?Purchase snorkel gear?

[goofyguy1958]

I was just wondering if I should buy and tote along snorkel gear for myself and DD for our May 2004 cruise. My DW and DS (4) will not be snorkeling and I am a little uneasy about using snorkeling gear that may not be as clean as I would like.

 

[BadgerRob]

We purchased snorkeling gear for our cruise next week That way we know it will fit and that it is clean. You might be able to find some deals on close outs from the summer.

 

[Cheryl-Lynne]

We have purchased snorkeling gear for our upcoming cruise. I too was concerned about how clean the used ones might be! I also found the cost to rent them rather high, compared to purchasing them.

 

[dthogue]

I too purchased snorkeling equipment for my DDs (14, 11, 5). I couldn't stand the thought of them putting something in their mouth that was in someone else's mouth. We bought ours at Walmart and they work great. We have been practicing anytime we stay at a hotel with a swimming pool. The practice has allowed my girls to get accustomed to using the snorkel. I am planning on puting the snorkel equipment and sand toys in our rolling coller for the cruise.

Tammy

 

[SeaSpray]

DH and I bought snorkel gear for our Bermuda cruise this past summer. It was definitely worth it. It's lightweight and easy to tote along. We bought ours in Decathlon Sports and it wasn't expensive at all. My brother and SIL cruise all the time and told us to buy our own gear because the first time they went on a snorkeling excursion they rented the gear and my brother said it was pretty gross when he put the mouth piece into his mouth and he could feel all the bite and teeth marks from the people who had rented it before him!! That alone made it worth buying our own. We'll be buying snorkel gear for our DSs for our cruise next summer. Also, once you have your own gear you can snorkel anywhere and not necessarily have to pay for an excursion. On many islands you can snorkel and see fish right from any beach.

 

[WDWLVR]

I tried to snorkel on our first visit to Castaway Cay and found I was getting vertigo in the water without my glasses (I had snorkeled years ago with no problem when my eyes were better). When I was at the eye doctor I asked about getting a mask with my perscription in it and it was no problem. DH decided to go get a mask as well and our own snorkels. Best money we ever spent! You can rent fins only (since they take the most room). I'm looking forward to snorkeling again next year with our own gear!

 

[juniorbugman]

Allways buy your own masks, fins can be rented and you still have to stand in line to get you bouancy vests at Castaway Cay.

And remember to buy some underwater disposable cameras for each swimmer, you can get some great water pics.

 

[AnnMorin]

will they let you rent fins only at CC? DS has a snorkle and mask but no fins.

 

[WDWLVR]

Ann, yes you can rent fins only at CC. That's what we did and it was great. In fact when we went over to serenity bay we didn't even take them with us and didn't need them. Definately need them in the snorkeling lagoon as you need to go out pretty far to see the good stuff.

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

I have had my gear for several years and do agree that using someone elses is not the best idea. I also got some Zoomers, they are short fins and make it easier to swim along the bottom and take pictures. I got them at a sporting goods store and they don't take up as much room when packing.

 

[AnnMorin]

Mary, any idea what it costs for the fins? I know the life vests are free-actually required in the lagoon.

 

[WDWLVR]

Ann,

I think the fins alone are $9 as opposed to the $25 for the complete package. You are correct that the vests are free, In fact if you have all your own gear you don't even have to go up to the shack. When we cruised in May they had some of the vests with a member of the cruise staff right as you get into the water. She was passing them out to people who had all their own gear.

 

[AnnMorin]

thqanks Mary, I will have Mike bring his ,,, I don't know if I have time to get them for jay and I but.........

 

[kcashner]

I purchased snorkel gear for myself and daughter after the gear provided didn't fit her correctly and cut into her feet. We got our stuff at the local dive shop off season and on sale. If we used it twice, it would be cheaper than renting. Sure, it takes a little luggage space, but I'm happy!

 

[ChattyKathy]

Can anyone direct me to where I can buy snorkel gear....I dont think we have dive shops around here....

TIA


Kathy

 

[cjsmith]

Walmart, Target and K Mart usually carry some kind of snorkel gear. I'm not quite sure if you'll be able to find them out of season up by you, so you may want to shop once you get down to Florida if that's the case.
Unless everyone in your family is really into snorkeling and you're going to go often, it may be something that you want to rethink. We rented from DCL on our firsr cruise and my boys only used in alittle while. Unless you go first thing in the morning, it can get very "cloudy" in the water and you may not be able to see too much unless you swim way out. I personally don't feel it's that worth the money for Castaway Cay alone, but that's just my opinion.

 

[ChattyKathy]

Thanks Carolyn,
My kids have snorkeling sets that they use for our swimming pool, but I didn't know if they needed something 'better' for the ocean water.... Now that your saying WalMart, etc- I think these are going to be fine! PS- my kids think they are really fish!




Kathy