks @PinkFootstool, the Eastern Caribbean cruise might work. Will make an enquiry.

Also bought a Thailand lonely planet as that sounds appealing too. Maybe Bangkok for 3 nights then I understand Hua Hin is fairly close by and can be accessed by public transport so that could work too if we can get reasonably priced flights.

We have a relative out in the Middle East so have travelled there before. It’s not really a holiday place for me although she’d probably be ok with Dubai. She wants guaranteed 30 degrees so Europe and Egypt out for February. It’s a bit tricky agreeing on somewhere we’re both happy to go to.

Feeling a lot more hopeful we’ll find something within her £1.4k budget.