Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

It's interesting how life can change in a heartbeat. My wife has wanted to go on a cruise for some time, now, and she has sweetened the deal. It seems a new camera will go along with us on the cruise. So here is my question to all you seasoned cruise experts. We're looking at a cruise from LA, down the Baja Peninsula, on a 7 day cruise. What is a good time of the year to go on a cruise like that, and what would be the best camera to take. I prefer a compact camera so as not to have to lug any of my current gear around. I'd like to keep it simple and unobtrusive, as well as not inviting thieves who might think they need my camera more than I do. I'd appreciate some good suggestions. Oh, and I don't want to take a DSLR or even my A6300. A decent zoom is necessary, as well. Thanx.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

A friend took that Cruise last Spring, or similar. It was called the Mexican Riviera Cruise. He took along his girlfriend. He says there were photographers on the ship that would take photographs for a fee. His girlfriend used her iPhone, took lots of photos and sent them to her family. Actually, I would take the compact Sony mirrorless, a6300. But, you would have to take probably two lenses if you want a low to higher focal range. Your only alternative, I guess, is to purchase a pocket camera. Preferably a Sony or Panasonic. Sony has JPEG only pocket cameras, with a fixed Zeiss lens, that are inexpensive. Or you can get a Sony pocket camera that shoots JPEG/RAW, with a one inch sensor, and a viewfinder. They take really sharp photos. As good as some DSLRs. Good luck.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Why not take your Canon G16.
(I own a G11)

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I was thinking of something with more zoom range. Besides, I got the go ahead for a new camera. How could I turn that one down?

PCB_smv

I would get the Sony rx 100 vi. Great camera and good distance. I have the rx100 v and love it. The vi version has a better distance lens.

daldds Loc: NYC

Haven't been on that cruise, but have been on others, and always needed a telephoto for wildlife.
I use Oly micro 4/3s with pro lenses for workshops and serious stuff, but had a Sony RX100iii which did not survive the last drop. Recently I upgraded to a RX100vi.
Attached are 5 photos taken from my roof here in NYC. The broad view (top photo) is slightly wide angle. Note the white dot in the center. That's the subject in the next four, which were taken at full telephoto by the Sony (next two @ 200mm) & Oly (bottom two @ 150mm) and cropped to approximately the same size.
The Sony's 200mm field is wider than the Oly's 150mm, but the physics are not for this contribution.
Depending on what you want to do with the cruise photos, you might find the Sony more that adequate. It's got quite a menu.

knessr

We've taken over 20 cruises including the Mexican Riviera a couple of times. In fact we are doing the Mexican Getaway from LA to Cabo in March.

I use a Canon EOS M3 mirrorless with two lenses. It gives me a range of 24mm to 200mm and only weighs 1 1/2 pounds with the camera attached to the larger lens. I used it for the Alaska and Australia/ New Zealand cruisetours and it takes as good as images as my DSLR for the purpose I use them for.

I don't think you can go wrong with a mirrorless is you are looking at size and quality of images.

Ob1 Loc: Utah

I’m heading to Hawaii this spring. I’m taking my Sony 6500 with a 18-105 and a GoPro. That’s what I’ll use, have fun shopping.

timcc Loc: Virginia

If you can talk her into getting new lenses instead, I'd vote for taking your a6300 with a nice Zeiss lens or two. I love my 16-70 for sharp wide angle and mid-range (my walk-around lens that's perfect for land excursions), and you'll want a good telephoto for whale shots. The a6xxx series are great for travel (I've been very happy with my a6000 on a half dozen cruises).

Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio

Last November, I went on a Viking River Cruise on the Danube. I left my heavy and expensive Nikon Cameras and lenses behind and took the Sony RX10 1V, which I bought specifically for this cruise. It performed beautifully at all zoom lengths from 24 to 600mm. I recommend this cameral highly, especially for trips that involve much walking and lots of picture taking. One word of caution: Steep learning curve!
I found Gary Friedman's book on this camera, indispensable!
Good luck and happy cruising.
Rashid

markwilliam1

I totally agree on the Sony RX10 Mark IV. Incredible and you just might sell your other equipment. This camera is that Good! Sorry wrong quote!

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

on my last cruise I took my Nikon d7200 with the 18-300 lens instead of my point and shoot Nikon camera...i am so glad i did...the pictures turned out great...we will get the photo book from Shutterfly this week...Why have the good equipment if you leave it at home...

Before the cruise i bought a strap that had metal wires in it to prevent cutting by a thief...Just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine...

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I just came back from that cruise leaving from San Pedro. Been on it once before as well. Don’t go in the summer ... way too hot in port. Winter/spring is good. Bring layers of clothes, as it can be cold then at sea.
First time I brought my X-T2 with multiple lenses. This time just brought my X100F fixed length (35mm equiv.). That’s all I needed.
Here’s a shot I took in Mazatlan. Diver looked too far away, so I just cropped it.
Also took great sunset shots with my iPhone sitting next to the window at dinner.
Just keep it simple and enjoy yourself.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

My wife and I have taken many cruises including Mexican Riviera cruises. The highlight of those cruises is Cabo San lucas. The best time of the year for that cruise is in the spring (April or May) or early fall. Summer is too hot and in late fall you run the risk of serious weather issues including hurricanes. One time we took the cruise for Christmas and the weather was great. I presume you have never been to the ports of call you will visit, so because time will be limited I suggest that you take one of the tours offered by your cruise line at each. If you go again in the future, you will have a better idea of what you want to see and do allowing you to go on your own.

Since I have always taken a DSLR and do not keep up on compact cameras, I will leave camera selection suggestions to others. Below are a few pictures from Cabo.

View across bay on the Sea of Cortez. Cabo is to the right and Land's End is to the left.

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A classic view of Land's End. In front of the natural bridge is the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) and behind is the Pacific Ocean.

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Some of the small islands at Land's End

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Swimming beach at Land's End (Sea of Cortez in foreground/Pacific Ocean in background)

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This is what greeted us in Cabo's harbor.

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Entering Cabo's harbor on one of the ship's tenders. Since the harbor will not accommodate large ships, your cruise ship will anchor off shore and you will be "tendered in and out" of the harbor.

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Tour of a glass factory in Cabo.

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Cacti Mondo is another stop on the tour. It is an impressive well kept garden with hundreds of varieties of cactus.

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Tendering back to the cruise ship

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Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

While I'd love to get the RX10IV, it's way beyond my budget, unfortunately. I have been looking at the RX100VI, though. It's also pricey, but is it worth it? I balance that idea with the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or 200. Unfortunately, there seems to be quite a number of instances of failures with the ZS series. If I knew the small sensor of the ZS70 produced very good images, that could be a contender, given the long zoom range of the lens. The upside of the RX100VI is that it has Sony's Clear Image Zoom feature, which effectively doubles the zoom range with almost no loss of IQ. I believe the Lumix has an equivalent of that, too.

My other thought could be to pick up the Sony 18-135 or 18-200 lens and take my A6300, but my initial thought was to keep things simple and take a camera that I can just carry in my pocket. We have time, and will likely go later in the year, so there's no rush. If I get a camera now, though, I'll have all spring and summer to learn it. I appreciate all the replies.