To cruise or not to cruise...that is the question. To help you decide, we debunk the myths and reveal the truths of romancing at sea. Here are some common questions and straight answers to help clear up any cruise confusion.

Isn't cruising just for old people? Who are you calling old? There are cruises for every age group, and every age group is on every cruise. The more expensive lines with longer itineraries tend to cater to an older clientele. Feel out the vibe before you book by finding out how many bars are onboard and what type of nightlife and activities are available. (Most seniors we know won't be rock climbing on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas, for example.)

Will I get cabin fever? Consider this: Outside rooms have windows -- or you can book one with a private veranda -- and even inside rooms have lots of mirrors (hubba hubba!) for a more spacious feel. Then there is the long list of activities that await you under the open sky. Cruising liberates your mind: Because you don't have to bother with the standard travel nuisances --hopping planes between cities, packing and repacking, making restaurant reservations -- you can relax and concentrate on other, ahem, pursuits like...movies, lectures, casinos, and sports galore.

What size are the beds or, gasp, berths? Double, queen, and/or king beds are available on all ships for your blanket-hogging pleasure.

Will I feel rushed in port or be stuck with an unwieldy tour group? Time ashore is all yours. Although shore excursions with local operators can be arranged before you disembark, you are under no obligation to sign up or stay with the group. Like any other trip, you're free to strike off on your own walking tour, rent a scooter, or shop at your leisure. Typically you have 8 to 12 hours on shore to explore and absorb -- plenty of time to go river rafting, biking, riding horses, climbing pyramids, sailing, snorkeling, or just parking on the beach.

Is every meal an over-the-top, feed-the-masses buffet? It's true that breakfast, lunch, and a midnight snack often come in the form of a buffet, but with up to ten restaurants and room service, you always have options. Pepperoni pizza in your room at 2:00 a.m.? No problem! (And don't write off buffets so quickly -- Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a weekly chocoholics buffet!) Militant foodies, however, may want to spring for one of the tonier lines to guarantee gourmet eats. Also, if you have any special dietary requests or needs --vegetarian or kosher meals, for example -- the ship can accommodate with prior notice.

Will we have assigned seating? It's true that most cruises have assigned seats at dinner but about half offer tables for two, and none mandate that you eat with people you detest. Simply ask the maitre d' to move you to another table, check out one of the many other restaurants onboard, or order room service (and relish the view from your veranda). Another tip: If your ship has two dinner seatings, the later one usually draws younger couples and gives you ample time to unwind after a day in the sun.

Will roving bands of screaming children wielding pool floats bulldoze us? No cruise lines ban children, but you can increase your percentage of scream-free hours by sailing during the school year and avoiding family-oriented lines.

Will I feel seasick? Well, one too many pina coladas aside, probably not. Obviously, the bigger the ship, the less swells, although the most popular cruise areas have calm waters. Add modern ship stabilizers, accurate weather forecasting, and medications such as Bonine or Dramamine (free at the purser's desk), and even the weakest stomach will feel right at home.

A cruise is a cruise is a cruise, right? Not so. All boats do not float to the same beat. Fear not -- from summer camps at sea to up-scale sails, we'll help you choose your dreamboat.

BIG SHIPS = BIG FUN
We're talking jaw-dropping shows, over-the-top activities, and oodles of restaurants, bars, and shops. Royal Caribbean's 3,800-passenger Voyager of the Seas -- the biggest cruise ship yet -- includes nine holes of golf, a rock-climbing wall, in-line skating track, ice rink, and ten dining options. Princess Cruise's 2,600-passenger Grand Princess has a virtual-reality arcade, three different shows, and eight different musical venues -- including karaoke -- on tap every night, plus an outer-space-themed disco built 17 decks above the sea. Carnival's 2,500-passenger Elation has a 7,500 square-foot casino, ten bars, and a water slide.

