In 1998, I took my first cruise with an 18-month-old in tow and discovered cruising was not as family-friendly as I thought -- at least not when traveling with a toddler.

While Celebrity's Century certainly suited our adult preferences and even offered the option of hiring someone for in-stateroom sitting, we didn't realize that our son's only water play options would come down to a poolside puddle or a turned-off hot tub.

A few years and another child later, we tried a ''kid-friendly'' line, but still found much to be desired -- cabin layouts not fit for a family with a Pack n Play, pools (as well as play areas) that were off limits to our late bloomer in the potty-training department, and activities still tailored to children older than 3.

We didn't think to investigate such specifics as:

• Is there a shallow end in any of the pools? Or,

• Do children have to be potty trained to set foot in the children's play areas?

But doing so would have made the difference between an OK vacation and a great one. It was enough to make a vacationer stay on land. Thankfully the last few years have brought an increasing number of offerings geared to those traveling with the infant to preschool set.

When Disney entered the cruise business in 1998 they instantly led the pack in catering to cruising's youngest passengers, offering a nursery, larger standard staterooms with tubs and room-dividing curtains, and onboard stores stocked with products like diapers and baby sunblock.

We tried the line out a few years ago and were thrilled with the shallow Mickey-shaped pool, the enormous Oceaneer Club for preschool age children, and especially the staff's attentiveness to cleanliness. (Each time our son entered the club he was given a squirt of hand-sanitizer.)

In the past few years other cruise lines have introduced their own versions of tot-friendly amenities, from Royal Caribbean's new family staterooms and toddler play groups to Carnival's expansive play areas that allow even diaper-wearing tots in to play.

Here are five cruise lines parents of babies-to-preschoolers can love, including information on baby-sitting options, play groups, baby gear you can skip packing, plus tips on the family-friendliest staterooms.

CARNIVAL

MINIMUM AGE TO SAIL: 4 months

WHY THEY'RE GREAT: Parents of children younger than 5 receive a pager for use during the cruise in case they need to be contacted. Toddlers don't have to be potty-trained (parents supply diapers and wipes) to participate in Camp Carnival's free program for 2- to 5-year-olds.

Here, kids can play picture-bingo to win prizes, finger-paint, put on puppet shows and listen to stories. Mascot Fun Ship Freddy (modeled after Carnival's trademark ship's funnel), poses for photos and joins dance parties (plush Freddys are for sale in the gift shops).

Children younger than 2 can take a turn with the toys during designated Family Play Times, when accompanied by a parent.

Baby-sitting services for children younger than two are available at Camp Carnival during limited hours (check when you board, rates are $6 for the first child/$4 each additional). Activity books and crayons are available in dining rooms.

BUNKING WITH BABY: Carnival's standard cabins are relatively large, measuring 185-square-feet for an interior staterooms and 190-square-feet for an ocean-view cabin. These staterooms can accommodate up to five people with two lower beds that convert in to a king, two upper beds that fold out from the wall and a roll-away.

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