Bala Travel and Tours with Jodie Lovewell

Bala Travel and Tours with Jodie Lovewell Travel planner with Bala Travel and Tours (TICO: 50021282) with a love for Disney and cruising

Wherever you are this season — snowy streets or sandy shores — I hope it brings rest, joy, and a little wonder.
12/26/2025

Wherever you are this season — snowy streets or sandy shores — I hope it brings rest, joy, and a little wonder.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

After a busy few days, this is exactly what we needed at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.This resort is one of Disney’s best-...
12/02/2025

After a busy few days, this is exactly what we needed at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.

This resort is one of Disney’s best-kept secrets on the east coast of Florida. It’s peaceful, quiet, and feels worlds away from the parks, even though it’s only about two hours from Orlando. We’re Disney Vacation Club members, so this spot has been on our list for a long time, but you don’t need to be a member to stay here — it’s open to everyone.

What makes it special is the combination of classic Disney service with a completely different pace. There’s a beautiful stretch of beach, plenty of space to relax, and a resort layout that feels intimate rather than overwhelming. It’s the perfect transition after a cruise or a park day: just sand, waves, and a chance to breathe.

Exactly what we were craving.

Any guesses where we’re headed tonight now that we’re back on dry land?Here are a few clues…• It’s somewhere I’ve wanted...
11/30/2025

Any guesses where we’re headed tonight now that we’re back on dry land?

Here are a few clues…

• It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to go for almost twenty years.
• It only happens on select nights.
• There will be lights, music, and a whole lot of holiday magic.
• Matching shirts may or may not be involved.
• You need a special ticket to get in.
• And let’s just say… the “snow” might not be real, but the smiles will be.

Our final sea day was a quiet one, and honestly, that felt exactly right. After a full week of ports, activities, dinner...
11/30/2025

Our final sea day was a quiet one, and honestly, that felt exactly right. After a full week of ports, activities, dinners, and long-overdue conversations, today gave us the chance to slow down and simply enjoy being together.

That’s the real blessing of travelling with family. Not every moment needs to be big or exciting. Sometimes the best memories come from sharing a coffee, watching the ocean, or sitting together with nowhere to rush off to. This trip brought Bob’s cousins together for the first time in more than thirty years, and seeing everyone reconnect has been one of the highlights of the entire week.

It has also reminded me why I believe so strongly in the power of reunion travel. There is something special about removing the distractions of everyday life and giving people the space to spend time together, whether it’s parents and kids, cousins, siblings, or extended family who don’t often get the chance to gather.

And it’s exactly this kind of experience that inspired my upcoming group cruise next August, The Greatest Reunion at Sea. Watching these cousins rediscover each other after decades has reinforced how meaningful a trip like this can be. Sometimes all a family needs is a change of scenery and the ease of a cruise to create the space to reconnect.
Tomorrow we disembark, but the memories from this week will stay with us for a long time.

Yesterday we were in Costa Maya, and it was the perfect port for an easy, no-rush kind of day. We’ve been here before an...
11/28/2025

Yesterday we were in Costa Maya, and it was the perfect port for an easy, no-rush kind of day. We’ve been here before and always enjoy it because the cruise centre is so well designed. There’s a large pool, a beach area, plenty of shops and restaurants, and even a bird sanctuary. It’s one of those ports where you don’t need to book an excursion to have a great day—everything you need is right at your fingertips.

Once we were back on board, we got ready for dinner with the whole group. Coordinating a group as large as ours is always a bit of a puzzle, which is why we set a standing dinner time at the start of the cruise. And yesterday, because it was American Thanksgiving, everyone made the extra effort to show up. Even though we celebrated our own Thanksgiving back in October, it was still a lovely moment to have the entire group gathered at the same table.

After dinner, we spent some time together as a family before heading to the evening show. The entertainer was Joel Meyers, a magician who has been featured on America’s Got Talent. His performance was quick, clever, funny, and completely baffling. I have absolutely no idea how he does what he does.
Today is the first of our two final sea days before we wrap up the cruise.

Day 3 in Roatán turned out a little differently than expected. The ship was using tender boats today—also known, accordi...
11/27/2025

Day 3 in Roatán turned out a little differently than expected. The ship was using tender boats today—also known, according to our cruise director, as the very distinguished water limousines. But with grey skies, steady rain, and waves rolling from the wind, I decided not to put my newfound sensitivity to small boats to the test. Gravol or not, I chose to stay on board.

One of the most common concerns I hear from people who haven’t cruised before is seasickness, and it’s worth saying again: modern cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers, and most of the time you barely feel any movement at all. Small boats, however, are an entirely different story, and today was a perfect example.

