The "ick" factor on snorkle rentals?

[Sammy]

We are going on our very first cruise in Feb '05...Western Caribbean. We want to do some snorkling excursion, but I'm just wondering about renting the equipment. What has been your experience with the condition of the equipment? I'm not germophobic by a long shot, but I'm a bit nervous about using equipment that probably legions of people have used previously....especially the mouthpieces.

I'd love to hear how others have fared...

Sammy

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

I was ok with the ones on Castaway Cay. I'd be a bit more concerned about other vendors in ports.

 

[scottygirl]

I am also interested in this subject. I don't want to purchase snorkels for a family of five so we will have to rent. Is there anything we can bring with us to sanitize them ourselves? We have a US Scuba in town, do they sell anything we could use? Thanks!

 

[tchoney]

Our experience with the snorkel equipment was great. We snorkeled at Castaway Cay and everything seemed clean and fine. I am however, a germaphobe, as I have a compromised immune system. I always take Hand Sanitizer with me and rub everything down before using it, especially the mouth pieces!

I can't vouch for snorkeling in other places, i've never done it before....

 

[gottaluvdisney]

I have witnessed snorkeling equipment being sanitized.

I don't think of it as being gross as I go to restaurants and eat with the forks that other people had in their mouth. I think it is the same thing.

 

[lovinlife]

I too had some concerns about renting snorkel equip. so this is what I've done for our upcoming cruise. I went onto e-bay and purchased brand new sorkel & mask sets (for four of us) for $9.95 each. I will then rent the fins from CC & the other beaches we will be visiting on the 7 day eastern cruise. The cost of renting snorkel equipment for the day on CC is $25 for each adult & $10 for each child (If I remember correctly from the website). That would be $70.00 for one day for us. We plan on snorkeling on St. Maartin and ST. Thomas too. So I think this is more economical and I feel beter about the equip. The snorkel & mask sets don't take up alot of room, it is the fins that are bulky.

 

[TootyJane]

On our first 7-day cruise we rented our equipment at Castaway Cay. Equipment was in poor condition and both dh and I had a terrible time with the masks leaking. Equipment was provided on the excursion we did in St. Thomas. I saw equipment being sanitized (I asked and I was told that it was just bleach and water) and as other poster said it didn't bother me. However, after the Norwalk virus outbreak both dh and I decided to purchase our own equipment for the five of us. We bought it at a time when it was all on sale so the $$$ didn't hurt too much. We just pack it all in one rolling duffle bag along with the kids' rash guards and all our water shoes. HTH

 

[budwmn]

We bring our own masks and snorkel and use their fins and vests. Chances are they do a good job sanitizing the equipment, but we'd rather not take any chances. The cruise costs too much to play Russian Roulette with our health.

 

[PoohJen]

As to the $$ factor, I just bought DH and I snorkel/mask/fin sets from www.basspro.com for $30 each and I'm very happy with the quality. Rather buy for $30 than rent for $25. I believe the brand is U.S. Scuba. The kids played all summer in the pool using cheap sets from Walmart; I'll bring those and see how they work at CC.

 

[TiggerKing]

Can't speak for all of the ports, but here is my experience. When traveling to many Carribean areas (and Key West) and doing snorkeling excursions where they take you out on the boat, the snorkel was brand new and you kept it after the trip. It was always a very inexpensive and basic snorkel with the company's name printed on the side.

But, personal preference, if you can do it, I would purchase my own mask, snorkel and fins. Nothing can ruin a snorkeling trip quicker than getting a mask that leaks, or a pair of fins that are too tight for your feet. This has happened to me on too many occaisions.

 

[jgalecpa]

Can't speak to CC, but we did the Stingray/snorkel tour with Captain Marvin in Grand Cayman.

They had a very efficient system involving a "bath" that they used to sanitize the unit. they submerged the entire unit in it and it looked very efficient.

Had no qualms at all.

Jim

 

[Sammy]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I'm not sure about the feasibility of packing masks/snorkels/fins for all 5 of us...that will take up lots of room.

I think I might look into just purchasing masks and snorkels. Still not sure....

jgalecpa: We were hoping to book with Captain Marvin's anyway so this makes me feel better!

 

[tiggrbaby]

In July 2002, we went on a Make-A-Wish cruise in Hawaii for my oldest son. Since his immune system was still low, I did not want to have him use a public snorkel. I was able to buy just snorkels at TRU for about $5 each. All of my boys swim on a team, so they have prescription goggles. I purchased nose plugs for about $1, and we skipped the fins. It worked out just fine even though they did not have all of the professional equipment. The equipment did not take up that much room in the bags. I did pack one of those collapsible net laundry hampers to carry everything to the beach. Another nice thing about having your own equipment is that you do not need to wait in line for rentals or remember to return the equipment.

 

[24ruff]

As a CPR insructor and a Paramedic I clean all my training equipment with a 10% bleach solution that'll kill most any bugs. You could put some in a little travel bottle and wash off the mouthpieces before you use them. Just make sure you rinse off the mouth piese before you stick it in your mouth and don't get any bleach on your clothes.

If you're going to snorkle more than once you're better off ($$$) buying some decent sets and bringing them with you. Costco and some other stores carry sets that come with carrying bags. The snorkels have valves to keep out the water and the masks have good peripheral vision.

I've gone twice and am going again over Christmas with my family of four We just put 1 set in each of our suitcases and have no problem with the room.

Whatever you decide have a great trip.

 

[ksjayhawks]

The equipment really doesn't take up that much room. Put the fins in the bottom of the suitcase and tuck snorkel and mask in with the clothes--wrap underwear and pjs around it. Or put it all in one suitcase with water shoes, swimsuits, toiletries, etc.

We prefer our own equipment--mark ours with each person's name--as the masks conform to our faces and we don't have to worry about leaking. Also, we have the equipment ready to go when we are!

 

[Sammy]

Hi again...

Just wanted to thank everyone for their replies. I was finally able to reach my DBIL, a certified diver who has gone on several snorkeling excursions. He also agrees with bringing our own masks and snorkels, pretty much for all the same reasons everyone listed here.

Now I'm off to try to find some decent-priced snorkel equipment!

 

[mommyof2cuties]

For those who have brought your own equipment, Do you still have to rent a vest? How much do they charge for that?
Thanks

 

[24ruff]

No charge at CC