As with every prior expansion to World of Warcraft, Mists of Pandaria adds more levels and content on to the top of the game.  Also, as with every prior expansion, this content can be accessed a couple of levels before you reach the prior level cap.  Generally it’s a better idea to reach the prior level cap of 85, as having access to some of the formerly top-end gear will make entering the expansion material easier to manage without dying constantly, but it isn’t actually necessary.

Your trip to Pandaria begins with a quest to head to Stormwind Castle, to meet Grand Admiral Jes-Tireth in the War Room.  On arriving at the gates, however, you don’t even enter the castle itself- you instead are given a short cutscene.  King Wrynn is consulting with two of the highly-placed people under his command- a human woman and a night elf of unknown nature.  They are discussing a ship that has gone missing- the only one out of the King’s massive fleet that contains something of utmost import: his son.  By the King’s request, a message is shown over a scrying bowl- one that is missing many pieces in the middle, but is very clear on a few points.  The King’s son survived the crash in good health, the ship’s crew do not know where they are, and wherever they may be they were ambushed shortly after arriving.

When the cutscene ends, you are outside the castle proper, only you have been turned about- and before you stands a night elf man in black armor: Rell Nightwind of SI:7.  You will need to talk to Rell, who tells you that this is of the greatest importance.  The flagship of Admiral Taylor has gone missing with the admiral himself, and atop that the young Prince was aboard the ship as well.  This gives your primary objective here: to bring the Prince home safely.

Rell explains that the last missive from Admiral Taylor came from somewhere in the southern ocean.  As the Prince must be located, the first thing to do is search, specifically from the air.  He tells you that the Skyfire, one of the Alliance airships, is ready and waiting to head to the South seas- and it waits for you and some few others in the air just to the North of Stormwind Harbor.  Your task is to make yourself ready, and then head to the ship and meet Admiral Rogers on deck so that you can head out to look for the missing Prince and the other Admiral.