Fisher Pete

When you stop at saint marten take a wish list of photo gear you might want and a price list of what you would pay at home or wherever you buy It. Saint marten is tax free. I bought a canon 2 x teleconverter for considerably less than I would pay at b&h. They may not have everything and beware of off brands. Know your models etc.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You mean physical or mental? :D We all carry "baggage."

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

While in the Navy, I was lucky enough to visit the Azores. I really loved the place. At that time, the islands look like, the early 50s. There were stone fences on all the pastures. Home made of stone. Donkey carts pulled the load of firewood, being passed by a new Mercedes. Wine was cheap, the local drink was Anise. Just drink a little of that, it has opium in it. You will take lots of photos there for sure. Keep in mind, it may be a little backward to U.S. and U.K. standards.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

I kinda agree with NikonLad - - for general travel photos - I think the 400 will see little use. Even the 70-200 f/2.8 may get to be a bit of a burden after a while - however given that you want to try to get some bird shots may be of use.
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I notice that you don't have anything to cover the wide-angle possibilities - - you might want to consider leaving the 400mm and take something along the lines of a 12-24.
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Here's a problem that I don't quite know how to fix - - on the last cruise I took - - the staterooms were kept quite cold! This put a chill into the camera stuff - and when we went into the humidity of the tropical air - EVERYTHING fogged up. Fortunately - the bus ride to the location we were visiting took about 2 hours - so things equilibrated - - but this can tend to slow down your first photo-ops. Perhaps if you have an outside balcony AND a waterproof camera bag - - stuff might be better left out there (well secured of course).
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One other thing - - if you don't already have insurance coverage for your equipment - - GET some BEFORE you leave !!
There are some great suggestions here on the Hog about traveling with expensive camera equipment. One of the best I've seen is camouflaging your equipment bag to make it look like a diaper bag :-)

Have a great trip

deej

May I suggest a monopod for your trip. Have a great time.

fstop11 Loc: Huntington Beach Ca

I've been to most of those islands. I agree on Marigot we took a bus try the Moules Marinere (steamed Muscles wine & garlic). Tortola dont miss Pussers store & Bar Painkiller #III

St Lucia Many small districts all beautiful, Castries, Soufriere, Lile de Saints, Vreux Fort.

Grenada the spice lady's are a hard sell don't buy any (US customs)

We were not on a cruise ship so we relied on local guides all did a good job.

ted smith Loc: near Waupaukonnetta, Ohio

My favorite places on St Lucia are the French officers' baths and the "drive-in volcano near Soufrere, within sight of the twin ice cream cone peaks that are the country's logo. Hope the ship lets you off on the West coast but not the big harbor at the capital city.

Marinole Loc: Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

I live in Antigua and there is a lot to see. We have new birding trails at Christian Valley but that is not close to St. John's though you could easily do it, Antigua is not very big. I also do a lot of birding at McKinnon's Pond near Sandals resort. For lunch be sure to eat at Bamboola downtown. Never had a bad meal there. You will love your trip. Just got back from Grenada last month. The Grenada dove sanctuary is not far from the docks. Also the pond at the Rex resort near the airport is a super place for birding. Have a great trip!!! BTW, the Environmental Awareness Group has an office upstairs at the museum in St. John's in Antigua. They have lots of good info and free bird ID cards.

lhdiver Loc: Midwest

Don't miss the sunsets! You can get some beautiful photos but be aware that the nearer you are to the equator, the shorter the twilight. The best time is usually the first few minutes after the sun sets.
Be sure to protect your gear from salt water, it can be deadly to any electronics. Also, use a protective filter on your lenses, that will save your glass from salt damage. The islands are very beautiful & you will have a great time but don't take your hands off your gear, it might very well go missing. DO GET INSURANCE!!

Expresso12 Loc: Franklin, IN

I love St. Lucia but the sunrises and sunsets are a must not to miss and you may even see whales on your trip as we did on our first cruise

Western Caribbean sunset

rmp3636 Loc: Cape Cod

We go to St. Maarten every year and have done so for twenty years. All of the above are excellent suggestions. I agree that you may find the 400mm cumbersome. Two additional spots to consider in St. Maarten/St. Martin: The Butterfly Farm near Orient Beach and the Sunset Beach Bar next to Princess Juliana Airport. You can get VERY close to landing and departing commercial aircraft and crazy people. (Google it.) The drinks are great at SSBB as are the sunsets - watch for the green flash. I suggest you get your own cab so you can go where you want and stay as long as you want. Nothing worse than being rushed while trying for THE shot.

Anne

sounds like a great cruise. I have 31 cruises under my belt with 4 more booked. I go to a website called cruisecritic.com for info on tours, sights and great places to visit while on cruises. The sit has a user frinedly approach, look for the cruise company you will be with, then for the ship and then for the departure date of your cruise. You'll get lots of info and ideas.

rmp3636 Loc: Cape Cod

One other thing: The clothing optional section of Orient Beach in St. Martin is at the south end where there's a naturist resort. Cameras are not appreciated in that area.

Forest Squirrel Loc: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England

I have been humbled that so many members have responded to my request, I have been overwhelmed by the suggestions and advice ,all of which is very much appreciated. I have also been very impressed with the photo's, I will print off the written word and take with me,I will leave the 400 prime at home,update my insurance, include my monopod,as yet I have no wide angle lens ,perhaps I will find a bargain in St Maarten, I have checked the sunrise and sunset times. I shall include plenty of storage & battery back up in order to take masses of pictures, some I hope will be worthy of posting here,above all I will will pack my suntan cream and enjoy myself.

thanks to you all.

fstop11 Loc: Huntington Beach Ca

A tourist lens (zoom)) works well when traveling. 18-300 or 28-300. You may never have to change lenses and you are always at the ready.