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With 500,000 passengers under age 18 each year, Carnival has sold itself as the family cruise line. FTF asks what the line really offers.

Carnival does a very good job of living up to its tag line of "Fun Ships" and now has 22 of these big ships operating three to 16-day cruises that depart from several ports around the US, and sail into more than 60 of the world's most beautiful destinations. While there was a large partying crowd aboard our Carnival Destiny cruise, there were also plenty of seniors and families. Carnival has enjoyed such success, that they now carry approximately half of the total number of children who will cruise in a year.

Carnival cites the growing trend among North Americans for taking short getaways vs. longer-length vacations as the reason behind a scheduling trend with many shorter itineraries. We're pleased that they're offering so many port options, too, which will make it more cost-effective for families to join their ships.

For flexibility in youth activities and care, Carnival fits the bill, with programming and/or group babysitting from 9am to 3am (the supervised camp runs 9am-10pm daily), which is unprecedented. The nightly babysitting is proved for ages 2-11, nightly, from 10:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. (There is a charge for this service). Carnival is unique in welcoming 2-year-olds into their youth program, changing diapers and administering bottles.

The youth program is offered in port, free-of-charge -- not the norm either. Even under-2s are accepted in nighttime group babysitting and on port days from 15 minutes prior to the first ship tour, to approximately 12:00p.m., when cribs are set up in part of the kids' room. Preschooler parents will also appreciate the indoor play areas, video walls with cartoons showing, jungle gyms, mini-basketball, kiddie pool and onboard stroller and bouncy chair rentals.

Carnival's commitment to families with children of all ages, supervised fun activities and tremendous value, earned this cruise line Honorable Mention in FTF's "Top 10 Getaways for Tiny Travelers" honors in 2002.

For added security, parents with children 5 and under receive a beeper or cell phone upon registration on the first day, which they keep throughout the cruise.  The beeper works for ship-use only; the range does not extend beyond the ship.  Parents will be beeped/called if a child is misbehaving, ill, seriously unhappy, asking continuously for their parents, or in the case of an emergency.

Despite its breadth, the youth program is not intended for parents to get rid of their kids. There are many family activities in which parents must participate in order for children to take part. We found that the family arts 'n crafts night (art programs are being expanded to include paper mache, oil paints, watercolors and more), talent show, welcome and farewell parties, scavenger hunt and "Name that Tune" were highlights of the youth program and what really set it apart from others.