Celebrity takes the approach that kids are foodies, too. The main dining room kids' menu has Caesar salad and grilled filet mignon with mashed potatoes in addition to the typical pizza and burgers. And even if the fish goujons are really just fish fingers, they at least sound fancy. Inventive desserts include a PB&J sundae.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: Children age 6 to 12 can order off the menu at specialty restaurants for just $10 (kids 5 and under are free).

In addition to the standard children's menu fare, you'll also find options such as a grilled catch of the day and a minute steak, and if-you-clean-your-plate dessert choices such as pudding and a banana split. The guacamole and sour cream dip with tortilla chips on the children's menu is popular with adults, too.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: Kids' menus in Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants are $8 (children 5 and under are free). Dishes are the same as the adult versions, just smaller portions.

Carnival's children's menus focus on fun and familiar foods such as chicken nuggets, hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, and pizza, plus fresh fruit and veggies. On the American Table menus there's also a daily chef suggestion for the 12-and-under set, such as roast chicken, fish and chips, or BBQ ribs.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: Specialty restaurants, including Ji Ji Asian Kitchen and the Italian Cucina del Capitano, have $5 pricing for kids 12 and under.

In addition to favorites such as mac-n-cheese and pizza, the family-focused line also has "Mickey Check" dishes that meet specific nutrition guidelines (namely they have fewer calories, sugar, sodium, and saturated fats). At Disney's popular Animator's Palate restaurant, for instance, you might find whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce served with broccoli and apple slices.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: If everyone eats their vegetables, let the kids end the day with a (complimentary) Mickey-shaped ice cream pop. These treats can even be ordered from room service.

Nearly every restaurant on Princess Cruises has a kid-friendly menu featuring a wide variety of classic options, such as chicken nuggets and spaghetti and meatballs.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: Horizon Court has a special area set aside where kids can sit together (at child-size tables) while parents sit nearby. Pizza and ice cream parties are also held here.

The main dining room on Norwegian ships has a children's menu full of kid-friendly dishes with silly names — think Oodles of Noodles chicken soup, Mac and Say Cheese, and Yummy Tummy Tenders. (That last one is chicken fingers.)

Beyond the Main Dining Room: Kids 12 and under also eat free from children's menus at the line's specialty restaurants, or half-price if they order off the main menu.

MSC partnered with Italian children's brand Chicco to develop a main dining room children's menu that goes beyond the usual options. Selections change daily, but appetizers might include prosciutto and mozzarella while entrée choices might be baked fish, a turkey hot dog, or a grilled minute steak with oven-roasted potatoes.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: On some MSC ships you can purchase a package (for adults and for kids) that includes meals at the Tex-Mex and steakhouse specialty restaurants, plus pizza from Eataly delivered to your stateroom.

The children's menu in the main dining room on Holland America ships has standard favorites such as chicken tenders, hot dogs, and mac-n-cheese as well as quesadillas, tacos, and fish and chips.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: The Lido Buffet's dessert station includes an ice cream sundae bar — popular with adults and kids alike.

Costa's children's menus keep the kids happy with the usual suspects, including spaghetti, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, and grilled cheese.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: Twice per sailing, the line throws special dinners just for kids as part of the children's program. Burgers, hot dogs, and pasta are served, followed by a special cake based on the day's theme, such as Wet & Wild Day or Glitz & Glamour Day.

Cunard's Britannia Restaurant has options such as fresh fruit with fruit yogurt dip or vegetable crudités with thousand island dressing, followed by choices such as burgers, grilled hot dogs, spaghetti Bolognese, fish fingers, or sausage mash.

Beyond the Main Dining Room: Parents can accompany their kids to a special children's "tea" each night, where a buffet of kid-friendly dishes is set up around 5 pm for an early supper.