We have a half day tour scheduled in Kirkwall with an option for either morning or afternoon. Some in our group think that it is more likely to be foggy in the morning. Is that a real risk in northern Scotland?
On a Med cruise I average about 300 pictures per port. Not only the buildings but zooming in for details. My DLSR with a 16 - 400 zoom is the only lens I bring. I also change SD cards every couple of days. I find that my phone does not give me as much control of the image. If I was just going to take photos of the family in front of famous destinations, the phone would work fine.
Even at the sites you mention I found a telephoto lens (400 mm) useful. The telephoto gives you the option of closeups. I tend to use a 16-400 zoom. Here is an example from Florence.
If you do some research in most ports you can prebook a driver/guide combination that will limit the amount of walking. In other ports you might find a hop on hop off (HOHO) bus close by. There are lots of choices.
I have found that problem going from low humidity (on the ship) to high humidity. It usually corrects itself in 3 - 4 minutes. Doesn't help if you are running directly from your room to balcony for a picture.
We got a call tonight from someone who said they were from Princess. They knew our past cruising history and wanted to sell us future cruise credits. Their web site was "princesspromotions". They had a "Balcony Package" and a "Suite Package", which had nothing to do with the type of cabin you might book in the future. Sounded fishy to me but was wondering if anyone has heard of this (or has used it)
My strategy for viewing is to be on the bow. If that is not possible, I am on a deck where I can move from side to side. That said, if it was pouring, I might be inclined to use the balcony.
Another vote for Bruges. We spent more than one day there last summer. I have a friend whose family is from Brussels and she told me to stay in Bruges.