Taking pictures on & off the ship....

[jnmrlk]

Are there any issues about taking pictures, I love to take my camera every-where!!! Can I take pic's anywhere on the ship or are some places taboo - such as the casino - I know allot of land casinos do not like you to take pics but how does the cruise show fell about it. What about the shows and bars etc. can you snap away there or not? I would imagine it's pretty much okay on the decks and pics of coming in and out of port - but I just don't want to end up in trouble!!!

[megr1125]

I usually take my casino shots when it is closed....haven't been questioned.

 

BE CAREFUL on piers.....sometimes, the area right next to the gangway is off-limits.

 

However, in St. Thomas for instance, you can walk along the pier, not in the super-secure area and take all the shots you want.

 

I haven't ever been told NOT to take pix on a ship...I was told at Cape Liberty that I could not take pix of the ship from the terminal but it was "ok down by the ship"

 

hth

 

PS....I like to take pix as SOON as I board, before many people are around...that way I get shots with no one, or very few, other people.

[glgolfer]

You can take pictures of the shows and the ice show, but you can't use a flash or a video camera. No video because of copyright issues and no flash for the safety of the performers. If they're in the middle of a complicated move and a flash blinds them, it could be disasterous.

 

Other than that, never had anyone tell us you can't take a picture either from there or of that.

[jnmrlk]

Thanks every-one - I am a photo-holic and with this being my first cruise I'm gonna be snapping pictures left right AND center!! My kids are glad they are NOT coming!

[PJDUCF]

I had my camera out of its case while in the casino and was asked to put it in its case or vacate the casino so i think during open hour its not allowed.

Some ports dont allow pictures til you get out of there secure area ut shoot until they ask you not to. Ignorance is bliss

[rkacruiser]

Depending upon to where you are cruising, there can be cultural issues. Some people in some cultures object to having their photo taken. (I have had one crew member on one ship object to having his picture taken; it was a religious/cultural issue.)

 

Also, taking some pictures of certain things/people may generate a request for a small payment. For example, taking a picture of a "decorated" donkey and his owner in some parts of the Caribbean or Mexico will lead to a request for payment, if the owner knows you took a picture.

 

Use common sense and see what others are doing. It is always acceptable to ask someone if you could take their picture before actually doing so.

[CaptData]

I agree, do not take a picture of anyone dressed up in Jamacia without paying for it. They do expect money for pics.

[kitty9]

Whether or not you can take pictures at the shows depends on the cruise line. Some are adamant that you can't use any kind of device in the shows, including cameras of any kind. It's best to ask whether you can take photos of the shows. And never use a flash during any show, as it not only distracts the performers, but it's a real pain in the butt when you have someone sitting behind you in the show and all they're doing is popping flashes with their cameras.

[jnmrlk]

I think I am gonna forget taking pictures at the shows - every-thing you all have said makes sense and I certainly wouldn't want to cause some accident on stage because I am the idiot with the flash!!!! Do you think I could take a picture before anything starts - just so I have a picture of the stage etc.

I liked the idea of taking pics as soon as I get on board so that I am not offending any-one or having lots of people I don't even know in my photos!!!

Is it common to see dolphins etc. when your at sea??

[cruisinbuddy]

I'm a shutterbug on a cruise I average 300 per cruise and have never been told to put it away not even on the galley tour. If you go to the nude beaches, that's taboo.

[Cotton]

I'm a camera bug, as well. If there are any restrictions at all, they will be announced in the ship's newsletter - particularly the production shows. I have lots of photos from the shows, but by using 800 film w/no flash.

 

The ship's photographers will be taking many photos of you, and you can look at them each evening - buy them or not, it's up to you, and they don't 'push'. I don't mind asking fellow passengers to take my picture at different areas on the ship - and in port. Nobody seems to mind doing that....and you could return the favor.:)

 

I've seen a few dolphins and lots of flying fish. Very hard to capture on film though, unless you're standing by a railing, camera-ready, and it could be a lonnnng wait. On one cruise, I was on deck w/my camcorder, and was lucky enough to capture a 'dolphin family' frolicking.

