Alaska’s glaciers tower above breaching whales, providing an awe-inspiring stage for unforgettable images. The Galapagos reveals a world of giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, and Costa Rica’s lush rainforests echo with exotic bird calls and hidden waterfalls. These extraordinary scenes deserve more than quick snapshots. They call for the guidance of skilled mentors who can help travelers transform powerful moments into lasting visual stories.
That's why, UnCruise Adventures is happy to partner with photographers John and Lisa Merrill to give our guests some extraordinary guidance aboard select sailings.
Why Cruise with the Merrills?
"As needed, they’ll help demystify your camera’s features and settings so you can quickly capture sharp images of birds in flight and other wildlife in motion.”
Professional travel photographers John and Lisa Merrill of Merrill Images accompany guests on select UnCruise voyages to provide immersive, hands-on photography experiences. Their supportive teaching style turns daunting camera concepts into approachable lessons that spark genuine creativity.
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Expert Coaching for Any Skill Level
John and Lisa Merrill have photographed destinations worldwide for magazines, books, and outdoor companies. They distill advanced concepts—such as shutter speed and exposure—into clear, interactive guidance suitable for both novices and seasoned photographers. - On-Location Instruction
Rather than simply lecturing on board, the Merrills accompany travelers during daily excursions. This real-time coaching approach helps participants capture elusive wildlife behaviors, fleeting bursts of light, and the vibrant energy of local cultures the moment these photo opportunities arise.
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Inspiring Presentations and Reviews
Evening sessions offer the chance to review the day’s photos, deepen understanding of composition, and explore techniques for capturing action. Individual reviews provide personalized feedback, ensuring that each participant refines skills while still enjoying the relaxed pace of small-ship travel. -
Optional Gear Consultations
Travelers uncertain about which equipment to bring can consult with the Merrills prior to embarkation. Whether packing a smartphone, a DSLR, or something in between, participants can arrive confident that their chosen gear will help them achieve their goals.
"I appreciated Lisa’s help and expertise during our recent trip to the Sea of Cortez with UnCruise. On the first day she patiently helped me customize my camera settings to capture action. I learned a lot from her evening presentations on Creative Phone Photography and Nature, Wildlife and Outdoor Adventure Photography and appreciate her handouts. When we were out exploring together, she shared creative approaches to capturing various scenes. Back on the Safari Voyager she reviewed my photos and gave me constructive suggestions on composition and photo editing," a recent guest to Baja wrote about their experience.
Beyond photography, each theme cruise invites guests to enjoy kayaking, hiking, and wildlife watching, making the journey just as fulfilling for non-photographers. Photographic activities are offered throughout the voyage, allowing everyone to strike the perfect balance between capturing stunning images and savoring new experiences.
Three Iconic Photography Adventures
1. Darwin’s Discoveries Photography Cruise: Galapagos
- Departure Date: May 8, 2025
- Explore the Galapagos: Galapagos Photography Cruise
The Galapagos inspired Charles Darwin’s pioneering research and continues to captivate modern travelers. Guests learn to work with bright equatorial sunlight, capture wildlife behaviors—such as marine iguanas feeding or giant tortoises ambling—and compose sweeping panoramas of lava-sculpted landscapes. Evening presentations focus on Nature, Wildlife, and Outdoor Adventure Photography, illustrating ways to harness light and create compelling stories through images.
2. Photography Cruise: Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka
- Departure Date: August 2, 2025
- Explore Alaska: Alaska Photography Cruise
Alaska’s glacier-studded fjords and abundant marine life make each day on the water a photographer’s dream. On-location coaching helps participants capture the majestic scale of calving glaciers, snap fast-paced shots of breaching whales, and compose moody vistas of mist-shrouded forests. Creative Phone Photography sessions reveal underused smartphone features (burst, panorama and portrait modes) and powerful editing tools -- ensuring that every traveler can preserve the spirit of Alaska’s wild beauty.
3. Costa Rica Photography Cruise
- Departure Date: January 2, 2027
- Explore Costa Rica: Costa Rica Photography Cruise
Costa Rica’s rainforests teem with vibrant wildlife, from toucans and macaws to shy sloths and mischievous monkeys. The Merrills guide travelers in capturing dynamic landscapes where waterfalls cascade into lush valleys, while teaching techniques for balancing bright sunlight against the dappled shadows under a jungle canopy. Personalized image reviews and interactive discussions help guests refine each day’s photos and continue building confidence behind the lens.
Reserving a Spot and Staying Connected
A small-ship experience with UnCruise Adventures pairs daily explorations with a warm onboard community and ample opportunities for photography. Departures featuring John and Lisa Merrill are marked with a star on each destination’s page, and they can also be found on the dedicated Photography Theme Cruises page. Early booking is encouraged due to high demand for these immersive, hands-on experiences.
- Galapagos (May 8, 2025): Darwin’s Discoveries Photography Cruise
- Alaska (August 2, 2025): Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka
- Costa Rica (January 2, 2027): Costa Rica Photography Cruise
Travelers are invited to connect with the Merrills through Merrill Images to learn more about their teaching philosophy and explore past work. Social media users can tag @UnCruise and @MerrillImages when sharing photos from these adventures, inspiring others to embark on their own visual storytelling journey. Through these expeditions, participants discover that photography is more than an art form—it is a way of honoring breathtaking places, wildlife encounters, and lifelong memories.
