Going Cruising-What to Pack?

Getting ready to go on my first cruise and need some advice on what camera equipment I should pack. I have the Canon 10D and assorted lenses (50mm, 17-40, 28-70, 70-200 and 300 and 105 macro), filters(if so what colors or types?), flashes(will I need the external flash?), tripod/monopod. Back up film camera? Can't wait.

It might help if you tell us where the cruise is going. At the least, you'd want a polarizing filter, but without knowing the itinerary, everything else is a guess

We are going to the Eastern Caribbean with stops in St Thomas, Nassau, San Juan and St. Maarten. I don't want to take everything I own but I don't want to get down there and wish I had brought the 300mm or a macro.

Hmmm. I've been to Nassau, San Juan & St Maartin, but many years ago & can't remember anything I saw worth carrying a big lens for (unless you want closeups on the nude beaches in St. Maartin). Can't vouch for St. Thomas.

If it were me and had your setup, I'd take the 3 zooms to cover just about anything. If you really are concerned about Macro, throw it in too, as you may want some of the flora. Definitely, as I said before, make sure you have a polarizer & use it.

What I remember of these places, is that they're not extraordinarily scenic, so you'll probably use the smaller glass most of the time, but don't get hung up too much on the photography. Just have a great time. They are fun places to visit.

Thanks Rich I am looking forward to some relaxing time off. Hopefully I will take a few memorable shots and come back with a nice tan.

Take lots of packets of fresh silica gel.

You know those little packets that are marked "Do Not Eat"?

If they have been sitting out in atmosphere, they have absorbed some humidity. So, you spread them out on a pie plate and stick it in the oven at about 150 degrees F for a couple of hours. That will bake out any moisture. Then, pull it out of the oven and drop them into a ziplock bag and seal it.

Then pull out a fresh one from the bag and keep it around your most sensitive camera equipment whenever there is any humidity around, like on a cruise ship. Every day, take out the used packet and put another fresh one in.

When you return home, you repeat the baking process.

---Bob Gross---