[rkacruiser]

jnmrlk,

 

The suggestion one poster made to take interior photos soon after boarding the ship is a good one, but you may find that there are so many other things to attract (or distract) your attention that you may not have alot of time to do much picture-taking before many of your fellow passengers arrive.

 

I have found that rising very early in the morning on a sea day is an excellent time to take interior photos without many people around. Sometimes you will be able to get a few crew members in the picture as they do their jobs in order to add some human interest to the picture.

 

The ship's photographers also normally have some interior photos for sale and many times these are better for more difficult public areas to photograph than what I could take.

 

You may see some marine/bird life when you are at sea. But, I have never been particularly successful in capturing these creatures on film. Hopefully, you will have better luck!

[chasetf]

Whether or not you can take pictures at the shows depends on the cruise line. Some are adamant that you can't use any kind of device in the shows, including cameras of any kind. It's best to ask whether you can take photos of the shows. And never use a flash during any show, as it not only distracts the performers, but it's a real pain in the butt when you have someone sitting behind you in the show and all they're doing is popping flashes with their cameras.

Princess makes an announcement that video's and flash are not permitted. When I take pictures with my digital I also try to shield the screen because that can also be distracting.

[chasetf]

Are there any issues about taking pictures, I love to take my camera every-where!!! Can I take pic's anywhere on the ship or are some places taboo - such as the casino - I know allot of land casinos do not like you to take pics but how does the cruise show fell about it. What about the shows and bars etc. can you snap away there or not? I would imagine it's pretty much okay on the decks and pics of coming in and out of port - but I just don't want to end up in trouble!!!

Is immigration and customs. If you have a camera out you will be asked to put it away. I know because I walked in with mine out. :eek:

[jnmrlk]

jnmrlk,

 

 

I have found that rising very early in the morning on a sea day is an excellent time to take interior photos without many people around. Sometimes you will be able to get a few crew members in the picture as they do their jobs in order to add some human interest to the picture.

 

That is a wonderful idea - I am an early bird anyway - even on vacation I am always up by 6am!!!! I am assuming :confused: :confused: that they do not mind what time of day you wander around the ship??

[kitty9]

I just thought of another place photos are prohibited----when you are disembarking the ship, US Customs doesn't allow photos to be taken in the terminal where the luggage is put before you leave the ship. I saw someone taking a picture in the terminal, and a cop came over and told him to stop.

[ger_77]

jnmrlk: The ship is your home for the duration of the cruise - if you want to walk around at 3AM, then go for it. At 6AM you won't find line-ups at the coffee pots at the Lido, and you can sit anywhere watching the ocean or goings-on around the ship. Enjoy your first trip and use that camera as much as you like.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[silentbob007]

When I take pictures with my digital I also try to shield the screen because that can also be distracting.

 

Very good point ... it's like people with cell phones in movie theaters. The light can be more distracting than the talking or text messaging.

 

The first thing I always do when I get on board is walk around with my camera (while grabbing food/drink, etc). I've seen signs that ask for no photography in the casino, but that's about it.

[GORDONCHICK]

FYI - a flash in normal cases only goes 15 feet, so even if you could successfully shoot with a flash, it would in no way illuminate the stage or the performance so it's futile. The stage lights are quite bright and with fast film (800 or faster) it's possible to get decent photos.

 

As for taking photos in the early morning - that is the best time. Another good time for the outside night/twinkling lights shots is during the second dinner seating if you're not at a show.

 

I once saw a photo album from a couple who cruises 3-5 times per year. Their albums were primariy composed of food. Breakfast on the balcony, lunch in the dining room and dinner there or specialty restaurants. Lots of shots of special buffets at midnight (not every line does these) and such. I thought I might try shooting some food photos on my next cruise, but that will by no means be the bulk of my pictorial!

[rickysmom]

It's my first cruise also. I also take a tripod with us any time we have the camera with us so we can get shots of the two of us without bugging anyone. Do you think a tripod will be okay onboard or is it on the taboo list?

