Nowadays the modern cruises (Disney, Carnival and Celebrity) make a special effort to be kid-compatible. They have child-centered activities that are available all day long. There are also supervised play areas where children can play. But you should keep in mind that the majority of cruises do not provide activities for children under 4 years.

In addition, children are not allowed to visit the pool unless they are toilet trained. The railings on most ships are not designed to be child safe. Unlike Disneyland where guard rails are vertical and less than six inches apart, nothing separates toddlers from the sea on a cruise ship except widely spaced horizontal bars.

Babies under the age of 1 year may almost be cruise-compatible, if they sleep easily and are generally even tempered. Cruise ship cabins are small. And a crying baby may create a lot of discomfort for parents and fellow travelers who paid hundreds or thousands for a perfect holiday. The stress of trying to keep calm an unhappy child may not be the most relaxing holiday for mom.

This will be a perfect trip for each member of your family if you travel with five to twenty of your closest relatives, including children. There is always someone to go out with and things to do. Children and adults can mingle freely. Everyone has their own cabin to retire to and no one has to clean up.

No doubt that every family should take a cruise with children, because it is the unforgettable adventure and memories for a lifetime. You will be surprised when you find out what an amount of information your children can learn every time you go ashore. You'll certainly love the relaxed days you can spend playing on the ship. However, if you have children under the age of 4, think twice before taking a cruise.