Cruise Recommendations Sought
May 25, 2017 13:06:49 #
Okay, I've been bitten by the travelbug again. This time, I'm thinking of combining the leisure of a cruise with the opportunity to photograph some very nice (maybe even spectacular) scenery. Right now, I'm eyeing an airfare-included 12-night cruise in the Mediterranean (Barcelona, Provence, Monte Carlo, Rome, Montenegro, etc.) or a 13- or 14-night land/cruise trip through Alaska.
I've never been to Alaska; it's the only state in the USA I haven't been in. On the other hand, the allure of returning to Europe and sailing around the Med with ports of call in some fabulous places is also compelling.
Any other places I might consider? I've been peeking at a trip to Peru to visit Machu Pichu. I'm open to suggestions (which is why I posted -- this is kind of a poll).
I've never been to Alaska; it's the only state in the USA I haven't been in. On the other hand, the allure of returning to Europe and sailing around the Med with ports of call in some fabulous places is also compelling.
Any other places I might consider? I've been peeking at a trip to Peru to visit Machu Pichu. I'm open to suggestions (which is why I posted -- this is kind of a poll).
May 25, 2017 13:20:10 #
The western United States National Parks (especially the Grand Circle of Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Great Basin, Arches, Canyon Lands, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon with many other sites in between) offer unparalleled landscape opportunities. South America's Rio, Buenos Aires, Monte Negro, Iguazu Falls, Recife and Manaus for access to the Amazon River are other options. Along with Machu Pechu, don't forget Galapagos Islands. Tahiti, Tonga and Fiji in the South Pacific. Those are just a few other options that come to mind very quickly.
May 25, 2017 13:24:38 #
pwrxprt
Loc: Beaumont, California
I've been on an Alaskan cruise not once but twice (both inside passages) and if the opportunity came around again I would consider a 3rd trip....it is the most beautiful place for a landscape photographer as well as some wild life photography too....in addition to some awesome street photography opportunities on your excursions. Both of my trips were only 7 day cruises out of Seattle Washington...we stayed 5 days in Seattle after the cruise and I'm not sure which part was my favorite. Both were different to photograph and I came away with some pretty awesome shots. If you've never been as you've stated, I don't think you'll be disappointed in finding a trip to Alaska a bore or not one of the most beautiful places to photograph. There's a couple "Hoggers" that have posted some beautiful shots from that area. You should take a few minutes and hunt around the site for photos of Alaska...have fun and good luck with your choice.
Lane
Lane
May 25, 2017 13:29:39 #
Just Fred wrote:
Okay, I've been bitten by the travelbug again. Th... (show quote)
I haven't been on a cruise since I got out of the Navy in 1969. But two cruises that I will probably take when I am able are a Panama Canal cruise and a river cruise on the Danube.
May 25, 2017 14:30:25 #
My first choice would always be Alaska... if you want scenery, wildlife, "wild" America, and depending on the land portion of the tour, there are some fascinating towns in Alaska and native culture to explore.
May 25, 2017 15:52:07 #
Alaska! Did I mention Alaska? Spent two months driving from Florida to Alaska and back! Would do it again! Nothing like the good ole' USA! And as someone else mentioned, Utah and all it's splendor! You could spend another two months there! Enjoy and bring a few extra cards and batteries! I had my mac with me and uploaded photos, processed them and dropped them in a stand alone HD.
May 25, 2017 16:11:37 #
Thanks, everyone. Just to winnow the replies a bit, I've already done: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon. Not that I wouldn't do any of them again -- I would -- but I'm looking for something new and different!
Oh, and I've recently done Copenhagen, Denmark and Iceland. Again, I'd do them again. Just not this trip.
Oh, and I've recently done Copenhagen, Denmark and Iceland. Again, I'd do them again. Just not this trip.
May 26, 2017 05:50:41 #
I think the Mediterranean cruise would be a good choice, as there are so many different places visited. Some of the ports of call such as Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Montenegro you car just walk off the ship and see many wonderful sights, no need to buy an excursion.
If the Port of Kotor is on the itinerary it is a spectacular entry along a long fjord with stacks of photo opps as the ship sails along.
If the Port of Kotor is on the itinerary it is a spectacular entry along a long fjord with stacks of photo opps as the ship sails along.
May 26, 2017 06:28:09 #
Just Fred wrote:
Okay, I've been bitten by the travelbug again. Th... (show quote)
I'd go to Alaska. It's would be totally different from Europe or mainland America.
May 26, 2017 06:29:42 #
On the whole I would discourage cruises particularly for avid photographers. Each stop entails strict scheduling for organized trips or independent trips with the pressure to return by a particular time. Some stops, such as Lisbon, tend to always be on Sundays and too many things are closed which was a disappointment for us. On the whole, you will see more and photograph in a more relaxed fashion by setting up your own travel arrangements and hiring a driver or guide to provide the history and take you to the best sites. However, two exceptions: a Greek Island cruise and an Alaskan inland waterway cruise. Best to select small intimate ships rather than the floating skyscrapers. Good luck.
May 26, 2017 06:54:17 #
Check out Windstar Cruises Tahiti. Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and 2-3 other georgious islands in French Polynesia aboard a sailing vessel
Spectacular
Check it out
Spectacular
Check it out
May 26, 2017 07:38:55 #
Alaska is beautiful. Take the train to Denali, also check out Misty fjords national monument. Everybody has mentioned the Grand Canyon. But not Sedona Arizona....i would love to visit there again.
May 26, 2017 07:45:57 #
Look at Holiday Vacations. We went to Alaska with them in2015. Had a great tour! They offer trips that criuse bus or bus then cruise - BUS FIRST so you can relax on the ship. The bus part of the trip was rather hectic. HT offers vacations to locations all around the world, I don't think you'd go wrong with them. Have a great trip however you travel
May 26, 2017 07:46:59 #
Ron29
Loc: Webster, NY
I too like cruising and photography. Certainly a real tough decision. I have cruised in the Med from Venice to Monte Carlo, Sydney to Auckland, Buenos Aires to Valparaiso, Amsterdam through Iceland and Norway and two cruises to Alaska. I would still go back to Alaska as the landscapes and wildlife present many great photographic opportunities.
May 26, 2017 08:02:04 #
Just Fred wrote:
Okay, I've been bitten by the travelbug again. Th... (show quote)
Alaska is spectacular, but my experience with a cruise there was that the photography opportunities during the cruise were not all that good. I did get some good videos of calving of Hubbard Glacier, but getting a good still image of that would seem a challenge. The best still photography seemed to be when on land. I particularly enjoyed driving around the Kenai Peninsula where the scenery is spectacular.
Another place I would recommend is the Canadian Rockies. The drive from Calgary to Jasper is truly spectacular. Unfortunately, the one time I was there my camera froze up (re-loading the firmware fixed the problem but I could do that only after I returned home.
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