Romance and elaborate floorshows remain vibrant on the high seas, but so do soft adventure excursions, cuisine developed by world-renowned chefs, and private veranda dining. Cruising today is a customized experience where you alone create the myths.

Here are five popular myths dispelled by the reality of contemporary cruising:

Do you expect to find Mickey Mouse on just any cruise? Not at all, but you will find that each cruise line has its own character. Some remain classic, others free as the wind off the bow. Just poke around some and you’ll find the cruise line that’s right for you.

For starters, cruise lines are always adding new ships or refurbishing the fleet. You’ll find ships that cater to kids, others with more than one casino. Picking your ship is as important as selecting your stateroom.

Do names like Wolfgang Puck, Jacques Pepin and Michel Roux ring a bell? That’s because they stand among the most famous chefs in the world. They also share another distinction: each creates the menu for a different cruise line.

Absolutely, most cruise lines offer the storied and formal Captain’s Dinner. But today’s cruises offer a variety of less formal dining options that vary from bistros to sushi. Like most restaurants, you’ll need a reservation. But that’s only a formality.

It’s always a good idea to plan your excursions ahead of time, but there are more than enough options if you don’t. Cruise lines often offer over fifty excursions at a single port of call. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll find just what you’re looking for.