Hastings, NE: What time of year can I get the best fares/savings for my family to cruise?

Luisa Frey Gaynor: Fall (Sept. through mid-November) is the best time to get savings for your family. Since it's back to school time, ships are slightly less full and this, coupled with potential hurricane season in the Caribbean, is the impetus for cruise lines to offer their lowest rates to the Caribbean. Cruising during this time might be best for a family with young children who aren't in grade school since this is traditionally "back to school" time for most older kids.

Also, check out Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises' annual Kids Cruise Free fares to the Caribbean during their November through April Caribbean season. This summer, MSC is also offering their Kids Cruise Free promotion on their European / Mediterranean cruises.

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NYC, NY: We would like to go to Nova Scotia with our 5 yr. old. Are there any special cruises that have lots of things (educational, exercise, etc.) for her to do?

Luisa Frey Gaynor: I recommend a five-day cruise out of NYC to Nova Scotia aboard Carnival Cruise Lines. They have a great youth program which features daily activities in various categories such as "Edu-Cruise" or "Exer-Seas" for each age group. These summer time cruises always have plenty of families aboard.

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New Richmond, WI: My kids are very active, to say the least! Can you recommend some ships that have a lot of active, outdoors activities?

Luisa Frey Gaynor: You have two options: either cruise on big ships, such as Royal Caribbean Int'l, which have tons of active "bells and whistles" on them--ranging from rock walls, to ice skating rinks, surf areas, and basketball courts--or cruise on a small, expedition type ships that offer lots of active things for kids to do ashore.

For example, kids can play soccer with local kids who live along the Amazon River aboard International Expeditions' cruises; go on kids-only nature hikes in the exotic Galapagos Islands aboard an Abercrombie and Kent voyage; earn their zodiac (small, inflatable boat) driving license on a Lindblad Expeditions cruise; learn to scuba dive during a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise; or learn to paddle an outrigger canoe with local Tahitian children on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise. This latter program is offered in conjunction with the Jacques Cousteau Society. These cruise lines, which headline these unique, hands-on activities for children ashore, offer family friendly departures during the summer season.

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Roselle Park, NJ: Do any of the cruises out of NY/NJ that go north have any beach time on their stops?