How to score a peaceful holiday cruise

Small Ships
Across the board, smaller ships attract fewer families; you can expect a handful but there will hardly be enough to change the atmosphere. The intimate ships of high-end lines like Silversea, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club and Regent Seven Seas are genteel, dignified and geared to adults (and also among cruise-dom's most expensive voyages). While there may be kid-oriented facilities to some extent, these lines will never attract "the masses."

Exotic Itineraries
The true-blue Caribbean is family central -- so go elsewhere. And there's plenty of choice. During the holiday months of November and December cruise lines base ships in other appealing regions of the world as well, namely the Far East, South Pacific, Hawaii, and even Antarctica. Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Star Clippers, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Windstar and Crystal are among the cruise lines to offer more off-the-track itineraries during the holiday season.

Longer Cruises
Families tend to take week-long or shorter cruises. Choose a longer itinerary and you're pretty much guaranteed to be sailing with few kids. If you're set on the Caribbean, choose a 10- or 11-night itinerary, particularly those that include a partial Panama Canal transit.

Kid Limits
Princess is one big ship line that limits the number of kids per cruise. The 2,600-passenger Grand, Golden and Star Princess never carry more than 440 minors. The new 3,110-passenger Caribbean Princess will carry a max of 438 kids, with no more than 200 teens.

Senior Ships
Often, older vessels in the fleets of major cruise lines attract a more senior (and less young-family-oriented) passenger base. That's primarily because kid facilities are usually limited on the smaller of the mass market vessels and also because they often sail longer, more exotic itineraries. Among the pretty safe bets in this category include Princess and Holland America.

Making the Best of the Big Newer Ships?
Then upgrade to suites, for a more intimate experience, and book tables at ship's alternative restaurants. In particular, good choices include Celebrity's Infinity, Constellation, Summit and Millennium, for instance, which offer significant pampering amenities in highest category staterooms and fabulous restaurants -- if the $25 per person, per night service fee is not a barrier of entry. On NCL's Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star, the lavish Garden Villa suites -- with three bedrooms, huge patio, dining room, grand piano, and ocean view bathroom - offer little reason to stray. At the very least, try to book a verandah cabin for a little extra outdoor privacy - and take advantage of room service.

Cruise Critic, which launched in 1995, is a comprehensive cruise vacation planning guide providing objective cruise ship reviews, cruise line profiles, destination content on 125+ worldwide ports, cruise bargains, tips, industry news, and cruise message boards.

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