If your kids are still young enough to believe in pixie dust, then Disney offers dream encounters. Nowhere else can you take tea with Wendy, kiss Belle, or dance with Snow White. The Flying Dutchman, Davy Jones' ghost ship from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, is anchored just off Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas, where beachgoers may even catch sightings of Captain Jack Sparrow lurking ashore. The 875-stateroom Magic offers ten- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises; the same-sized Wonder embarks on three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas, with packages to Disney World taking up the rest of the week.

Along with Disney movies, the two ships offer first-rate stage shows that weave in Disney characters as well as a Pirates in the Caribbean dinner and deck party complete with fireworks. Although adults can dance at the disco and lounge at the bars, neither the Magic nor the Wonder has a casino.

Disney's kids' program operates for ages three through 17, with age-specific groupings. There's a teen center plus the Ocean Quest room, a place with computer games, movies and crafts targeted to ages 12 to 14. Flounder's Reef, one of the few nurseries at sea, cares for infants as young as 12 weeks for an hourly fee. Note the facility has limited capacity and hours.