Restrictions on sail and snorkel excursions

[anjuan]

My 17 yr old DD wants to do a sail and snorkel excursion on our upcoming Caribbean spring break cruise. I am newly diagnosed with diabetes and noticed that many of the excursions say that people with diabetes are restricted. Do you think they would allow us to go if I just stayed on the boat and my DD snorkeled? She's a competitive swimmer and has her life guard certification so I'm not worried about her being on her own.

 

[pjsmith67]

I have diabetes and have been on several snorkel excursions. They do that just to cover themselves in case something happens. As long as your diabetes is under control, you have nothing to worry about. I usually just don't indicate on the liability form that I have it.

 

[MomOTwins]

My 17 yr old DD wants to do a sail and snorkel excursion on our upcoming Caribbean spring break cruise. I am newly diagnosed with diabetes and noticed that many of the excursions say that people with diabetes are restricted. Do you think they would allow us to go if I just stayed on the boat and my DD snorkeled? She's a competitive swimmer and has her life guard certification so I'm not worried about her being on her own.

Given the way diabetes is listed alongside a whole host of other medical conditions, I think the issue is not with the snorkel part, but the fact that you are out on a sail boat in the middle of nowhere and no quick way to get you medical attention in case of an emergency. Regardless, I expect that is there more so that they can disclaim liability if something happens. If you are comfortable from a safety standpoint, it is not like they won’t let you go—how would they even know if you have diabetes if you don’t tell them?

One last thought: if your cruise goes to Castaway Cay, your daughter can snorkel without any issue since the snorkel lagoon is right off the brach and you don’t need to take a boat anywhere. If it were me, I’d probably just tell DD the sail/snorkel is not in the cards until she is an adult and can do it on her own, but that’s because I am a total stickler for following rules even if they are loosely enforced.

 

[lanejudy]

Which port(s) and which port adventures? I spot-checked a few and some of the more intense port adventures do state that those with diabetes must refrain from snorkeling. At least in the descriptions I read, it seems to be that a person with diabetes could register for the port adventure but just not snorkel; that may depend on the specific port adventure you have in mind. I agree with PPs that it likely has to do with vendor liability due to the in-accessibility of...medical care, food, etc.

But the "tamer" snorkeling port adventures don't even mention diabetes so it shouldn't be a problem. Just look for one of those and tell her she'll have to cruise again as an adult

 

[pjsmith67]

Since you are an adult, I assume you have Type 2, which I have. If you are really concerned about it, just make sure your blood sugar is not low before you go, which is usually not a problem for Type 2 ( at least for me, anyway).

Type 1 is whole different ball game...

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.

 

[tvguy]

Which port(s) and which port adventures? I spot-checked a few and some of the more intense port adventures do state that those with diabetes must refrain from snorkeling. At least in the descriptions I read, it seems to be that a person with diabetes could register for the port adventure but just not snorkel; that may depend on the specific port adventure you have in mind. I agree with PPs that it likely has to do with vendor liability due to the in-accessibility of...medical care, food, etc.

But the "tamer" snorkeling port adventures don't even mention diabetes so it shouldn't be a problem. Just look for one of those and tell her she'll have to cruise again as an adult

Swimming and snorkeling are two things my Doctor recommends for me to keep my Type 2 Diabetes in check. But any exercise does lower my blood sugar. Like @pjsmith67, getting my blood sugar down is the challenge, not low blood sugar even with excercise.

 

[lanejudy]

Swimming and snorkeling are two things my Doctor recommends for me to keep my Type 2 Diabetes in check. But any exercise does lower my blood sugar. Like @pjsmith67, getting my blood sugar down is the challenge, not low blood sugar even with excercise.

I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me. I was only commenting based on the requirements I saw listed by the port adventures -- some indicate that persons with diabetes may not participate in the snorkeling part. These do tend to be port adventures that are combining activities -- kayaking + snorkeling, catamaran + snorkeling, ATV + snorkeling. Other descriptions don't have such restrictions, and these tend to be port adventures centered on the snorkeling activity. Any that mentioned "diabetes" did not specify T1 vs T2. Such restrictions are likely driven by the vendor's liability insurance.

 

[tvguy]

I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me. I was only commenting based on the requirements I saw listed by the port adventures -- some indicate that persons with diabetes may not participate in the snorkeling part. These do tend to be port adventures that are combining activities -- kayaking + snorkeling, catamaran + snorkeling, ATV + snorkeling. Other descriptions don't have such restrictions, and these tend to be port adventures centered on the snorkeling activity. Any that mentioned "diabetes" did not specify T1 vs T2. Such restrictions are likely driven by the vendor's liability insurance.

I guess what I am tell you is the restrictions make no sense. But you are likely spot on in that they are likely driven by the vendors liability insurance.