Cruise lines can’t get enough of families. The facilities for children, teens and now infants are extensive, far-reaching and professionally monitored, allowing parents to have time with their kids as well as some relaxation while their offspring are entertained.

“The cruise lines keep catering more and more toward families,” says Brenda Porter, co-owner of Family Vacations in Noblesville, Ind. “Since 9/11, we’ve seen a major trend toward family travel. People didn’t want to leave their kids anymore. I just think 9/11 was a wake-up call to all of us that family’s important.”

Fontaine Gatti, an agent with Travelong in Summit, N.J., a Virtuoso agency, says the popularity of family cruising is growing because shipboard vacations are a tremendous value. “There’s very good value there,” she says. “Europe is extremely expensive to travel and stay in hotels, buy food etc., so no doubt cruising has a very good value. On a cruise, the parents get a vacation too. The big thing, though, is not having to move from hotel to hotel. There’s something to be said for unpacking once and just staying put.”

Here’s how you can evaluate the many options that cruise lines offer to your customers:

Do your research on what each line features. As a travel agent, you are no doubt well aware of just how lucrative this segment of the market can be. But you also should be aware of the differences between family-friendly programs and accommodations from line to line, and know to carefully qualify your families so they’re on the right ship.