By Tom Zoccolo

Associated Press writer

updated 12:02 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2008

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. - It's been 10 years since Disney started its cruises with the Disney Magic ship, followed in 1999 by Disney Wonder. Two more Disney ships will launch in 2011 and 2012. And while you won't find casinos on any Disney ships, you will find plenty of other facilities and diversions on board for every age group — including grown-ups. That, along with the appeal of the Disney brand, has ensured the cruise line's success.

"I don't think it's fair to say that Disney invented family cruising, because a lot of cruise lines made efforts to attract families to their ships starting in the '90s, but I do think it's fair to say that Disney reinvigorated the idea of family cruising," said Douglas Stallings, who edits Fodor's cruise guides. "Disney proved there is a large market for family cruises. They inspired other large cruise lines."

Christine Koubek, who reviewed the Wonder for the Web site CruiseCritic.com, said that "what Disney Cruise Line does best is prove that 'elegant' and 'family friendly' don't have to be mutually exclusive. Disney is a great choice for families that want excellent supervised children's programs as well as activities they can enjoy together."

My children, my wife Mary Lou and I cruised last year on the Wonder. It was memorable and fun for all of us. I couldn't tear Isabelle, 9, away from her science experiments in the Oceaneer Lab. Her masterpiece was a green glob that resembled something from the Disney movie "Flubber." Vinny, 16, spent all of his time in the Aloft nightclub, which is just for teenagers. After the club closed at 1 a.m., the fun didn't stop. Vinny and other teenagers hung around shooting hoops under the lights.

For adults, Disney ships offer nightclubs, classes, fitness centers, an adult-only restaurant called Palo, and wine, beer and martini tastings. While the kids played, my wife and I relaxed on our stateroom terrace with some wine and cheese. We also attended a Disney Vacation Club cocktail party (we are DVC timeshare members) and Mary Lou browsed the shops for souvenirs.

Slide show   Disneyland turns 50 Disneyland celebrates its golden anniversary. more photos

The Wonder stops at Disney's private island, called Castaway Cay, on its Bahamian cruises. Here too there is something for everyone — including a teen-only beach, an adults-only beach and a family beach. Vinny and his friends signed up for a couple of teen-only excursions with Disney counselors and headed out for snorkeling, kayaking, banana boat rides, a barbecue lunch and bicycling around the island, while the rest of us snorkeled, lunched and swam with stingrays elsewhere on the island. Castaway Cay also has Scuttles Cove, where kids, supervised by counselors, dig for whalebones, make beach musical instruments and play water relay games.

Deal of the Day Salt Lake getaway Pursue outdoorsy activities on a three-night getaway to Utah's capital, from $295

We returned to the ship for a pirate-themed dinner and deck party, which culminated with a spectacular fireworks show, launched from the stern of the ship. We then saw "Pirates of the Caribbean" on a giant movie screen that was attached to one of the ship's smokestacks on the top deck. The screen displayed a pirate flag for the remainder of the evening.

For families with young children, Disney's nurseries, Flounder's Reef, take infants as young as 12 weeks old and toddlers up to 3. Some cruise lines keep parents on call to change diapers, but the Flounder's Reef staff takes care of that for you. Disney's Magic and Wonder also have pools with separation filtration systems that allow diapered toddlers to swim. And each stateroom has a bathroom with a bathtub — also relatively uncommon on non-luxury cruise ships. No wonder a survey conducted by BudgetTravelOnline.com rated Disney Cruise Line No. 1 for infants and toddlers, and children 3-7. (It was ranked No. 3 among cruises for kids 8-11, and No. 5 for 12-to-17-year-olds.)

MORE FROM FAMILY

Family Section Front

The air necessities Flying the not-so-fur-friendly skies Independence Day family getaways 15 water parks in your own backyard Affordable summer travel for families Make friends with a dolphin in Miami America's wildest water parks Regional parks offer more thrills for your buck The finest family-friendly hotels Enjoy the generation gap at Hard Rock Park Family Section Front   Add Family headlines to your news reader: