SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

There are many backpacks that have a lower portion for gear and an upper portion for other items. I personally have one from Manfretto. Are you wanting a backpack or a more conventional bag?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

Wish I found that one before my Manfretto! Nice

Sharon B Loc: Orlando, FL

It may sound crazy, but diaper bags can be a good option. They’re built to be durable and have a lot of pockets/compartments. You should be able to find options for shoulder bag/crossbody or backpack style. Also, many fashionable choices that aren’t typically available in other professional-type bags. 😁

Buck1949 Loc: Phoenix

I just purchased this particular Roller bag for the exact same reason as you.....to take on cruises. It is carry-on size that could be converted to a backpack if desired. I currently have 2 Canon body’s (one with battery grip); a 100-400 lens; and 2 smaller lenses; battery chargers; an iPad; and other incidentals and room to spare. It comes with a rain cover, a tall collapsible handle and outside strap for a tripod. This can be converted to a backpack, but not why I bought it. I am 70 years old, we cruise once or twice per year, and I no longer wanted to carry a bulky backpack everywhere. The inner portion of the bag compartments are completely (re)movable and can be configured to carry other things...ie: snacks, small jacket maybe, or a smaller fold up bag to carry camera incidentals when you leave the ship etc. Enjoy your cruise/photography no matter what you choose..

(Download)

bkwaters

Take a Sony RX100 vii or RX10 iv and don't worry about the bag. I love interchangeable lenses and fancy cameras, but international travel is more fun without them. Google RX10 iv African safari images for examples.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I'm going to dodge you question and suggest a rolling bag for most items, and a smaller bag that you can stack on top of the roller bag when you need to. I use a Think Tank Airport Commuter, with enough room for 2 camera bodies with lenses, charger, SSD drives, MacBook Air & power supply, passport, lens cleaning supplies, and plenty of memory cards as well as selected toiletries, and enough medicines for up to a 5 week trip.

Note: Put any meds in the daily dosage containers then wrap them in a ZipLock baggie and secure with a rubber band. It prevents them from accidentally opening and spilling all over.

bkwaters

It does hold a lot. I attached the picture from B and H. But I, personally, am not taking my Nikon 200-500 on air travel vacation.

CaptainBobBrown

Based on a comment on a previous UHH thread about protecting gear from slash and run thieves I bought a PacSafe backpack. The PacSafe line is well designed and makes it difficult for thieves to slash and grab and even includes a twist steel cable so you can secure it to furniture while you eat or in waiting rooms while at the same time avoiding use of combination locks, etc. All zipper handles are secured with a clever design that prevents thieves from opening your bag and the zippers themselves are built to deter penetration. They are light and come in a variety of sizes. I bought one for a photo expedition to Newfoundland and for later trips to Galapagos and Amazon. I'll carry 3 Nikon bodies plus 3 lenses and accessories like batteries, backup stuff, chargers, etc. plus clothes for a week in one backpack.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

Check out F Stop Camara Bags. I have the Ajna camera bag with a large sloping ICU (Internal Camera Unit).
This 40 liter mountain bag is too large for most airlines. However, F Stop also makes the Lotus camera bag and at 32 liters it will satisfy both domestic and European requirement.The Lotus bag hold all your camera equipment with plenty of room for clothes and other things.

I have other camera bags but when hiking either overnight or a day hike the Anja bag is has proven to be the best bag that I have owned. Finally, most bags are heavy empty. F Stop bags are light empty and hold considerable gear and clothes.

wireloose

Not what you asked but my preference is to take a regular carry on roller board and a day pack that packs flat. The big all in one bag is a pain to carry during the day if you are not on a hiking tour ( where you have no choice). I’ll second the Manfrotto votes though. For a longer trip I take the roller board with the day pack and the manfrotto with my cpap and camera and laptop. As others have said that works with domestic and long haul flights, within Europe and Asia sometimes I’ll have to check the suitcase but this way I can keep the camera gear with me.

Boss

I have done a couple of river cruises. You are allowed one carry-on and one personal item that must fit under the seat. (I have always been able to put it in the overhead.) Your clothes etc. goes in the carryon. Your camera stuff goes in the personal item, which can be a backpack for instance. I do not know of any camera bag/backpack that has enough room for clothes and cameras, AND will meet the airline size limitations.

A roll-around carry-on, for my clothes, and a backpack, for my camera gear, was what I took for a one-week river cruise last year. Included was a Bonfoto B647C graphite tripod, which would fit in either the carry-on or the backpack. The tripod legs fold 180 degrees so that the tripod head is inside the legs. I took two bodies, three lenses (largest: 70-200mm 2.8 in a case), several extra batteries and a charger, a tablet, several extra memory cards, nutrition bars, a change of socks and underwear, a table top tripod, bungee cord, and a roll of small gaffer's tape.

In my opinion, the backpack, with your valuable camera gear, should not have any distinguishing features that could attract attention of anyone wishing to acquire gear like yours for free. (I do put small pieces of yellow tape on all of my luggage, for easy recognition.) Teenagers tried to snatch my camera bag on the subway platform, in Venice. I found the one I took in a thrift store. Put a towel in the bottom and you have an under-cover camera bag. Remember, the only person to have their hands on your bag other than you will be the airport security. (At home I use a regular camera bag.)

photoman43

I have some suggestions based upon my Rhine River Cruise in 2019. Get a “small” spinner carryon suitcase that meets the airline size restrictions for airlines you will be on. Use it as a shell for your camera bag, or as a shell for your camera and lenses in raps. If you have a separate laptop bag, place it on the handle of the spinner bag as you go thru airports. Pack a small backpack for day use in your checked bag and use it to carry your camera stuff on the ship, day trips, etc. My small backpack came from LL Bean. This works great as long as you are not lugging super long tele lenses. I took a Nikon D800e, 24-85mm lens and a 70-200mmf4 and a 50mm f1.8 prime using this system and a 15 in laptop.

The LLBaen bag I use is a Stowaway Day Pack, camo color, about 1300 cu inch, item number 506771.

photoman43

I have some suggestions based upon my Rhine River Cruise in 2019. Get a “small” spinner carryon suitcase that meets the airline size restrictions for airlines you will be on. Use it as a shell for your camera bag, or as a shell for your camera and lenses in raps. If you have a separate laptop bag, place it on the handle of the spinner bag as you go thru airports. Pack a small backpack for day use in your checked bag and use it to carry your camera stuff on the ship, day trips, etc. My small backpack came from LL Bean. This works great as long as you are not lugging super long tele lenses. I took a Nikon D800e, 24-85mm lens and a 70-200mmf4 and a 50mm f1.8 prime using this system and a 15 in laptop.

Scottty Loc: Portland,Oregon

We went on a river cruise last spring and I packed my gear in my carry-on. When off the boat my camera was on a Black Rapid strap with small tripod and extra lens in day pack I had packed in check-in bag. Really not much time off boat, on your own, to justify bringing too much gear. I took a 10-20, 18-140 and a 35 prime. Never used the prime and only used the wide once. Found a carry-on that could accommodate my gear worked better than a camera bag that could accommodate other things. When packed well, it worked very well. At least on this trip. Hope you find the right combo for you. Have a great trip.