I disagree!  If the conditions are cloudy dull, the extra punch
100 (or even 50) that slide film can add would be well worth it.
I have done an Alaska cruise.  I remember the deck being very steady
and used ONLY ISO 50 Velvia.  But I do not recall using a tripod while
the ship was moving (did when stopped).  If you have a camera whose
manufacturer has image stabilization lenses, consider buying one.
That will help correct unsteady hands.  For example, if you have Canon,
check out the 28-135 IS lens.  For the amount you spend on the
cruise, the lens will pay for itself in memories, and you will
have the lens afterward too.

Roger

<snipped>

....> For all, but the most dull, overcast days, 100 speed film should be
more

I was on a similar cruise about 15 years ago.   Most of the time I used 100
or 200 ISO, but had a couple of 400 ISO in the bag.
I agree wholeheartedly with Stefan.

Just one more point.  Take PLENTY of film with you, especially when you go
on off-ship tours.
If I charged for the number of times I loaned a film to fellow trippers, I
would have mad a small fortune.

Dennis

One of the captains of the small tour boats I've been on in Alaska suggested
using a monopod and resting it on your shoe or boot to damp the vibrations
of the engine.  It's a good tip.  I don't know how much of a problem
vibrations are on large cruise ships, but you probably won't get close
enough to the wildlife in a large ship to take reall good wildlife shots so
your best chances may be in smaller craft.  (Glaciers are another matter,
often big enough you want a wider angle.  I would suggest high speed film in
any case since the weather is often overcast near glaciers and you may well
want to shoot with a longer lense, requiring higher speeds.  There are also
many interesting birds, and high speed film with longer lenses are your only
realistic option there.

Bob,

Good thinking, especially adding the beanbag. I regularly carried two bodies
on my arctic trips.  A flash would also be nice so that you can punch up the
foreground with some fill flash on those dreary days which are not uncommon.
But, be optimistic. When we were in Southeast Alaska for 3 weeks in August
of 1995, there were some cloudy days, but never did need the rain gear.  It
was usually a mist.

One thing we learned on our Alaska trip was that the cruise ships do not
really show you the character of the towns they visit for several reasons.
First, the stops are too short. Many ships only spent 3 or less hours in
Sitka for example.  Second, there are just too many people when all of the
launches arrive.  After the ships left, Sitka was a quieter and more open
town.  We got individual tours of the famous Russion Orthodox Church by the
priest. He spent a lot of time explaining to our daughter about the icons
etc.  No time for that with 75 visitors.  Often the cruise passengers were
just herded around on school buses to "see the town" and then walked the
main street looking at the same sweatshirts they saw at the last stop. By
contrast, we had the chance to go to a salmon roast at a (VFW?) hall and
talk with a local native carving a totem pole.  We met locals in the cafes
etc. and attended a music celebration one evening.  They always made us feel
comfortable.  The cruise passengers are so fully fed onboard that they never
frequent the cafes or such.  Don't really bring much revenue to the towns.
Really!

We used the Marine Highway (aka ferry) and had time to meet locals such as a
school sports team returning from a tournament in Juneau.  We spent about
the same $$ amount on our 3 weeks as a 5 day cruise fare. Saw a more natural
Alaska.

Just something to think about.  You may want to go back another time and see
Alaska the slow way.

"Slow down, you move too fast.  You've got to make the moment last."

PSsquare