Funeegal Posted May 16, 2022 Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 I apologize if this is in the wrong place on the message boards. We are going on RCL Ovation of the Seas for a B2B Alaska sailing (three years in the making)! We do not currently own a pair of binoculars. We do currently own iPhone 13's which have an amazing camera and can zoom very well. We don't really have an ongoing need for binoculars, but would purchase for this cruise if it was worth it and not break the bank for good quality ones. My question - Are binoculars needed? Would the iPhone zoom work well enough? Would binocular apps work well enough? I appreciate the advice and input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 16, 2022 Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 It depend what you want to get out of your trip. Sometimes whales and other scenery is miles away. An iPhone or app will not work well for this application. They sold some on Quantum this past week: WAAAYTOOO, Swar and Funeegal 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funeegal Posted May 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 Thanks, @twangster! That is exactly the information I needed. I found a pair of Bushnell's that look similar to the ones in your picture. I think I will pull the trigger and buy. I appreciate your reponse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted May 16, 2022 Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 I've got a spotting scope with a cell phone holder on it. I'm half tempted to take that if I have room in luggage after packing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlantix2000 Posted May 16, 2022 Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 The zoom on your iPhone or a "real" camera may be good enough to capture some nice memories for future viewing. However, in the moment, you'd still be looking at a small screen. I think the advantage of binoculars would be that you would be able to fill your field of vision with the view. USCG Teacher and Funeegal 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycho and Barb Posted May 16, 2022 Report Share Posted May 16, 2022 We always cruise with our binoculars and they mostly stay on our balcony. We also have IPhone 13’s and even with the great quality of the camera…Most the time it’s so much better and easier to use the binoculars. Funeegal, teddy and USCG Teacher 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie10* Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 Are binoculars provided for Suites guests? We will be on the Ovaltion Alaska cruise in September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorntor Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 Bought a good pair of Nikon binoculars in Seward, Alaska. A real must for Alaska. If traveling with family or friend, you might consider two pair, so you don't have to pass them back and forth in Alaska. We take a pair on every cruise. I enjoy looking at passing ships, birds sea life, ports, etc. from our balcony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowen Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 We brought binoculars and used them constantly. Such a beautiful place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowen Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 2 hours ago, cookie10* said: Are binoculars provided for Suites guests? We will be on the Ovaltion Alaska cruise in September. Not that I know of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinK Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 I recently bought one of this for my upcoming Alaska Cruise. Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/08/15/top-5-binoculars-alaska-cruise Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAYNO Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 You don't have to pay a lot for usable binoculars. But... At least get waterproof ones. Internal condensation and/or fog can make otherwise decent binoc's difficult to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycho and Barb Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 We got an excellent deal on quality binoculars many years ago from a Black Friday/clearance sale at West Marine. They have been on every cruise with us since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycho and Barb Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 2 hours ago, Thorntor said: We take a pair on every cruise. I enjoy looking at passing ships, birds sea life, ports, etc. from our balcony. Psycho loves sitting on the balcony and looking for alien space craft FSUFAN 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ1231 Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 I'm a birdwatcher but ner felt the need for $500 binoculars. I've been using these Nikon's for a few years now and they do the job well and won't break the bank. I used Bushnell in the past adn these blow them away: https://smile.amazon.com/Nikon-10x42-ProStaff-Binoculars-Black/dp/B01B6FBG0K/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1RDG4ZCFKFVMV&keywords=nikon+10x42+binoculars&qid=1661215898&sprefix=nikon+10x%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Squirrel Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 We were on Ovation last week and we took our binoculars but we found it a bit to misty to really be on our balcony using the binoculars. We didn’t want to invest in a new camera but if you are really into pictures, you may want to take a good camera. We used our IPhone 10s and still got some pretty good shots. Some were panoramic shots so might need to turn the photo. As Twangster said, they did have binoculars for sale if you decide you really would prefer binoculars Carlos A. and Matt 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.