To camera or not to camera

[Sleepyluke]

For those of you that have cruised lately what do you think? I love taking pictures and took over 1000 on or cruise pre kids. Now that we have kids, that number goes down dramatically with just not having the time to wander and take photos. With no character hugging, already having to be attached to my phone for the all (iPhone 12 if it matters) have most of you done away with the real cameras? I think I want to leave it at home and take just the phone and a waterproof one for beach days. As much as I love the eventual photos, it seems like something else to have to keep up with!

 

[WDWAurora]

We are currently having this debate, too! It adds so much weight/bulk to what we take and then what do we do with it say on CC to keep it safe? Can’t wait to hear responses!

 

[Calantha]

For a standard schedule, I would not bring a camera, but for Alaska we are and I also might bring it when we do the Southern next year.

 

[legler2250]

Not a fan of having to carry around additional things to worry about in general but this is really a preference kind of thing. If I'm going to a place for the first time that I know I might not return, bringing a phone / camera might be more of a priority.

 

[Intr3pid]

Current crop of phone cameras are more than adequate for 99% of the photos you will take.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Concur with @Intr3pid

 

[soniam]

If you are happy with the pictures that your camera takes, then just take the phone. It's a family vacation, not a photography vacation.

 

[o&smom]

I always still take an actual camera.

 

[squirk]

Concur with @Intr3pid

 

[Lillebelle]

I've been a 'real camera' holdout for years but without making a conscious choice, I have slowly shifted to using my phone for most things just because it's so much more practical. As much as it saddens me to say, I think you'll be fine without the camera unless you have very specific use cases where the phone won't cut it.

 

[Cheburashka]

My iPhone takes very good standard daytime pictures. If I needed to be able to take a lot of distance pictures or night pictures, I'd use a real camera.

 

[KristieGriggs]

I just got off the Dream yesterday. I debated the same thing, and ended up taking my camera. However, the camera never left our room. It was just so much easier to use my phone. And I love the pics I got from my phone. I don't think you will regret not having to lug it around.

 

[randumb0]

Leave the camera at home

 

[KdKyA]

For a standard schedule, I would not bring a camera, but for Alaska we are and I also might bring it when we do the Southern next year.

Agreed. I don’t bring my camera for “beach” cruises where everything is close-up/short range shots for the most part. We have Alaska booked next month and definitely will be bringing my camera for that. The phone just won’t cut it for distance shots of wildlife.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I love taking pictures-with my camera. For me, I take it. I would rather have it and decide to leave it in the cabin, than want it and not have it.

 

[Mrlogboy]

As a photographer for over 30 years for the past couple years I’ve only been using my iPhone but then had to carry a lot of power packs and would have the wires attached to the power packs attached to the iPhone. Looked trashy and a bit cumbersome.

Recently I was able to get a refurbished smaller canon M mirror list with some interchangeable lenses that I already had. I like it a bit better because I feel I have to carry less.
My phone now last all day and for most part I have just one standard utility type lens and then if I’m going to go and shoot some special stuff like when we go to Alaska I will bring a few extra lenses that will stay in the room.

I do agree with people I wish my phone battery would last a lot longer to do with me taking like other people thousands of pictures over a week. To me it’s a chicken or the egg thing. Use my phone have the external power pack with the wire or use an external camera and don’t worry about my phone bAttery lol

 

[auntlynne]

Are you satisfied with the photos you take with your phone? There’s your answer.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

For a standard schedule, I would not bring a camera, but for Alaska we are and I also might bring it when we do the Southern next year.

I agree with Calantha.
For a standard cruise (Caribbean) I use only my iPhone. For our Alaska cruise and Norway, Iceland, Scotland, and England cruise I brought my digital SLR. For me well worth it. Next year we are doing a river cruise in France and I will definitely take it then as well.

 

[otten]

Unless you're doing an activity where you are going to want different lenses, your phone will do the job just fine.