Smooth Sailing

Before our first family cruise we thought we'd come back fat, bored, and broke. It turned out that we had one of the best vacations ever. We enjoyed several destinations without the annoyance of packing, unpacking, and dragging luggage and kids into cars and planes. The up-front, almost all-inclusive price (only drinks and shore tours are extra) made the trip easy to budget. We had plenty of opportunity to reconnect as a family and also to reenergize as individuals.

In port we went to beaches, historic sites, and on snorkel trips with our children, and on board we signed up for family Olympics and sports trivia games and enjoyed dinner together. With the day-long children's programs, the kids kept happily busy with pool parties, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and deck games. That gave us time to try a massage and lounge in a deck chair, enjoying the sea breezes.

That's why cruising is one of our top vacation choices. But in order to make a cruise a success, you must pick the sailing trip that meets your family's needs. Programs and amenities vary from cruise line to cruise line, and also among ships within a line. Read on for a primer on how to choose the cruise that's right for your family.

Candyce H. Stapen is the author of CRUISE VACATIONS WITH KIDS.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated July 2005.