Snorkels

[Jaymee287]

I was just wondering if you can purchase these on the ship somewhere. We aren't keen of using one hundreds of people have used. Let us know if you have any info!

 

THANK YOU

[savannahjohnny]

They were selling a snorkel/mask combination at the Excursion desk on the Sensation last month. Sorry, I didn't notice the price.

[elcuchio24]

They were selling these and water at a couple spots on the ship and on deck zero as you we were debarking in the ports. I'm not sure of the price or quality.

[Jaymee287]

We're on the Legend, Sunday!

[booklady26]

I don't think I've even seen them for sale on a ship.

 

I don't know where you live, but you might try a sporting goods store or dive shop at home or even places like KMart, Target, etc, may have them.

 

We bought ours years ago and always take it with us. We have our own masks too. We've learned to do without flippers which you don't really need.

[smd1234]

I was just wondering if you can purchase these on the ship somewhere. We aren't keen of using one hundreds of people have used. Let us know if you have any info!

 

THANK YOU

 

I bought 2 snorkels at the excursion desk on Ecstasy in April. $5 each. They did not have masks.

 

Happy Sailing!

[seashell36]

We've bought them at the excursion desk or the purser's desk in the atrium several times for $5 each. It seems that each time we cruise someone decides that they want to snorkle or discovers that their

snorkle has a crack in it. If you want one of these snorkels buy it early - on our Inspiration cruise in Feb they ran out.

[rlloyd3]

As others have mentioned, you can get them cheap at many stores. We bought ours last year, snorkel and mask in a package together, for around $5 at Wal-Mart.

[jeffsig]

I would by before the cruise. Better selection and quality. Check your local sporting goods store. A good set can be had for $20 to $30 and will last a lifetime with proper Carr.:cool:

[gazingm42]

I would not buy the ones on the ship. They are very poor quality and the

masks don't seal on your face.

 

I would go to walmart or local sporting goods store near you. You can buy

a nice cheap one which will work for you.

[beachbum6264]

Dh bought a snorkel on the Legend last year - at the excursion desk for about $5. He just used the mask from the excursion co. - not the best, but not terrible (no leaks, just not the best fit - he has a large face!).

I have my own mask and snorkel (I'm planning on getting my dive certification, dh not interested).

[seashinesunshine]

We have ours that we bring along. The big advantage is a better fit. Much better to find out before you go that you need a different mask than to find out after you are on the ship and there are no other options. Like others say Walmart, Sams etc.. or go to sporting goods store. Two years ago my son got an excellent set at Sams for 18$. And we don't bring flippers either.

[Sargent_Schultz]

The $5 snorkels are perfectly acceptable.

[mousey]

I used to bring my own but then with the luggage charges being what they are I cut back on my packing and this was one of the things to go. I've never had a problem using the equipment that is offered on the various snorkel tours I've been on. I've never gotten sick ever on a cruise from anything. However, on our last cruise this past spring break I used a prescription mask for the first time. It was so awesome that I plan to buy my own before I ever go snorkeling again!:D Those prescription masks really rock!:D

[Quampapetet]

Make sure you check your local stores (even sporting goods stores) while snorkels and masks are in season! I'm guessing now would be in season, but back when I tried in February, they couldn't be found. (Speaking of, I need to check now....)

 

The good thing about buying them at a store before the cruise is that you can check out the various types of snorkels and masks and see which one works best for your needs and preferences.

[LemurCat]

Make sure you check your local stores (even sporting goods stores) while snorkels and masks are in season! I'm guessing now would be in season, but back when I tried in February, they couldn't be found. (Speaking of, I need to check now....)

 

The good thing about buying them at a store before the cruise is that you can check out the various types of snorkels and masks and see which one works best for your needs and preferences.

 

Check Target. They have a couple of pretty decent US Diver sets that come with the full package and nice little mesh backpack to carry it all in.

 

Or, check stuff out at a local dive shop and then price it on the internet.

[Colorado Kat]

I second the reccomendation about the perscription masks! They are wonderful. You can order them thru your local dive shop at home, if you have enough time.

 

I had intended to order one before our trip to Hawaii a few years back, but never got around to it. In the Hawaiin (sp?) dive shops, they had multitudes of perscription masks, available for sale and rental. I rented one for a week, and when I was returning it, they offered to give me a discounted price to buy the one I had used all week, and I did that. Really pretty reasonable - I think less than $50. Kathy

[Quampapetet]

Are the prescription masks masks with the lenses being prescription glasses strength? Or are they masks that allow one to wear glasses under the masks? Just curious. I know my brother at one time had prescription lens goggles for swimming because his vision is really bad without glasses, but he had to order those from the eye doctor.

[rlloyd3]

Are the prescription masks masks with the lenses being prescription glasses strength? Or are they masks that allow one to wear glasses under the masks? Just curious. I know my brother at one time had prescription lens goggles for swimming because his vision is really bad without glasses, but he had to order those from the eye doctor.

I assumed it meant prescription lenses at first, too, until some others started mentioned how these dive shops have them on hand. I think they just mean goggles which are custom fit or something. :confused:

[MustardStation]

Check Target. They have a couple of pretty decent US Diver sets that come with the full package and nice little mesh backpack to carry it all in.

 

Or, check stuff out at a local dive shop and then price it on the internet.

 

Yep, they run at around $20, maybe more. I work there, and I ring them occasionally, but I don't generally look at the price. But you can definitely find them there.

