Part of the fun of going on vacation is capturing your memories. Certain holidays can prove challenging to photograph, however, and cruises are one of them. Here are some tips on how to snap some great pics while cruising up to Alaska, around the Mediterranean Sea and everywhere in between on those magical moments at sea.

Read the manual

First things first, read your camera’s instruction booklet. Every camera is different and whether it’s a high-tech system with multiple lenses, a simple digital camera or just the camera on your phone, understand the ins and outs of your apparatus. Test it out before you travel so you don’t miss any of those amazing Caribbean sunsets from having your nose in the book.

Use the natural light

Skip the flash and use the natural light to illuminate your photos instead. For photographing purposes, the sunlight is best in the early morning or late afternoon. However, if you’ve been burning the midnight oil and can’t get up in time to catch the sunrise, a good rule of thumb is to keep the sun behind you when you take a photo.

Increase the shutter speed

The movement of the ship can cause a lot of blurry photos, so consider increasing your camera’s shutter speed. A faster shutter speed will capture the shot quicker and you have a better chance of the picture turning out sharper. A fast shutter speed also works well in bright daylight, so crank it up for those super sunny days on the deck as well.

Use a tripod

Another way to deal with the boat’s movement is to use a tripod. The tripod will be responsible for keeping the camera steady and all you have to do is push the button. So, when you’re cruising down the Red Sea, get the tripod out and capture that clear, bright blue water. Incidentally, the Red Sea has some amazing wildlife. Keep an eye out for it while cruising at night.

Frame the photo

Finally, a tip for taking a photo anywhere, including on a cruise, is to take the time to properly frame the photo. Before you click, glance at all four corners of the shot and make sure you’re happy with everything that’s included. Fill the frame completely, especially if you’re taking pictures of people. You don’t want to have to squint to see who it is later!

So, with a few tips, anyone can take quality cruise photos and the last time I was on a cruise at Bultins, I was lucky enough to get cruise discounts at Butlins. Bon Voyage!