Taking the Kids: Crossing the Atlantic aboard the Queen Mary 2

And with one-way flights priced at up to $1,000 per person, the Queen Mary 2 (starting rates this summer are $1,200) might not be that much of a splurge. There are less onboard expenses than on other ships, because there aren't any shore excursions. (Those sailing can get deeply discounted one-way fares.)

No one should be bored with dozens of daily activities to choose from, everything from shows at the only planetarium at sea to dance lessons to bingo to water color lessons and history and literary lectures given by renowned experts in their fields made available through Cunard Insights. There are also workshops and presentations by members of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, classes on using social media, an expansive library and the Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea, offering wellness lectures on everything from eastern medicine to how to get a flatter stomach as well as traditional treatments (and "pamper parties" for little girls when there are a lot of kids onboard, said spa manager Arlene Cassidy.)

Diane Cassa and Julia Cassa, 12, took ballroom dancing lessons together. They were traveling back to Canada after Julia spent a semester abroad. The duo gave the tasty Canyon Ranch menus in the dining room -- one way to keep from overeating -- a thumb's up and said they were especially enjoying conversations from passengers from around the world. "They have such good stories to tell," Diane Cassa said.

There is a full range of age-appropriate Kids Zone activities -- scavenger hunts, crafts (make your own boat) karaoke -- or it can simply be a place to hang out. It is "one of the best parts of the trip," declared Noah Minaudo, 9, adding that the always available self-serve ice cream machine was a hit.

That the programming starts for 2 year olds, even if they aren't potty trained, is a great selling point for parents of young children. That's been huge," said one Los Angeles mom of two (ages 2 and 7) traveling solo with her children after working abroad for several months. "They love the kids' club."

London attorney Claire Wiseman especially appreciated the complimentary "night nursery" from 6 to 11 p.m. so she and her husband could have a bit of adult time while Lily slept. "We were skeptical of leaving her at first, but the staff is very professional," she said. She added that Lily had blossomed onboard, chatting up passengers and crew, trying new foods, exploring the ship.

Dressing for dinner, passengers said, is another memorable experience, though the huge buffet (one of the best I've experienced on a cruise ship) is always available as an option. While other cruise lines have done away with evening dress codes and assigned seating in the dining room, guests choose Cunard for that traditional experience in the elegant two-level Britannia dining room, including three formal nights. In fact, Executive Chef James Abhilash, a 20-year Cunard veteran, said passengers complain if someone isn't dressed properly in the evening. (Jackets for men! No jeans!)

Wherever they eat, no one is going hungry with food available most hours of the day and night, whether you want pizza or pasta, a burger or curry and rice. The daily tea is especially popular. There are five kinds of sandwiches, two kinds of scones (cream and jam, of course) and five kinds of pastry.

Another scone, please!

========

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)