WHY THEY'RE GREAT: In 2005, Royal Caribbean announced a partnership with Fisher Price, offering play groups (two 45-minute sessions daily) for parents to attend with their children and hosted by youth counselors.

Here ''Aquababies'' (6-18 month olds) play with musical instruments, shapes and colors and Baby Gymtastics toys. ''Aquatots'' (18-36 month olds) can pretend to be pirates and princesses, sing songs and play with Little People themed-toys.

Children 3 and older (and potty-trained) can spend a half to a full day in the Adventure Ocean program plus drive a Barbie Escalade or jeep on the new Power Wheels Track on the cruise line's private island, CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean offers in-cabin baby-sitting (based on availability) for ages 1 and older ($8 per hour for two children within the same family, $10 per hour for three, booked through guest services, 24-hours in advance).

Borrow a children's book from the ship's library for bedtime reading.

BUNKING WITH BABY: Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas and new Liberty of the Seas offer six different family stateroom categories, including the 330-square-foot six-person inside family stateroom that includes a curtained-off sleeping alcove and sleeper sofa.

Freedom and Liberty also offer 495-square-foot family oceanview staterooms that can accommodate a family of six.

Numerous other Royal Caribbean ships offer 265- to 328-square-foot family oceanview staterooms that can accommodate up to six guests. The staterooms include two twin beds (which can convert into a queen-size bed) bunk beds in a separate enclosed area, sitting area with sofa bed and mini bar (detailed floor plans on the website).

Cartoon network available on stateroom televisions.

TINY TOT ESSENTIALS: Complimentary cribs are available for in-cabin use. Bring your stroller and your own baby items. Diapers and the like are not sold in ship stores.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: The plight of children not potty-trained: In addition to not being allowed for free play in the Adventure Ocean playrooms, even with a parent, they aren't allowed in any of the ship's pools, even in swim diapers.

Info:www.rccl.com; 866-562-7625

NORWEGIAN

MINIMUM AGE TO SAIL: 6 months

WHY THEY'RE GREAT: Most (but not all) NCL ships offer children 2-years-old and up an opportunity to play at Kid's Crew, which is home to ball pits, tunnels, jungle gyms and Leap Frog Learning Toys.

While in-cabin baby-sitting is not permitted on this line, children age 2 to 5 have their own nighttime baby-sitting room sans older, rowdier kids.

NCL's Dawn, Star and Spirit each have a children's themed water play area including slides, water squirters, and splash areas for swim-diaper free children.

The Kid's Café (available on select ships) offers tot-sized table and chairs with a buffet of youngster favorites like hot dogs, French fries, cookies, plus fruits and veggies to keep them healthy.

BUNKING WITH BABY: Norwegian's stateroom categories and sizes vary considerably by ship, with notable new family staterooms and suites on Norwegian's Jewel, Pearl and Gem and Pride of America ships.

These ships offer 32 stateroom categories, including suites and junior-suites that can interconnect additional staterooms to create two, three, four or five bedroom configurations suitable for small to large families. The 205-square-foot oceanview staterooms include balconies; select 572-square-foot courtyard villas have a bedroom with queen-size bed and luxury bath (with whirlpool tub), plus a separate children's bedroom.

The Cartoon Channel is available on stateroom televisions.

TINY TOT ESSENTIALS: Bring everything. NCL does not provide stroller rentals, cribs or any of the other paraphernalia parents utilize for young children.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: Best for children age 2 and older. Unlike Carnival and Disney, NCL's youth staff are not permitted to change diapers, hence parents of diaper-wearing tots receive pagers and are paged when they need to come change junior.

In addition, there is no age-specific programming for children under 2, nor are wee ones allowed in the playrooms even if accompanied by a parent.

Info: www.ncl.com; 866-234-0292

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