Big Ocean Liner or Small Ship?

The Oasis of the Seas - A Cruise Experience Of A Lifetime For Over 6000 Passengers

• Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas - 

  The Atrium on the Oasis of the Seas

  These are the largest cruise ships in the world. They offer a seaborne experience that is a cross between Disney World, Las Vegas and the halo deck on the starship Enterprise! The two sister ships offer the ultimate large-ship adventure, especially for families.
  
• Celebrity's Solstice, Eclipse, Silhouette and Equinox offer upscale cruising at very reasonable prices. These new ships are magnificent and are ideal for both adults and families with children.

  The Celebrity Equinox

• Cunard's Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria provide old world charm and a touch of British class to the cruise experience. Their itineraries are excellent.

The Grand Lobby of the Queen Elizabeth

• Small ships visit picturesque, out-of-the-way ports. They can anchor where large ships can't.
  
• There's greater flexibility in getting on and off the ship...even if it is by tenders or inflatable boats.
• When visiting scenic ports the ships will generally stay into the night. This lets you enjoy local nightlife and get great sunset and night shots.
  
• There won't be thousands of tourists inundating a small island. So, you'll be able to mingle with local people, have memorable adventures and get better pictures...particularly portraits.

• Windstar's Wind Surf, Wind Star & Wind Spirit -

  The Wind Spirit

  These beautiful sailing yachts cater primarily to adults. You'll cruise with interesting, well-educated passengers, enjoy superb food and be catered to by a fabulous crew. All Windstar ships have a complete water-sports deck and visit photo destinations that can't be beat.
• Yachts of Seabourn's Legend and their five other ships -

  Enjoy Gourmet Dining

  Just over 200 passengers experience millionaire's cruises to exotic ports. Prices run higher than most cruise lines but the Seabourn cruises are worth every penny. I'd suggest looking at various online travel sites to see if you can get a last-minute bargain!
  

Taking Pictures Aboard the Ship

Crossing Under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge

I Zoomed In To Accentuate Strong Patterns

A Gala Performance on the Explorer of the Seas

• You'll get the best results with an all-in-one camera that has a viewing screen that you can swing down at an angle.
  
• Pictures from the orchestra - Just hold your camera above the person in the row in front of you for short periods of time.
• Be courteous to the people behind you and don't keep your camera up constantly.
• Photography from the theatre's balcony - Shoot from an aisle using a telephoto setting. If possible, use a small tripod or monopod (ship's rules permitting.)
  
• Be careful with your white balance as stage lighting can be tricky.
• Adjust your camera's ISO setting constantly, based upon viewing your monitor images, as the light level will be changing. The noise from an 800 or 1600 ISO setting is preferable to missing a great shot!

_________________________________

• Onboard opportunities
• With ship backgrounds
• At the rock wall
• Shoot down at a family member on wide angle for a different angle
  
• Shoot up for an exciting picture
• On the Promenade
• With costumed characters
  
• Pool and waterslide shots
  
• Sunsets
• Dining room (all dressed up)

My wife, Elaine, and me taken by the ship's photographer.

Tip: Get yourself in the pictures by purchasing some prints or digital files taken by the ship's professional photographers. You'll cherish those prints long after you forget their price!

Cruising Photo Tips:

1. The Rule of Thirds Rules

• When you compose, break the visual elements of your picture into thirds. Place each element into one third of the composition. In this shot the top third is the sky, the middle third the land and the bottom third the water.
  
• Do the same from left to right. Can you

  This shot won me 1st prize and a free cruise for two in a Windstar photo contest.

  see how the Rule works to make this a successful picture?
  
• In some cases you'll put one element in two thirds of the picture and another visual element in the remaining third. Nearly all of my scenics use the Rule of Thirds to some degree.

Scenic Overlook on St. Barths - My Leica V-Lux's wide angle setting kept everything from the type in the foreground to the horizon is in sharp focus.

Wind Surf Sails & Rigging - The telephoto setting brought in details 200 feet above the deck.

Smart Ways To Shoot Onshore

Ships' shore excursions and tours can be a great way to see a new locale. 

But, as a photographer, structured ships' tours may not give you the time or freedom you need to get your pictures.

Here are my guidelines on whether to take a tour:

Book one of the ships' tours if:

1. You have any security concerns regarding your safety.
2. If you don't feel comfortable in a given country due to not knowing the language, customs or roads.
3. When tours can get you into sites that would require hours of waiting in line if you went on your own (i.e. museums, castles, churches or other historic sites.)
   
4. If the tour is the only way to reach a specific destination (i.e. for snorkelling on a reef or a remote beach on a different island.)
5. If the tour provides a truly memorable life experience you could never have on your own. (i.e. The 10 Meter Yacht Race in St. Martin is unforgettable!)
   

1. In "safe" countries like the U.S., Canada, the U.K., western Europe, Israel and most islands of the Caribbean.
• Consider hiring a cab with an English-speaking driver/guide.
• On small islands...where you can't get lost...renting a car is often very convenient.
2. If you want to tour national parks or to travel farther away from the port than the ships' tours will take you.

   A view of the Explorer of the Seas from a mountain high above Bar Harbor, Maine

• Rent a car and split expenses with other photographers.
• Make your reservations over the Internet in advance.
• Arrange for port pick-up and drop-off.

  We split a car rental and drove to Acadia National Park with new-found friends Susanne & Matti from Sweden. Our bonus: We all enjoyed a lobster lunch with the money we saved!

3. Self-tours will give you more freedom to take pictures at your own pace. They may...or may not...save you money.