Freight Train

Taking an Alaskan cruise and am wondering if taking a light weight tripod would be worth the effort. Several tours are included. Any experience would be appreciated.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Been on two cruises.
No tripod and did not miss it.
Welcome to the forum!!
Looking at your name, do you have any train images? Steam?
Pat

MtnMan Loc: ID

A tripod is easy to take if cruise only. I found it useful for selfies with wife on our balcony.

Not useful on cruise excursions. Crowd, situations (bus or boat) and time (you need to keep up) make it unusable.

Hint: if you want a great whale excursion in Juneau book directly with Harv and Marv. Small boats, knowledable guides, and excellent service. They'll meet you at and return you to your ship.

You might check this thread also:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-375944-1.html

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

I ALWAYS travel with a tripod, even when touring with a group. I keep it extended and simply fold the legs. I try not to get behind, and find that tour groups often stop for an explanation, which provides an opportunity to set up and take a shot.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

How heavy camera and lens?

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

If you were asking me...

Sony A57 body weighs 618 g (1.36 lb)
Sony 18-250 mm zoom 440 g (0.97 lb)
MeFOTO Road Trip tripod 1633 g (3.6 lb) (rated for 17.6 lb load)

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I wouldn't bother it will just get in the way especially when disembarking, on coach tours and when using tenders etc.
When on board the ship will be moving so a tripod will be useless, when zooming I brace myself against part of the structure such as a light pole etc.

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

Did the cruise. Leave it at home, it will only get in the way. ENJOY, and, keep on shooting until the end.

skybones Loc: Texas

Could be cumbersome on excursion, but wished I'd taken at least a monopod to help steady during Alaskan cruise. Ship movement and wind made it hard to get shots from our veranda. Maybe monopod could help? Anyway, take lot's of pics,....you will love Alaska!

LuckyshotCT

I brought a monopod. It was helpful to gain image clarity for images of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

I 've done the cruise without a tripod. Didn't need it. Once you set it up, it becomes cumbersome when a bear is chasing you. Your zoom lens is your friend in Alaska-as long as you can comfortably carry it. Your 18-250 should be great. Have a wonderful time and post some images.(just kidding about the bears)

Nisolow

I brought a lightweight Tripod for use on the boat from our rooms balcony. It really helped with photos of glaciers and landscapes from the boat. It was not useful for excursions.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

If you want to make twilight shots you might consider it. I never go anywhere without a tripod. A MeFoto works well.

Lazy J Loc: Pacific Northwest

I will concede that if you know what you are doing, you can compensate for not having a tripod. However, I can count on one finger the number of times I did not take my tripod and didn't come across a situation where I wished I had it.

Whenever I take a trip that involves taking a plane I travel with a flexible Joby Gorillapod (link below) that easily straps to the bottom of my camera backpack. Hardly know it is there and easily stows in the plane overhead storage.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680973-REG

I also tend to disagree that a tripod would be no use on the ship. This is not a boat, it is a huge ship! I too would avoid using it at full throttle or during reverse shudder, but when docked or sitting still along a glacier, it is invaluable. I got some nice chunks of glacier falling into the water that I likely would not have gotten without my tripod wrapped around the rail. Also works nicely on your balcony rail, both in and out of port.

In summary, you can certainly get some keepers without a tripod, but can you live with not getting those few pics that would have been much better on a tripod. Personal choice. I cannot.

My two cents worth, keep the change!

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Went on an Alaska Cruise......took a monopod,worked well and didn't take up the space that a tripod would.