Check out the Grand Princess, one of Princess lines' most awesome ships. Its kids program will make families want to come aboard!

At its debut in 2004, Princess Cruise Lines Grand Princess was the world's largest cruise ship, and a very impressive place to play. FTF's editor, who had the thrill of touring her on a visit to New York, claims this 109,000-ton ship is truly regal. After seeing the attention to detail in fabrics, woodworking, chrome and brass trim; the 700+ spacious balconied cabins and efficient layout; the array of facilities; and the small-scale, cozy ambiance, she didn't have to say, "Show me the money." The $450 million that Princess spent on this vessel is all there for passengers to enjoy.

Princess likes to say that this ship "rivals the most luxurious resorts on land" and in many ways that is true. Included among the ship's luxury features are the Lotus Spa, the fun Movies Under the Stars program in which popular films are shown outdoors on a big screen, an entire deck of Mini-Suites, as well as dozens of dining and entertainment options.

This company is generally thought of as a bit more formal and classy than some others, but each ship caters to families with many kid and teen activites, depending on their age. For kids 3-12, there is a variety of 'edutainment' (where kids learn about ocean life, for example), as well as arts n' crafts, a splash pool, karaoke, discos, and movies. Groups are divided by age; Princess Pelicans (ages 3 to 7), Shockwaves (ages 8-12), and the Remix (ages 13-17) programs have their own counselors. There's a youth center, video arcade, and a splash pool for kids. Teens aged 13-17 have their own hot tub and a Teen Center open noon-1am with a big screen video wall, and a karaoke set up. There is a glitzy, laser-lit disco on the tippy-top of the ship (150 feet above sea level) and a large, fully-loaded VR Center with games galore, as long as teens have money to play.

Cruise reviewers on Grand Princess' maiden voyage made comments like "think small city"..."a different breed"..."awesome nautical creation" and "floating amusement park." After you attend the Kids Program's Open House and registration on your first afternoon aboard, you'll wish you could join the kids' groups, too. Of course, only when you're not in the spa, at one of the four pools, creating your own digital photos, gambling, seeing a show, reading in the library, working out on the 9-hole putting green, shooting hoops, practicing your serve, or renewing your vows in their floating wedding chapel.

This regal lady is plying the Caribbean on a Ft. Lauderdale to the islands route in winter, and sails within Europe from October to May. Spokesperson Tara Rogers of World Wide Cruises suggests booking family staterooms at least a year in advance, even farther ahead for the popular summer and Easter sailing periods. It's hard to say a week-long cruise on the Grand Princess is a bargain. However, Ms. Rogers notes, "There are a lot of great family cruises, and a lot of very expensive ships. But if families want something very, very grand and expensive, the Grand is it."