[serene56]

you can not take photos inside the terminal while waiting to board. there are signs all over the place-- you'd be surprised at the number of people taht still take pics.

 

PS--dont forget to enjoy the cruise on the other side of the lens

[taminator]

Are there any issues about taking pictures, I love to take my camera every-where!!! Can I take pic's anywhere on the ship or are some places taboo - such as the casino - I know allot of land casinos do not like you to take pics but how does the cruise show fell about it. What about the shows and bars etc. can you snap away there or not? I would imagine it's pretty much okay on the decks and pics of coming in and out of port - but I just don't want to end up in trouble!!!

 

You can take pictures pretty everywhere on the ship, except maybe the casino, although I did take one in there of a friend playing the slots and no one said anything to me.

 

The ship runs 24/7 so feel free to wander and take photos anywhere. Part of the fun for me was finding new areas to try a different angle for a picture.

 

I had no problems taking pictures of bars. As for shows, follow common sense the advice of others on this thread. Refrain from shooting with flash as to not blind/distract the performers, especially during the ice show. The rink is small and the ship is moving as they do their jumps. Depending on your camera, bump up the ISO as high as you can and shoot at a minimum of 1/30th of a second to get a good photo.

 

For the ice show, I shot it at ISO 3200 and 1/500th of a second and wound up with a handful of decent photos. But I think I shot 145 frames to get about 20-25 usable pictures.

 

On shore, I made sure I tipped musicians and other performers if I took pictures of them.

 

And someone asked about a tripod... I packed one with me and it wasn't a problem on board. On my next cruise, I probably won't bring it with me just because of the added weight in my luggage.

 

Have fun!

[jlp20]

>>>Whether or not you can take pictures at the shows depends on the cruise line. Some are adamant that you can't use any kind of device in the shows, including cameras of any kind.

 

 

The entire topic depends on the “owner” of the show. Almost all production type shows must pay the “owner” of the material a fee for every show. If anyone were to record it, they would have to pay the “owner” for that material.

 

Smaller acts can have the same policies if they have copyrighted their material. In any event, an announcement is made prior to any performance that recording is prohibited.

 

On the other hand, there are acts and shows that not only allow taping, but also encourage it. On some ships, there is a “variety” show put on by the ship’s crew. Not only should you make plans to watch it, take your camcorders fully charged.

 

Now with all that, I have witness someone openly tape a “headliner” act that forbade recording. This person was approached three times during the show and asked to stop his camera. All three times he refused and nothing became of it, other than his wife being very embarrassed.

 

Some one mentioned taking a tripod. Only taken 5 cruises, but I have never seen a passenger use a one onboard. a polite request and almost everyone will do you the favor, and probably request the same in return. By the way, it could be a hazard to other pax.

 

Now, what do I do? I recharge my mini camcorder every night and have an extra battery and a small pile of blank tape. I have become adept at holding my camera at my waist and “shoot from the hip”. After a 7-day trip, I have about 10 or 12 hour long tapes that have a lot of “junk” footage. But I can edit it down to a fantastic one hour DVD with many, many shots that everyone else has missed.

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[silentbob007]

A tripod is probably not wortht he hassel of packing, even if you have a compact one. When I walked around the deck of my last cruise with my DSLR hanging off my shoulder, I often had people asking me to take their pictures ... I guess they saw me with my semi-bulky camera (compared to point and shoots) and decided I might know how to push a button ... silly them. ;)

[sweetpea-2]

Are there any issues about taking pictures, I love to take my camera every-where!!! Can I take pic's anywhere on the ship or are some places taboo - such as the casino - I know allot of land casinos do not like you to take pics but how does the cruise show fell about it. What about the shows and bars etc. can you snap away there or not? I would imagine it's pretty much okay on the decks and pics of coming in and out of port - but I just don't want to end up in trouble!!!

 

we took pic's everywhere nhowever they did say not in the threater ....especially during some of the acts it can be dangerous to have a flash of any kind going off for them