Admittedly, most standard cabins are smaller than the average hotel room. Choose a large ship with plenty of activities and public spaces so you won't need to be in your cabin, or upgrade to a balcony cabin or a suite. Princess Cruises' newest ships (Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess) are spacious vessels with expansive sun decks, as well as a quieter, adults-only spa sun deck called the Sanctuary.

If your budget allows, choose a luxury line, such as Regent Seven Seas, which has two all-suite, all-balcony ships in its luxury fleet. Even the smallest cabins have separate sitting and sleeping areas, 49-square-foot teak balconies, walk-in closets and en-suite marble bathrooms.

5 -- Excuse: "Cruises are for old people."

Not anymore -- old people, young people, singles and families all cruise, and there's a ship for everyone. Carnival attracts a wide variety of ages onboard with its top-notch kids programs and festive onboard atmosphere. Royal Caribbean also caters to a younger crowd with its many active pursuits onboard and shore excursions like kayaking, hiking, cycling, snorkeling and diving. Do some research before you book, and make sure you are on the right ship for you. Disney Cruise Lines is obviously all about families, but P&O offers a range of ships, from the family-centric Ventura to its adult-only vessel, Artemis.

6 -- Excuse: "It's unhealthy with all that food."

Cruise ships typically offer round-the-clock dining, but no one is forcing you to pile your plate high. In fact, these days, many cruise lines are trading in their midnight chocolate buffets for spa cafes and sushi bars, so ask the cruise line about healthy menu options before you book. Celebrity Cruises has led the healthy dining effort among cruise lines. Several ships offer a spa restaurant, where menu items include plenty of veggies, salads, poached fish and sushi. On all ships, you can order "spa" options off the main dining room's menu.

7 -- Excuse: "Cruise travelers only get a superficial experience of a destination."

That’s true, and no one is promising otherwise. However, a cruise can be a destination-sampler, offering the chance to experience a number of places you may want to return to at a later date. It can also be an easy way to experience a hard-to-explore region, such as South America, Australia or Alaska.

As well, small-ship expedition lines do offer more intensive onshore experiences. Cruise West features nature- and culture-focused voyages to Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico's Sea of Cortez, and the U.S.'s Columbia and Snake Rivers. Hurtigruten's "Norwegian Coastal Voyages" let you experience the small towns along the Norwegian coast, and Lindblad Expeditions focuses on adventure and visits destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galapagos.

8 -- Excuse: "Ships depart so early that I'll miss out on the nightlife in port."

That's true. Most ships stay in port only during the day. But, if dining ashore and checking out the local bars and clubs is your thing, then Variety Cruises may be the line for you. The line offers overnights on its cruises to Greece and its islands, as well as Turkey and Croatia. Variety Cruises' fleet consists of mega-yachts -- some with sails -- with only 22 to 36 cabins onboard. So, it's easy to make friends onboard if you're looking for someone to join you on your evening adventures ashore.

9 -- Excuse: "It's impossible to experience another culture if you're on a cruise."

If you want to avoid holidaying with a bunch of British tourists, book a cruise with MSC Cruises or Costa Cruises. These two cruise lines are Italian-owned and are proud to display their European heritage onboard. Passengers are from Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, as well as the U.K., so you can mix with many different cultures. Or, try a cruise out of the U.S. for an authentic American "vacation" experience.

10 -- Excuse: "Cruise ships aren't real ships."

Cruise ships have been likened to floating hotels or resorts, but if you're yearning for a more authentic sailing experience, check out lines like Star Clippers or Island Windjammers. These lines employ masted tall ships, where the no-frills accommodations and onboard amenities are offset by the thrill of sailing the open ocean and the attractions of the ports of call.

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