MEDIUM SHIPS SIZED FOR COMPROMISE
These ships are leaner machines and strike a nice balance between amenities and accessibility. Crystal Cruise Line's 940-passenger Crystal Harmony may not have a full-size basketball court, but it does have a Caesars Palace at Sea, Frette bed linens, plush robes, and bathtubs (a precious cruise commodity) in the rooms, plus a lavish two-to-one guest-to-staff ratio. All Celebrity Cruise Line ships (1,300 to 1,800 passengers) have a spa, martini bar, cigar lounge, marble baths, and interactive televisions you can use to order room service and book excursions.

SMALL INDULGENCES
For those who got plenty of glitz and glamour at their wedding, a small boat is exactly what the doctor ordered. If the mega boats are activity-rich floating resorts, these are laid-back bed & breakfasts. Best of all, you can navigate smaller, more exotic, and less touristy ports and private motus (islands) to explore nature's bounty up-close. Alaska's Glacier Bay's 72-passenger Wilderness Adventurer caters to wildlife watchers with a naturalist onboard, and is one of the few ships that actually gets close enough to shore to see the little critters! Windstar Cruise Line boats have romantic billowing sails (for effect, not propulsion), a retractable marina for windsurfing, kayaking, and banana boating, plus first-class cuisine. Their newest, the 312-passenger Wind Surf, also has a sprawling full-service spa and suites with his-and-her bathrooms.

THEMED SAILS
If size really doesn't matter -- you and your honey will have fun wherever you are -- consider a themed cruise. Offered on ships both small and large, these cruises often involve experts or celebrities leading clinics or giving lectures in their field, plus there are hordes of kindred souls to meet, greet, and play ball with. Here's a sampling of cruise culture:

Okay, you know you want to take a cruise -- but all those ships look the same. Who's who in the world of big boats? Here's our guide to the best honeymoon cruise-line values. For the scoop on activities, number of bars, and more, check individual ship descriptions at www.clia.org. Drum roll, please...

CARNIVAL CRUISES
IN A NUTSHELL: The Fun Ship!
VIBE: Las Vegas theme park at sea
TRIP LENGTH: 3 to 16 days
AVERAGE SHIP SIZE: 1,950 passengers
DESTINATIONS: Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal
PORTS OF DEPARTURE: Cape Canaveral, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seward (Alaska), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa, Vancouver
LIST PRICES START AT: $154 per person for a three-day cruise to the Bahamas, port charges not included. (Special note to disco divas: The Destiny offers "Night Owl" rooms above the nightclub for $715 per person, port charges not included, for a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean.)
HONEYMOON TREATS: Revel in the honeymoon spotlight at the "Couples & Lovers Party" where free bubbly flows throughout the festivities. Newlyweds can also request continental breakfast in bed each morning and get a free cake at dinner.
WEDDING BELLS: * The "Just for the Bride & Groom" package ($550) includes an official civil ceremony, a champagne toast with keepsake flutes, flowers for both bride and groom, a cake with topper, pre-recorded wedding music, a decorated bridal aisle, and photographs.

Sure you know to bring the Dramamine, but what else do you pack for a perfect float? You'd think packing for a cruise would be a cinch, but unless you plan to be a total sundeck potato, you'll need more than your swimsuits and flip-flops. Wardrobe will vary by the activities and shore excursions you're interested in, but, in general, cruise vacations are casual by day, semi-formal to formal by night.

Think coordinating colors -- or tropical prints -- and don't worry about wrinklage: Many ships offer dry cleaning services and even self-serve launderettes, so you could conceivably pack less and do laundry mid-trip (yeah, right). Also, whatever you forget or don't bring can usually be bought onboard, albeit at a much higher price. What shouldn't you pack? Your hair dryer (ask whether there's one in the room) and books (most ships offer a library and/or bookstore for your perusal).

With all this in mind, here's an essentials-only packing list for married suitcases (and small cabin closets).
FOR DAYTRIPPING: