Your Local Cruise Experts in Ames, IA

Three-panel Allied Travel image showing the planning, travel, and cruise experience for Cruises in Ames, IA, including a planning desk setup, travelers walking through an airport, and a cruise ship at sea

Planning a cruise should be simple.

If you’re in Ames, Allied Travel can help you compare cruise lines, choose the right ship and itinerary, and find the cabin that fits your needs.

We also take care of flights from DSM, hotels, transfers, and excursions — so every part of your trip is covered.

What we handle:

  • Selecting the cruise line, ship, and itinerary that best fits your travel style

  • Booking flights from Des Moines, plus hotels, transfers, and excursions

  • Sharing practical insight from Iowa travel specialists with real cruise experience

Easy, organized, and stress-free — so you can simply look forward to your vacation.

What’s Included in Our Cruise Planning Services

  • Choosing the Right Cruise Line & Ship

    Instead of comparing cruise options on your own, we walk you through the differences in cruise lines, ship styles, and onboard experiences.

    This makes it easier to choose the option that fits your travel style, destination goals, and budget.

  • Smart Cabin Selection

    Cabin categories can be confusing, so we help you understand the pros and cons of each — from interior rooms and balcony cabins to suites — and recommend the best fit based on comfort, location, and value.

  • Itinerary & Port Guidance

    Every cruise itinerary offers something different. We break down the highlights of each port, share recommended excursions, and help you choose routes that balance adventure and relaxation.

  • Before & After Travel Arrangements

    We coordinate DSM flights, hotels, transfers, and pre/post-cruise stays, making sure your entire trip — not just the cruise — runs smoothly.

  • Group & Celebration Travel

    For reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings at sea, we manage group cabins, dining, and excursions so everyone stays organized and stress-free.

Wherever you’re traveling from in Ames, Allied Travel is here to help you plan the perfect cruise.

Why It’s Smart to Plan Your Cruise Early

Popular cruises, ships, and cabin categories often sell out months in advance.

Planning early gives Ames travelers access to better prices, more itinerary choices, and the cabins that fill up fastest — like balconies, mid-ship rooms, and suites.

Couple planning a vacation on a laptop while reviewing cruise brochures at home, shown in a promotional image for Allied Travel’s Cruises in Ames, IA

When you start early, you also get first pick on excursions, dining times, and specialty experiences that book quickly. Everything becomes smoother, easier, and more predictable.

Early planning means fewer compromises — and a much better cruise.

Planning a Cruise and Not Sure Where to Start?

You’re not alone. Allied Travel can explain your options, guide you through the details, and make sure you feel prepared and comfortable with every decision.

Cruise Planning FAQs for Ames Travelers

It’s usually best to start planning 6–12 months in advance, especially if you want popular cabin types like balconies or mid-ship rooms.

Cruises during peak seasons (spring break, holidays, Alaska summers) can sell out even earlier.

Planning ahead gives you better pricing, more itinerary choices, and the chance to grab early-release promotions or added perks.

If you’re not sure how early your ideal destination fills up, Allied Travel can walk you through the timeline.

The best cruise line depends on the experience you’re looking for.

For example:

  • Families often love Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line
  • Couples may prefer Princess, Celebrity, or Virgin Voyages
  • Luxury travelers lean toward Viking or Oceania
  • Adventure seekers may choose Norwegian or expedition-style cruises

We help Ames travelers compare ships, itineraries, and onboard styles so you end up on the cruise that actually matches your trip goals.

Absolutely. Most Ames travelers fly out of Des Moines International Airport (DSM), and we can coordinate flights that align with your cruise schedule.

We also arrange hotels, transfers, and pre- or post-cruise stays.

This ensures every part of your trip connects smoothly — no worrying about timing, layovers, or missed connections.

Cabin choice depends on your comfort needs, how much time you’ll spend in your room, and your budget.

Balcony and mid-ship cabins often go first, especially on scenic routes like Alaska.

We explain the differences between interior rooms, oceanview cabins, balconies, and suites — and help you choose one that fits your style and avoids common “regrets” like noise zones, poor locations, or obstructed views.

Most travelers don’t realize that working with a travel advisor usually doesn’t involve any additional cost, and in many cases, you may receive added value, bonus perks, or better pricing than booking on your own.

We believe in transparent, pressure-free planning. If any service does include a fee, we’ll tell you upfront — no surprises.

Iowa travelers love a variety of cruise experiences. Some of the most popular include:

  • Caribbean cruises (warm weather + great value)
  • Alaska cruises (perfect for summer adventure)
  • Mexican Riviera
  • Mediterranean itineraries
  • River cruises in Europe (for culture and small-ship experiences)

We can help you compare destinations based on the time of year you plan to travel.

Yes — we help you choose excursions that match your interests, activity level, and budget.

Whether you want guided tours, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, or relaxing beach days, we’ll give you our personal recommendations.

We also help you understand which ports are best explored on your own and which ones are worth booking through the cruise line.

Booking on your own can be overwhelming — hundreds of itineraries, ships, cabin types, and pricing changes.

A travel advisor guides you through all the options, helping you avoid mistakes like picking the wrong cabin or missing out on limited-time deals.

You get personalized recommendations, real cruise insight, and someone to help if plans change or issues come up. It’s support, guidance, and peace of mind — without the guesswork.

Yes. We can explain the differences between travel insurance plans, help you understand coverage, and guide you toward the option that makes the most sense for your trip.

From medical coverage to trip protection, we make sure you know exactly what’s included so you can travel with confidence.

Just reach out — that’s it. We’ll ask a few simple questions about your travel style, dates, budget, and destination ideas. From there, we’ll compare cruise lines, itineraries, and pricing for you.

There’s no pressure and no obligation — just clear, helpful guidance to get your cruise planning started.

READY TO BOOK THE PERFECT TRIP?

We never charge you a fee just to meet with us!

Meet With Us

“Just returned from a trip to London & Paris that Allied Travel helped us plan. They arranged flights, hotels and train links. Their travel specialist was very accommodating and was happy to help us keep searching till we found the hotels we wanted. These ended up being nicer than we expected. This is the second time we have used Allied Travel to help us arrange a trip to Europe. We plan on using them again for future overseas trips.”

Mike F. via Google

“My husband and I were connected to Allied Travel through a friend and we could not have been happier we did. Outside of booking our own flight, they helped us find our hotels and activities while in Hawaii for our honeymoon. When one hotel put us in a different room than what we paid for, Allied Travel was on top of it and had the situation worked out within an hour…at 11 pm CST. Not being someone that enjoys trip planning, we will absolutely utilize their services for future trips!”

Andrea W. via Facebook

“Our wedding was perfect! We had around 40 family and friends at our wedding in Cancun. That was a lot of coordinating! Thankfully Allied Travel took all of the stress and worry off of our plates! They really allowed us the opportunity to enjoy our wedding and our honeymoon at another resort! The hardest part will be deciding where we want to go next! Allied Travel will do all of our resort and vacation planning from here on out! Thank you again!! 5 Stars, A+, 10/10, truly the highest praised rating available!”

Brandon B. via Facebook