You’re all dressed up and ready for dinner, but first an important question: Where is the best place to take formal night pictures on your Carnival Cruise ship? Read on for our top places and tips for taking formal night photos after over 12 Carnival Cruises (that’s a lot of formal nights!)
The Stairs
I had to start with the obvious. The professional photographers like to set themselves up on the atrium stairs, but you can often find a pretty staircase for handing a phone off to a friend for some pictures. Stairs pictures on a cruise ship are often overdone, but also a classic!
The Professional Photographer
Carnival has professional photographers everywhere on formal night. They come with their own backdrops and good cameras. They know how to pose you in a way that makes you look good (think wedding photos, not 4th grade class photos). It’s free to take photos so stroll around and find a background you like. If any of the pictures come out great then buy them. If not, don’t worry about it. You had fun right?
The Funnel
Carnival’s funnel is it’s iconic branding. Most Carnival Cruises have a mini smokestack on the miniature golf course. Sometimes you can even manage to get a picture with both the mini funnel and the full sized one. (Bonus points!) It’s a little cheesy, but so is the picture on the stairs. At least this way you remember you are on Carnival!
Bars & Lounges
Many of the bars and lounges have a unique atmosphere with a variety of chairs and backdrops. These can make good pictures that are outside the normal cruise pictures. (That’s why you’re here right? You want different pictures that do not involve the stairs.)
Your Stateroom
This one obviously depends on the room, but many of the Carnival Cruise ship cabins have some interesting places to take formal night pictures. Oceanview? Hop up in the giant window for some photos that are clearly on a cruise ship, but are not the norm. If you have a balcony…I think that one is obvious. Balcony photos are the best. You can prop your phone up on something and get both of you in the picture and you don’t have to worry about crowds or people in your way!
Havana
If you have access to the Havana pool, it is often a more attractive area than other parts of the ship and is a beautiful place to take photos. If you do not have access to the pool, the bar and lounge area is open to everyone and has some fun areas. (Note: Havana is only on the newer Carnival ships. If you are sailing an older ship, this tip does not apply to you!)
From the deck above
Have your friendly photographer head up to the deck above you for some great photos. Using an alternative angle in your photography gives your picture some character and will set it apart from the standard cruise ship photos.
Anywhere you have a view of the sunset
The best formal night pictures involve you in the foreground and the sunset in the background. Wherever else you decide to take your formal photos, take a couple with the sunset too!
Anywhere that speaks to you, personally.
Enjoy books? Locate the library and take some photos in there. (Pros: Lots of great places to set your phone down and use the timer feature. Cons: Watch the lighting. The libraries are often dark.)
Enjoy music? Find the piano bar and hope it’s not too busy.
Sports Fan? A formal photo holding a basketball or golf club could be the right photo op for you. (Check the hours before you bank on that one.)
Remember, this is your cruise. Find the places that work for you and go from there. How do you want to remember your trip?
Looking for more Carnival Tips? Check out these posts:
Ultimate Guide to Food on Carnival Cruises
What to do on a sea day on a Carnival Cruise
