Alie Hansen: Wand & Compass Travel Co.

Alie Hansen: Wand & Compass Travel Co. Central FL TA specializing in FL, Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld Parks, Cruises, Sandals & Beaches, Hard Rock Hotels + More!

๐ŸŽ‰ For the first time ever, Kids & Teens Sail FREE on ALL Summer 2027 Royal Caribbean sailings, including the Caribbean, ...
08/18/2026

๐ŸŽ‰ For the first time ever, Kids & Teens Sail FREE on ALL Summer 2027 Royal Caribbean sailings, including the Caribbean, Europe & Alaska!

๐Ÿ“ฉ Message me to secure your family's spot ๐Ÿšข

๐“๐ซ๐š๐ฏ๐ž๐ฅ ๐“๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ฎ๐ž๐ฌ๐๐š๐ฒ #๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ”: ๐’๐š๐ง ๐‰๐ฎ๐š๐ง ๐„๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง #๐ŸHereโ€™s another travel tip for your next visit to San Juan: donโ€™t ignore th...
08/18/2026

๐“๐ซ๐š๐ฏ๐ž๐ฅ ๐“๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ฎ๐ž๐ฌ๐๐š๐ฒ #๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ”: ๐’๐š๐ง ๐‰๐ฎ๐š๐ง ๐„๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง #๐Ÿ

Hereโ€™s another travel tip for your next visit to San Juan: donโ€™t ignore the side streets.

Itโ€™s easy to stick to the main tourist streets in Old San Juan, especially when youโ€™re following the crowds and checking off the major sights. But some of the most memorable parts of the city can be found just a block or two away. Wander down those quieter streets and you may stumble across:

โ€ข Family-owned restaurants and cafรฉs
โ€ข Small artisan shops and local boutiques
โ€ข Colorful murals and beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture
โ€ข Hidden courtyards and unexpected photo spots
โ€ข Local bakeries and places serving authentic Puerto Rican favorites
โ€ข Less-crowded streets where you can slow down and actually take in the atmosphere

One of my favorite things about exploring a destination is that the best experiences aren't always the ones you'll find on the first page of a search result.
Give yourself permission to wander.

Of course, use common sense, stay aware of your surroundings, and stick to areas that are comfortable and appropriate for you and your travel party. But don't be afraid to turn down that interesting-looking street just because it isn't on your itinerary.
Sometimes the best travel memories happen when you take the scenic detour.

Have you ever found a favorite restaurant, shop, or photo spot simply because you wandered off the main path?

08/15/2026

Omg guysโ€ฆ WAIT until you see the reel Iโ€™m making of where weโ€™re staying tonight near Disney! ๐Ÿ˜ Iโ€™ll post it next week.

Itโ€™s a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom suite with a full kitchen, laundry, and a whole living roomโ€ฆ and the price?! I honestly donโ€™t think youโ€™d believe me if I told you! Wager a fair guess? (Keep in mind that prices are always subject to change and will vary based on numerous factors)

And before anyone asksโ€”nope, Iโ€™m not using some special โ€œjust for travel agentsโ€ discount rate. Iโ€™m booking this the same way I would book it for my clients, with the same rates and properties available to them.

For a weekend getaway, being only 2 miles from the Disney parks, this is such a find!

These little mini trips are exactly why I love what I do. I get to check out the resorts, properties, attractions, and experiences firsthand so I can give my clients real recommendationsโ€”not just tell you what Iโ€™ve read online.

So if youโ€™ve been thinking about a Disney trip, extended stay, or even just a little getawayโ€ฆ let me find the good stuff for you. โค๏ธโœจ

Here is just a sneak clip of our screened in balcony. Yes, this is just for our suite.

OUT OF OFFICE: AUGUST 14โ€“16Iโ€™ll be taking a quick break from emails, messages, and travel planning to do a little resear...
08/14/2026

OUT OF OFFICE: AUGUST 14โ€“16

Iโ€™ll be taking a quick break from emails, messages, and travel planning to do a little research and development of my own!

This weekend, Iโ€™ll be enjoying Disneyโ€™s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach โ€” because sometimes a travel advisor has to experience the magic firsthand.

Iโ€™ll be taking some time to relax, enjoy the water parks, and of course, keep an eye out for tips, tricks, and things youโ€™ll want to know for your next Disney vacation.

Iโ€™ll be back and catching up on Monday, August 17.

Thanks for your patience while I trade my laptop for a lounge chair!

๐Ÿ” ๐…๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ-๐…๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐„๐ฑ๐œ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐’๐ญ. ๐Œ๐š๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ž๐ง & ๐’๐ญ. ๐Œ๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ž๐ฑ๐ญ ๐‚๐ซ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐žCruising to St. Maarten with the kids? This...
08/12/2026

๐Ÿ” ๐…๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ-๐…๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐„๐ฑ๐œ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐’๐ญ. ๐Œ๐š๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ž๐ง & ๐’๐ญ. ๐Œ๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ž๐ฑ๐ญ ๐‚๐ซ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ž
Cruising to St. Maarten with the kids? This island has WAY more to offer than just sitting at the beach all day!

