snorkeling....?

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Alex
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!

Hey Alex, what kind of beer do you like? I have 2 DSs (teens) who have never snorkeled before and I'd love it if they got some real experience before our cruise next August! And I KNOW where you live

P.S. I could use a real lesson myself. This past summer in Bermuda, I was one of those people who looked like they were drowning in their masks After a couple of minutes I gave up and just enjoyed the ocean for the waves and sun, while DH, DBrother and SIL had a great time snorkeling.

 

[Alex]

I realize not everything I said may be totally practical but you have to start somewhere..
Here is some do it yourself advice on mask fitting that is pretty good:

http://www.caribinn.com/maskfitting.html

Seaspray..you should have asked over the summer when we had the pool open!!

BTW the rental equipment while well used is pretty decent quality and the big advantage is that if it doesn't fit or if you break a mask strap etc, you just go get another. It happend to me on Castaway Cay once, DD broke a mask strap and we had to rent the whole package anyway.
Quite honestly I HAVE the stuff here and don't always pack if if I just think I am going once. I did on this last trip because we did snorkeling on Castaway Cay and Trunk Bay.

 

[abitjaded]

Kathy, let me second what Alex has said about fit and lessons. Did you check for dive shops in your area? You may do much better buying locally. Plus many dive shops will give you a free snorkel lesson in a pool if you purchase from them. Then you will know all the tricks that will increase confidence and enjoyment. Plus a tip to you fin-avoiders. Do heel lifts, do toe pointing exercises, get your arches and calves used to the position and you will also enjoy snorkeling more. Fin cramps are a booger. The fins give you so much more power in the water. Another trick, if you don't want to shuffle backward, is to buddy up. Carry your fins to water about knee or thigh deep, fins in hand, sole to sole. Place your hand on partners shoulder and slip on one fin. Turn around, other hand on shoulder and slip on second fin. Partner does same. Then pull on masks and off you go.

Carla

 

[penguins_fan]

We live near Pgh and had the same questions before our cruise last month. We bought snorkels and a mask from Campmor which a poster on this site directed us to - reasonable prices, decent quality, quick service. Actually our kids preferred using their Speedos goggles with a snorel attached and no fins - had no trouble navigating the snorkel trail at Castaway Cay - even saw the infamous barracuda! Recomend always using a vest - though required at CC, its a good idea always for kids especially.

www.campmor.com - watersports section

On the eastern, we had excellent snorkeling from shore at Dawn Beach in St. Maarten and Cinnamon Bay, St. John.

 

[Alex]

It looks like they carry mostly U.S Divers which isn't bad stuff.

 

[Miss Eeyore]

Our family has its own dive gear, but we prefer not having to schlepp the fins on the plane, etc. I did not know that you could rent fins only from Disney by the week. We have rented them at CC, for the day, for the same price as the whole outfit. While this does not seem fair, its does save the schlepping, and we KNOW where the masks and snorkels have been. I have lens mounted inside my mask so I can see better when I have to take my glasses off to put on mask.

When we were on Carnival and Princess you were able to rent onboard....$20 for the week. They were delivered to your cabin in a ;nifty mesh dive bag. We'd do that from Disney if we had the option, and just use their fins......and we'd have the equipment to use on the other islands. Maybe someday they'll offer that option.

And Kathy...when are you going? I thought I remembered from past posts that you are not set to leave till spring time. If so, Wal Mart and Costco will be good bargains for you to wait for.

Marilee.....still shivering in the snow.

 

[ChattyKathy]

Marilee....still shivering in the snow,

Yes, that is correct, I have checked into some of the diving shops around here and also the web, we'll be okay, I am just having some last minute thoughts about things. Listening to the kids talking, and reading this site keeps your mind thinking~


Kathy...shivering in the snow too! LOL But, I like it!

PS- I didn't think it snowed in the west?
AND, thanks neighbors! (What happened to our Pens this year, )

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Alex

Seaspray..you should have asked over the summer when we had the pool open!!

Our cruise isn't until the end of this summer, so hopefully DSs and I will have time to practice with our snorkels and masks before our cruise. I'm hoping that we have at least a couple of opportunities to snorkel that week. Definitely while we're at CC, and hopefully while on Grand Cayman.

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Thanks for the tips Alex. Too bad we are cruising in June, or we'd drop into your pool-Plymouth isn't too far away! Anyway, I am now much less tempted to buy the $9 specials for us; I really want this to be en enjoyable experience, rather than a lesson in frustration. Near drowning is not good.

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

[We bought snorkels and a mask from Campmor which a poster on this site directed us to - reasonable prices, decent quality, quick service.

I have used campmor for gathering camping and outdoor clothing for years, but didn't realize they had this type of equipment too. They also have a weekly e-mail update of specials, often featuring off seaons stuff at a discount. They have really good service and I had no problems returning an item.

 

[sixbitslocum]

You could also try eBay. I picked up a nice US Divers set earlier this year for about $50, but you can find just about anything there.

 

[BoardwalkBabe]

Costco has the US Divers set (snorkel, mask, split fins and backpack) out now (at least they are out now here in Florida). They are $38; I've seen the same sets elsewhere for $60.