Many South Florida families are sticking closer to home these days, and with 16 cruise ships sailing from Florida ports this summer, a sea vacation is a good option. An added plus: Even though summer is high season for family travel, families can still find some good deals, particularly in early and late summer.

But with so many options, which is best for your family? To help you decide, we've evaluated sailings from Florida this summer and come up with our own recommendations for each age group, based on facilities, itineraries and programs onboard and on shore.

When making your own choice, you'll want to bear these factors in mind:

• Minimum sailing age: This ranges from 12 weeks to 1 year old, depending on the cruise company. If your children are that young, you'll want to check details before you book.

• Supervised programs: Most lines have them. The exact age groups vary, but generally there are five groupings, roughly 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 13-17. Participation is free for most organized activities on board, though shoreside activities often charge a fee. Ask.

• Baby-sitting: Some ships offer baby-sitting for a fee; ask for details.

• Cabins / prices: Cruise line prices quoted here are per person, per adult, based on double occupancy. Some cabins allow third and fourth passengers (that's usually kids), who travel at a lesser cost. The number of cabins allowing this is sometimes limited.

• Itineraries: A variety of three-, four-, five- and seven-day itineraries is offered from Florida.

And now, our recommendations:

MULTIPLE CHILDREN,

DIFFERING AGES

TOP CHOICE: Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder, three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, $499-up for three-nighters, $569-up for four-nighters

Why: You've heard it before, but it's true: Disney's brand of magic appeals to kids of all ages. Plus, the line's staterooms are designed with families in mind. Larger than most cruise ship cabins, most feature split baths that put the sink, vanity and toilet in a separate compartment from a second sink, vanity and tub.

Ages are grouped together in tighter age groups than on most ships: 3-4, 5-7, 8-9, 10-12, 11-13 (yes, there's overlap) plus a teen lounge with videos, Internet access and a lounge for ages 13-17. Count on most activities to have a Disney theme; many feature Disney characters.

Bonus: Eight summer sailings between July 9 and Aug. 2 will feature Disney Channel stars from shows such as Hannah Montana and High School Musical for autograph sessions, preview screenings and deck parties. (Don't expect Miley Cyrus herself.)

Disney provides parents-only features as well, including a kid-less dining room and adults-only pool area.

Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, is one of the most attractive in the cruising world -- and is the only one at which the ship docks, a major convenience.

Special incentive: Until June 18, kids aged 12 and under get 50 percent off when traveling in the same cabin with two full-fare guests.

Drawbacks: For South Floridians, it's a four-hour drive to Port Canaveral. Disney cruise fares tend to be higher than on other ships. And if your teens aren't Disney fans, you'll be in for a long cruise.

ALTERNATIVE: Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, seven-night cruises out of Miami; $649-up.

Why: On Royal Caribbean's biggest ship, beyond-the-norm attractions hit all ages. In addition to such iconic features as a rock-climbing wall, water park, ice-skating rink, boxing ring and surfing machine, the Liberty offers supervised play for various age groups under its Adventure Ocean program.

Examples: Finger painting and Play-Doh for ages 3-5; pirate night, pajama night and autograph hunts for ages 6-8; karaoke, thunder races and sports tournament for ages 9-11. Teens (12-14 and 13-17) can opt for dancing, pool parties and a Battle of the Sexes. Activities on the line's private island, CocoCay, include beach volleyball, hermit crab hunts and sand-castle building.

BABIES, TODDLERS

TOP CHOICE: Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas, three- and four-night cruises out of Miami, $239 for three-nighters, $249 for four-nighters.

Why: One-hour programs are offered by the Fisher Price toy people: For ages 6 to 18 months, Musical Inspiration and Everyday Early Learning programs. For ages 18-36 months, Fun on the Farm and Crayola Beginnings. Parents must be present.

Also, Royal Caribbean is the only line that offers baby-sitting in guest staterooms for children (at least one year old), freeing parents to enjoy time out on their own. Sitters are volunteer crew members, the service is subject to availability and costs $10 per hour in cash for up to two children in room.

Note: Although Majesty is an older ship, it underwent an extensive renovation less than two years ago, so facilities aboard are up to date.

Drawback: The in-cabin baby-sitting cost is higher than on ships that offer group baby-sitting in a designated venue.

ALTERNATIVE: Disney Wonder, three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral; $499 for three-nighters, $569 for four-nighters.

Why: Founder's Reef Nursery cares for kids from 12 weeks to 36 months of age on a limited basis -- a maximum of 10 hours per cruise -- at cost of $6 per hour for the first child, $5 for each additional. (It books up fast, so reserve online before your cruise.)

