Family Cruises: Charting Your Course

Not all family cruises are created equal: Though most major lines offer activities and amenities for families, some seem to merely accommodate kids, while others enthusiastically court your clan. And while it's relatively easy to find programs to occupy your toddler while you hit the sun deck, entertaining your I-can't-believe-I'm-stuck-on-this-ship-with-my-parents teenager poses a challenge -- one that some meet with more aplomb than others.

Some family offerings are consistent from ship to ship within a line; others vary from ship to ship and according to the length of the cruise. Pay close attention to how each line divvies up the age groups: some lump 17-year-olds with 13-year-olds, for instance, while others make special arrangements for kids 15 to 17.

Here's a sampling of what the major cruise lines are offering in the way of family programs, along with itineraries, costs, strengths and weaknesses. We've given sample costs for each line, but note that prices vary widely by destination, duration, time of year and room choice, and are subject to change. Costs are based on double occupancy and generally include meals and most shipboard activities, but not fountain drinks, alcoholic beverages, spa services and shore excursions. Unless otherwise noted, costs don't include taxes and other fees.

Carnival

WHERE THEY GO: Three- to 16-day voyages to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England and Europe.

SAMPLE COST: A three-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas aboard the Fascination departing Nov. 11 runs $299 per person for first and second passengers, $199 for the third and fourth.

THE BASICS: Activities are offered for five age ranges: 2 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 11, 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 . . . Babies must be at least 4 months old to sail . . . Fountain Fun Card ($28) buys unlimited soft drinks throughout the cruise . . . $28 cruise-long stroller rental . . . Baby-sitting $6 an hour for the first child, $4 for each sibling. Supervised activities during the day at Camp Carnival for ages 2 to 11.

TOP ATTRACTIONS: Club O2 for teenagers 15 to 17, featured on 12 of 21 ships (others are scheduled to be retrofitted by the end of the year), have dance floors with deejays, "Coke-tail" lounges and games based on "The Bachelor/Bachelorette," "Fear Factor" and "Survivor" . . . Fleetwide Y-Spa program for older kids and their parents . . . Teenagers-only shore excursions . . . Imagination and Fantasy have nine-hole miniature golf courses; the new Liberty has a 270-square-foot poolside outdoor TV screen, plus art, music, reading, science, geography and physical fitness programs for kids.

GENERAL VIBE: Recent emphasis on giving older teenagers a place of their own is a good move, although Web site's reference to "hip music" and karaoke for "star wannabes" is a little forced. Still, get past the lingo and there's something fun for everyone.

MORE INFO: 888-CARNIVAL (888-227-6482) , http://www.carnival.com/ .

Celebrity

WHERE THEY GO: Three- to 14-night itineraries in Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific Northwest, Panama Canal, South America, transatlantic.

SAMPLE COST: Four-night cruise from Miami to Key West and Cozumel on Zenith would be about $1,012 for a family of three in December.

THE BASICS : Kids' activities are offered for five age groups: 3 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 17 . . . . . . No minimum age for babies . . . Unlimited soft drinks cost $5 a day, plus 15 percent gratuity, per child . . . Bring your own stroller . . . In-stateroom baby-sitting is $8 per hour per family (maximum two children); group baby-sitting at set times for ages 3 to 12 is $6 per hour per child.