Going on a Cruise

[Jake]

We're going one of those 5 day carnival cruises this summer and I'm assuming there are more than a few of y'all that have been on one of these also.
We are going on the one that stops at Progreso and Cozumel.

What are the must see, must do's and must dont's on this cruise?
Can you bring a tripod?


Thanks for any tips y'all may have!

[Roadrnr]

That's a great cruise! My wife and I went on that exact Carnival cruise last year for our Honeymoon.

We really didn't do much at the ports. In Progresso, we went to the beach and hung out there all day. Cozumel was different for me. I had been a few times and it has really changed in the last few years. I definitely say go to Margaritaville! Great drinks and awesome guacamole cart!

Not sure if you are a big alcohol drinker or not, but I would suggest getting the soda card on the ship. It's worth the $30 or $40 to get as many sodas as you want all week. Also, just remember, tips are included in all your meals and drinks. So you don't have to tip them when you sign the receipt.

You can take tripods too. I didn't take one this time, but the last Carnival cruise I was on, I had my tripod with me and nobody cared.

Have a great time, it's fun and relaxing!

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Jake,

The main thing you need to decide is if you're going to have fun with your wife or you're going to take photos. It sounds to me like it's the first. And if so, don't take much photography gear with you. When we went on that cruise, I took my D300 and an 18-200 lens.... and used it for an hour one day.

The rest of the time was spent partying with my wife. So, make that first decision and if it's not a photography trip... make it minimal on the gear.

Personally, I would never take a tripod on a cruise. But that's just me.

Have fun!

- Wil

[Roy]

I wish I had some tips for you

The only thing I can say is HAVE FUN!!

I'm sure others here will give some great ideas of what to watch for.

[KenJulio]

Be prepared to order some pants a size larger when you get back. Bring some elastic waistband pants ;)

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Originally Posted by ken74

Be prepared to order some pants a size larger when you get back. Bring some elastic waistband pants ;)

Ha! That's for sure!

- Wil

[jcopes]

Just got back from Cozumel. I would visit the Aztec ruins. Some good photo ops there. The tequila factory is there. Make sure you eat before going! Yes, from expierience. Some cool pic to be had there plus free tequila samples. Tell poncho tequila I said hello. Lol.

If you want to scuba dive, I can get you in touch with the dive shop we use. The do snorkelling as well. They will take great care of you.

Otherwise, Cozumel is known for shopping. But go off the beaten path for great deals. The central shopping district is the best place. There is a local bar that is a must. I will have to look it up. My mind just went blank.

If you want to swim with the Dolphins, check out Dolphiniaris. This is a must! We had the best time , learned how to train Dolphins, swam with them, saw the babies. Then lunch was provided. Again, I would do this over and over!

That is all in Cozumel.

Hope this helps. Oh, and buy your Tequella in Cozumel. It is cheapest. The Tequilla Factory is the best place to purchase if you can get there.

Jen

[jcopes]

You can take what ever equipment you want. My husband and I have two oversized backpacks that are filled each with 75lbs of camera equipment in them that we never leave home without. Tripods attached.

I am cheap, so I take my own soft drinks on the cruise. I can buy a heck of a lot of soda for $30. So I take a couple of cases on the cruise.

Make sure you attend the midnight Chocolate event. I strave all day for that one. They will have events and activities for all ages. I won Ms. Biceps. Yup! Too many tequilla shots that day.

All I can say is DONT MISS THE BOAT!! At each port.

Book excursions on the boat. I learned from experience. Unless you want to snorkel with my dive shop, then they will Treat you like a VIP. Have you back in plenty of time.

Are you flying or driving to the port? Where are you departing out of?

Sorry for two messages, I hit the wrong button. Lol

Jen

[Jake]

@Wil: I will have my wife and kids(7 and 9yo) with me, but also a boatload(literally) of in-laws.
So I will be able to step away for a few hours one day at least.


I'm thinking of just bringing the 16-35mm and either a 50mm or 85mm prime + tripod. Maybe a tilt/shift also.


Wow! A "midnight chocolate event"?? That sounds awesome.
We are driving to Galveston.

[jcopes]

Yes! A room of nothing but flowing chocolate dreams... In every form, shade, taste you can imagine. Lol..

The kids would love the dolphins adventure on Cozumel. If I had to chose one for a family or for me, that would be it.

I use D300 w/ 18-105 VR
Husband uses D3 w/ either 24-70 or 50-500 as our "vaction" style lenses.



We look forward to pics!

[DJ.]

Enjoy yourself. It is a fun cruise. Here are a few shots. LOL, probably everyone who has been there has these.

Carnival Ecstacy Photo Gallery by Dave (DJ) at pbase.com
Chechinetza Photo Gallery by Dave (DJ) at pbase.com
Cozumel Photo Gallery by Dave (DJ) at pbase.com

Have fun!

[kneemeaux]

Depending on how much you like getting away from the crowd, a good way to do that is rent a jeep and do a driving aloop around the island. Go south (away from town). The road cuts across the southern tip of the island but ends at the water at the Bob Marley beach bar (at least that's what I used to call it). It's a good place for a snack and a beer or two, then drive north along the relatively undeveloped eastern shore. Unlike the western side, on the east side you are right next to the water pretty much the whole time. When you reach the road that cuts across the island back to town you can stop at the ruins. Once you get into town you can grap the T-shirt that everybody else rushed straight into town to buy and then spent the rest of their time getting hassled.

It's been a few years since I was there and there have been a couple of hurricanes since then so YMMV.

[Wes]

I'll be doing my first ever cruise this summer, too. We're doing a 7 day Carnival cruise. I've been kind of fretting on this one, too. I'll take my D3 and 1 lens, but I haven't decided which yet. I'm leaning towards my 70-200, but my 28-70 could be very handy, too. A good buddy of mine told me, "no matter which one you take, you'll wish you had the other one."

[janikphoto]

I've done that cruise and several others. I brought all sorts of cameras over the years, from toys like holgas to my pro stuff. I find a really cheap camera like a holga takes some fun shots in Mexico.

[dliveleyphotography]

When I went on my last cruise in may I brought everything I had as far as lenses and bodys then took what I need at each stop and stuck the rest in the safe. I used my 17-40 mounted on 1.3x sensor the most, probably 85% of the time. A 70-200 is nice for candid shots around the city, if thats your thing. I would bring atleast 1 fast lens, 1.8 or better.

I wouldn't carry alot off the ship, in most places you will be doing alot of walking. I made that mistake when I went on a walking tour in San Juan. It was a sunset tour so I just took everything, I was dead tired when I got back to the boat.