I remember reading about a thin layer of plastic on top of the cement to keep it waterproof from the bottom.
Laminate flooring goes down a lot easier, just make sure that the floor is level. Laminate flooring is less forgiving of uneven surfaces than hardwood flooring. (which is why we went with the hardwood flooring in the end. The sub flooring had been put in with no room, and as a result, warped.)