Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Hello,
I know we are in the midst of another Covid surge, but I'm hoping 2022 is a better year nonetheless. I've not gone on vacation in a few years and the kids are interested in going on an Alaskan cruise - fingers crossed that nothing gets shut down. Most likely, I will be looking for a summer (June-August) cruise roundtrip from Seattle (never been there either), inner passage, about 7 days length, the more ports the better, glacier viewing, wildlife, etc. I'll be traveling with my kids (HS, college) and 2 of them like photography as well.

I am interested in taking photos (landscape and wildlife - since we don't really see bear or moose or whales in Chicago) as well as making a few videos of the trip (the ports/towns, the cruise ship, food, wildlife, nature, etc).

I plan to bring 2 Nikon Z6 and only 2 lenses. I want to travel "light". Unlikely to bring a tripod, maybe a small/tabletop one if really needed - more for shooting video with a telephoto lens.
I have these lenses that I would consider bringing - 16-35 f4G, 24-120 f4G, or 70-200 f2.8G plus 1.4x TC OR 2x TC (not both TC)
I'm considering purchasing the Z 24-70 f2.8 S vs the Z 28-75 f2.8 (mostly for the 2.8 to use in low light photos/video) - if I get one, then I won't be bringing the 24-120
Also would consider getting the 500 f5.6 PF - if so, then I wouldn't bring the 70-200 plus teleconverter.

My questions:
1) any recommendations regarding cruise lines - looking at Princess, Norwegian. Open to suggestions
2) regarding wildlife - can you see wildlife from the ship or need to go on an excursion? What lens would you recommend using?
3) any other recommendations - weather/rain gear?

Thanks in advance and have a happy & healthy new year
Stephen

ELNikkor

The 24-120 will take most of your photos. When I took that trip, I seldom went wider that 35mm, and never longer that 200. Just bring the 70-200 for the longer shots. No need to by more equipment. F4 on the 24-120 is not too slow. If you are bent on getting another lens, the 28-75 is much lighter that the 24-120, and there will be less overlap with the 70-200.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Definitely look at Lindblad/National Geographic tours. They take smaller ships and get to go to places the large cruise lines cannot. You get on Zodiacs as opposed to watching a Zodiac take TV shots. They also have tours that are designated "photographic." We went on one in 2008 and we are going on another this August.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

I totally agree with Mike. Take a smaller ship and actually get close to the wildlife for your photos. Plus many of the smaller ships have kayaks you can use with a guide.
Like this one: https://www.lindbladalaska.com/cruises/exploring-alaskas-coastal-wilderness/

IDguy Loc: Idaho

You can see some wildlife from the ship but not worth photography. You need to take excursions for that. At least one for whalewatching.

And the bus in Denali.

george19

Similar trip in 2006 around the Queen Charlotte Islands on a 60’ sailboat. Daily shore excursions that usually involved a walk through the woods.

My go-to ashore (again, close quarters) on my D100 was the 24-85D, and rarely used the 70-300D.

As long as you’re committed to two bodies, I’d get the 24-70, and bring the 70-200 with TC. The 70-200 will be more useful in open areas, especially for large wildlife and birds.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

If anyone in your family is prone to seasickness, too small a boat on the ocean may not be their best friend.

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

I only take my pocket Sony HX-99 with me. Fits in my pocket so my hands are free to hold my wife's hand.
If you take too much you will not enjoy your visit, trust me on this.
Besides, my Zeiss lens, a 24-750 can cover everything I want, has a built in flash for indoor and auto outdoor fill.
I have a belt pouch for it.
If you take too much you will not enjoy the trip, especially if your going in any kind of group.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

We've done 4 Alaska cruises, all on Princess. Inside Passage out of Seattle twice and what Princess calls the Voyage of the Glaciers twice, once from Anchorage to Vancouver, and once from Vancouver to Anchorage.

I agree with taking 2 bodies, I take my 24-105 f/4, the newer Nikon 70-300 AF P lens. I think you'll miss the range from 70-120 if you take a 24-70. I did bring a flash, and a 35 f/1.4 for low light but almost never used the 35.

Our best whale watching excursions were in Juneau, in Skagway we preferred taking the White Pass and Yukon and Suspension Bridge trip, and in Ketchikan we did the Bear Watching trip .

Hope you have a wonderful trip !!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Yes. Smaller ships are the way to go. We went on a Silver Seas 14-day Expedition cruise to Alaska pre-Covid.I believe there were less than 400 people. Very nice everything was spot on. We will never go on those larger ships again.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Trip Insurance!!!

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I went on an Alaskan cruise. I brought a monopod (which a person at B+H recommended) Which I used a lot. We had a balcony. Also bring the longest lens you have ie 400mm is not to long. Bring rain and cleaning supplies.

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

Seems many have covered the lens thing well. From my experience recommend having a long lens for whale watching but lugging that lens around is no fun. I took a Tamron 150-600 last trip along with 24-70 2.8. I wouldn’t take a tripod if on ship or small whale watching boat. As for cruise lines, small ships are nice however the real small ones will cost you a fortune. With the ones you listed, Princess for sure. Princess and Holland are known to be leaders in Alaska

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Looks nice bit EXPENSIVE!

JamesinSimi

I have taken 5 Alaska cruises with Holland America. They are known as the "Geriatric" cruise line. Way laid back and few young people. So, they are great if that's your style. My main recommendation would be to travel in the late August, early to mid-September time frame because the "state bird" is the Mosquito. They are everywhere, hungry just waiting for you. I have seen literally, clouds of them in several locations. Not on the ship, just on land. Enjoy your travels, you will want to go again.