Recommended Family Cruise Lines

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Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships

Why: Rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, miniature golf and roller blading are more innovative ways to tire out your kids then, say, a basketball court or pool games (though these ships do have pretty fantastic pool areas, not to mention the usual basketball courts). And did we mention the ships' indoor promenades, which feature all manner of parades and special events? Plus, Freedom and Liberty of the Seas both offer the FlowRider, the industry's first surf park at sea.

The Programme: What we like about Adventure Ocean in general is that it subdivides kids and teens into smaller age categories. For instance, Aquanuts (ages 3 - 5) may engage in activities like storytime and "toilet paper soccer;" Explorers (6 - 8) can play backwards bingo, make their own surfboards, and take part in adventure and science activities; and Voyagers (9 - 11) play foosball and capture the flag as well as undertake science experiments ranging from earthquakes to hailstorms. Even the teens are divided into two groups: Navigators (12 - 14) take part in "open mic" karaoke contests and rock wall challenges; the oldest group (15 - 17) are so cool they don't have a kitschy name, and have their own toga parties and group skate session.

The Facilities: With 22,000 square ft. they're among the largest dedicated kids facilities in crusing. There's a toddlers' only splash pool, arts and crafts workshop, video arcade and computer stations. The company is redesigning its teen facilities to include Fuel, a nightclub; the Living Room, a coffee-house style hang out; and a bank of Internet-connected computers (discounted per-minute rates are vastly less than those paid by adults).

Other Features: Johnny Rockets, the 1950's-style luncheonette, is a kid magnet (and parents think it's pretty cool, too). Royal Caribbean is also one of the few cruise lines to provide activities, at no charge, for the under-3 set: The line is partnered with well-known child-oriented companies like Fisher Price and Crayola.

Notes: One downside, fleetwide, is that main restaurant dining still adheres to the traditional format: assigned times and tablemates. While some families may prefer it, others with restless youngsters (of any age) may not be as fond of long dinner hours. On the plus side the top-deck buffet is open at night, and Cafe Promenade, with sandwiches and pizza, operates on a 24-hour basis.

Carnival's Conquest-class ships (Carnival Conquest, Glory, Valor and Liberty)

Why: Carnival's Conquest class may lack the flash of Royal Caribbean's Voyager class, but offers a marvelous all-around alternative, with a special and successful focus on teen travelers.

The Programme: Carnival divides kids into four age groups with strong edu-tainment offerings incorporated throughout. Toddlers (ages 2 - 5) play "Fun Ship" bingo; dabble in arts and crafts such as sponge painting, coloring and drawing contests; and have sing-alongs. Juniors (6 - 8) play Disney trivia, paint t-shirts and participate in games throughout the ships. Intermediates (9 - 11) have talent shows and scavenger hunts. Teens (12 - 17) have access to regular disco evenings, special teens-only shore excursions, and PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox consoles.

The Facilities: At 4,200 square feet, the facilities range from an arts and crafts center to a soft play area, a computer lab to a video wall. The littlest cruisers have their own enclosed wading pool. Unlike most cruise lines that wedge the teen disco into a corner of the overall kid's area, Carnival's Conquest-class ships feature their teen discos on the main promenade alongside "adult" bars and lounges.

Other Features: Teens are welcome in Carnival's spas; Carnival's program accepts children as young as 2, while other lines start at the age of 3.

Best for Younger Kids - Disney's Disney Magic and Disney Wonder

Why: First let us qualify what we mean by younger - in this case we're talking about families with kids in the 4 to pre-teen range, and Disney has the absolute best set-up, facilities, dining schemes and programs for this age group.

The Programme: Disney got it right from the beginning when it divided kids into categories that spanned just a couple of years. At the Oceaneer Club (ages 3 - 7), for instance, a separate schedule of events is planned for 3- to 4-year-olds and 5- to 7-year-olds, with some overlap during the day. The Oceaneer Lab (8 - 12) has plans for 8- to 9-year-olds and 10- to 12-year-olds, also with some overlap. Other features include the Flounders Nursery for the up-to-3 set (note: there's an hourly fee) and Aloft, a club for teens in the ships' faux funnels.

The Facilities: The pool areas on both ships are basically identical. Mickey's Pool, for the youngest set, is located on one side and an adults-only pool is located on the other, with Goofy's Pool in the center for families in general. Other great facilities include the Walt Disney Theater, which features shows and movies, and Studio Sea, which presents interactive activities for kids and parents.

Other Features: We like the champagne breakfast at the adults-only Palo's, and Disney's unique rotating dining system in which you change restaurants every night - yet keep the same servers and tablemates throughout. The bath and a half in most staterooms allows folks to shower in one while someone else is using the toilet in the other. Castaway Cay, Disney's private Bahamian island, is one of the nicest in the industry.

Notes: Disney is not as good a choice as some for those families with young babies. While Flounder's Reef is a well-designed nursery for babies and toddlers, there is a $6 per-hour fee, and you must reserve time slots in advance.

Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess and Emerald Princess

Why: These ships were designed with families in mind, from Caribbean Princess' all-Caribbean, all-the-time itineraries to all three of the aforementioned ships' expansive programs, facilities and accommodations for parents and children.

The Programme: We love the activities offered to Princess Pelicans (ages 3 - 7), including arts and crafts like painting their own t-shirts, and a variety of games. Pirateers (8 - 12) are entertained with scavenger hunts and science programs geared to the region (learning about coral reefs, for instance). Princess offers an Adventures Ashore tour program with shore excursions appropriate for families. Off Limits (13 - 17) features dance parties, shipboard Olympics and karaoke.

The Facilities: The Fun Zone is 10,000 square ft. There's a splash pool dedicated to kids, and the ship offers family suites.

Other Features: Princess' Personal Choice Dining program gives folks the opportunity to choose between traditional cruise dining (same table, same time each night) or flexible, restaurant-style eateries (eat any time); The "Movies Under the Stars" pool-side cinema features kid-friendly matinees.

Notes: Group babysitting is offered at $5 per hour.

Best for Multi-Generational Families

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem

Why: The main reason we like these ships for families is because of Freestyle Dining: the most comprehensive "eat when you want and with whom you please" program in the industry.

The Programme: Kids' Crew is a very well rounded program, even if it lacks some of the more innovative touches of other cruise lines.

The Facilities: The Splashdown Kids' Club features a play gym, movie theater, computer center, and arts and crafts area. There's also a video arcade. Teens can hang out in the Underground, a club with a juice bar and touch-screen jukebox. We loved the separate splash pool for young tykes and private hot tub, too - no grown-ups allowed!

Other Features: Several of the ships 10 restaurants are perfectly suited for kids - such as the Garden Cafe buffet and the Blue Lagoon (a corner of the buffet area actually features a separate station just for kids with child-friendly dishes (chicken nuggets, French fries, pizza) and tyke-sized tables and chairs. We also applaud this new ship's embrace of family-friendly accommodations - interconnected cabins feature heavily, and in many categories from insides to suites.

Notes: Freestyle Dining, while emphasizing a wide range of restaurants from sushi to steak and Spanish to French, also allows for a traditional cruise dining scenario if folks do want to regulate mealtime.