Castaway Cay Snorkel Equipment

[mkb3]

I'm trying to decide if I should buy my own equipment or rent. From watching Vloggers it's split 50/50, what is your experience?

 

[MarkLT1]

Background: I have done quite a bit of SCUBA diving, and love to snorkel.. have all my own gear.

The quality of the snorkeling equipment is.. fine. For a day with the family, snorkeling near CC, it will get the job done, and you'll have a good time. Is it as good as having your own custom gear? If you snorkel/dive a lot, you might not like the gear a ton. If you don't have much snorkeling/diving experience, you'll likely not really know the difference.

On our first cruise, and our upcoming cruise, we'll be snorkeling at CC. And in both cases, we rented (will be renting) the gear, as dragging fins, masks, etc.. with us, is just not worth the effort, as the rental gear is "good enough." Also, if you're interested in also either biking or using a tube, the package that comes with all three (snorkel gear, a tube, and bike rental) is less than renting any two of those on their own.

 

[DisBNewB]

I'm with Mark. Well, minus the bit about scuba diving and having my own equipment.

It was fine. I didn't love it, but it was good enough, and when compared to the bother of lugging everything with me & then having to deal with it after the fact on CC, I am happy sticking with renting.

 

[Marc D]

You can fo half-way. Bring your own mask and snorkel and rent the fins for 50% of the price. As PP said, if you don‘t think it will be a recurring activity, just rent the entire kit. On our upcoming cruise, we’ll snorkel for a few hours on four different days so we will bring our own masks.

 

[Hayduke]

We're in the same boat, we own our own gear, and was planning on bringing mask and snorkel (using a snorkel that's been in 1000's of people's mouths is just yuck) and leaving the fins behind (too big to pack). So, how do we go about getting 50% off? We went ahead and reserved the full package online, assuming we'd just have to pay the full price to get the fins.

 

[Marc D]

We're in the same boat, we own our own gear, and was planning on bringing mask and snorkel (using a snorkel that's been in 1000's of people's mouths is just yuck) and leaving the fins behind (too big to pack). So, how do we go about getting 50% off? We went ahead and reserved the full package online, assuming we'd just have to pay the full price to get the fins.

There is no point in pre-ordering the package. They do not run out and do not prioritize pre-booked guests over walk-ins. If, on the day, you do not feel like using it, you’ll be out of your money since they require advanced cancellation.

In your situation, I would cancel the pre-booking. Just go to the rental places and they will charge you the 50% and give you the fins.

 

[SL6827]

How much is it to rent the fins and is that for all day?

 

[Starwind]

How much is it to rent the fins and is that for all day?

18.00 for the day for just fins for an adult. I think a child is a bit cheaper but not much.

 

[GPaLarry]

We always take our own, minus fins, but have rented there, too. It depends on the length of the cruise (space in your suitcase with pirate outfits, door decorations, fish extenders, etc.) and if you are more used to your equipment. Agree that the CC equipment might be a bit used, maybe a lot used, but is clean (DCL is very strict about this). It is your choice whether or not it is convenient for you to take your own stuff or rent. We are going there in July and will take our own...also will try the 5K for the first time...no equipment needed, just stamina.
Also, remember to put on a the inflatable life vest...a must!!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We just rent. We don't won our own stuff- snorkeling in New England, well... just too cold. So it is only on vacation when we go. Just can't pack all the stuff, with all the other stuff-even if we did own our equipment. Might change my mind someday, but their equipment is passable and it is fun. Enjoy!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We always take our own, minus fins, but have rented there, too. It depends on the length of the cruise (space in your suitcase with pirate outfits, door decorations, fish extenders, etc.) and if you are more used to your equipment. Agree that the CC equipment might be a bit used, maybe a lot used, but is clean (DCL is very strict about this). It is your choice whether or not it is convenient for you to take your own stuff or rent. We are going there in July and will take our own...also will try the 5K for the first time...no equipment needed, just stamina.
Also, remember to put on a the inflatable life vest...a must!!

Well, you do need running shoes! ☺ 5K is fun, but in July will be hot. Lots of hydration the day before, light meal the morning of. Have fun!

 

[Dug720]

Lots of hydration the day before, light meal the morning of.

Just be careful not to OVER-hydrate. Scarily, the symptoms of dehydration and hyponatremia (results from over-hydration) are very similar, and in hot environments the default is to treat for dehydration, which would be deadly if the person in fact has hyponatremia. A friend of mine almost died from hyponatremia at this year's Disney Marathon - thankfully her boyfriend knew that she had been drinking a ton of water - some with electrolytes but not all - to stay hydrated in the heat and told the paramedics and ER staff so they quickly tested her for hyponatremia and did not automatically start hydrating her.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Just be careful not to OVER-hydrate. Scarily, the symptoms of dehydration and hyponatremia (results from over-hydration) are very similar, and in hot environments the default is to treat for dehydration, which would be deadly if the person in fact has hyponatremia. A friend of mine almost died from hyponatremia at this year's Disney Marathon - thankfully her boyfriend knew that she had been drinking a ton of water - some with electrolytes but not all - to stay hydrated in the heat and told the paramedics and ER staff so they quickly tested her for hyponatremia and did not automatically start hydrating her.

Absolutely agree! Don't go nuts with the hydration- reasonable amounts and you will be fine. It is supposed to be a fun run, so no need to go crazy.

 

[SL6827]

Ok, I am gonna ask and maybe I shouldn't but there was a man on CC that died snorkeling a while back. Anyone know how that happened?

 

[Shellyred8]

I debated whether to bring my own gear or just rent. I decided to just rent since I was only going to be using it that one day and only for a couple of hours. Their equipment was sufficient for the amount of time I used it. If I would've had more snorkeling days planned, I would've brought my own mask and snorkel.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

CC rental gear is fine; not the Snorkeling Equipment of the Gods, but clean and plenty functional enough for a single day on CC. We have our own gear (the MacSpiffs do a lot of freshwater snorkeling) but I don't bother bringing it. It's just one more thing to pack and keep track of.

 

[o&smom]

We have all of our own gear, but just bring masks and snorkels when we cruise.

 

[auntrenae]

Ok, I am gonna ask and maybe I shouldn't but there was a man on CC that died snorkeling a while back. Anyone know how that happened?

Do you mean the man who died at Serenity Bay in '05?

 

[SL6827]

Do you mean the man who died at Serenity Bay in '05?

Most likely. Wasnt he snorkeling?

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Most likely. Wasnt he snorkeling?

There were two water related accidents, two days in a row, back in 2015. The one you are referring to, I think, is from the Fantasy. From what I understand he was snorkeling, but no other details were released- ie. whether he had some sort of medical event while he was in the water etc.