We went on the sapphire Princess a couple of year ago and I have just
returned from the RCCI Anthem of the Seas. They are huge but comfortable
and a a Harry says, a scope is essential. Also a god camera is handy as
rarities occur of course and it’s essential that they are documented- this
can be challenging ID at times as essentially all storm-petrels looks the
same!L and weather conditions. And be difficult.
Simon
Simon RB Thompson
Asheville, NC and Saxmundham, Suffolk UK
Please use the Ventures e-Mail (<Venturesbirding...>) to contact the
Ventures office - thanks!
On Sat, 19 Jul 2025 at 23:23, Steve <sshultz...> wrote:
> A small ship in Antarctica?! Sure hope they don’t plan on crossing the
> strait…
> Or finding any weather at all 🤣
>
> Or maybe she means at at least 300 feet. That’s small compared to a cruise
> ship, but still big.
>
> Steve Shultz
>
>
> On Jul 19, 2025, at 5:06 PM, Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...> wrote:
>
>
> Steve and others,
>
> Unfortunately, Sheryl only responded to me about this being a "small
> ship". That was unfortunate, as on a small ship, which I have birded on
> often, a scope is about un-usable. Too unstable.
>
> Thus, folks -- it DOES matter the size of a cruise ship whether you should
> take a scope or not.
>
> Harry LeGrand
>
> On Sat, Jul 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM Steve <sshultz...> wrote:
>
>> I would definitely take a scope. The distances are rather long, birds
>> will often be a mile or more away. Even a bird as “close” as the other end
>> of the ship is a fifth of a mile distant, and birds “right off the ship”
>> are at a minimum hundreds of feet away.
>>
>> Just having bins restricts you to the nearest of birds while the scope
>> extends your reach.
>>
>>
>> Steve Shultz
>> Apex NC
>>
>> On Jul 19, 2025, at 3:58 PM, Simon Thompson <carolinabirds...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi Sheryl
>> I have just got back from several cruises to Alaska on the
>> royal Caribbean cruise- Anthem of the seas. I used my scope all the time as
>> the ship is so stable. I could even zoom in on storm petrels with some
>> practice.
>> What ship are you going one?
>> Your binocs are perfect for sea watching
>> Simon
>>
>> Simon RB Thompson
>> Asheville, NC and Saxmundham, Suffolk UK
>>
>> Ventures Birding Tours
>> http://www.birdventures.com/ <http://www.birdventures.com/> >>
>> Please use the Ventures e-Mail (<Venturesbirding...>) to contact
>> the Ventures office - thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, 19 Jul 2025 at 13:11, sheryl mcnair <carolinabirds...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> All,
>>> We have a cruise to Antarctica & I’m trying to decide—do I want to bring
>>> my scope? And do I want any different binos than my 10X30 Swarovskis? Any
>>> thoughts? It’s not a travel scope, btw.
>>> FMTY,
>>> Sheryl
>>>
>>
