Best waterproof camera for a cruise?

We just ordered that camera. We haven't tried it yet, but the reviews/price combination led us to the conclusion this was the best option for that exact use.

Hiring a professional film crew is also an option.

I have the olympus tough series. so far so good. only downside is that it uses a XD card, but you can also purchase a microSD to XD converter.

For a little over your budget (via Costco) I picked up a Nikon Coolpix AW100.
So far, so good.
Underwater photos are good and waterproof/shockproof build is working.
The video quality is very good - photo exposure seems to tend to meter high and overexposure but you can compensate.
It also has a built in GPS that can automatically tag your photos with location data.- which for me was the selling point over the Olympus and Fuji models.

I've had the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 since it first came out and has not disappointed me. I carried it in my swim trunk pocket and the battery compartment opened up and water got in (mind you thats how I've always carried it when I used it underwater but I guess the seals were getting old). I've gotten it wet inside before and dried out with no issues but this was the first time with salt water and the screen is somewhat blurry now but it still works like a champ. But the new model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 would have been my next purchase if my old one complete died out.

The Panasonic and Olympus are often the top rated. However, the Nikon hasn't been out all that long, so it wasn't compared in most of those ratings. I just got the Nikon AW100 myself (also for a cruise, but in October) and have been really happy with it so far. I would recommend picking up an inexpensive 'float' strap that will suspend the camera in the water should you lose hold of it or the strap come off your wrist. They can usually be had for less than $10.

I currently have the Panasonic TS4 (purchased April this year) and the Olympus 1030 SW (purchased in 2008). Hands down I love the Olympus. It is built much better than the Panasonic and I find it easier to use. The down side, it made this terrible knocking noise when I took video, but I believe it is just my camera because I've asked other people who own it and they didn't have that problem. The photo quality was good enough for me, but it doesn't compare to something you will see in a magazine. I bought the Panasonic because lately my Olympus won't turn on. As for the Panasonic, quality and video is great. Only problem I'm noticing is that it is starting to make a sound when I switch to view photos (kinda worries me). I also purchased the Fiji Waterproof camera at Costco, but one underwater use and the screen fogged up so I returned it (fyi, never had this problem with other two).

Other than the camera, like BrentD suggested, get the floaty strap. Your camera won't completly float, but it will fall much slower. And if you don't have it and jump into the ocean, you will be paranoid the whole time of it dropping into the deep. Another, get a screen film protecter. I scratched up my Olympus pretty bad snorkeling one time (screen and body).

I don't know too much about cameras so I really don't know if there's a cheaper/better option.
But I also bought a waterproof camera when I went on my cruise in January and I picked up with Sony Cybershot TX10. Loved it! Used it underwater for snorkeling and a stingray excursion (as well as nonunderwater pics) Both pictures and videos were great.

I think this might be above your budget, but a great camera nonetheless.

Get the gopro hero 2 camera

I work for a pro camera shop.

Best camera to use is the Sony TX20. Olympus is wack. Their sensors is not anywhere near as good as sony's sensors. Ever since sony bought out Minolta, they're technology in camera has skyrocket. Sony has the money and Minolta has the brains of the camera ----- they got camera of the year twice. Beating Nikon and Canon.

Going back to waterproof cameras ---------- point and shoots are always going to be the same besides the features and sensor. Sony will have the better sensor, better zoom, better lens (carl Zeiss) and features (high burst mode) If you have not tested out the high burst mode on the sony, you are missing out. The thing shoots off like a gun dude.

Nikon is good but its too slow for me, nikon is for old lazy people that don't really care about using cameras to their fill potential. Canon is for camera geeks, they're a pretty stuck up company. Canon is good but I rather have the sony because its faster and more sleek. Sony is the peoples camera. Everyone favors sony because sony favors the peoples desires. Panasonic is a great camera too, if the camera has a Leica lens I would consider it, but I am into high burst mode due to my high action lifestyle.

Quote from esd087 : We're going on our first cruise in September so I want to find a waterproof camera to take snorkeling and swimming. Does anyone have suggestions for the best all-around waterproof camera that is affordable? I want something that will take really clear pictures and steady, clear HD video underwater. I'm considering the Panasonic TS20 [amazon.com] since it's affordable and the reviews look good. . Any suggestions/discussion would be very helpful. Would prefer to stay under $200 if possible.

This Panasonic camera is the Amazon Deal of the Day TODAY ONLY (Tues, 8/7/12) for only $99 bucks. At that price it seems like a no brainer for you to go with that one if you haven't found one yet.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00728ZC1U/

Quote from BrentD : This Panasonic camera is the Amazon Deal of the Day TODAY ONLY (Tues, 8/7/12) for only $99 bucks. At that price it seems like a no brainer for you to go with that one if you haven't found one yet. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00728ZC1U/

Thanks for your help everyone. I almost pulled the trigger on the Panasonic, but ended up finding Dicapac waterproof cases on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Dicapac-WP-...rds=wp-one

After a lot of research, I ended up buying the case. It seems to have excellent reviews and I am much more likely to get high-quality pics and videos with our current camera - Canon SX230HS. The Dicapac website recommends a different version (WP-570) for the SX230HS, but I ended up getting the WP-ONE as it seems the 570 would be far too big for my camera. If anyone has experience with the Dicapacs, that would be great to hear from you!

We did finally get around to trying the Panasonic camera, and we were highly disappointed in the picture quality out of water. Never bothered trying it in water. Even in decent light the pictures were subpar. So, it went back to Amazon.