Cruise to Alaska: In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my “bucket list” desires. I am going to Alaska. Although cruising is not my ideal mode of travel, I am still looking...

mlj Loc: Anderson, SC

In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my “bucket list” desires. I am going to Alaska. Although cruising is not my ideal mode of travel, I am still looking forward to it. I am debating on whether to take my Nikon and lenses or just use my iPhone. Seems to me that I will not have much opportunity to take great photos….not sure. I guess I need to be convinced to haul that extra weight around. Thoughts are appreciated!

Seabastes

[quote=mlj]In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my “bucket list” desires. I am going to Alaska. Although

Take your Nikon gear. Even on a cruise there will be ample photo ops. Cruise stops in various ports will provide opportunities, particularly if you sign up for day tours. You might see whales leaping while cruising. You don't say which lenses you have. A wide angle to medium telephoto and a longer zoom like a 70-300 would cover most needs.Two lenses of the ranges should cover your needs, don't overburden yourself.. If you have a pocket sized P&S, it is a worthwhile backup when you don't want to pack the Nikon gear. If you list the ports you will visit, I would be happy to make some suggestions. I am a retired working professional based in the Seattle area and have been to Alaska 50 times over a 60 year period starting in 1964.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

[quote=Seabastes]

mlj wrote:

In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my... (show quote)

I agree - take the gear.

mlj Loc: Anderson, SC

Thanks! Thus far I have an excursion from Juneau to see whales, etc. I have questioned myself as to if my D7000 and lenses would be worth the effort to get good photos. Most of our other ports are “local” and in the towns and villages. We do cruise through several glacier areas, but will only observe them from the ship. My ideal trip is to drive throughout the Alaska wilderness!

mlj Loc: Anderson, SC

I do have a wide angle and telephoto lens…and a few others. I will spend some time before and after the cruise in Seattle. One of our ports is Victoria. Seems that our stop there will be early to mid evening and most things are closed. Not sure about Butchart Gardens.

mikee

Victoria is quaint. The reason for the stop, though, is so the ship doesn't leave from the US and only stop in US ports. If it did, it would need to be "flagged" in the US, which has tougher regulations than say, the Bahamas.

On my Alaskan cruise, we did a photo excursion for a few hours. We saw a bear trying to eat a mountain goat baby, while being fought off by mamma goat. I didn't have my 200-500 with me. When we left, baby was still with us. Take your lenses, a small tripod, and a backpack.

Seabastes

Victoria is quaint.

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You will find plenty to do in the few hours you have in Victoria. Take the harbor walk across from the Empress Fairmont Hotel. If it is still running there is a harbor ferry that runs around the Inner Harbor that is good ride. The legislative building is lit up in the evening and is across from the Inner Harbor.China town is a few blocks from the Inner Harbor where you could do dinner or do Tea at the Empress.

I have a Seattle Tour trip that I will send you which incudes The Pike Place Market, a walk from the market down to the waterfront then catch the Bainbridge Washington State Ferry to view the waterfront.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

[quote=Seabastes]

mlj wrote:

In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my... (show quote)

I agree take the gear and a monopod. That’s what I did on my cruise to Alaska.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

mlj wrote:

In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my “bucket list” desires. I am going to Alaska. Although cruising is not my ideal mode of travel, I am still looking forward to it. I am debating on whether to take my Nikon and lenses or just use my iPhone. Seems to me that I will not have much opportunity to take great photos….not sure. I guess I need to be convinced to haul that extra weight around. Thoughts are appreciated!

Do not pass go, do not take your gear. You want to be hands free on your cruise to Alaska. If you do take a camera, take the Sony pocket HX99, shoots RAW or jpeg, has a 24-720 mm Zeiss lens, it will cover everything for you.
Has a pop up viewfinder for outdoor shooting, rear screen pops up for low level shooting, pop up flash for auto fill for outdoors or indoors. Can shoot pans four ways, can shoot HDR.
And best of all you can put it in your pocket or belt pouch. You can get beautifully sharp 20X30 prints (something you cannot get with a phone). All of this for under $400.00. What is your trip of a lifetime worth?
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Gort55 Loc: Northern Colorado

mlj wrote:

In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my “bucket list” desires. I am going to Alaska. Although cruising is not my ideal mode of travel, I am still looking forward to it. I am debating on whether to take my Nikon and lenses or just use my iPhone. Seems to me that I will not have much opportunity to take great photos….not sure. I guess I need to be convinced to haul that extra weight around. Thoughts are appreciated!

Your Nikon was made for places like Alaska. If you're into photography, you'll kick yourself for not taking a real camera up there.

ksmmike

If you're into photography at all, you will want to take your camera. I've been once and am going again in about 30 days. I'm taking a Nikon Z7II, a 24-120 F4, 70-300 F4.5-6.3 and likely a 50mm F2 lens. If you're taking photos from the ship at sea, your phone will be to far to get a decent image after you crop. You will lose too much data. Same for whale watching. I'm sure you're phone can capture memories, it won't capture images. You have to decide which you want on your trip.

Mike

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

mlj wrote:

In a few weeks, I am going to accomplish one of my “bucket list” desires. I am going to Alaska. Although cruising is not my ideal mode of travel, I am still looking forward to it. I am debating on whether to take my Nikon and lenses or just use my iPhone. Seems to me that I will not have much opportunity to take great photos….not sure. I guess I need to be convinced to haul that extra weight around. Thoughts are appreciated!

What is even the point of owning the Nikon if you don’t take it on your ‘bucket list’ trip to Alaska. I am a cruise ship whale watching guide in Juneau. I can’t count the times guests have lamented leaving their ‘good’ camera at home or on the ship while whales, sea lions and Orcas swim around our boat and eagles fly overhead. Take the best you’ve got.

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Take your Nikon gear. I did on that very cruise and never regretted it.

jack

Gordon_CO Loc: Colorful Colorado

Any "bucket list" adventure requires that you take your camera. Go lite. On a recent trip to Alaska I used a 24-70 lens for 95% of my shots. I did use a 100-400 for some wildlife shots, but that's it. I didn't bother with a tripod or monopod. Have fun, Alaska is fantastic.

RolandDieter

Take it. You can carry what you need each day for given excursion and leave the rest on board. You won't need to take everything each day, but you will always have what you need.