Forget about boring sea voyages—cruises these days cater to parents and kids who want nonstop action. Play basketball, try mini-golf, go rock climbing, surf, or even bowl, all without leaving the ship. Once on land, whether with an organized tour or on your own, opt for snorkeling, diving, bicycling, hiking, golfing, swimming, or building sandcastles with your kids.

Cruise lines are also enticing families on board with complimentary, creative kids' programs that operate from morning till night, including breaks for meals as well as babysitting for a fee into the wee hours. Beyond that, why are cruises great for families? You unpack once but visit several ports, plus the price covers lodging, meals, entertainment, and children's programs, making the vacation easy to budget.