by San Diego-based Jana Jones

Fifteen years ago, if you were to tell anyone that you were taking your children on a family cruise, your pronouncement would have been met with open-mouthed stares.  "Wow," might have been what you heard from the shocked recipients of this news; that's because back in the "olden days," a family cruise vacation was as much an oddity as taking the kids on a trip to explore the indigenous cultures of the Amazon rainforest.

How times have changed.  Family cruising is not only no longer an oddity, it's become one of the fastest-growing niches in the cruise industry.  Taking the family on a cruise can be less expensive than land-based vacations of equal length. The travel option offers the experience of different ports, different cultures and different countries -- with a minimum of packing, unpacking and general and tedious schlepping.  It gives parents an opportunity to have "alone time" as well as family time.  Another highlight?  Most children get to meet and play with others in their own age group, and even teens have a chance to get away from the folks in a safe and secure environment.

So it's no wonder that cruise lines have embraced the family.

It isn't just the ice-skating rinks, bowling alleys, rock-climbing walls, surf parks and parent-free teen zones that are attracting families.  As new ships are being designed and constructed, more and more of them are incorporating family accommodation into the mix.  Adjoining rooms, bunk-bedded alcoves and family suites are other choices.

That still does not mean, however, that every ship and every itinerary is right for each family mix. Some ships -- indeed, some lines -- excel at welcoming babies and toddlers while some provide a better experience for teens and older kids.  Of course there are still some lines, like Oceania, for example, that offer no amenities for kids and -- while not precisely discouraging their inclusion -- make no effort to welcome them, either.  P&O has two adult-only ships on which no child under 18 can sail at all (though other ships in the fleet are geared to a wide range of passenger lifestyles, including those folks with kids).

Ultimately, it's the parents who know their children best and who can best make the decision on which cruises, itineraries and activities suit their family. But use our guide to help get you started:

Got infants/toddlers? Carefully check the ages of the kid's club of the cruise line you plan on using. Only Cunard allows children under two into its childcare program and only Carnival and Cunard will allow staff members to change a diaper (some give you a beeper to use to notify you when a diaper change is necessary, but you cannot leave the ship while your not-yet-potty-trained child is in the program). None of the cruise lines, for health and safety reasons, allow an un-potty-trained toddler into any of the pools, including the splash pools designed for toddlers, even with a swim diaper.

Got tweens? Most kid's clubs are very adept at pleasing the three- to eight-year-olds with a mix of face-painting, macaroni mosaics, videos and the like, but the 9- to 13-year-olds are harder. Look for clubs that include challenging games and sports activities, sleepovers, parties, movie nights and some activities that are separate for boys and girls.

Got teens? Look for a cruise line or ship that has a parent-free teen zone and activities, including shore excursions that are designed -- with the assistance of the youth counselors -- by the teens themselves. Your teens may balk a lot less at going on a family vacation when they know they can have some autonomous away-from-the-folks time, meet and mingle with others their own age without parental interference, enjoy their particular type of music without comment and have access to some of the same electronic toys they enjoy while at home. Be sure to check drinking and casino ages: some ships and cruise lines (like Holland America and Carnival) allow gambling at 18, others not until 21.

Got Grands? The other big thing these days is the "multi-generation family group cruise," or family reunion cruise. Many ships have activities that allow little ones and Grandma to do things together, like make pizza or play miniature golf. But some ships, and some special cruises, like Crystal's Family Reunion Cruise, are designed for exactly this kind of interaction, and that includes some smaller, quiet ships and itineraries as well.

We base our picks on best for family cruising on two key criteria: one is the region, and within the region we choose which ships best serve families. We also make special note if a particular pick does an especially good job with one age group or another.


Alaska
Our Pick: The brand-spanking-new Norwegian Pearl.
Ideal Age Group: Younger kids.

