Safe Sea - Is it necessary?

[kath1210]

Do we need Safe Sea for swimming at CC? I keep hearing stories about sea lice.

Kathy

 

[MarkRG]

From the post titled 'look here for useful cruise info' at the top of this forum..

Click here: Everything you wanted to know about sea lice and were afraid to ask

 

[ratfam]

We have been on two cruises and spend two entire days in the water at CC ant no one in the family (4 total) has ever had a problem, we never bought any special products (in fact, I had never heard of sea lice before reading these boards in prep for our second cruise) although we do always wear sunscreen if that makes a difference. It is also something that I never heard anyone on either of our cruises discussing as a problem. I am sure that some people have had trouble or if wouldn't be such a big discussion topic, but I wouldn't worry yourself too much about it.

 

[nehdeh]

This is something I'd like to know also. I've read the thread about the sea lice and I guess my question is: Anyone out there been bothered by sea lice at CC or know of anyone who has??
Thanks!

 

[MarkRG]

Didn't know what it was at the time, but yes have been bothered by this. It's a bad rash anyplace your swimsuit makes tight contact with skin. And if you read Scott's notes, I'll brief some of it up. It is when the jellyfish are spawning, not a constant thing. Also, it's not the containment against your skin that does it, it is the rinsing yourself in freshwater that sets them off on stinging you.

A little prevention goes a long way, we've brought it every time since. For getting it, Ron Jon's also carries it. I don't know if the new airport location stocks it or not, will look in a month when I'm down there.

 

[Honu]

Being from a family of scuba divers who have logged quite a bit of time in the water, I can tell you that none of us have ever been stung. I'm far more concerned about frying my back & buns, than getting stung. If you are truly worried, I would not depend on a lotion to protect yourself. Wear a lycra skin, it protects you from the sun and your fishy friends appreciate you keeping their home as goo free as possible.

 

[MarkRG]

Don't disagree for a second that a full suit is the ultimate protection, but most average vacationers arn't about to get one, myself included.

And I also don't label safe sea 'goo'. It's no 'gooier' than any waterproof suncreen.

 

[TootyJane]

We have been on two cruises and spend two entire days in the water at CC ant no one in the family (4 total) has ever had a problem, we never bought any special products (in fact, I had never heard of sea lice before reading these boards in prep for our second cruise) although we do always wear sunscreen if that makes a difference. It is also something that I never heard anyone on either of our cruises discussing as a problem. I am sure that some people have had trouble or if wouldn't be such a big discussion topic, but I wouldn't worry yourself too much about it.

I have to agree with ratfam. We've cruised six times in the Caribbean (three on Disney) and have never experienced problems with sea lice. We've cruised in the months of May, June, August and September. I, too, had never heard of sea lice until I read this board. I do know that there are certain times of the year when they are supposedly out. I seem to recall reading a recent post where someone said the sea lice are out now but can't, for the life of me, find it. I once thought about buying it but it's something that isn't carried in any stores on the West Coast and we were too close to leaving so I couldn't order it from a website. Since we've never had any problems, at this point, I don't think I'd go out of my way to buy it. HTH

 

[Heathercat]

Only cruise once and never had sea lice.....now head lice...another story.....I know this sounds gross...but I got my hair braided in St Maarten....on the island...and about 1 week later, I got LICE....ME a 34 year old woman!!!!!!!....NEVER AGAIN.....

My two daughters got their hair braided also....and I didnt see any crawly things in their heads......Just a word of caution

 

[Evans Family]

I bought the safe sea last year and have been on two cruises and have never opened the bottle. We were just on the 4/9 Western and got into the water in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay and never had any problems. It was a big waste of money IMHO!

 

[Kim&Chris]

I bought a bottle last year for a cruise that, unfortunately, we had to cancel.

I'm going to bring it on this cruise 'just in case'. I'm the type who'd rather be safe than sorry.