Though a family cruise sounds pretty appealing: the elegant, bountiful dinners; warm ocean breezes and time for family bonding, the thought of you and your family confined to a ship with hundreds of rowdy college kids, or of listening to your children complain about being bored at sea might give you pause.

But surely you can find a cruise that everyone in the family can enjoy. All you have to do is to find the right cruise for your specific group. Most cruise lines allow children on board, but not all lines have events and activities geared specifically for the younger crowd. Just find a cruise line that will appeal to everyone in your family – whether that includes toddlers, teens or grandparents.

There are lots of reasons of why are cruises so popular. All like the idea of unpacking once, yet still traveling to several exotic ports. The large cruise ships are like small cities on the water; they offer activities and events for nearly everyone. All know about the abundant and delicious dining choices on cruise ships, and with luxurious spas, nightly bed turn-downs with cute little “creatures” sculpted from bath towels, and personalized service, cruises have become pampering vacations.

There are as many types of cruises as there are cruisers. Select the “big boat” option, basically a floating city with restaurants, spas and gyms, swimming pools, lavish stage shows, climbing walls, wine-tasting seminars, scavenger hunts, and more. Such ships usually ply the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and the western coast of the United States. You may also choose trans-oceanic and around-the-world cruises, as well as bare-boat rentals, where you skipper your own ship (an option for the brave and well-prepared). Specialty cruises are popular as well, for example, the late Jacques Cousteau’s son, Michael, runs summer adventure and learning cruises for youths aboard the Paul Gauguin, the 320-guest ship of his Ocean Futures Society.

Family Cruise Package >>