ArcaMax

Imagine a vacation where someone not only cleans your room twice a day, but picks up after the kids. Imagine they can order whatever they like to eat -- and as much as they like -- at no extra charge. Imagine guaranteed-to-please activities, whether the kids are 4 or 14.

Welcome to the world of cruising.

The best part: You can easily stay within budget and bring the grandparents along without any trouble. (Kids 11 and younger cruise free on select MSC sailings and those 17 and under sail free on select Crystal cruises, as long as they share a cabin with two adults, for example)

If you are one of those people who've sworn you'd never set foot on a cruise ship, perhaps it's time to think again. In fact, more than 60 percent of family travelers say they are interested in taking a cruise this year, according to research from MMGY Global, presented at the TMS Family Travel conference I co-chair.

There's no better time with appealing deals, new ships, family-oriented itineraries and choices, whether you want a mega-ship with water slides, Broadway quality entertainment, celebrity chef restaurants, a stop at a private island, or an expedition ship where seeing wild life and active excursions are the focus or river cruises that enable you and your kids to explore a corner of Europe without packing and unpacking. You can also cruise from a port near your home and avoid the hassle and expense of flights. With the help of our partners at Family Travel Forum, we have just published the comprehensive 2017 Family Cruise Guide.

What I like best: There is so much to do, especially after the kids have made some new friends, that it's not necessary to be in lockstep every minute, whether you are on a major ship or a small one. Think of those trips where at the end of the day, you were reduced to staring at each other in a hotel room because the kids couldn't wander on their own. On a cruise ship, they are perfectly safe, especially with organized activities for the youngest cruisers, as well as tweens and teens.

Whether you are a veteran cruiser (and I've met many families who have cruised a dozen times or more) or a newbie, here are five tips to get you started: ANDTHEY SHOULD BE NUMBRED

1. Do your research, starting with a site like CruiseCritic.com where you can get tips from cruisers on community boards, read reviews of the newest ships and find deals.

2. Work with a travel agent who is a cruise expert. Picking the right cruise line and cabin can be very complicated. A cruise agent can not only talk you through the choices, but get you the best deal and often some extra perks. You can find a certified cruise agent near your home through the Cruise Lines International Association here.

3. Consider the kids' ages and interests. If you have preschoolers in the mix, you don't want a ship where the kids' activities start at age five; (Carnival's Camp Ocean starts at age 2; Disney has a stand-out nursery for infants, as does Norwegian, though at an extra charge. If you have tweens or teens, look for lines that have separate programs for these groups rather than lumping them together. (Princess has just redesigned all of its kids and teen programs.)

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