JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Hi Keith. We did the river cruise in Europe just before COVID hit us. I used my Olympus system, but I’ll convert to standard full frame equivalent focal lengths. I kept a 24 mm to 300 mm lens on the camera almost all the time we were on the river boat. The longer reach was really helpful to get, for example, castles, or vineyards up the hillside a bit away from the river. Or even extreme close ups along the river bank. However, in the towns, I put on a 24 mm to 85 mm or so, because it was an f/2.8 lens and gave me more flexibility in handling light at various times of the day, since I could not pick and choose my times. The first lens would probably have worked “in town” nearly as well. But I do agree with another comment that you probably need more reach than what you currently have, unless you have enough resolution to crop later, at home, in post processing. Hope this helps. JimR

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

Your 18 to 140mm lens is the equivalent to a 27 to 210mm on the D5600 and should perfect for your cruise. Enjoy your trip.

allan catt Loc: gillingham,kent,uk

Done a few river cruises on the Rhine in Germany,made do with a good point and shoot.i have a Lumix with 30+ zoom.also a bridge camera.your never for from shore so don’t load yourself down with equipment .have a good time.

photoman43

On my Danube and Rhine river cruises, I had FX lenses for my FX body: 24-85mm; 70-200mm f4 and a prime, either a 35mm or a 50mm. I was often at 200mm and needed more reach. Do the math. Check out how wide the rivers are. The boat will likely be in the middle.

Ichiban365

I have the D5600 and 18-140, but I think I would second the suggestion of a 70-300 AF-P DX VR. But get a used one from MPB.com, rather than grey market. I have not been on one of these river cruises, but it is on my bucket list. I think I would take a Nikon Coolpix P510 or P520 as a bridge camera, given that I have both. They zoom out to 1000mm, although the quality is what one would expect at that zoom level. But as far as documenting the trip, a bridge camera would be a good addition. P510s and P520s go for $100-200 on eBay and Craigslist.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I had the HX9V, which I think was the predecessor to the HX99. It was the first P&S that would shoot 1920x1080p60 HD video. The HX99 will shoot 4K video! I loaned it to my son for a sailing adventure. A little salt spray killed it. It was a terrific camera and I miss it.

I am a small camera traveler. There are so many advantages to small! I always get a selfish laugh when I watch the big gear tourists trying to figure out what to do with their DSLR, three lenses, tripod and miscellaneous stuff in places like the small street cafes. They can't leave any of it behind because the room safes aren't big enough!

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

Have good warm sweaters as it can be cold and wet in the spring.

RolandDieter

Of what you now have, the camera and only the 18-140 is all you need. The 35mm will be unnecessary. For shore excursions you may want to add a wider lens as the cities and towns have narrow streets where a wider angle will definitely help. Many advised the Sony RX10iv, which is a great camera but, in my experience, its 24mm at the wide end isn't quite wide enough (I have started to leave my RX10iv at home). A good used RX10ii, with a constant f/2.8 could be a good addition if you don't want wider than 24mm equivalent, but I'd get something physically smaller because you will learn quickly that less total bulk means a lot on the excursions . Also, I have found that changing lenses while trying to keep up with your excursion group is very difficult and a good way to make enemies with you cruise-mates. Triple KISS rule: Keep the effort needed, the bulk and the weight simple.

gretske Loc: Lke Murray SC

I've taken my D5600 on 3 Viking River cruises, with the 18-55 lens and the images I got were magnificent. I also took a 50mm f1.8 lens. You could do without it, but there were interior scenes and night cruises that I found it useful. I used an Amazon sling bag, but would not recommend it. First, it is a bit larger than you really need. The camera and lens are easy to carry and the bag is not really necessary. You can get an insert for a backpack that will work well, and the backpack is something I use a lot.

Have a great time! We are going again in June, 2022.

COL (Ret) Gene R
South Carolina

keith k

Thanks Gene

bobforman Loc: Anacortes, Washington State

Keith, I don't think there were enough times that I could have used a longer lens that would justify the extra baggage.

Bill.Doub

Agree! You will see some castles and other features a bit distant from your ship on the river so more reach will be useful.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I tend to agree - we did the Rhine cruise 2 years ago. I don't have the Tamron 18-400: I have the Tamron 18-270, and it was adequate. A little more reach would have been handy for the castles, but I did fine. I did also take my 50mm f/1.4 for night/low light situations. I didn't take any other lenses, no tripod. In fact, I recommend against the tripod because it will just get in the way and spoil your and others fun.

Bill.Doub

Nice shot, especially those vineyards where you can hardly stand.

RolandDieter

KISS is an old acronym for Keep It Simple, Stupid. For cruises, or any group travel, I think there are three important photography KISSES: 1)easy/convenient to use, 2)light weight, 3)little bulk. Your 18-140 will undoubtedly be your go-to lens because it's a good range and you already have it. The 35mm prime will be redundant and of far more limited use: leave it at home. But, in cities and towns, most of which will have narrow streets, that 18-140 (27-210 equivalent) will not always be wide enough. Shop on ebay or somewhere for a good used wider-lensed lightweight, smaller-sized point&shoot, equivalent to 24 or preferably 18 at the wide end. Panasonic and others make some that are f/2 and f/1.7 wide wider lenses that go up to 72 or 90mm. My KISS #1, "easy/convenient to use," means you don't want to change lenses. Most shore excursion groups move fast ... you have to keep up, so changing lenses back and forth often ends up as missing the shot, not to mention it will P-O many of your cruise-mates. A good but less small point&shoot might be a Sony RX10 or RX10ii (24-200mm equivalent); both are a constant f/2.8 all the way. Keep in mind: the lower the f/ number the better for night shots. Have a wonderful cruise. I've been on several of them, and they are more than worth it.