Why We Love It: This bright, colorful, cheerful ship has something for everyone to enjoy, whether it's the romantic dinners for mom and dad at one of the specialty restaurants or the little kid-sized buffet station. Loads of family accommodation options, Freestyle dining and a bowling alley and rock-climbing wall add to its suitability. The ship goes roundtrip from Seattle, which makes for a less complicated embarkation/debarkation port, and has fairly short port stops and more scenic cruising, which is easier on little ones. The one port with extended hours, Skagway, gives the family the opportunity to rent a car and go into the Yukon Territory, or to take the White Pass railroad shore excursion through mountain passes.

You Need to Know: The kid's club is at the pool level and surrounded by glass so you can see in; toddlers are welcome from age two, and while diaper changing is on you, you'll get a beeper to notify you when it's necessary. (You can't leave the ship while your child is in the club if he or she isn't potty trained since the beepers don't work ashore.) Group sitting is available both during port stops and from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a modest per-child fee.

Others We Would Choose: Holland America's Noordam, also leaving from Seattle. This big and beautiful ship is better suited for the tween to teen ages and is perfect for trips with Grandma and Grandpa; activities include cooking demonstrations and ship-building contests. Regent's Seven Seas Mariner, with its all-suite and all-balcony cabins, offers wonderful learning opportunities for kids of all ages, but is probably more suited to the tweens, particularly those with an interest in wildlife.

Eastern Caribbean
Our Pick: Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas from Miami
Ideal Age Group: Young - teens (7 - 17).

Why We Love It: This class of ship set the standard for "Get Out There" cruising, with its ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall and non-stop action. Explorer of the Seas also features the University of Miami Ocean Lab, a working laboratory studying the ocean, marine animals and atmospheric science, with lectures and classes for budding marine biologists and ecologists.

The Royal Family Suites have two bedrooms and two bathrooms for maximum breathing room for the whole family. But beyond the ship, this itinerary provides a peek into two destinations that your kids will be delighted to discover are actually part of the U.S.A. -- St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Not only that, but St. Maarten is included; while the ship arrives in Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island, getting to "France" is just a few miles away in Marigot.

You Need to Know: Kids must be three years old and potty trained to go to the kid's club, but there are parent-participatory activities for those who aren't. Royal Caribbean's drinking age is 21. Kids can be in adjacent cabins under adult supervision; otherwise, the age for travel is 21. Royal Caribbean has partnered with Fisher-Price and Crayola for their Adventure Ocean kid's club. Babysitting is offered for children at least one year old, both in groups and in--cabin, with a price of about $8 for one or two children, $10 for three.

Others We Would Choose: Norwegian Jewel from Miami for toddlers because of Freestyle dining, allowing maximum flexibility at mealtimes; Carnival Glory from Port Canaveral for teens and young adults because of the go-all-night entertainment, and Crown Princess from New York (a great boon to families located in the Northeast) for multi-generational groups and family reunions with younger kids because, while not as active as Royal Caribbean or Carnival, it provides the kind of activities that encourage communication and bonding.

Western Caribbean
Our Pick: Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas
Ideal Age Group: Toddlers - teens.

Why We Love It: This ship has elegance for the adults, family-friendly accommodations, fabulous children's programs -- Adventure Ocean -- for the younger kids, and activities galore, including a rock-climbing wall, volleyball and basketball courts, miniature golf and even pool tables, for the older ones. It also has Fuel, a meeting place and disco for teens. It's on the moderate side of a large ship; in fact, at 91,000 tons, it could almost be called mid-sized, but has all of the elements found in the bigger vessels with an added ambiance of intimacy. We also love the fact that this itinerary includes the relaxing port of Costa Maya, plus a half-day stop in Key West, which is as Caribbean as you can get while still on the mainland of the U.S. In Grand Cayman you can visit turtle farms, hug a sting ray and send a postcard from Hell; for Cozumel we think that the national park at Chankanaab Lagoon is a wonderful family outing.

