Filming a cruise ship video is unlike any other production experience. It’s a dynamic mix of creativity, spontaneity, and adaptability, set against the backdrop of open seas and ever-changing environments. Reflecting on our recent shoot aboard a luxury cruise liner, I can say that this experience was one of the most unique, challenging, and rewarding projects I’ve ever worked on. After months of preparations in pre-production, our team consisting of 56 crew members and talents shot across two cruise ships for Resort World Cruises. Here’s a brief reflection and the waters we had to navigate for the shoot.
The Schedule Coordination Challenge
Filming on a cruise ship presented a logistical puzzle. We had to coordinate around the ship’s busy schedule, including planned events, meals, and port stops. This required tight communication with the cruise director and staff, who were instrumental in keeping us on track. Their support was invaluable in ensuring we had access to the best locations and activities without disrupting the passengers’ experience.
Not only was our team given the task of shooting both photos and videos across three separate shooting teams, we had to share the same talents too! Juggling the schedule was challenging as the team had to learn how to share the talents in different combinations all across different locations on the ship. Working hand in hand with the cruise staff to follow the ships’ tight schedule required meticulous planning, and it was a crucial step to make sure that the shoot ran smoothly. The team had to learn to be flexible and to adapt to even last minute schedule changes throughout the shoot. For example, when we docked at Indonesia and realised that the port covered the beautiful sea deck shots, the teams had to switch up to shoot other shots instead.
The Smaller the Better
If you ever had the opportunity to be on a cruise ship, the one thing you would notice is that every little space counts! Room corridors can be narrow and navigating the spaces within the ship can be tricky especially if you have a few thousand holiday cruisers on board at the same time. We chose a smaller team, slimmer production trolley with mobile equipment set up. Not only did this help the team to move around the cruise ship faster, but we got to navigate through crowds and take up less areas while we shot a scene.
Working with Natural Light and Unpredictable Weather
One of the greatest joys—and challenges—of this project was working with natural light. The sun reflecting off the water created beautiful lighting during the golden hours. Whether filming a sunrise swimming pool session on the private pool deck or a romantic sunset stroll, the soft glow made the scenes feel warm and inviting. The team used natural sunlight paired up with our set lights to achieve a natural look as the sun transitioned through the skies.
However, the weather had its own agenda. The team had to sometimes shoot around cloudy skies, unexpected rain showers, and strong winds. There was one instance where the team had to manage strong morning winds and adapt the models hair and outfits to stay put despite the windy weather. Other times the team had to pivot quickly to an indoor shoot if the weather was a setback. Luckily to say, we had good weather mostly throughout our journey with no rough seas.
Capturing the Human Experience
One of the core elements of this video shoot was showcasing the human side of a cruise. Passengers are there to escape, relax, and make memories, and it was crucial for the footage to reflect that joy. Shooting candid moments became a priority—families laughing over dinner, friends sharing drinks by the pool, and couples marvelling at the view from their balcony.
Wrapping Up
Looking back on this experience, the cruise ship shoot was a blend of meticulous planning, creativity, and team effort. It required flexibility, patience, and a deep connection with the setting and the people. Despite the challenges, the unique beauty and energy of life on a cruise ship made for a visually stunning and emotionally rich final product. Now, to see our hard work being displayed and featured across different platforms, not only do I feel a sense of pride in what our team has managed to achieve, but I also take home memories of an incredible adventure. This project showed me that sometimes the most memorable shoots are the ones where you have to embrace the unknown and let the journey guide your creativity.
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