Todd Hawkins never figured himself for a cruising kind of guy. He grew up camping and still loves long road trips. But he got married to someone whose family vacation style couldn't have been more different.

So there was Hawkins, a carpenter from Bloomfield, N.Y., somewhere he never figured to be -- aboard the Norwegian Gem (www.ncl.com), along with his in-laws, his wife, Mindy, their 3-year-old daughter, Ava, and the rest of his wife's family. The four preschoolers in the group danced to the band, as the ship sailed out of New York, past the Statue of Liberty. The grandparents, who had treated their three daughters and their families to the trip, looked on smiling. ''It's great to have everyone together and I don't have to cook!'' said grandmother Beverly Neil.

''It's not what I would have chosen,'' acknowledged Hawkins. ``But I'm having fun.''

MANY NEW CRUISERS

It turned out Hawkins had plenty of other new cruisers to compare notes with on board the Gem. More than 70 percent of those on the March cruise from New York City to Florida and the Bahamas -- 2,210 passengers out of 2,873 -- were first-time cruisers, many with kids (there were 500 children aboard, including 25 under the age of 2), many traveling with extended family.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, more than 1.6 million kids cruised last year and that number continues to increase, along with the number of multigenerational bookings. (First-time cruisers account for 45 percent of all annual cruise passengers.)

It's easy to see the appeal. For one thing, the prices are some of the lowest ever, with deals available even on some summer itineraries.

Family groups pay one price for lodging, food, entertainment and morning-through-evening organized kids' activities. On NCL's Gem, for example, parents fed their young children (the Kids Cafe offers a buffet full of kids' favorites and a large-screen TV that shows cartoons), shepherded them to the Kids Crew (even 2-year-olds are welcome) and then went off for an adult dinner in one of the ship's six specialty restaurants (steak, sushi or French bistro?).

''You have fun with the kids but you also have adult time and it doesn't cost anything for the baby-sitting,'' said Fran Russo, a physician from New Jersey cruising with her husband, her two young kids and her in-laws.

And with more than 30 domestic ports, many families can drive rather than fly to meet their ship.

Veteran cruisers say you can save more money by planning your own shore excursions rather than opting for what the cruise line offers. (Check out what cruisers say about different ports on www.cruisecritic.com.)

SHIP CHOICE

Wherever you want to go, just make sure to choose the right ship for your family. Are there organized programs available for your kids, whatever their ages? A separate teen and tween club? Family-style entertainment? A sports deck? (Aboard the Norwegian Gem there was everything from a climbing wall to basketball court.) Is food available all the time, especially for kids who aren't hungry at breakfast but starving an hour later?

And be prepared for all kinds of weather, including rocky seas and rain, and cabins that are smaller than hotel rooms. ''And if you are sharing with your parents, bring earplugs in case your dad snores,'' offered Alec Rapkin, 14, from Montreal and cruising aboard the Gem with his parents.

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