If strapping the kids in car seats and hopping in the minivan for a trip to Wally World just won't do this year, how about lying poolside sipping a margarita while sailing the clear blue waters of the Caribbean? Sound like paradise? That doesn't mean you shouldn't bring the kids. With families comprising the fastest growth segment of the cruise market, catering to family needs is quickly becoming a top priority for many cruise lines. Children's areas, special pools, playrooms, discos for teens, water slides, and arcades are becoming part and parcel of modern cruise ships. Today's cruises from Juneau to Jamaica offer children's programs to keep the kids busy from morning to night. But don't think this is just summer camp for kids. These floating luxury resorts have something for everyone. Fun-Filled Family Facilities Many cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line®, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises, offer special children's programs. While programs and facilities differ slightly depending on the cruise line, ship, and destination, they all cater to the needs of kids and parents alike. The activities onboard are specially divided so there are areas designated just for children, just for adults, and family-oriented places where the whole clan can enjoy their cruise experience together. So while your "tween" is on a scavenger hunt and your teenager is playing a game of volleyball, Grandma could be trying her hand at bingo, and you'll be getting your stress massaged away in the ship's spa. Some cruise lines are even going as far as offering shore excursions just for kids, which children really seem to enjoy. On Holland America's Alaska cruise, kids-only shore excursions include canoe rides and hikes that are designed to be educational and entertaining. Meanwhile, on Disney Cruise Line®'s Castaway Cay in the Caribbean, kids have their own beach area and a chance to build a seaworthy vessel. So while they are making sandcastles, you can soak up the rays or practice your limbo on the white-sand beaches. To customize their services, cruise lines divide children's programs into age groupings. There are different activities and facilities for toddlers, young children, tweens, and teenagers. As well, most ships offer special family features such as children's meals or drink options. Other family-oriented options include cabins that can house up to five people, or special adjoining cabins for family suites. Additionally, baby-sitting is available for an extra charge on all ships with children's programs, including group baby-sitting in the ship's playroom or individual service in your stateroom. Creative Counselors All the major cruise lines offer trained counselors for constant supervision of children while they are involved in activities or using the children's facilities. In fact, Carnival Cruise Lines is leading the way and has made children's activities a top priority. It recently increased its full-time youth counselor staff to nearly 80 for the fleet and created a new position of youth director for each ship. All onboard counselors are trained in childcare and are dedicated to making the most of your child's stay. So while you are shopping in the ship's boutiques or enjoying a romantic dinner with your better half, you can feel secure leaving your children in the hands of these specially trained counselors. You'll be comforted knowing that the kids will come back talking of the great time they've had while learning the secrets of magic tricks or directing a play--not tales of sitting in front of a TV screen. Safety First In the interest of safety, children are always left under the direct supervision of the youth counselors. For example, young children must be signed in and out of counselors' care by their parents, who must present identification. On Celebrity Cruises and others, each child is given a special wristband (which is worn for the entire cruise) for instant identification. On Disney Cruise Line® ships, parents are given a pager so they can feel secure that their children can reach them at any time. Meanwhile, the teen discos on Carnival only allow passengers who are 18 and under to dance the night away. Games and Activities While ship activities vary, your kids will be in specially designed programs to keep them interested and entertained for the duration of the voyage. Daily schedules are handed out so you and the kids know exactly what is in store for the day. Activities on Camp Carnival range from teen makeovers and fashion tips to photography workshops and karaoke contests. Kids are also invited to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the bridge and the galley, and facilities on the ships include electronic game rooms, ice cream parlors, and arts-and-crafts centers. Meanwhile Disney's Oceaneer Club has almost an entire deck devoted to kids. Children are sure to enjoy the playgrounds, computer stations, costume dress-up areas, Disney's Oceaneer Lab, as well as a New York-style coffee-house complete with poetry readings and cool music. The Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean includes day and evening activities, which range from T-shirt graffiti and trash-can art, to evening activities such as a special prom night for teens. At Holland America's Hal's Club, kids set out for camping adventures where they build tents, sing camp songs, go fishing, and even make s'mores! Your kids will get the star treatment with Celebrity Cruises' family program, which offers pizza parties, talent shows, junior Olympics, and magic shows. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a Kid's Crew program to keep kids of all ages busy. Children can pick from a host of activities including campouts, cooking classes (where budding chefs learn how to make favorites like pizza), T-shirt painting, and even lounging by the pool with a root-beer float. There are also shore excursions designed especially for families with kids that the whole clan can enjoy together. Families traveling on Princess Cruises will find the most complete kids' offerings on the Sun, Dawn, Sea, Ocean, and Grand Princess. These ships offer Love Boat Kids programs for toddlers through teens, including pools, Jacuzzis, ice-cream kiosks, computers, pizza parties, and even educational programs just for kids. With all the facilities on board for you and the kids, there will be loads to keep the family entertained. So instead of doing the same old thing, consider cruising your way through this year's family vacation. It could leave you and the kids absolutely buoyant.•