snorkeling....?

[ChattyKathy]

I have a few questions on snorkeling...on CC...

1-Is it better to rent the snorkeling equipment that they rent on CC or is it better to buy it and take it along??

2-How much is it to rent on CC 'IF' this is the better thing to do?And do they have the floating vests...? I assume they have kids' sizes too...?

3-IF the better thing to do is to purchase it and take it along, where on earth in the midst of this snowy wintry weather do I find this to buy?? LOL,
Its snowing here, I am in Pittsburgh, ...and our Walmart and Target do not sell this until the sun is shining and that wont be til June!!
TIA!


Kathy

 

[xABearx]

The fee for the snorkeling equipment is $25 for adults and $10 for children which includes mask, vest, and fins and is for the duration while on the island......Andy

 

[ChattyKathy]

OK, thats not too bad, wonder if they clean those mouth pieces very good...lol..?
And, so in other words, if I would take my own equipment, I can basically snorkle for free on the island...Its the equipment rental that costs....
Hmmmm, Interesting...

Thanks Andy...


Kathy

 

[TootyJane]

We purchased our own snorkel equipment. It's definitely worth bringing your own especially with all those viruses going around. Anyway, you can bring your own to use on CC but you must wear the vest which they will provide you for free. HTH

 

[SeaSpray]

Kathy:

We bought our own gear before our first cruise this past summer because my brother and SIL told us about their very first snorkel excursion; my brother put the mouthpiece to the snorkel into his mouth and could feel all the teeth marks and bite marks from the people who had used it before him!!! Since then, they bought their own gear and use it for every cruise they go on. We did the same thing! If there are any sporting goods stores near you, try them, they probably carry snorkel gear all year long. If you have a big family and don't want to spend the money to buy everyone their own set, and think you won't all be using them at the same time, buy a few sets and share them. At least it'll just be your own family using them and you can wash them out yourself in between.

P.S. We found sets of the masks and snorkels in a sporting goods store here for only about $20 per set. We didn't want the fins, but they had them too. You bought them separately, according to what size you needed.

 

[HLFDZN]

I also live in a cold climate. ( Windy too as I am in the Chicago suburbs) I saw snorkle and dive equipment at Sportmart and Sports Authority. I got mine clearanced at KMart at the end of summer and just gave it to my kids for Christmas. ( I know funny considering most kids get a new sled in this area) I will just feel better knowing I am not incuring the cost since we have 6 kids things add up fast! Melissa

 

[prymsu]

this is one option for purchasing your equipment, and i have always had wonderful service using this site with very fast delivery.


www.diversdirect.com

 

[GenieDana]

On CC, the gear is dipped/soaked in a solution of bleach & water in large tub. The stuff there is very well "used." If you can afford the room in your luggage to transport it, bring your own snorkeling gear - We do.

You can get a decent mask / fins / snorkel combo set at Target, Walmart, K-mart etc., for about $25, or as separates. These sell year-round, typically here in Florida in case you cannot find equipment elsewhere. These are not professional grade (or they wouldn't be sold there and you wouldn't be asking).

Try on the fins and mask BEFORE purchasing. That's right, open the packaging and make sure you get a good fit - the packaging is designed to let you do this. The fins should fit snugly, yet confortably on the feet. The mask should seal on the face without the headstrap.

On the 7-day, you will have at least two opportuities to use your gear so it's about break-even on buying -vs- renting. Cruise again and you'll be in the black.

 

[abitjaded]

Also check the yellow pages. Look under Scuba Dive. Betcha anything you have a few shops there. Even Denver has a bunch. They know what they are doing when it comes to fitting the masks and fins. A good shop will carry snorkel grade to deep water grades.

Carla

 

[pal2pluto]

We snorkeled on CC w/their equipment the first time we went. It was so much fun that the next time, we bought and brought our own. And using our own was so much better!!! The fins fit better and were more comfortable w/a padded strap around the ankle.....the mask fit snugger w/more supple rubber gasket around the face, and of course the only bite marks on the snorkel were our own! I think with all the use and heat, the rubber gaskets on the masks and mouthpieces are not as pliable. I know it sounds silly, but we enjoyed our equipment so much more. The only problem was that it took up it's own suitcase!!
We got our sets at Costco. I've seen them also at BJ's and Sam's Club for less than the cost of the excursion.

 

[ChattyKathy]

OK... Well I am going to have to look into a sporting goods shop or a diving shop...thank you...

I'm serious thou, the Walmart , Kmart, and Targets here dont have that stuff on the shelves yet...Its snowing outside!! lol
pal2pluto- I see your in Carlisle, your just over the hill east of me

Anyways, thanks gang, I'll have to look online at this website prysmu gave for something or else a sporting goods store...We dont have a sportmart, never heard of that store....

So I guess its an option whether we want to use the fins or not...? I like my bare feet, I dont like shoes in the first place, let alone fins! lol

Yea I hear ya about the kids Melissa! That was a good idea!
Thats not a bad price either SeaSpray, IF I can find them!

Owell~ thanks again, I'll have to get on it and do some searching!


Kathy

 

[kcashner]

We got our snorkel equipment at a local dive shop. Yes, there are dive shops in the middle of Kentucky in the middle of winter--try the phone book! They were a great help in fitting, and even gave us some basic instructions and suggestions on where to snorkel at our various ports of call. Since it was in the winter, we got a very good deal.

