Going on a Cruise

[jasenh7]

Wasn't sure where to put this but I figure you guys are the best place to get advice for this.

For our honeymoon we are going to take a Cruise either to the Bahamas or to the Carribbean. Both of us happen to be amature photographers and figure that we'll spend more time behind the camera than with the snorkle on.

Sooooo.....I'm wondering from the folks who've been to these areas, where's the best place to go for the photos? Any advice on where to go or avoid, or any additional equipment needed will be appreciated.

Thanks,
- Jasen

[Leighow]

JASEN

Photography is such a varied pastime that there is probably no one right place. Reportage with people, flowers, boats, etc is strong on all the islands

However, I guess that I would head for St Lucia or any other isalnd with mountains and a rain forrest. Parrots, coastal shots, vegetation, etc abound. Aruba for its Dutch influence might be nice too. Jamaica has Dunn's River Falls, the Groto, and the Govenor's train coach to Cat Ã* deux Pas (or something like that) which is quite lovely too.

But, I would probably not take a $1000 camera. Theft et al. I would just bring a few rolls of Kodak!

HOWIE

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Jasen,

First off congratulations on the upcoming nuptials. :)

Second off, I'd like to disagree with Howie's recommendation to leave your best camera at home. What's the point of having a decent camera, if you don't use it? Just make sure you have good insurance. Use commonsense when you are out and about and chances are you'll be fine.

Third off, speaking from my vast experience of three cruises, :D I'd like to make a general point about ports of calls. Usually, you won't have more than a few hours - may be 12 - so once you have made you mind up on the cruise itinerary, do a bit of reseach to find out what you want to see. Beware the ship's offerings. They can be hugely over-priced. If the trip is basic sight-seeing, you may do better to negotiate with a local taxidriver or with the local tourist office. If you pal up with another couple this can further reduce costs and provides extra numbers, if you are concerned about safety. Be warned, however, that if do your own thing and you miss the ship, you have to pay to catch up. Another problem with the ship's trips is that you can spend a long time on a coach going to and from - 2 hours each way is not uncommon. Obviously, it depends where you are. :) You can probably drive the whole way round Aruba in 2 hours. :D

Aruba is the only "official" Caribbean island I have been. I thought it sucked. Not much in the way of scenery apart from beautiful beaches - baking your brains and going to nightclubs seemed to be the main activities. Mind you we didn't see much of the town because it was closed for the Queen's Birthday celebrations. But it's not on my list of places to revisit.

Must go now. I will post again, if I think of anything else.

Regards,

[lmosk]

Went to the Southern Caribbean in January for 10-day cruise (Bahamas, Curacao, Aruba, Panama Canal, and Costa Rica). Don't do Aruba. Curacao was a delight. It has a lot of color (houses, buildings, sights, etc). Business buildings are silouhetted by lights at night, and there was a fireworks display for us as we departed. In addition, there is a famous camera/electronics store (Boolchands) in Willemstadt (the capital) that has whatever you might need. The prices there are comparable elsewhere (yes, you can bargain). At Boolchands I bought my Canon S45 digital camera and a Pentax point-and-shoot to replace another point-and-shoot which had just broken an hour before getting off the ship to go sightseeing. I could have bought the S45 cheaper online.

The Panama Canal procedure I put on videotape. (BTW we were on the fantastic MS Rotterdam (Holland America). Animals in the Costa Rica rainforest were colorful. Our pix are great. At the Bahamas we stayed aboard ship. Aruba was a dud (can't emphasize enough).

My wife went along with me knowing that this cruise was my choice and next year our vacation would be her choice as to where to go. It is she, however, who hasn't stopped talking about how wonderful our cruise was. (I love to hear her tell others about the cruise).

Take your good stuff. People at all our stops were very friendly and courteous. Get a cabbie to take you on tour. Aruba was a dud.

We want to go back to Curacao.