Fun Cruise Photo Ideas For Your Next Trip

Do you feel your cruise photos are boring? Uninspired? If you are looking for ways to improve your photo-taking on your cruises, we have some cruise photo ideas for you!

Cruise photography is a lot of fun for me. As a result, I have taken thousands and thousands of photos on cruise ships. To make it simpler to give you ideas, I will focus on photo-taking onboard the ship only, not excursions. Along the way, I will include a few photos from our cruises to show you what I mean.

Good Cruise Photos

Everyone takes many of the same photos of certain things on cruise ships; it’s just what we do. When we are new to cruising, we get onboard, all excited, and pull out our phones or cameras to snap quick photos of everything in sight. Half of them end up in the virtual trashcan, but some are definitely worth keeping.

Here are some of the most common cruise photos that I see on social media, a good start to creating memories of your cruise through photographs.

• A ship’s life preserver
• Your feet as you sit in a lounge chair, facing the ocean
• The view from your balcony
• You holding a cocktail at every bar on the ship
• Sailaway selfie
• Titanic pose
• Dressed up for a formal night
• Towel animals
• Sitting by the pool, cocktail in hand
• Your dinner/lunch/breakfast plate
• Posing with the captain
• Photo of the pilot boat
• Sunrise/sunset/moon over the ocean
• Suitcases left in the hallway on the last night
• Standing at the railing on the deck, looking at the ocean
• Photo of the ship while docked
• Sitting in a hot tub, sipping a frozen drink
• On the pier with the ship in the background
• The wake of the ship

Better Cruise Photos

If you want to up your game a little, you will have to get a little more creative. Try to tell a story with your photos, or take an interest in small details. Wait for a good moment.

Here are some better cruise photo ideas:

• Photos of details of your cabin or architectural details on the ship such as grand atriums
• Photos taken from above or at an extreme angle of your meal
• Photo of the ship taken from a tender boat
• Selfie with your new port in the background
• Selfie with a performer in costume after a performance
• Selfie while sweaty and red-faced from having fun
• The view framed by a porthole
• A view of your port, taken from above on your balcony
• A selfie in the mirror while getting your hair done at the spa
• A shot of the length of a buffet station, taken from an angle in Portrait mode on an iPhone
• A shot of a crew member posing for you
• You with your favorite waiter, bartender, stateroom attendant or other crew member, being silly
• Photos with you and your new friends you met onboard
• Take a pic of somewhere dramatic on the ship at night
• When you have an overnight in port, take a pic of the ship from the pier at night

Action Cruise Photos

Capture a moment, a memory, on your cruise while doing or watching something fun. Find a fun activity on the deck, give it a try, and have your partner take photos. Then switch!

• Lining up a putt on the mini-golf course
• Climbing a rock wall
• Navigating an obstacle course
• Crew members in action
• Crew-versus-passengers pool volleyball game
• The water stirred by the ship’s azipods
• Cavorting under falling water in the kids’ splash zone
• Try to get a photo of a whale or porpoise
• Yourself or someone else going down a water slide

Artistic Cruise Photos

Artistic photos take more time, sometimes a little setup, and a bit of imagination. You have to think outside the box. Try some of these cruise photo ideas:

• Looking out a porthole window, taken from behind
• Breakfast on the balcony with the sunrise in the background
• Pretending to hold up the setting sun, taken from behind
• Toasting with champagne, hands only, in front of a sunset
• Look up and take photos of small details
• A lineup of colorful beach chairs on the deck
• The atrium ceiling, taken while centered below
• Get up before dawn and take photos while the ship is entering port
• A pensive photo of your partner, taking in the scenery from your balcony or the deck
• A tableau photo while dining
• Tell a story with your photo

Brand-Specific Photos

Some photos can only be taken on certain cruise lines’ ships. For instance, a selfie with the funnel on Carnival. Since we primarily cruise on Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line and they are what I know best, here are some brand-specific cruise photo ideas to try when sailing with them.

Celebrity Cruise Photos

Celebrity Cruises is known for its extensive art collection, scattered throughout its fleet, and its entertaining Martini Bar. Consider taking pics such as:

• Posing in front of the iconic statue on the pool deck
• At Eden, a photo of the chef while plating
• The bartenders’ show at the Martini Bar, especially tossing bottles and shakers
• Posing with fun ship art
• Take a selfie with the X on the smokestack in the background
• Have a picnic on the Lawn Club and take selfies
• Have someone take a photo of you in one of the fun, wacky chairs aboard
• Have someone take a photo of you in one of the hammocks in the solarium

NCL Cruise Photos

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its massive atrium chandeliers, its theme parties, and its topside activities loved by kids and adults alike. Take photos that tell the viewer without words exactly where you are, such as:

• Silent disco photos
• Atrium chandeliers
• Atrium staircases
• Zipping around the track in a go-kart
• Pose on the atrium staircase on a formal night
• Bowling a game in the bowling alley

Tips For Taking Better Photos Onboard

If you love taking photos, you probably want to get better at it. I know I do. Here are some general suggestions for getting better photos on your cruises.

Golden Hour Magic: Make the most of the soft, warm light during the “golden hour,” which occurs shortly after sunrise and before sunset. This light can add a touch of magic to your photos, especially when capturing outdoor scenes or portraits.

Rule of Thirds: Divide your photo into a grid of nine equal sections (like a tic-tac-toe board) by imagining two horizontal and two vertical lines. Position key elements along these lines or at their intersections to create a visually pleasing composition.

Foreground Interest: Incorporate interesting foreground elements to add depth and dimension to your shots. This could be a railing, a glass of a beverage, or even a decorative feature on the ship.

Leading Lines: Use natural lines on the ship’s deck, railings, or architecture to guide the viewer’s eye through the photo. These lines can create a sense of movement and draw attention to focal points.

Candid Moments: Capture genuine moments of joy and interaction among guests and crew members. Candid shots can showcase the authentic experiences that guests have on the cruise.

Reflections: Take advantage of reflective surfaces like glass windows, mirrors, or even water to capture intriguing reflections that can add a unique twist to your photos.

Experiment with Angles: Don’t limit yourself to eye-level shots. Try shooting from different angles—high above, down low, or even from unusual vantage points—to create dynamic and interesting compositions.

Symmetry and Patterns: Look for symmetrical compositions or repeating patterns in the ship’s architecture or design. These can create visually pleasing and harmonious images.

Details Matter: Zoom in on the intricate details that make the cruise ship special. These could be ornate decorations, fine textures, or even the little touches in the cabins.

Utilize Negative Space: Sometimes, giving your subject some breathing room within the frame can create a sense of elegance and sophistication. Negative space can also help direct the viewer’s attention to the main subject.

Capture Emotions: Focus on capturing emotions and expressions. Whether it’s a guest’s excitement, wonder, or relaxation, these shots can add a human touch to your image.

Editing Enhancement: After capturing your shots, consider using photo editing tools to enhance the colors, contrast, and overall look of your images. Just remember to maintain a natural and authentic feel.

Be Patient: Sometimes the perfect shot requires patience. Wait for the right moment to capture that perfect sunset, a playful interaction, or an interesting composition.

Remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new techniques. Over time, you’ll develop your own style and a keen eye for capturing the essence of cruising.