You Need to Know: Adventure Ocean is divided into five age groups with appropriate activities for each group. Children must be three years old to participate in the program and must be potty trained (but there are activities that parents can enjoy with their infant in the child care center). No alcoholic beverages are served to those under 21, but teens over 18 can use the casino.

Others We Would Choose: Carnival Triumph is great for older kids as well as the younger ones, with tons of activities and outdoor space, and is suitable for the youngest family members since toddlers can attend Camp Carnival from age two, whether or not they are potty trained. This itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where a climb up Dunn's River Falls is a great family excursion. For shorter cruises, look at Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas, best for active tweens through teens, and Carnival's Inspiration, for toddlers to tweens.

Exotic Western Caribbean/Gulf Coast Departures
Our Pick: Grand Princess out of Galveston
Ideal Age Group: Mid-range (5 - 13).

Why We Love It: This ship is big, but quietly elegant at the same time, with pleasing staterooms and several areas of quiet to counterpoint the action in others. We saw kids happily parading their painted faces all over and dancing with their folks at the deck parties; the MUTS screen (Movies Under the Stars) is a big hit with all ages. Personal Choice dining is a big plus, allowing you to choose dining at a set time and table or take a more flexible approach and choose Anytime Dining, which might be just right for your family's needs. We love this itinerary, too, which includes Belize, Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Take the kids cave tubing and snorkeling and along the way they'll learn much about Central American geography.

You Need to Know: Minimum age in the kid's club is three and the child must be potty trained. The kid's club is open during port stops and the counselors host a lunchtime while you're off the ship. When you choose your dining option, it's for the whole cruise; you can't switch between Anytime Dining and set table/set time. Both the gambling and drinking ages are 21.

Others We Would Choose: Carnival Miracle, leaving from Tampa (switches to Carnival Legend in August 2007). It's a great Carnival Fun Ship, perfect for both younger kids and teens because of the range of activities and Camp Carnival flexibility. Miracle/Legend's itineraries switch Roatan for Grand Cayman, where you can feed and touch stingrays, send a postcard from Hell, or just laze around on Seven Mile Beach. Norwegian Sun, leaving from New Orleans, offers Freestyle dining which makes traveling with toddlers and young children convenient; itineraries include Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatamala, Belize and Cozumel.


Bahamas
Our Pick: Disney Wonder
Ideal Age Group: All ages; it's great for the whole family.

Why We Love It: Even if you went nowhere at all, the ship is a destination in its own right, with cooking lessons, animation labs, first-run Disney movies and unbelievable entertainment including an innovative multi-venue dining plan. Little kids love finding the "hidden Mickeys," everyone twigs to the characters onboard, and what could be better than tea with Alice in Wonderland? Both the three- and four-night itineraries include Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas. No tendering; the ship docks on the island, which is most kids' favorite stop, and parents can find private romantic moments in the adults-only zone. Plus: The adults-only alternative restaurant, Palo, is one of the very best at sea.

You Need to Know: Flounders Reef Nursery will care for babies from 12 weeks old, with a maximum 10 hours per cruise for an hourly fee; age-appropriate activities are available to kids from 3 - 12. The Stack, a teen club for 13 -– 17 year olds, is not accessible to parents! There is no casino on this ship.

Others We Would Choose: Norwegian Spirit. Its six-night cruises from New York go to Nassau and NCL's private island, with a stop in Port Canaveral so you can also experience a full day in Orlando. What we love about Spirit is its aft-end kid's club and waterpark, which is almost as good as Disney's. (Spirit will move to New Orleans at the end of August 2007, with Western Caribbean itineraries.)

Mexican Riviera
Our Pick: Carnival Spirit from San Diego
Ideal Age Group: Mid - teens (8 - 17) and grandparents too!

