I was wondering what kind of camera would be best to bring on a cruise? I have both a digital, 35mm, and a video camcorder. I am leaving on my cruise in four months. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

We just got back from a Carribean cruise on Carnival Conquest. I took my Sony digital camera, which I paid $499 for three years ago, and between the salt water and humidity....it is now ruined and will never work again. :-(

I recommend only disposable cameras....the pictures are quite as good...and maybe you can enhance them, if need be....but any camera of any value is not a good idea at sea!

One tidbit of advice....which I wish I had had before it was too late....on an excursion we went on...there was a couple there with a protective water-proof case for their digital camera. They told me they got it at www.scuba.com.....I wish I would have known that. Get a protective covering for your camera...and you should have no problems at all. If you choose not to...take disposables!!!

Wish I had known sooner!

Christy

We've taken our digital on several cruises and never had any problems. I also take the 35mm for excursions on catamarans, sailboats, or beaches. The disposable ones are good, especially the underwater ones, if you're into snorkeling or diving. I use the digital only when I'm not going to have to leave it somewhere, like on a land tour. Not that it was that expensive, it's a Kodak 3.6 mega pixel. But honestly, I've never had any damage from the salt air and heat. Best wishes!

I like my old digital camera. I find it too much work to bring the camcorder. If my kids were younger I would go with the camcorder, always a blast to watch years later. I like to blow up my better digital photos and frame them. I understand you can do that from a camcorder too, but don't ask me how.

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...Sony digital camera, which I paid $499 for three years ago, and between the salt water and humidity....it is now ruined and will never work again. :-(

I purchased my Canon Sureshot digital a couple of years ago to take on an African safari and it has since been to Europe, the UK, India, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and on several cruises. It has never given a problem and has worked beautifully. Ditto with a Sony DVD camera purchased at the same time. Christy, can't imagine what could have happened to yours. Have you tried contacting Sony to send it in for inspection/repair/replacement?

After watching a woman on our last cruise to Hawaii draped in cameras and spending more time focusing and not on enjoying the beauty of the islands, we have decided that we will not be slaves to the lens.... we have bought two disposable underwater cameras for our snorkeling adventures (one for each of us), which can also be used out of the water.... and one disposable land camera. Four years ago on a cruise to Mexico, we brought our not really that old 35mm, and couldn't get replacement batteries on board - funny how they had batteries for every new camera in existence, but nothing in a AA... we ended up buying them in a farmacia in Loreto...

Yeah, that's why I don't bring more than one, no more camcorder, no one ever wants to watch someone elses cruise movies anyway, ( I don't even watch my own!). Like I said, if you have young kids, the movies are great fun to watch years later but otherwise I'd go for a smaller easy to manage camera. I have an old Sony Mavica digital camera, a tad bulky, but it won't die. Cristy, surprised your Sony did that, I want mine to break, so I can justify buying a new one. Guess everyone's got thier own problems

Definitely, the lighter you pack the better. So leave the camcorder at home unless you absolutely want to capture some precious memories.

We too realized that sometimes, we tend to focus more on the camera or camcorder and that takes away from the enjoyment of the moment.

The only camera I'd check with my luggage is one that you don't care about because you'll probably never see it again.

I've been on 9 cruises with my Kodak 5 meg digital camera and never had a problem. I don't bother taking my camcorder since I bought my Kodak. I'm always looking at my digital photos, which I have on a photo website. Haven't looked at my videos for years. I paid almost $600 for my Kodak two years ago. Now it would cost about $250. I'd go with a digital camera if I were you. No less than a 4 meg.

Sonny said:

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I'm always looking at my digital photos, which I have on a photo website.

Sonny:
Do you know of any websites where one can see photos taken by others and yourself on a cruise? That sounds like something I would be interested in. I already have been on two cruises, so far (one more scheduled for November). I have taken more than 300+ photos on each cruise (digital, of course). So, I have ample matierial to work with. Thank you for your previous replies and any future ones.

By the way, for a new digital camera for me, I am considering the Panasonic Lumix FX-01. It has a wide angle lens (28mm to 100mm equivalent). That should come in handy in getting all the details onboard a ship when you can not always back-up far enough.

You're welcome to visit my site.CLICK HERE

Hi Frase,
To each his own I always say. I am a hobbyist. I carry a 35mm film camera, a 5 meg digital, and a Camcorder. It does not take me any time to switch between any of them. This does not include my underwater stuff. Yes I look like a Japanese tourist but I enjoy my photos.

For most other people I would recommend a digital camera 5meg or greater. Most importantly get one that will allow you to take videos and still photos. This way you can take a quick video if you find something that you really think you have to have. Nikon makes several great ones. Yes, I agree with the first person who replied. Always carry protection. I have been around water for my whole life. Water can find many different ways to get into your camera so yes either take a underwater disposable everywhere you go that is near water or get an underwater housing and keep your camera in it. It is always an accident and most service contracts do not cover saltwater exposers My wife carries an underwater Minolta and it has leaked twice. An underwater housing is the best, plastic bags are OK but you have to make sure the top closes well without any sand or salt getting into the seal. Disposable underwater cameras are cheap, reliable, and take great pictures for most people. I have a lot of friends who spend a lot of money on underwater cameras but they don't know how to use them correctly so their photos look terrible. They would be better off buying the cheap disposables. Hope this helps.

P.S. If you know how to take a good photo you can use any brand of camera. It simply does not matter. If you don't know how to take a good photo then no camera is going to make you look like a pro.