Be sure to inquire where the fold out beds are located because some are directly above the lower beds instead of at the other end of the cabin which would give more privacy and distance from sleeping children.

Conquest and Destiny class ships offer a 230-square-foot family stateroom with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Also consider an outside stateroom with a veranda, which allocates 40 of the 230-square feet to a balcony. This leaves less interior space but provides a place to sit, talk, and have a light on when children are asleep.

Nightly turndown service includes chocolate chip cookies. Cartoon Network and Boomerang available on in-room televisions.

TINY TOT ESSENTIALS: Single or double strollers are available ($25 per week or $6 per day on three- and four-night voyages) for rent as well as bouncy chairs. Cribs are provided gratis for in-stateroom use. Shipboard shops sell diapers, wipes and ointments. Bring baby food; mashing is not available on Carnival ships.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: No in-cabin baby-sitting permitted. Children ages 2 to 5 can participate in evening activities scheduled for their age group before 10 p.m. The only nighttime option for parents of children younger than 2 is baby-sitting from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the center, among older children watching movies and snoozing.

Info:www.carnival.com; 888-227-6482

CUNARD

MINIMUM AGE TO SAIL: Varies by itinerary: 6 months for some sailings, 1 year for transatlantic and many of the exotic itineraries.

WHY THEY'RE GREAT: On Queen Mary 2 and new ship Queen Victoria, nannies take care of children age 1 and up. Onboard nurseries are stocked with everything from Lamaze toys to Fisher Price Little People and Little Tikes Light and Sound Toys. Diaper changing and naps in the nursery's full size cribs included (the program is gratis for all ages).

Preschoolers can go on treasure hunts, jump around in a soft play area, and attend a pirate party.

Queen Mary 2 has a 3-4 foot deep Minnows pool for families, plus a 6-12-inch-deep splash pool for smaller sailors. (QV has no children's pool, but the Play Zone for ages 1-6 features a nursery for infants/toddlers, video games, arts and crafts, a large plasma screen for videos and movies and a secure outdoor area with climbing.)

Be sure to escort your little one to the Children's Tea, served in King's Court every evening with balloons, artwork place mats, crayons and kid-friendly treats.

Queen Mary 2 has the largest library at sea with more than 8,000 books including a well-stocked children's section.

BUNKING WITH BABY: Britannia staterooms range in size from 155 to 248 square feet and include small refrigerators. Princess Grill Suites include daily bottled water and fruit baskets (gratis).

Bed configurations vary for third and fourth passengers within a stateroom. Some have double sofa-beds, others include single sofa-beds with a pull-down bed above. Be sure to inquire about the specific configuration when booking your cabin. The QV features berths for a third guest in the statement but not a fourth.

TINY TOT ESSENTIALS: King's Court restaurant will blend food for babies on request. Play-pen like cribs are available complimentary for in-cabin use.

Be sure to bring plenty of diapers, wipes and other baby necessities because the ship's stores do not carry these items.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: While Cunard has an excellent program for young children, this is not a line where you'll find a ship's deck worth of activities and facilities for kids. Private in-cabin baby-sitting is not available.

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