Going on a cruise; what should I bring?

[Reverend]

I'm going on a Caribbean cruise the week after next, and I'm trying to figure out what photography "essentials" I should bring with me, and what to leave at home.

Here's what I'm thinking of bringing so far:
Rebel XT body
batteries
charger
10-22
24-70 2.8L
70-200 2.8 IS
50mm 1.8
The "light" tripod, which is not quite as sturdy as the big one, but should do ok
Laptop

Leaving at home:
Flash
8mm Peleng Fisheye
18-55 kit lens
"big" tripod


I've never been on a cruise before, so I don't know how cumbersome it might be to lug stuff around, or if it will intrude on my good time with my wife. I just don't want to leave something at home, look at something and think, "damn, wish I would have brought that lens."

Any advice or testamonial is appreciated. I dunno if this is the right forum for this; move it if its appropriate.

 

[Torus34]

You'll be taking pictures in two distinctly different mileaus: on/in the boat and on shore. I used a 50mm and a 135mm lens on a 35mm body. As you will already be packing 4, count 'em, 4 lenses, why not bring along the flash? It can't add that much more to the pile. Curiously, I've cruised a few times and never felt the need for a tripod. And I do most of my 'serious' work using one.

 

[Reverend]

You'll be taking pictures in two distinctly different mileaus: on/in the boat and on shore. As you will already be packing 4, count 'em, 4 lenses, why not bring along the flash? It can't add that much more to the pile. Curiously, I've cruised a few times and never felt the need for a tripod. And I do most of my 'serious' work using one.

Very true, but where do you draw the line?

And should I not bring any of the aforementioned lenses? are any of them considered superfluous for the venue?

 

[Torus34]

I doubt that I would find need for a 10-22, but that may be a matter of compositional taste. I never used my 24mm.

 

[Reverend]

That was really the one that I was debating more than any others. Might be a good idea to leave that one at home.

 

[thebeginning]

torus has a point in that it will really depend on your shooting and composing styles. if it were me though, i would definitely take the 10-22...it could make for some terrific beach shots alone, not to mention some neat stuff on the cruise ship itself. i dont think the flash is that necessary, but then again i don t think the 70-200 will get much use but that's just me

if you do take the flash, it wont take up much space or weight, so that shouldnt be a problem.

 

[Reverend]

I've never been on a cruise before, so I really have no idea what to expect to see or experience from any of it.

 

[Torus34]

OK. Lots of onboard document shots of the ship, your cabin, the folks at your dining table, friends you'll meet, shipboard activities such as ice-carving, etc. Docking, undocking, ports as you enter and leave them. Sailboats and power yachts in the roadsteads and ports.

Mayhaps some beautiful sunsets and sunrises - look for places on the ship to use as a frame.

Note: cameras are usually not appreciated in the casino section
of the ship.

Off the ship there's general sight-seeing, shopping, places of historic interest you'll visit, local flora, beach scenes and the fellow who brings you the lime in the coconut.

If you've never cruised before, prepare to be pampered. Also get used to the idea of getting by on very little sleep. Finally, you'll get so conditioned to having food available 24/7 that when the cruise is over and you disembark, you'll have 'ship's cafe withdrawal' symptoms. Be prepared to add a few pounds.

Pack a few black plastic bags. They're great for used laundry. If you're going to do laundry on board, don't wait too far past the mid-point of the cruise. The laundry facilities are really busy the last two days of a cruise.

If you're going to tip for drinks, do so directly. Don't add it to the charge card slip. The staff will appreciate it. And on tipping, your room steward gets the most. Your waiter comes second, the wine steward is third and the maitre de last.

Oh! Check soon to see if there will be a formal dinner in the schedule. If so, you can easily get by with a dark suit, white shirt and a subdued tie. It's a great opportunity for your Lady to wear that certain 'Drop Dead' dress she keeps in the closet - or an excuse to buy one 'specially for the trip. I'm never more proud than when I'm escorting Joan to a formal cruise dinner.

And enjoy!

 

[Protean]

personally i would bring the flash and the 8mm. but i would consider leaving the 70-200 at home, the only thing i can image you using that for is candid street/cruise photos, and i doubt your wife is going to let you go out all the time and stalk people XD, fisheye shots of inside the ship should be great fun though

 

[darin3200]

I would possibly bring the 8mm and leave the 70-200mm. But it depends on what you want to photography. Cruise ships are built around extravegence. The interior architecture is going to be nice and you will probalby want to capture it

 

[Reverend]

Anyone else? Don't be bashful. Even if you just want to share your experience on a cruise, I'd like to read it.

 

[rmh159]

Anyone else? Don't be bashful. Even if you just want to share your experience on a cruise, I'd like to read it.

I'm glad I read this post... what kind of cabin do you have? On my last cruise my wife and I decided to splurge and get one with a balcony and it was probably the best money I've spent. It's such an experience to see the water outside or the ports as you dock vs waking up in pinch black darkness cuz you're in one of the inner rooms. Won't make or break the cruise but it's a significant difference.

My advice... if you're even REMOTELY on the fence with equipment to bring, just bring it. Assuming it can fit on the plane if you're flying to the port... you can take as much luggage on the boat as you want. I don't think any of that equipment would break your back and even if it just sits in the room I would think it's worth taking just in case you get that one opportunity to use it. That's my opinion though.

My last bit of advice would be to take a polarizer. There will be countless times to get good water shots and once you get a bit off coast (where are you leaving from?) and especially into the destination ports, the water will be VERY blue. A polarizer will work really well to kill off reflections and capture that blue. I didn't notice it on your list but I would highly recommend it.

This really makes me want to take another cruise now. They're awesome... like someone else posted, you'll be pampered and can really do whatever you want on the boat. You'll see what we mean that first nite when someone at your table decides to get crazy and order 2 entree's or 2 desserts. The crew is usually from all over the world too so you'll definitely meet some interesting people with good stories.

Please make sure to post some pics on here when you get back. I'd love to see how they turn out. What destinations are you going to?

 

[malweth]

I've ordered a polarizer specifically for my upcoming cruise. I've just started with the DSLR (got it yesterday), but having been on past cruises, and knowing about all that sun and glare... I'd have to agree that the polarizer seems best!

And bring some insurance too, I think I'm calling my insurance company today!

Interesting note about the casino & cameras... Royal Caribbean tends to put it right in the middle where people need to go to get places. My policy is that kids, cameras, etc will be travelling through to get from point A to B. Move the casino if it's a problem.

 

[rmh159]

I agree about the casinos... normally I'd say avoid them with a camera but on a cruise I wouldn't sweat it as much.

Something else that's important and no one mentioned... if you plan on using a credit card or debit card on shore you should call your CC/DC company and tell them what the dates are that you'll be on the cruise. If they start seeing charges come up from out of the country it'll throw up red-flags and they'll freeze your account thinking they're fraudulent charges.

I've ordered a polarizer specifically for my upcoming cruise. I've just started with the DSLR (got it yesterday), but having been on past cruises, and knowing about all that sun and glare... I'd have to agree that the polarizer seems best!

And bring some insurance too, I think I'm calling my insurance company today!

Interesting note about the casino & cameras... Royal Caribbean tends to put it right in the middle where people need to go to get places. My policy is that kids, cameras, etc will be travelling through to get from point A to B. Move the casino if it's a problem.

 

[Reverend]

Please make sure to post some pics on here when you get back. I'd love to see how they turn out. What destinations are you going to?

Thanks for the advice!

We're flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and hitting Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas ona 7- day cruise.

I'm leaving on Sunday, and I can't wait!!!