snorkeling question

[PattiO]

My sister in law has a question re: the stingray city excursion we will be taking on our 2/26 Western Magic Cruise. She wears hard contacts and can not see a thing with out them or her glasses on. She was wondering if its possible on this excursion to snorkle in either her hard contacts or her glasses. I had no clue, but I told her I would post on the DIS board and someone would surely be able to help her out. Thanks!! Patti

 

[DCLgodess]

My sister scuba dives with her contacts. As long as you wear the mask the whole time in the water they shouldn't fall out. Sometimes she decides to wear them snorkeling so she can see the bottom. hope that helps.

 

[WDWLVR]

You can enjoy Stingray City without really snorkeling. I wore my mask beacuse it has perscription lenses in it. The water is only about 4 ft. deep (this may change a big with tide etc.)

 

[PattiO]

Thanks! it sure does help!! She was going to cancel the excursion, I was begging her not to as she has never snorkeled before and I know she would just love it!! Thanks again!!! Patti

 

[banderson]

Hi fellow cruiser Patti,

Just make sure she understands the importance of keeping the mask on and not letting it fill with water. If a contact came out, it would be pretty much bye-bye contact.

Oh and just to be sure, she should have a back-up, as in an extra pair of contacts or a pair of glasses. I'm very near-sighted and the thought of vacationing without my glasses gives me the willies!!

BTW, what time are you doing Stingray City...ours is at 7:30.

Brenda

 

[coleland]

I have another question about snorkeling excursions in general: when they provide the equipment for the excursion, does that include a flotation vest? Also for children? I just know from experience it's hard to snorkel without a vest to keep you on the top of the water.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

While I have not been on every snorkel exursion possible, it would suprise me if Disney had a snorkel exursion listed that didn't have the vest.

As for hard contacts and snorkelling, I've never had a problem, even if water got in the mask. Then again, I don't have issues with leaking masks because we went to a dive shop and purchased masks that fit our faces.

 

[PattiO]

Hi Brenda!
Our stingray city excursion is the reef sail and snorkel and is at 1145. I already told my sisterinlaw to make sure to bring another pair of contacts just in case but she was anyway. I'm just so glad she's not going to cancel!
There was another question regarding life vests I'm sure they will be provided. My husband and I have snorkeled on other excursions in the past and they always have been provided for us and we never had our children with us. Patti

 

[pdarrah]

I have been snorkeling for years with hard contact lenses. The only risk is losing a lens if your mask leaks - this has never happened to me (Yes, I have had the occasional leak, but I'm pretty good at closing my eyes fast!) It can also be pretty uncomfortable if you get saltwater in your eye! Definitely bring a back up pair - not just for snorkeling but also for being in the wind up on deck. It is possible for a lens to blow out of your eye (didn't happen on the cruise, but I had it happen once elsewhere)

pdarrah

 

[tvguy]

Has she ever snorkeled? I am extremely nearsighted...I can't see clearly more than a foot with out my glasses.....but I can see clearly, with a mask on underwater without glasses or contacts.....the refraction of the water corrects my vision.
I have used disposable contacts in the past but never for snorkeling, they would be a cheap alternative is she needs to wear contacts, in case she loses them. I haven't purchased them in several years, but the Basch and Lomb used to be $19 for 6 pairs from my eye doctor, I suspect you can get them cheaper online or from some place like a Walmart Pharmacy.

 

[jrabbit]

I have another question about snorkeling excursions in general: when they provide the equipment for the excursion, does that include a flotation vest? Also for children? I just know from experience it's hard to snorkel without a vest to keep you on the top of the water.

Disney REQUIRES all of its tour vendors to require all guests that go snorkeling to wear the buoyancy compensators (a flotation vest but NOT a lifejacket).

And that rule even applies to me - and I have my own "built in" buoyancy