<p>The Caribbean remains a top destination among cruisers, and more are bringing their children along for the journey, according to a new survey by the Cruise Lines International Association.</p><p>Cruise experts also say that, in response to rising fuel costs, cruise lines are increasing surcharges and changing their itineraries. Some are skipping Aruba, once a popular port, because of the extra fuel it takes to get there.</p><p>Consumer interest in cruising remains strong, according to the association, with 55 percent of vacationers who have never taken a cruise intending to do so in the next three years.</p><p>But many cruisers are watching their dollars, says Brown, cutting back on onboard spending, planning independent short excursions and choosing a cruise near a home port to avoid having to fly to meet the ship.</p><p>That means the Caribbean is rebounding and the Mediterranean is losing out, says Brown. So much so that Carnival is pulling Carnival Freedom from its previously announced 2009 summer itineraries in the Mediterranean and positioning it year-round in the Caribbean, she says.</p><p>The Caribbean is traditionally cheaper than other cruises because it is a year-round destination and people don't have to travel far to catch the ship. Other cruise regions are seasonal: Canada/New England and Alaska are accessible only via cruise ship in warm months, she says.</p><p>&quot;With the Caribbean, one of the biggest advantages is, there's simply more choice and it's a much more flexible option,&quot; she says, adding that cruisers will have the most choices in terms of a ship from the winter holidays to mid-April. &quot;During times of the year when there's more variety, pricing will be more competitive as well.&quot; In 2008, 25 percent of cruisers traveled with children younger than 18, compared to 13 percent in 2002, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.</p><p>Even with no end in sight to rising gas prices, cruising is not expected to decline, says Heidi Allison-Shane, spokeswoman for CruiseCompete .com. The overall satisfaction ratings are high: 95 percent of all cruisers rate their experience as satisfying and more than three-fourths of past cruisers plan to take another cruise within three years.</p>