Why We Love It: Unlike most of Carnival’s new generations of vessels, Spirit provides a small-ship feel in many of its public spaces. The pool deck, for instance, isn't one massive amphitheatre; there are distinct "regions" for quiet contemplation or raucous play, allowing for a great deal of choice. Staterooms are big and elegant and many accommodate five. This itinerary is exciting since it goes to Acapulco, where you can take the kids to see the famous cliff divers at La Quebrada, and to Zihuatanejo, which, despite the influx of cruise tourists, still retains its original Mexican village ambience.

You Need to Know: Although we think the mid-range ages would enjoy the cliff divers and Mexico atmosphere the most, this ship is also ideal for families with toddlers since Carnival's Camp Carnival programs allow children from age two, and Carnival's counselors will change diapers. Teens have their own clubs broken into two groups: 12 - 14 and 15 - 17, which is also unique.

Others We Would Choose: Disney Magic will be in the region sailing from Los Angeles (May through August 2008), although it doesn't go to Acapulco or Zihuatanejo. Norwegian Star, which also departs from Los Angeles, goes to both on its eight-night itinerary, and also adds Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. That ship is ideal for families with younger kids because of its Freestyle dining (no need to wait for a specific dining time) and because of its range of family accommodations. Holland America's Oosterdam, leaving from San Diego, also doesn't include Acapulco, but the ship was built to accommodate multiple generations.


Europe -- Western Mediterranean
Our Pick: Disney Magic from Barcelona
Ideal Age Group: Every age, great for the whole family.

Why We Love It: Disney in Europe! Magic is a "magical" ship, built with the classic lines of an ocean liner and filled with activities to delight everyone. It isn't all Disney-Mickey-Minnie-Goofy, and in fact, this ship has more adult-only areas than most other ships. In any event, there are activities and entertainment options for everyone in the family, and those lucky enough to catch Magic during its run in the Mediterranean will find themselves enjoying the fountains or Rome, the museums of Florence and the yachts of the French Riviera in high style.

You Need to Know: Disney ships have large family-friendly staterooms, most of which have a "bath and a half" configuration, with a small bath and sink on one side and a toilet and sink on the other. The kid's programs range from age 3 - 17, with babysitting available for infants as young as 12 weeks (limited to 10 hours maximum for a seven-night cruise). There is no casino on this ship; daily bingo is available though.

Others We Would Choose: Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas also leaves from Barcelona with 12-night itineraries that venture into Greece or the Adriatic for Venice and Dubrovnik. For those who would prefer a shorter cruise, check out Norwegian Jewel. It's great for younger kids because of the Freestyle dining and sails to Rome, Sicily, Florence, Naples and the French Riviera, all in seven nights. This is also a perfect destination to enjoy a Crystal Serenity Family Reunion cruise, which Crystal will help plan, on one if its many 12-night western Mediterranean itineraries. Although this ship doesn't have most of the go-go-go activities that the others on this list have, it's an elegant, serene environment -- perfect for quiet pursuits and family bonding.

Europe -- Eastern Mediterranean
Our Pick: Carnival Freedom
Ideal Age Group: Any; there's something for the whole family.

Why We Love It: This new, big ship has all the Carnival pizzazz that you'd expect from a Fun Ship, and it's so new, it's never left Europe. Its maiden season (2007) takes place in the Mediterranean with 12-night cruises from Rome. Itineraries include a port-intensive trip with Naples and Florence; Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey; Athens, Rhodes and Katakolon, Greece; and a combo eastern/western trip that includes Barcelona, Cannes, Florence, Dubrovnik and Venice. Take your pick; every city on these itineraries is sure to create special memories for your family. The ship itself, a Conquest-class vessel at 110,000 tons, is big, active and fun, with some of the largest standard staterooms afloat. New on Freedom is a poolside LED screen, 12 by 22 feet, to showcase movies, sports and other events.