Diaper Genies, cribs and playpens are complimentary and available on request, and at Castaway Cay. On Disney's private island (a day stop), wagons are availsble to navigate the island's beaches.

A new service called Babies Travel Lite allows guests to order baby supplies in advance (for a fee); they'll be delivered to their stateroom.

Drawbacks: Nursery care is limited and a fee is charged. For South Floridians, Port Canaveral is a four-hour drive away.

PRE-SCHOOLERS

TOP CHOICE: Carnival Imagination, three- and four-night cruises out of Miami, $339-up for three-nighters, $349 for four-nighters.

Why: Carnival carries more kids than any other line -- and with good reason. The line's Camp Carnival features expansive indoor play areas; programs for this age include arts and crafts, climbing mazes, story time and finger painting, plus programs on reading, art, music, geography and physical fitness. Activities for all age groups run 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Group baby-sitting is offered 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. for $6 per hour.)

The recently-renovated Imagination now features a ''Waterworks'' area with a three-story-high water slide, a spray park and new mini-golf course.

Children's menus offer typical kid favorites such as hot dogs, chicken nuggets and pizza as well as healthier choices such as fruit and fresh veggies; a ''Junior Special'' changes daily.

Drawback: Carnival's liners are known as ''fun ships'' for good reason; the lively atmosphere isn't for those looking for total quiet.

ALTERNATIVE: Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky, three- and four-night cruises out of Miami, $299-up for three-nighters, $369-up for four-nighters.

Why: ''Junior Sailors'' are treated to storytelling, arts and crafts, a treasure search, pizza-making party, splash pool and other activities in a special area from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For certain activities, children must be potty-trained. Group baby-sitting is available at $6 per hour; $4 for second child.

ELEMENTARY-SCHOOLERS

AND TWEENERS

TOP CHOICE: Disney's Disney Magic, seven-night cruises from Port Canaveral, $999-up.

Why: Disney characters -- always a hit with young children -- turn up just about everywhere. Snow White teaches kids to dance, Captain Hook teaches how to be a pirate, Detective Goofy teaches kids how to track clues. And how can you have a Disney stage musical without characters?

New are 3-D movies with in-theater effects such as lasers, fog streamers and special lighting -- the only 3-D movies at sea. On the stage is Twice Charmed, a twist on the Cinderella story, and other musicals.

The Disney Magic also has a separate area for Tweens 10-14 called Ocean Quest, where kids can take a turn at steering a ship simulator into port.

Drawbacks: Disney cruises are more expensive than other cruises. And there's that four-hour drive from South Florida . . .

ALTERNATIVE: Carnival Imagination, three- and four-night cruises out of Miami, $339-up on three-nighters, $349-up on four-nighters.

Why: Camp Carnival has a wide range of activities in three age categories for children 2 to 11, including watercoloring, picture bingo, movie time for ages 2-5; arts and crafts, Play Station, dance class, scavenger hunt for ages 5-8. And for 9-11 year olds: card and mind games, dance class, karaoke, swimming under the stars. All three groups can take kid-type dinner with their friends at 6 p.m.

TEENS

TOP CHOICE: Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, seven-night cruises out of Miami. $649-up.

Why: Teens never run out of things to do aboard RCCL's megaships; think rock-climbing wall, water park, ice-skating rink, boxing ring and surfing machine. The Liberty also offers supervised activities for various age groupings; for teens ages 12-14 and 15-17, that means scavenger hunts, pool parties, dancing, a talent show and two teens-only nightclubs.

Current deal: Book selected summer cruises by June 30 and get $50-$150 per person onboard credit.

Drawback: If your teen is a complete bookworm, you might need to bring a Kindle; while there's a library on board, that's definitely NOT why you go on this cruise.

ALTERNATIVE: Carnival Liberty or sister ship Carnival Valor, both seven-night cruises out of Miami, $729-up Liberty, $759-up Valor.

Why: Carnival also splits teens into two age groups, Circle C for ages 12-14 and Club O2 for those 15-17. Each of these Conquest-class ships offers dance and pool parties, sports, games, music hangs and other supervised diversions.

Carnival also organizes special teen-only shore excursions, so that teens can explore ports of call with their peers. (These involve a fee.)

And don't forget the three-story-high water slide atop the ship.

(Note: The Carnival Freedom, with similar facilities, offers six- and eight-night cruises from Port Everglades.)

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