Snorkeling Gear

[BigredNole]

When you go on a cruise, there are lots of places to snorkel with great reefs around in the Caribbean. I am looking at the prices at CC and then if you add in more at other ports, it can get insanely expensive.

Do you take your own gear or rent it? Do you bring fins too?

 

[summerskye]

We just purchased our own set from Costco. Like you stated, it would get expensive to rent from multiple places. Besides I dont' like the idea of many others using something I am going to put in my mouth...

 

[Sir William]

I take my own snorkel and mask if I think I'll be snorkeling on any given trip. Doesn't take up much space, I know it fits well, and I don't have to worry about renting a set.

I've taken fins a few times but usually I leave them home unless I know I'm going to be using them a lot. They do take up space and weight.

 

[ludari]

I'm a certified scuba diver and dive all the time when I cruise. I typically bring my dive computer, masks and snorkel. I let the dive company supply the fins since it's included with the cost of my dive anyway and they take up a lot of room in my luggage (I typically only travel with a carry-on). I know divers are particular about having a proper masks that fits and not sharing a snorkels so I would suggest if you have room in your luggage to bring your own gear I say why not. Good luck.

 

[Quellman]

Don't forget if you take your own to Castaway Cay, they still require you to pick up one of the floaty life vests.

 

[wilkeliza]

I use a prescription mask so I have my own. Plus I have seen how they "sanitize" snorkel equipment so I would rather have my own then to put something in my mouth that has been in someone else's too.

 

[BigredNole]

Don't forget if you take your own to Castaway Cay, they still require you to pick up one of the floaty life vests.

Thanks for letting me know that. I would have done it any way with my daughter but not me. I don't have an issue having one though.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I pack my own because I know it's better equipment than I can get if I were to rent.

 

[Starwind]

Thanks for letting me know that. I would have done it any way with my daughter but not me. I don't have an issue having one though.

and the yellow snorkeling vests at CC are free.

apparently they will rent you fins for a nominal fee (i have seen $8 noted but cannot confirm that) if you have your own mask and snorkel.

SW

 

[TeaBee]

When you go on a cruise, there are lots of places to snorkel with great reefs around in the Caribbean. I am looking at the prices at CC and then if you add in more at other ports, it can get insanely expensive.

Do you take your own gear or rent it? Do you bring fins too?

We bring our own masks and snorkels for our family of four. Last trip we packed fins too, but I think we'll just bring one pair this time since I'm pretty much the only one who likes wearing them. We have the Seavenger sets purchased from Amazon which have been great for our limited use of them (snorkeling once or twice a year).

 

[BigredNole]

We bring our own masks and snorkels for our family of four.

We wouldn't get any use out of them other than going on a cruise. After looking at the prices to rent vs buying, it would be crazy to rent when you can buy a set for the same price. I would not need pro diver quality. Just something that is good. Mask, fins, and snorkels would not take up too much room in the extra suitcase.

 

[steves100]

The rate to rent is ridiculous

 

[hoffman1]

DH and I each got one of these last year:
http://www.amazon.com/Tribord-Easyb...=1464873852&sr=8-4&keywords=full+face+snorkel

It might be a little more than you are wanting to spend but we love them! We thought they were much better than a traditional mask. Great fit. No leaks. Easy to use.

 

[BigredNole]

Thank you for that. All we have done is thought about a DCL cruise. We can't even book until we settle on an insurance claim. Our hope is we do a 7-day cruise and 7-day Disney trip next Summer. The more info I get now, the more I can prepare with the smaller things...like snorkeling gear.

 

[jane01jp]

The rental snorkels do not typically have valves that block water intake from the end of the snorkel. For that reason, the rental snorkels only work well in very smooth water.

 

[BigredNole]

I have only looked online, but for packages from $35-$50 it is worth it to buy. I didn't even think about issues of them being sanitized. I am sure DCL is better than other places. But for places like Tortola, St Thomas, and others, not worth the risk for such a low price.

 

[soniam]

We have our own masks (mine is prescription) and snorkels. Most places don't rent snorkels with back-flow prevention/valves, which is really nice to have, especially with kids. I have only ever encountered one place with prescription masks for rent. These items are pretty reasonably priced. Fins are huge, so we usually rent. Unfortunately, most places I have been seem to charge one rate that includes fins, mask, and snorkel. So we end up paying full price for the fins. It's worth it though. They would take up a whole suite case on their own at the checked luggage rate, coming and going. Inflatable vests seem to be free though.

 

[shh]

DH and I each got one of these last year:
http://www.amazon.com/Tribord-Easyb...=1464873852&sr=8-4&keywords=full+face+snorkel

It might be a little more than you are wanting to spend but we love them! We thought they were much better than a traditional mask. Great fit. No leaks. Easy to use.

We didn't get that brand, but similar ones - the new Mares version. But we ended up returning ours. They actually were really good in several ways, but I missed the ability to dive down a bit to get a closer look at something...the full face masks really restrict you to the surface only. But they sure are popular. People seem to love them.

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

Definitely invest in dry snorkel if you or kids are new to snorkeling. They are worth it and most places in Caribbean we visited had decent snorkeling right off of the beach. Kids (9, 6) felt more comfortable being able to snorkel from the beach. Fins would help but I was able to get out to the far end of snorkeling area at castaway cay without them. The floatation vests are required as others said and free to use if you have your own snorkel gear.

 

[rkwier]

Throw in another vote for purchasing your own equipment. The first time we snorkeled, I ended up with a mask full of seawater due to an ill fitting mask. Stinging eyes in the middle of the ocean was not pleasant. Then there is the whole sanitary condition of the snorkels themselves. If nothing else, I would bring my own one of those.