The stuff we got was not "professional" grade, but was a major step up from Wal-mart....that is, we got the whole set for about $50 per person. So...I know it fits, it is clean, and if I snorkel more than twice, it has paid for itself. Since we cruise a couple times a year, if I don't use it except at CC, it is a good deal.

At CC, snorkel vests are free.

Yes, there is the hassle of bringing your own equipment, but that isn't such a big thing.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

just wondering about the radisson by the port if anyone has stayed there and how close are the resturants are to the radisson and where the walmart is. incase we need so last minute shopping. what do you think of the radisson hotel? please let me know thanks

 

[pal2pluto]

Kathy.........I highly recommend the fins even if you don't like them. It makes the floating/swimming so much easier, just a slight kick will propel you gently.

We used to live closer to you.....Lisbon Ohio......I'd run to Ikea in Pittsburgh monthly just to browse, only about a 50 minute drive. Now the nearest one is 2 hours away!!

 

[ChattyKathy]

Originally posted by KYCruiseCrazy
just wondering about the radisson by the port if anyone has stayed there and how close are the resturants are to the radisson and where the walmart is. incase we need so last minute shopping. what do you think of the radisson hotel? please let me know thanks

I am lmao, is this post on the right thread...no offense John!


pal2 Your referring to the Ikea in Robinson...? Close to the airport...I am roughly 25 min SW of Pgh airport...Not far at all, what a small world!

I will wear the fins, lol; I am going to call a few scuba shops today and check that site that was given ...see what I can get my hands into...

Thanks again everyone!

Kathy

Here I am talking about snorkeling and its freezing cold outside, Brrrrr 31 with snow flurries!! (Gawd, Ya gotta love it! )lol

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

The nice part about having your own equipment is being able to snorkel wherever and whenever you want. You didn't say where you were going, Eastern, St. John, St. Maarten & St. Thomas all have great beaches in which you can walk right in and start snorkeling in 3 ft. of water! No cost to you, so worries about how long you are out, you don't feel obligated to snorkel for $25.00 worth of your time! If you are going western, same thing, Grand Cayman has some of the walk in beach snorkeling in the world. Just put on your gear and go.

My husband and I have our own masks and snorkels (Diver grade) but we usually rent the fins and vests from the ship for a minimal charge for the week. Saves the room in the suitcase and they don't need to be a perfect fit (like the mask should).

My suggestion: get fitted for a "decent" mask and snorkel and put the money you'd spend on fins into the mask and snorkel. A poorly fitting mask can make snorkeling really miserable. Rent fins and a vest (you'll need the vest either way) for a small charge from the dive desk on the ship (usually like $10.00 for the week).

 

[cathie]

I bought a snorkeling set without the fins @ Wal Mart for about 9.00, but that was in August. They don't make you wear the fins @ Castaway Cay do they? They feel weird! Cathie

 

[ChattyKathy]

TY everyone!

 

[Alex]

Couple of things...
Having been certified as a scuba diver for oh.. about 25 years.. let me just say that there is nothing in the world worse than diving with a mask that doesn't fit. If you want to turn your children off from snorkeling for life send them out with the Wal-Mart special! The stuff doesn't have to be expensive but it must fit properly!!
If you have a swimming pool available, maybe at your gym or the local Y.. take the stuff and play with it while you are home. If you have a friend that's a diver buy them a case of beer and have them teach you it will be money WELL spent. You have no idea how much more fun snorkeling is if you know the simple things, how to clear your mask and snorkel properly etc. I saw all kinds of people on Castaway Cay who looked like they were drowning in their masks and not having fun!
I don't believe DCL rents just the fins.
While the fins do "feel funny" they make a heck of a difference, the snorkeling trail on Castaway Cay is long and I wouldn't even want to think about trying it without them.
One good tip, if you don't want to put on or take off the fins in the water.. when you start walking, walk backwards!! much easier in fins.

 

[ChattyKathy]

OK Alex, sounds reasonable enough to me...but in light of everything suggested on this thread....where would you suggest I find decent masks that fit properly...I checked out some of these snorkeling sets at the diving shops online and ouch! they are roughly 40.00 +. I am going to set out on foot tomorrow in the snow flurries to buy snorkeling sets, LOL...
I couldn't get it at the Walmart now even if my life depended on it, so that is not a worry; we dont get those in stock here til June...
I do have a swimming pool in my backyard, but the suggested thing to do at this time is to ice skate on it, lol, NOT!!!
I can try to call the Y and see what they have, I am willing to do that...We all know how to swim well...they were raised in the water ( I think my kids are half fish sometimes, lol ) but this is a different story...
I did go snorkeling a few years back, but, then I still didnt know anymore than I do now...plus I will have my kids ..they are the ones wanting to do this...(good ole mom, ) I dont know any divers...theres not much water here, just lakes or pools...closest thing to a big body of water here is Erie Pa...and that is 2-3 hrs away.. and its colder there than here...
Owell...Regardless, thanks for the input, wished I could order these sets and not have them fitted, lol.

Oh the things we do for Mothers Day cards,



Kathy