jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The Z would be my choice, but I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable with a lens that big and heavy. The 16-80 might be good, especially on the ship and walking around the islands, since you'll be close to your subject. I tend to use the 28-300 most of the time, but probably not on a cruise. A pocketable compact zoom would be nice. Putting that camera and lens on the dining table would be awkward. I've taken lots of pictures in the dining rooms with a small camera.

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

If you want the opinion from a professional photographer that travels a lot, then, take none of it, it will not cover what you will be seeing.
TRAVEL RIGHT, TRAVEL LITE.
My strong recommendation, buy a Sony hx99, it shoots RAW, has a built in Zeiss 24-750 mm lens, that's right, 24-750 mm, I can get beautiful 30X40 prints from it. Built in flash, this flash takes automatic outdoor fill flash, and for outdoors, it has a pop up viewfinder, the rear screen pops up for LOW LEVEL shooting, shoots panoramic vertical or horizontal.
The best part is that this camera can fit into your pocket or fits nicely into a belt pouch so you are hands free to enjoy the majority of your vacation.
Again, you are taking way to much and it is too heavy. You should enjoy your cruise, like I do.

Red6

I agree 100%. After switching to my Sony RX100 III, I started enjoying my cruise and time with my wife much more and I am still getting great shots. Not having to lug all that gear around and constantly worry about its safety and security is a huge relief. Like you, I just carry my Sony in a jacket pocket or small shoulder bag with my sunglasses and phone.

Since most of my photography is of a travel nature I have considered selling most of my other equipment and using just these small compact cameras along with my iphone. I think I will take a look at the Sony HX-99. But there are some other great compact travel cameras by Panasonic and Canon.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

I like the Z6ii idea with 24-70. If you have a small bridge camera I would take that as well for a backup. Now for caution: If you haven’t been to these countries be very careful with that camera or it will be gone. Hold it tight to the vest and you may invest in a secure strap. I have one with a steel cable in it making it harder to just slice off and run. Enjoy your trip.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Lack of reach can be overcome with a quality sensor and some judicious cropping.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

waynetgreen Loc: Florida

Last time I was in Italy I opted for a full game D750 with the 24-120. Great outfit but heavy when you're walking a lot. This year I've decided on my DX with a 16-85. My biggest prints were 11x14 so DX is just fine.

RolandDieter

I found that I needed at least 24mm at the wide end. For the long end it depends on where you will be, and you didn't mention that. The major issue will be weight, and bulk will be a close second consideration. If this is your first cruise you will learn that quickly. And, the advice you got from bsprague is much more important than you may realize if you haven't done this before. I base what I take around the lenses I want, not the camera bodies, and I have done enough of these river and ocean cruises that I know what to expect. With less bulky equipment you can leave a couple lenses in the room safe. I typically take three to five lenses and two bodies. On the excursions I leave some lenses in the safe and keep one on each body to avoid having to change lenses. Smaller, lightweight equipment allows this. However, if you are wedded to full frame ... but you may change your mind about that after your first cruise.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Consider what you will photograph, first. If most of your scenes will be on the ship, the 24-70 on the Z6 II is the likely winner. If you are photographing things in the distance, one of the long zooms on the D7500 would be helpful.

In any case, it is a cruise. As a gentle reminder, if your significant other is along for the ride, you should probably plan to remain "present," as in, "in the moment," unless the purpose of the cruise for both of you is photography. I've been reminded of this several times, by my wife! Sometimes experience is more important than future memories.

It's expensive, but the Lumix LX 100-II is a Micro 4/3 camera with a Leica f/1.7–2.8 24–75mm zoom that is great in low light and records great video and stills. The lens is not very long, but is very high quality. The camera is compact, light, and looks cool, too.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

My wife and I have done a handful of Danube/Rhine Viking cruises and Moscow to St Petersburg. For the first, I brought a Canon PS SX50 for long river bank shots and a 60D with 18-200 lens (for walk around). On the next after seeing what served me best, I still brought the SX50 and 60D but with a 24-105 f/4L. Worked fine and only carried the 60D combination on shore excursions. Then, the next move was dropping the DSLR altogether and bringing a Canon PS G16 and SX60. I’ve since moved to a Canon G1x iii, which has an APS-C sensor and 24-70mm equiv lens. For longer shots, a Canon G3x. The 24-600 G3x doesn’t get much use. The only other travel combination I might consider, staying with Canon, might be a G5x ii because it has a brighter lens, a bit longer lens at 24-120mm equiv and is easily pocketable. On a trip to Japan in 2018, I took a chance and only took the G16 since the trip was mainly land based. I got every shot I wanted. The moral of the story? You don’t need 5 lbs of camera to get satisfactory results. After all, it is a vacation. Don’t let the beast you carry dictate the level of enjoyment.

photoman43

Ditto this response. A 24-70mm f2.8 if to heavy and to visible for a cruise vacation. My travel zoom for my FX DSLR is the Nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5. If I owned a Z body I would use the 24-120 f4 on it.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

My experience with Nikon is truly limited. I prefer Canon. I am very fond of my short walkaround lens which is a 24 -105mm. You could manage with a 28-135mm as well. It is a lightweight lens that has great versatility. Make sure you have a Haze and Ultraviolet filters. A long zoom is for capturing that little bird in the tree so far away. A fish eye wide angle is more likely to distort many images. I prefer the KIS principle which means KEEP IT SIMPLE.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Agree! My wife took her new Z50 with both kit lenses and just used the 16-50. I was her coach. I took my Sony RX100Vii and my IPhone 12 Pro Max. I am convinced, for my needs that is how we will travel in the future and leave the heavy “artillery” at home.