You Need to Know: Carnival will change diapers for toddlers two years and up in Camp Carnival, and offers group babysitting for children as young as four months in the evenings to age eight; 9 - 11-year-olds can go to Camp Carnival's Extended Hours program until 10 p.m. on a complimentary basis, after which the babysitting charge applies. The charge for all age groups is a most reasonable $5 per hour for the first child and $3 for subsequent children in the same family. Casino gambling is allowed at age 18, but even in Europe, the drinking age onboard is 21.

Others We Would Choose: If you want a shorter cruise of seven nights, Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas is a good bet. Smaller than its newer siblings in the Royal Caribbean fleet and without some of the bells and whistles like ice-skating rinks and surf parks, it nonetheless offers good value and fairly large standard accommodation, a good kid's club (Royal Caribbean's signature Adventure Ocean) and a miniature golf course. Kids must be potty trained and three years old to go to the kid's club, but there are parent-participatory activities for those who aren't. For a longer cruise, Holland America's Westerdam offers a 10-night itinerary; we think that ship is ideal for cruises with grandparents and more suitable for kids in the tween to teen range (8 - 17).


Canada/New England
Our Pick: Carnival Victory from New York
Ideal Age Group: Tweens - teens (8 - 18).

Why We Love It: This big, gregarious ship has a lot to offer families, with activities both day and night. During the summer months there are four- and five-night cruises out of New York, and in September, they increase to seven nights. Go whale watching in St. John, New Brunswick, or take a tugboat around Halifax Harbour. On the September cruises, both Boston and Portland, Maine are added to the itineraries, which could mean a trip to Fenway Park, more whale watching, or walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, and perhaps a visit to a lighthouse and a lobster bake in Portland.

You Need to Know: Carnival will change diapers for toddlers two years and up in Camp Carnival and offers group babysitting for children as young as four months in the evenings to age eight; 9 - 11-year-olds can go to Camp Carnival's Extended Hours program until 10 p.m. on a complimentary basis, after which the babysitting charge applies. The charge for all age groups is a most reasonable $5 per hour for the first child and $3 for subsequent children in the same family. Carnival Victory has staterooms that can hold five; otherwise its rules require an adult over 25 in each stateroom with a minor child. Casino gambling is allowed at age 18.

Others We Would Choose: Queen Mary 2 has a great four-night Labor Day cruise to Halifax. If you have a baby, this is a great way to get away and be romantic; a baby as young as 12 months can go to the Nursery during the day and will be changed and bottle-fed; just be sure to bring your own diapers, ointments, lotions and wipes. For longer cruise options, Holland America's Maasdam, a small, (1,258 guests) classic ship, has a seven-night option out of Montreal or Boston, which is great for the younger children who don't need rock-climbing walls and ice-skating rinks. Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas, which does have a mini-golf course, cruises from Bayonne, New Jersey, for nine nights.

Hawaii
Our Pick: Pride of Hawaii
Ideal Age Group: All; perfect for the whole family.

Why We Love It: It's the itinerary! All Hawaii, all the time, with seven-night itineraries out of Honolulu. But the ship itself is big, bright, new and beautiful with some quirky elements that set it apart, like the Alice in Wonderland decor in some of its lounges and private karaoke rooms that could make for some great (and future embarrassing) family time. The itinerary includes all of the main Hawaiian islands, fabulous shore excursions, a sail past an active volcano and the Na Pali coast of Kauai, where much of Jurassic Park was filmed. The ship provides Freestyle cruising (choose to dine when you wish), which makes scheduling less of a problem, and lots of family accommodation options.

You Need to Know: There are no casinos or Bingo on Hawaii cruises. Children from age two are welcomed into the Kid's Crew and do not have to be potty trained. However, staff will not change diapers; you are given a beeper and notified when that chore is necessary. You can't leave the ship with it though, as it doesn't work ashore.

Others We Would Choose: Pride of America and Pride of Aloha. Both ships also offer the seven-night cruise and Freestyle. All three ships have an American staff and do not have to leave American waters, so the seven-night cruises include only the Hawaiian islands.

--by San Diego-based Jana Jones