Ever tried snapping the perfect cruise photo, only for it to turn out blurry or too bright?
You’re not alone – cruise photography can be tricky with all that movement and sunlight bouncing off the sea.
That’s why I asked pro photographer CJ Ware and the experts at Cruise118 to share their best insider tips. From timing your shots just right to making the most of onboard lighting, these easy tricks will change the way you take photos at sea.
Ready to capture cruise memories you’ll actually want to frame?
Tip #1: Choose the Right Time to Shoot
All pictures, no matter what high-tech devices we have, depend on lighting. Early morning or late evening, so sunrise or sunset, are the best opportunities to snap those perfect shots.
Cruise118 commented: “Nothing quite tops that first sunset and sunrise you see on a cruise, being in the middle of the ocean poses the perfect backdrop for a holiday sunset picture so good you’ll want to frame!”
Expert photographer CJ Ware added, “Keep an eye on the sunset and sunrise times for each location you are in. On a cruise ship, you can get breathtaking shots of sunset and sunrise, you don’t want to miss it!”
Tip #2: Move Around
This is one of the most important travel photography tips to bear in mind – move your feet!
Instead of just going to the same favourite spot on the cruise ship, move around to multiple locations on the ship to make sure your collection of holiday snaps has some diversity to it.
The same applies when on excursions; instead of just turning up and taking some shots at the first picture opportunity, take a few minutes to get your bearings – walk around and see if there is a better frame or composition.
Tip #3: Pre-Plan Your Shots
Before going on your cruise, it’s a good idea to do some research on the tourist destinations you’ll be visiting, spending a few hours planning out your shot list of images you want to photograph, so you can come prepared.
Look at what each of the places you’ll be visiting on your excursions has to offer – make use of Google for inspiration on what to look out for to photograph. Doing this will help you nail the shots and give you more purpose and direction.
Tip #4: Take Too Many Rather Than Too Few
It takes a lot to get that perfect shot – that’s why professional photographers take hundreds of images to get that perfect one. It’s a good idea to take too many photos that you can sift through once the post-holiday blues kick in, rather than to get home and realise you didn’t get any good ones.
If you’re using your phone, look for the ‘burst’ option, which will take numerous photos within one photo.
Tip #5: Don’t Miss the Unique Landscape Shots That You Only Get With a Cruise
Cruising offers the best opportunity to capture the perfect landscape shots. When pulling into a port, make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to capture the full landscape of the destination – the type of shot you can only get on a cruise.
Tip #6: Head to the Highest Deck
Take advantage of all vantage points of the ship, especially the highest deck. Make sure you get there in time for sunrise or sunset, as this will give you the best place to capture the beautiful moment the sun rises from, or meets, the sea.
CJ adds, “Cruising offers the opportunity to take unique photos that you aren’t able to get on land. Take full advantage of all of the decks and vantage points to get one-of-a-kind photos with out-of-this-world views.”
Tip #7: Know Your Lighting
The lighting on a cruise ship will vary dramatically throughout the day, so in order to get perfect pictures, it’s essential to get to grips with how the lighting affects your photos.
Your snaps can’t go wrong when taken during the sunset or sunrise, so make sure you make the most of golden hour!
CJ said, “If there’s one thing you bear in mind when taking photos on a cruise, it’s to not shoot directly in the sun”.
When you’re shooting outdoors, make sure your back is always to the sun – never in front of your camera. If you’re taking a selfie, the sun should be shining on your face; otherwise, you’ll have a lot of unflattering shadows.
When nighttime comes, it can be tempting to use a flash. However, this has the potential to ruin images and definitely won’t do your magical setting justice. Instead, try to use the ambient lighting of the moon and soft deck lighting.
Tip #8: Avoid Camera Shake
Camera tripods can be great for when you’re on land, but if you’re trying to capture a perfect shot on board, they may not work so well due to the slight movement of the ship.
Taking a photo without blur on board a cruise is notoriously tricky. Instead, invest in a selfie stick that can securely attach to your phone.
Cruise118.com added: “Selfie sticks are an absolute must when you’re on a cruise, especially if you’re a couple on your own, as you’ll want both of you to be in the photos”.
If you don’t have a selfie stick, the safest way to hold your phone to avoid camera shake (and dropping it) is to hold your device with both hands and use your thumbs to turn it around.
If you’ve recently come back from a trip and managed to capture some Insta-worthy snaps, make sure to share them on social media with the hashtag ‘#lightscameracruise’ for an extra entry!
Final Word
Cruise photos aren’t just pictures – they’re memories you’ll treasure long after you’ve stepped off the ship.
Whether it’s a golden-hour selfie on deck or a breathtaking sunrise at sea, a few smart tricks can turn “just another holiday snap” into something truly frame-worthy.
So grab your camera (or phone), chase that perfect light, and don’t be afraid to take too many. After all, when it comes to cruise memories, you’ll want every moment captured.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
