Good for you! The real trick to an eleven year plan, or any plan for that matter, is to stick to it and reach your goal.
I also fully support the idea of taking children with you cruising, regardless of their age. Yes, they'll miss out on some of the shoreside "things", as will the parents, but they'll gain more than they lose. Actually, the only downside I see to bringing children along is that a larger boat will be required.
I'm a parent of two daughters (ages 3 and 5) and also plan to cruise with them sometime in the future. I don't have an exact date in mind, but my wife and I are hard at work saving money, paying off debts and gaining the skills we'll need.
Check out the Hacking family's website (
Hacking Family Home) for good practical advice for cruising with kids. They've also always been very helpful and prompt when responding to emails.
Best of luck!