The great thing about travelling with a bigger group is that everyone can choose what works for them. My family headed ashore and enjoyed Roatán, while I enjoyed something equally valuable: an almost empty ship. Quiet lounges, peaceful nooks, and uninterrupted relaxation made for a surprisingly lovely day.
Tomorrow we arrive in Costa Maya.

Day 2 brought us to our first port of call in Cozumel. Even though I’ve been to Cozumel several times before, this was a...
11/26/2025

Day 2 brought us to our first port of call in Cozumel. Even though I’ve been to Cozumel several times before, this was a new area for me. Since we hadn’t planned any shore excursions for today, we simply got off at the cruise centre, wandered for a little while, and then made our way back on board.

It might not sound like the most exciting way to spend a port day, but it was exactly what we needed in terms of rest and reset. Others in our group had excursions booked, including glass-bottom boat tours and snorkelling adventures, so there truly was something for everyone. That’s one of the things I love most about cruising with a group—everyone can choose their own pace and still come back together afterward.

Once back on board, we spent the afternoon watching the poolside activities, including mini golf, co****le, and a very entertaining bowling-style competition. It was the perfect low-key way to enjoy the atmosphere and do a bit of people watching.

After a delicious dinner, we finished the night with the evening show, featuring an incredible singer performing a Whitney Houston tribute. A great way to end the day.

Tomorrow we head to Roatán, Honduras.

Day 1 started off in a very unusual and memorable way. We booked a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship, which meant repor...
11/25/2025

Day 1 started off in a very unusual and memorable way. We booked a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship, which meant reporting to the excursions desk for 9 a.m. wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes so we could sign the safety waivers. As it turned out, there were only three of us on the tour, so it ended up being practically a private experience.

We began in the main dining room, where the team gave us a lesson in folding the elegant napkins you see at dinner. We quickly confirmed that we will not be attempting any of these folds at our next dinner party.
From there, we headed into the galley to see the incredible amount of activity that goes into food preparation and washing thousands of dishes every day. Watching their dishwashing setup in action made me wish I could install something similar at home.

Next, we visited the crew areas and learned more about life on board from the crew’s perspective. These hardworking professionals absolutely deserve every moment of downtime they get.

Afterwards, we toured the laundry facilities, where all the linens, uniforms, and guest laundry are handled. It’s amazingly efficient and fascinating to see up close.

The highlight for me was the final portion of the tour: the engine control room and the bridge. Getting a look at the ship’s operational heart—and meeting the officers who run it—was incredibly special.

Once the tour wrapped up, we spent the rest of the day lounging and catching up with family, which was exactly what we needed after a busy morning.

Up next is Cozumel.

Let’s talk about this cruise.We’ve just boarded the Celebrity Constellation for a week of sunshine, great food, and long...
11/24/2025

Let’s talk about this cruise.

We’ve just boarded the Celebrity Constellation for a week of sunshine, great food, and long-overdue family time. This sailing is especially meaningful because we’re travelling with Bob’s extended family, including cousins he hasn’t seen in more than 20 years. Watching everyone reconnect already feels like the start of a truly memorable week.

We’ll be visiting Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatán, and I’ll be sharing what it’s like to explore these ports while balancing relaxation, adventure, and time with family. It’s a great reminder of why cruising works so well for reunions, large or small.

And after the cruise, Bob and I have a little surprise planned. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for almost twenty years, and I can’t wait to finally make it happen. I’ll reveal more once we get there.

Follow along this week for ship life, ports of call, a few special moments, and a peek at what a real reunion-at-sea experience looks like.

A holiday drink, a sweet treat, and a boarding pass… it must be cruise day (well, almost!).We’re sailing for American Th...
11/22/2025

A holiday drink, a sweet treat, and a boarding pass… it must be cruise day (well, almost!).
We’re sailing for American Thanksgiving and rolling right into the start of the Christmas season on board — and I’m bringing you along for every festive moment.

What’s your favourite thing about holiday travel?

The suitcases are full, the heart is fuller. After days of cruising, exploring, and soaking up family time, it’s time to...
09/24/2025

The suitcases are full, the heart is fuller. After days of cruising, exploring, and soaking up family time, it’s time to head home. Grateful for every memory made — and especially excited to be reunited with my puppy’s cuddles. 🐾

Already dreaming of the next one! If this Canada/New England itinerary caught your eye, now’s the perfect time to plan ahead — I’d love to help you experience it for yourself next year.

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