Snorkeling excursions

[wizards8507]

On my upcoming cruise in July, my fiancee and I are doing a few excursions that involve snorkeling (Stingray City in Grand Cayman, for one). We've never cruised before so I just had a couple basic questions about what people tend to do on these excursions.

1) How nasty is the "public" snorkeling equipment that they provide on the excursions?

2) Do they charge for it?

3) Would we look stupid if we bring our own mask, snorkel, and flippers? Is this something people do?

 

[Master Yoda]

So far every snorkeling excursion I have done will include the equipment and it has been Wal-Mart quality gear. For that fact alone I always bring my own. You can get a fair set of gear with a silicone mask, dry snorkel and fins for under $50 at most sporting goods stores. Step up that budget to $100-$150 and you can actually get some pretty good gear. You will also be able to use it at the snorkeling lagoon at Castaway Cay as there is a rental fee for that gear.

 

[wizards8507]

So far every snorkeling excursion I have done will include the equipment and it has been Wal-Mart quality gear. For that fact alone I always bring my own. You can get a fair set of gear with a silicone mask, dry snorkel and fins for under $50 at most sporting goods stores. Step up that budget to $100-$150 and you can actually get some pretty good gear. You will also be able to use it at the snorkeling lagoon at Castaway Cay as there is a rental fee for that gear.

Yeah I own a pretty good set, I just didn't want to be the only idiot schlepping my stuff off of the ship.

 

[Master Yoda]

Yeah I own a pretty good set, I just didn't want to be the only idiot schlepping my stuff off of the ship.

I would bring it. You might be the only guy you see with your own stuff but you will also be the only guy with a mask that does not leak and that is not coughing up salt water when they go under.:lol:

 

[Madhatter06]

Sorry to bump an older thread, but this is exactly what I was looking for.
My 2 friends and I have snorkeling equipment we're going to bring (I did the snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon so I know the bleached masks well) to use on Castaway Cay.

I have a question though regarding the Snorkling Vests that normally come with the equipment rental. Are you able to rent just the vests? It's just not suitcase friendly to carry a life-preserver along with our masks, fins, and snorkels.

 

[Master Yoda]

Sorry to bump an older thread, but this is exactly what I was looking for.
My 2 friends and I have snorkeling equipment we're going to bring (I did the snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon so I know the bleached masks well) to use on Castaway Cay.

I have a question though regarding the Snorkling Vests that normally come with the equipment rental. Are you able to rent just the vests? It's just not suitcase friendly to carry a life-preserver along with our masks, fins, and snorkels.

They will let you use those for free.

 

[Madhatter06]

They will let you use those for free.

Perfect! Thank you!

 

[Phonedave]

Perfect! Thank you!

If you really wanted to, you can also buy snorkling vests - they are about $30 each.

Any scuba / snorkling supply place should have them. You can get them on line too. They will crush down in a suitcase.

But thanks Yoda, because I was going to buy some for my kids to use at Castaway Cay (they now have their own equipment), but now that I know they are free ...... it makes life easier.




-dave

 

[magnyseb]

Just to be sure I got it well: I won't have to pay anything, if I bring my equipment, to do the Snorkeling lagoon thing.(where they say one can see small treasures etc) It means they usually charge $35 just for the equipment rental?


I'd rather spend my OBC for something else.

 

[Master Yoda]

Just to be sure I got it well: I won't have to pay anything, if I bring my equipment, to do the Snorkeling lagoon thing.(where they say one can see small treasures etc) It means they usually charge $35 just for the equipment rental?


I'd rather spend my OBC for something else.

Correct.