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Mediterranean
Disney Cruise Line
Ship: Disney Magic
Best for: Parents of infants and young children who want time with the kids—and without them
Why it's a good value: A family trip through Europe can be a pricey proposition, but there's no need to worry about the
latest euro/dollar exchange rate—or logistical hassles—
when you're touring the Continent by sea
Length: 10 nights
Departures: May through September 2010
Number of passengers: 2,400
Cost: From $2,529
So you want to show your kids Europe but without the bother of a rental car and non-adjoining hotel rooms, and you know they won't let you drag them through the Uffizi for an entire day. Then book a Disney cruise, where onboard and shoreside activities are customized for every age group. For $5 to $6 per hour, the nursery even accepts children as young as three months, so you can head into town alone for the afternoon or have dinner on board at the candlelit, adults-only restaurant. This itinerary also includes long days in port (12 hours in Naples and 9 hours in Malta, for example) so you won't feel rushed when traveling with a large brood. And the combination of ports—from the ruins at Pompeii, outside Naples, to the ancient city of Carthage, outside Tunis—is sure to bring your children's history books to life. Tip: Be sure to reserve nursery times online before your cruise, since space is limited (800-951-3532; disneycruiseline.com).
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