Inquire about children's amenities. Find out in advance at the cruise line to make sure the ship you're sailing offers things your child might need. Are there cribs available? And what about children's menus?

Bring with you some basic first-aid supplies plus any medications your doctor may suggest, and even a thermometer. Ships have limited supplies of these items (and charge for them, as well) and can quickly run out if the ship has many families aboard. Virtually every ship afloat has its own infirmary staffed by doctors and/or nurses, if an accident should happen aboard. Bear in mind, first aid can usually be summoned more readily aboard ship than in port.

Tell younger children about the danger of falling overboard and take care they know not to play on the railings.

Prearrange a meeting spot, when in port. In case your child is old enough to go off on his or her own, prearrange a meeting spot either on board or on land, and meet there well before the ship is scheduled to depart to check no one is still ashore.

Take care your kids know their cabin number and what deck it's on, as the endless corridors and doors on the megas look just alike.

Tell your kids that there will be a TV letdown. You might want to make sure your cabin will have a TV and VCR, if your kids love TV. Your kids should be prepared for a little bit of withdrawal, since televisions on ships just don't have 200 channels of cable - you'll be lucky to get five or eight channels. But big ships are likely to have nightly movies and a video arcade.

Check the size and location of the stateroom, and the guardrails on the bunk-beds.

Some ships have cabins that can sleep five; some ships have adjoining cabins; some give special rates for a second cabin for teens.

Check the medical services available.

Tips for Family Cruisers >>