PLEASE VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY CRUISE LINE

Happy New Year to all CruiseMates.com's family message board readers!

As you may realize, every month I write an article for this site on various aspects of cruising with kids. I would like to write my February or March article on which is your favorite family cruise line. That said, I have a few questions below that I'd like you to answer for our informal poll. Feel free to give details about why you chose the cruise line/lines that you voted for. I'd like to hear from as many of you as possible by January 28.

If possible, I'D LIKE TO LEAVE THIS POST SOLELY FOR YOUR VOTES AND SUPPORTING DETAILS, RATHER THAN BRINGING IN OTHER THREADS THAT WOULD PROMPT RESPONSES FROM OTHERS. I'd prefer it if no one disputes what others have voted for --although we can't vote in this forum in private, please try to keep this impartial until I've tallied up all the votes. Also, it'll be easier for me to compile your votes and write the article if responses are directed just to the questions below.

As always, I appreciate all your thoughtful input here at the CruiseMates.com's family cruise site.

1. Which is your favorite overall family cruise line?
2. Which is the best cruise line for infants and toddlers?
3. Which SHIPS are best for teens?
4. Which line has the most engaging hands-on learning programs?
5. Which line features the most understanding yet fun youth counselors?
6. Which SHIPS have the best public facilities for families (such as outdoor waterplay areas, video arcades, mini-golf, etc.)?
7. Which line is most economical/affordable for a family of four to cruise on?

I look forward to reading your responses. Thanks!

Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor
FAMILY CRUISE EDITOR

. Which is your favorite overall family cruise line? Disney
2. Which is the best cruise line for infants and toddlers? n/a
3. Which SHIPS are best for teens? RCCL: Disney
4. Which line has the most engaging hands-on learning programs? The Carnival Alaskan Cruise
5. Which line features the most understanding yet fun youth counselors? Disney
6. Which SHIPS have the best public facilities for families (such as outdoor waterplay areas, video arcades, mini-golf, etc.)?RCCL;Princess
7. Which line is most economical/affordable for a family of four to cruise on? The cheapest we have found was Princess

[Darcy]

1. Which is your favorite overall family cruise line? Carnival
2. Which is the best cruise line for infants and toddlers? n/a
3. Which SHIPS are best for teens? RCCL Voyager Class
4. Which line has the most engaging hands-on learning programs? RCCL; Carnival
5. Which line features the most understanding yet fun youth counselors? My children preferred Carnival over RCCL, but due to their ages we really didn't use the camp program much at all.
6. Which SHIPS have the best public facilities for families (such as outdoor waterplay areas, video arcades, mini-golf, etc.)? RCCL Voyager Class
7. Which line is most economical/affordable for a family of four to cruise on? Carnival

[LisaK]

1. Princess
2. Carnival
3. RCCL Voyager Class
4. Princess- they have a fairly new educational program, i don't recall the name off-hand
5.n/a
6. Princess - Grand Class ships, RCCL - Voyager Class ships
7. don't know - haven't done a line-by-line comparrison.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU VOTE:

It's Luisa again! Thanks to those who have already voted. I hope to hear from many, many more of you this month. If you'd like to add a line or two about why you voted for certain lines/ships in the above poll, that'd be great. I realize I sounded a bit stringent in the above original post -- I'd like your feedback but just wanted to make sure responses don't go off in a million directions!

Thanks again!
Luisa Frey Gaynor
Family Cruise Editor