If you've ever wanted to take the family on a cruise vacation, this is the time to do it. Family travel is the latest trend in cruising, and cruise lines are trying to outdo each other with bigger, better and more creative programs for toddlers through teenagers. Babies are also invited. That handsome couple sipping champagne on a moonlit veranda or dancing cheek to cheek, as seen on television commercials and magazine ads, just might be smiling because they've dropped off their children for a few hours.

And parents need not worry about who's tending their offspring — the "kiddie crew" is composed of schoolteachers, child care professionals and in the case of the Cunard line ( Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria) parents can rely on babysitters like Supervisor Marion Woolley, who has a college degree proclaiming her a certified British nanny.

So while parents are enjoying a long, quiet, romantic dinner alone, their children are playing pirates, watching movies, competing in sports, making ice cream sundaes and making new friends. In fact, programming for children keeps getting better, as I've noticed over the past 12 years. Kids have more educational and entertaining activities around the clock. Not only that, large areas with colorful chairs and tables and whole playgrounds are in kids' "zones" where youngsters design and print T-shirts, make jewelry from shells gathered at the last port, dance, learn to cook and discuss nature and the environment —especially as it pertains to the sea. Some kids can even get extra homework help from teachers on vacation. And in preparation for the next disembarkation at some exotic place, kid cruisers learn about the food, culture and language of the people they will soon meet.

On one cruise to South America, I met the Sumner family from Georgia. As mom, Susan, a physician, said, "World travel makes children aware of how the world works." The Sumner parents said they enjoyed the trips more by watching their children experience new wonders.

One four-generation family from California, the Mahoneys and Wahlmeiers, had taken 3 cruises together. The parents and grandparents boasted that Chris Mahoney, 15, and brother, Tim, 12, had won contests in geography at school, sponsored by National Geographic. Said grandpa, 87, "Kids are like little sponges; they soak up so much."

They also bring back memories of new places and people—later the subject of creative school reports. I know because I recently traveled with my grandchildren, and they are still talking about life on and off a cruise ship.

Last spring, I took Devin 9, and Alec, 6, and their mother, Michelle (my daughter) on the Golden Princess, enroute to "The Mexican Riviera." There were more than 250 children on our cruise, and ours were quickly introduced to the others in the "Fun Zone." While Michelle, and I enjoyed lavish musicals and sampled the mixed drink of the day, the children were enjoying the company of kids their own age, playing and sitting at the ice cream bar. Our jitters disappeared when we learned about how ships keep track of children-with phones and beepers and with a photo ID around their necks. For Devin and Alec, it was adventure, fun and games for a whole week.

When we disembarked at Mexican ports, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, the children were amazed at the activity in the marketplace. We walked through bazaars filled with pottery to T-shirts. Devin wanted a red sundress, Alec wanted musical pipes and drums, and they soon learned about bargaining, watching as potential purchases went from $15 down to $8 in minutes — something unheard of in Los Angeles stores. The children tried on sombreros and Devin posed for a picture cuddling a live baby donkey; we paid the donkey's owner $2 for letting us take the photo. We spent hours on the beach and noticed that forgotten necessities could be rented or sold — chairs, umbrellas, towels. There were also unending groups of hawkers with everything from jewelry to hand-carved wooden water creatures. Soon Devin and Alec were saying "hola" and "muchas gracias." The sellers also touched off discussions of wealth and poverty outside the U.S.

I took a cruise on the Queen Mary 2 sans enfants, and wished I had brought the grandkids along each time I saw a youngster having fun. The main difference between the Queen Mary 2 and the Diamond Princess is that the Queen Mary 2 doesn't stop at various ports. The "QM2"voyage is referred to as a Transatlantic Crossing-direct from outside London to New York.

Keeping with British custom, children are cared for by British nannies, experts at "changing nappies," and putting babies down for a nap. The ship's nursery is a pastel-colored area of individual cribs and toys, with soft background music. For older children there are little game rooms plus an entire deck with a playground and safe-surface floor. Activities for kids begin at 9 a.m. and can go as late as midnight, including a ship's tour, pizza parties, discos, water games, treasure hunts and pajama parties. And since the ship adheres to charming British traditions, you'll even find a "Children's Tea," between 5 and 6 p.m.

But most amazing about this ship is the Planetarium — the first at sea. It is quite remarkable entering this huge arena, reclining and facing an indoor "sky" filled with stars and planets while a narrator talks about worlds yet unknown — a wonderful, unusual activity for all ages.

Food is always a consideration when children are involved. Parents need not worry. Most cruise ships cater to the young ones and their rather ordinary tastes, just as much as they plan exquisite, tasty delights for more demanding palates. For example, while we enjoyed wonderful fish and poultry and salads with delicate dressings, the children could order hamburgers, spaghetti, French fries. And while we hesitated before dipping into an artful chocolate mousse creation, the children could have all the vanilla and chocolate ice cream sundaes they desired. A cruise ship is also a great place for a child to "just try this," because the kid at the next table is eating veggies and "braised-something."

Parents need no longer feel guilty about taking a cruise vacation while leaving the children home with a relative or babysitter. Moms and dads can now take advantage of a massage or Jacuzzi at the new Canyon Ranch Spa on the Queen Mary 2, try yoga and core workouts on Princess, read novels as the water drifts by, attend lectures on everything from history and culture to sculpting fruit. From what I've seen, once your kids meet other kids, yours will be impatient until you leave. So take the kids along ... and then leave them!

Ask cruise lines about special family package offers.

IF YOU GO

For Princess Cruises: 1-800-Princess; or princess.com.

Cunard (Queen Mary 2): 1-800-7-Cunard; or www.cunard.com

Two brothers play around in the children's activity center aboard the Queen Mary 2. Photo by Erica Dror Zeitlin.

Marilyn Zeitlin is a freelance travel writer. To and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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