Family-Friendly Travel Destinations

Cruises

Being trapped on a boat with lots of children may not sound like a vacation, but cruises can satisfy several age groups at once. What's more, ships always have kids' programs, so parents can spend time alone. Buffets leave little chance that your picky eater won't find something she likes, and "you can see a lot of places without changing hotels," says Eileen Ogintz, a syndicated columnist and the creator of takingthekids.com. "Cruises are all-inclusive, so you aren't being nickeled-and-dimed to death."

Which to book: Go to cruising.org for links to 26 cruise lines.