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Bored with driving, flying and planning? Hop on a mainstream cruise ship with your family and let everything take care of itself on your next multi-generational vacation.

Taking a cruise with your family is a great way for everyone to spend time together and also to enjoy individual interests. For Thanksgiving, I took a four-night Carnival Cruise from New Orleans, Louisiana, with six of my family members and friends. My dad usually loves driving everywhere for our vacations, so this was the first time we all hopped on a boat together for one of our holiday getaways. The experience turned out to be a surprise hit.

Carnival Cruise Lines has 23 Fun Ships with ports all over the United States and in fun destinations like the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica and Europe. Each of the ships has a spa, bars and nightclubs, a casino, and Vegas-style shows and comedians.

Dining, Dining, More Dining

One of the biggest perks of taking a cruise is the endless supply of meals and snacks. A breakfast and lunch buffet is served each day and a more formal dinner at night. Dinner is the best time for your family to re-group after a busy day since a table is reserved for your group. Many people order multiple appetizers, entrees and desserts at dinner to sample all the menu items since all meals are pre-paid. Pizza and ice cream are available 24 hours a day, and midnight buffets are open on selected nights.

Since food is made in such mass quantities on cruise ships, some foods lack seasoning and great taste. But, the perk about the endless supply of food is that if you don't like something, you can always try something else!

Kid's Entertainment From Toddlers to Teens

On our cruise, the Camp Carnival and other youth programs provided supervised daylong entertainment for kids 2-17 at no charge. I was assured that all youth counselors have met educational standards and undergone background checks. They also have CPR and First Aid training. Parents with children 2-8 receive pagers so they can be notified immediately in case of an emergency. In the evening, babysitting is offered from 10pm-3am in a group setting, for a nominal fee, for children ages 4 months to 8 years.

For toddlers ages 2 to 5-years, bingo, cartoon time, sponge painting, sing-alongs and more are part of the group play at Camp Carnival. Juniors 6 to 8-years-old can have fun with activities such as pizza parties, movie time, T-shirt painting and video games.

Intermediates ages 9-11 are encouraged to take part in ping-pong tournaments, dance classes, scavenger hunts and talent shows. Preteens and teens 12-14 are grouped into the Circle "C" program where they are allowed into the cruise dance club from 9:30-10:45pm, before the bar service begins. They are also invited to use the computer lab, and to attend late night movies and karaoke parties. A youth spa program specifically for teens has joined the line's Spa Carnival health and fitness facilities to offer the Fabulous Fruity Facial, a facial that uses fresh fruits to moisturize and treat the skin; and Surfers Scrub, a sea salt scrub that combines seaweed and mint to treat and refresh.

Finally, Club 02 for teens 15-17 years old, get all the perks as the younger teens and then some. With their own private lounge, these teens get to relax with friends while participating in a myriad of activities, such as pool parties, reality game shows and scavenger hunts.