Here are 6 family-friendly excursions to consider for your cruise port day:
โœ… Rainforest Adventures & Soualiga Sky Explorer โ€“ Take the chairlift up the mountain for incredible views, explore the park, and older kids and adventurous adults can take on the Flying Dutchman zipline. Some attractions have age/height requirements, so check those before booking.
โœ… Seaside Nature Park โ€“ Meet animals, explore the nature reserve, or take a family-friendly horseback ride along the coast. This is a great option if your kids love animals and being outdoors.
โœ… Parotte Ville Bird Park โ€“ A fun stop for families, especially with younger kids. See tropical birds up close and learn about the island's wildlife.
โœ… Family Sailing & Snorkeling Adventure โ€“ Get out on the water for a day of swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the coastline. It's a great way to experience the turquoise Caribbean without spending the entire day in a vehicle.
โœ… Maho Beach & Island Sightseeing โ€“ Take the kids to one of the world's most famous plane-spotting beaches, then combine it with stops around the island. Just remember that Maho is known for the aircraft activity, so it's more of a sightseeing experience than a quiet family beach day.
โœ… Dutch & French Island Tour โ€“ See both sides of the island in one day, with stops for scenery, shopping, beaches, and local culture. It's a great choice if your family wants to see more of St. Maarten/St. Martin without committing to one single activity.

Whether your family loves animals, adventure, beaches, snorkeling, sightseeing, or simply exploring somewhere new, St. Maarten/St. Martin has a family-friendly option for you.

And remember: when you're visiting on a cruise, the best excursion isn't necessarily the one with the most stopsโ€”it's the one that fits your family's ages, interests, energy level, and time in port.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Explore even more of Alaska and get rewarded for it!Book a Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruisetour with Anthem of the Seas ...
08/12/2026

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Explore even more of Alaska and get rewarded for it!
Book a Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruisetour with Anthem of the Seas and receive $250 to spend onboard during your vacation.* Extend your adventure with a multi-day land journey before or after your cruise and experience the heart of Alaska beyond the coastline.

๐Ÿ‘€ Message me today to learn more about this limited-time offer!

๐Ÿšข Travel Tip Tuesday #135 Before you leave the cruise port, take a quick photo of your ship from the pier.It might soun...
08/11/2026

๐Ÿšข Travel Tip Tuesday #135

Before you leave the cruise port, take a quick photo of your ship from the pier.

It might sound simple, but when multiple cruise ships are docked side by side, itโ€™s surprisingly easy to head toward the wrong one after a day of exploring! Your photo can help you quickly identify your ship from a distance and save you from that moment of panic.

Bonus tip: Make sure your shipโ€™s name is visible in the photo if possible.

A two-second picture can save you a lot of confusion later!

๐Ÿ“ ๐…๐ฎ๐ง ๐“๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ƒ๐จ ๐ข๐ง ๐’๐š๐ง ๐‰๐ฎ๐š๐ง ๐–๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐˜๐จ๐ฎโ€™๐ซ๐ž ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒOnly have a day to explore San Juan on your cruise? Good n...
08/10/2026

๐Ÿ“ ๐…๐ฎ๐ง ๐“๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ƒ๐จ ๐ข๐ง ๐’๐š๐ง ๐‰๐ฎ๐š๐ง ๐–๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐˜๐จ๐ฎโ€™๐ซ๐ž ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ

Only have a day to explore San Juan on your cruise? Good newsโ€”you can experience a LOT without spending your entire port day in a car. Old San Juan is right next to the cruise port and is incredibly walkable.

Here are 5 ways to spend your day:
โœ… Explore Old San Juan โ€“ Wander the colorful streets, browse local shops, stop for Puerto Rican food, and discover the plazas and hidden corners of this historic district.
โœ… Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) โ€“ Explore one of San Juanโ€™s most iconic landmarks and take in the incredible views of the Atlantic from this massive historic fortress.
โœ… Castillo San Cristรณbal โ€“ Another impressive Spanish fortification, with tunnels, walls, and spectacular views. History lovers will definitely want this one on their list.
โœ… Paseo de la Princesa โ€“ Take a scenic waterfront stroll along one of Old San Juanโ€™s prettiest promenades. Itโ€™s a great way to slow down, take photos, and enjoy the views before heading back toward the ship.
โœ… Eat Your Way Through Old San Juan โ€“ Don't just grab a meal at the first touristy restaurant you see. Try some authentic Puerto Rican favorites, grab a local coffee, and save room for something sweet. San Juan is a FOOD destination!

Whether you're looking for history, culture, shopping, food, beautiful views, or just a great day exploring, San Juan is one of those cruise ports where you can have an amazing day without booking an expensive excursion.

And my biggest tip? Don't try to do everything. Pick a few things you really want to experience and enjoy the city instead of spending your entire port day rushing from one attraction to another.

08/07/2026

PART 2: More Reasons a Mega Ship Might NOT Be Right for You

If you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and watch it first! We covered some of the biggest things travelers don't realize about cruising on today's largest ships.
Now we're diving even deeper.

From hidden costs and extra planning to noise, packing more, and experiences you may miss, these are the things cruise brochures don't always tell you.

Don't get me wrongโ€”I love mega ships... when they're the right fit.

That's why this is a 4-part series designed to help you choose the cruise that's right for YOU, not just the biggest one.

๐ŸŽฅ Watch Part 2 now, then stay tuned for Parts 3 & 4, where I'll share all the reasons you might actually want to book a larger ship.

The best cruise isn't the biggest oneโ€”it's the one that matches your travel style.

08/05/2026

THINKING ABOUT BOOKING A MEGA-SHIP? ๐Ÿšข Before you doโ€ฆ watch this.
Bigger ships are impressive. They have incredible amenities, tons of entertainment, and SO much to do. But bigger doesnโ€™t automatically mean better.

There are some things about mega-ships that can seriously impact your vacationโ€”and they aren't always obvious when you're looking at that gorgeous ship online.

This is Part 1 of my 4-part series breaking down the good, the bad, and what you really need to consider before choosing your next cruise ship. And make sure you follow along for Parts 2, 3 & 4.

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