jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

First question--(qualified by I've only been on one cruise years ago and didn't take pictures then)--I would imagine you would want to shoot in and around the ship you're traveling on, many landscapes as you come into port, street and building shots around the marvelous cities you'll be visiting and probably some people. My first though is to travel as light as possible--for me the more equipment you take the more limited you are. I would suggest just the d7200 with the 18-300 and the 12-24. I would only consider the 35mm if it's considerably faster than either of the other lenses.

As for Africa I have to speculate--it's a really big continent. Assuming you will be on safari the 18-300 is the best you have for that as you will need both extremes to capture all the great shots you will come across. The same is true if you are going to be north of the Sahara although you will need the 12-24 as well there for inside mosques and other buildings and you'll definitely need a fast lens. On either safari or north Africa you will have very little to no chance to safely change lenses except maybe on board the ship or in your tent. I've had to remove spots from every picture in PP once because I changed lenses under iffy conditions--it seemed like a good idea at the time--so pick your lenses carefully. Again, lighter is better unless you have very specific photography needs.

Finally, the d500 is a wonderful GAS attack and is certainly a general upgrade to the d7200 but unless you have really identified some reason why you need its additional attributes I'd say you don't need it. Also, the d500 is larger and heavier than the d7200 which is something I and others have mentioned concerning traveling light. If you must upgrade a longer lens for safari could be useful but be sure of how you will be shooting and how you can steady a longer lens and what other equipment you may be able to bring (tri/mono-pod) to make it work effectively.

Sounds like a great year for travel--enjoy!

bicyclerepairman Loc: North Central Texas

I agree. You already know what to take...come on...

Angmo

18-300. Enjoy the trip

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Are you shooting sports or wildlife on your cruise (a reason for a D500)? The D7200 is fine.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Best possible walk-around lens. Longer lenses great for wildlife and sports but not as useful for street and landscape photography. And the last thing you want to do is be changing lenses. Also, wrap the camera strap around your wrist and carry it in your hand. It is too easy for a pickpocket to cut the strap and run off with your camera if you have it hanging from a strap around your neck.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Sounds like fun! I enjoy similar equipment and there is no question what I take when on the road. XT2 with the 18-55 and the X100F. To be honest the X100F gets the majority of the work. It is so small and good that the small XT2 often stays in the bag or usually, the room. I wouldn’t dream of taking my FF Nikon and “Holy Trinity” on a pleasure trip! The quality combo of Fuji glass and latest processor are magnificent. I shoot raw and jpeg, but with the Fuji gear the jpegs are smashing and require very little PP work if any. All this makes for a breezy holiday experience... Enjoy yourself!

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Sounds like fun! I enjoy similar equipment and there is no question what I take when on the road. XT2 with the 18-55 and the X100F. To be honest the X100F gets the majority of the work. It is so small and good that the small XT2 often stays in the bag or usually, the room. I wouldn’t dream of taking my FF Nikon and “Holy Trinity” on a pleasure trip! The quality combo of Fuji glass and latest processor are magnificent. I shoot raw and jpeg, but with the Fuji gear the jpegs are smashing and require very little PP work if any. All this makes for a breezy holiday experience... Enjoy yourself!

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Great, more words of wisdom from the Canon T7i/Greentoe fanboy. One answer for all inquiries in his mind!

KEN SPECKLER Loc: Bethesda,MD

I thank all for the honest suggestions and good advice. You've diminished a lot of my confusion..........
As for "Architect"....I'll reserve comment

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

Thank you! Have fun on your trip.

illininitt

NEITHER! Get a Canon T7I from Greentow.com and be set for life! Match it with a Sigma 18-250/Canon 10-18 and be the talk of the neighborhood!

GEG Loc: Pennsylvania

Take the Fuji gear- the T2 and/or the 100F with two lens. Great quality, light weight!

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

I also have a D7200 with an 18-300 Nikon and a 12-28 Tokina. I use the 18-300 for 90% of my travel photos with great success (see my posts). I would also take the 35mm f1.8 for the few indoor shots you'll take. Outdoors on safari, the 18-300 will perform beautifully at f8 1/500. Have fun and post some shots.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Choose the camera and lens which you are most comfortable with. Travel light with a walk around lens (one lens only) that you can use on shore and on the boat. Enjoy your cruise.

As for Africa take a camera with your longest lens to bring the animals closer to you. The 18 - 300 is a great lens. You don't want to keep changing your lenses. Enjoy your time with the animals.

cdayton

Boy, some snarky (envious) replies. For the Viking Cruise (we’ve done 2), I would take the Nikon with the 18-300 and 100f as backup.