Family Cruise Specialist

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Alyssa Stander, CTA, Travel Agent in Wickenburg, AZ

Alyssa Stander, CTA

Wickenburg, AZ Travel Agent
Super Agent

Alyssa Stander, CTA

Wickenburg, AZ · 4 Years of Experience

Lemon Drop Travels, an independent agent with Cruises & Tours, Unlimited, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(31)
100% Recommended
She is very patient and amazing to work with . Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, Princess Cays, Turks and Caicos Islands

Interests:

Cruises, Disney Vacations, Family Vacations

Suppliers:

Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises®

About Me

Carnival Freedom in Grand Turk
Carnival Freedom in Grand Turk

Cruising is one of the most exciting, flexible, and family-friendly ways to see the world. Whether you want to wake up in a new country each day or simply relax poolside while someone else handles the logistics, a cruise offers the best of both worlds—exploration and ease. It’s an especially great choice for families with a mix of interests, energy levels, and travel goals. From toddlers to teens, grandparents to grown-up kids, there truly is something for everyone onboard.

As a family cruise specialist, my passion lies in helping families create incredible memories at sea. I’ve sailed on and researched a wide range of cruise lines and ships to understand what makes each one unique. Some families want non-stop fun—waterslides, ropes courses, zip lines, and kids’ clubs that run from morning until bedtime. Others are seeking quiet moments, enrichment, and relaxation—think scenic river cruises, spa treatments, or reading a book while watching the waves. My job is to match your family’s travel style with the perfect cruise line, ship, and itinerary.

Not all cruise lines are created equal, and that’s a good thing! If you’re an active family, lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line may be a great fit, with endless activities and entertainment. If you prefer a more laid-back, elegant experience with enriching shore excursions and refined service, you might love a premium or luxury line like Princess, Celebrity, or even a smaller river cruise.

And yes—cruising can absolutely be a fantastic choice for families with children or adults who have autism or other special needs. Many cruise lines have stepped up in a big way to become more inclusive and accommodating. Lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney are great options when it comes to Autism friendly sailings.  I stay up-to-date on which cruise lines offer these resources and how we can advocate for your family’s comfort and confidence while traveling.

My role goes far beyond helping you book a cabin. I work with you to understand what your family truly wants from this vacation. Are you foodies excited to try global cuisine onboard? Do you have little ones who will live in the splash pad area and meet every character onboard? Are you hoping to explore new cultures through shore excursions, or just enjoy sailing days with no agenda? I help families think through all the possibilities—from dining preferences and cabin layouts to port schedules and mobility needs—so that your cruise is seamless and stress-free.

Whether you’re planning your first family cruise or you're seasoned sailors looking for your next adventure, I’m here to make the process fun, informed, and tailored just for you. From ocean giants to small ships, kid-centric to multi-gen luxury, tropical islands to European rivers—there’s a cruise out there waiting for your family. Let’s find it together! 

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
31 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 31 reviews

amazing views
Reviewed By Girls Trip - New Iberia La | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
She is very patient and amazing to work with .
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Cancun adventure
Reviewed By A - Farmington, NM | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
From start to finish Alyssa stayed in communication with us ensuring we had all the information for a successful trip.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
First Timer!
Reviewed By MissyLee - Rapid City, SD | Traveled to Cozumel ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
We loved our vacation that was booked through Lemon Drop Travels. It was our first experience with a travel agent and we will always use them from now on. They helped us with any questions we had.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Continuing a Family Tradition
Reviewed By NDavis - Amarillo, Texas | Traveled to Disneyland ~ California ~ USA
Thank you so much Lemon Drop Travels !

Disney and Disneyland was always a big part of my childhood and is currently a big part of my family’s life. It’s been 11 years since going to Disneyland (which is a long time for a person that used to go annually when living in Phoenix). This year, we took our children for the first time. We did 2 days in the parks and a 3rd at the Oogie Boogie Halloween Bash. In addition to our little family, we also got to be there with Aunts, Cousins, and Grandparents. Walking out of the park at midnight after 3 very long days, none of my children wanted to leave. It was an amazing trip with memories I wouldn’t trade for the world.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great Alaska Cruise
Reviewed By Gomezmortisha - Hurricane, UT | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
She answered everyone's question in our group and made booking our cruise super easy!! We had the best time on our vacation! Thanks to Alyssa!!!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
AMA Academy
AMA Academy
NCL University - Master's Degree
NCL University - Master's Degree
Royal Caribbean University - Bachelor of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Bachelor of Adventure
Seacademy - Gold Certification
Seacademy - Gold Certification
ACC accredited through CLIA

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

All Aboard the msRotterdam
View Album

    My Travel Stories

    Holebroa Waterfall, Geirganger Norway

    All Aboard the msRotterdam

    Cruising through the Norwegian Fjords with Holland America has been one of my all time favorite travel experiences - hands down.  Obviously, cruising with Holland America on the msRotterdam was an exceptional experience, but the beauty and grandeur of Norway cannot be topped! A few highlights of our trip? -Renting e-bikes in Geiran...
    Read more

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