[sparkscruiser]

Are the prescription masks masks with the lenses being prescription glasses strength? Or are they masks that allow one to wear glasses under the masks? Just curious. I know my brother at one time had prescription lens goggles for swimming because his vision is really bad without glasses, but he had to order those from the eye doctor.

 

I assumed it meant prescription lenses at first, too, until some others started mentioned how these dive shops have them on hand. I think they just mean goggles which are custom fit or something. :confused:

 

I got my dive certification years ago and purchased a mask that had lenses glued into it. Worked very well for many years then I had PRK (way before Lasik surgery) and did not need the prescription any longer. Of course, as I have gotten older the eyesight is not what it used to be. I will either need a new mask made or like has been mentioned, get one that is "close" to my prescription. Think of it as "cheater" readers but in a mask - close, not exact, but good enough for snorkeling and the ocassional dive.

[DanishDonut]

I was just wondering if you can purchase these on the ship somewhere. We aren't keen of using one hundreds of people have used. Let us know if you have any info!

 

During two recent cruises (Legend Feb 2010 and Victory May 2010) here's what we discovered:

 

Carnival Legend - $5 snorkels were available at the excursion desk. Snorkel only, no mask.

 

Carnival Victory - $5 snorkels were available at the excursion desk but they weren't visible on the counter, you have to ask. Again they only had the snorkel and not the mask.

 

This is a very basic no frills snorkel. If you only need a snorkel or are a germaphobe then it would be perfect for you. If anyone is interested I can take a picture of the $5 snorkel, just let me know.

 

Otherwise you're better off buying BEFORE you leave for your cruise:

$20 - Check your local Target or Walmart which have snorkel and mask.

 

$38.99 - If you have access to a local CostCo store they have this full snorkel set for $38.99, fin sizes are available in small, medium and large. CostCo.com sells a different snorkel set for a little more. Sam's Club should also have a snorkel set for around $40.

 

$40 - This is a very good deal, see if your local Dicks Sporting Goods offers it (to save on shipping costs and delay)

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3927169

[rlloyd3]

I got my dive certification years ago and purchased a mask that had lenses glued into it. Worked very well for many years then I had PRK (way before Lasik surgery) and did not need the prescription any longer. Of course, as I have gotten older the eyesight is not what it used to be. I will either need a new mask made or like has been mentioned, get one that is "close" to my prescription. Think of it as "cheater" readers but in a mask - close, not exact, but good enough for snorkeling and the ocassional dive.

Ah, so they are like those dollar store reading glasses! :D

[Stevesan]

Diopter correction prescription lenses are usually available off the shelf at dive shops. If you require more than just a diopter correction, the shop will require a prescription to order the lenses.

 

Mask fit is critical for snorkeling as well as diving. If you plan to snorkel often, it's best to buy at a dive shop where you can obtain a proper fit. Also, many folks have a false idea of how the mask should be fitted. Here's an excellent guide for a proper fit:

 

Mask Fitting

 

How many times have you gone into a dive store, tried a mask that seemed to fit just great, got on an airplane to halfway around the world, jumped into the water and the mask leaked? There seems to be a nearly universal way to try a mask, which unfortunately happens to be the wrong way. Put the mask on, inhale through your nose and guess what? The mask fits. Right? Wrong!

 

The big mistake is that no one dives or snorkels with a vacuum in their mask or shouldn't be if they are. By inhaling through the nose, an unnatural seal is created. Some divers have tried on masks that don't even come close to fitting but as soon as they inhale, a tight seal is created. While diving though, they are not constantly trying to inhale through their nose (which is what the store clerk told them to do) and now the mask leaks.

 

Someone told a tale of a dive store that displays all masks without straps. The idea apparently is to check that a really good vacuum makes a really good fit. Once again, no one dives trying to inhale through their nose constantly and without a strap no less.

 

Almost all modern masks have an outer seal and a narrower inner seal. This inside seal covers everywhere except just under the nose. If both of these seals touch the face than the odds of that mask fitting and not leaking are very good. This is done by putting the mask on with the strap loose, but in place, and then tightening it to what would be normal if you were diving. Some divers who have had very bad masks are in the habit of over tightening the strap on a new mask in hopes of a better seal. Don't do that especially while trying masks for fit.

 

The next step takes a second person or a mirror. Look around the entire inside of the mask checking to see that the inner seal touches everywhere. It is very important not to inhale through the nose which forces the mask seals to touch if they didn't naturally. Next check the outside seal the same way.

 

If the inner seal is not touching the face, especially next to the side of the eyes, it is likely the mask won't work well. But do check everywhere around the inside. The outer seal might keep water from dripping in but not as well as if both seals touch. Make sure the seals do not cut across any hairline or eyebrows. Also that the side seals are not right at the edge of the eye.

 

One other problem can occur when someone laughs, smiles or even squints. This motion creates lines or wrinkles next to the nose. Sometimes this makes a passage where water pours in. Almost every mask will leak when this happens. So don't laugh! Occasionally, depending on the person, these wrinkles may remain even after they stop laughing. In this case it may be necessary to straighten the face by pulling down or sideways on the cheeks. Again this is not necessarily a mask problem. So don't run out and buy a new mask.

 

If absolutely necessary, to keep everyone happy, you can now inhale slightly to check any unseen leaks. Sometimes a mask leaks around the glass. This is very unusual and is a one off problem, not the design of the mask. You can check this by holding the mask with the face plate parallel to the floor and putting water in the mask. If the face plate seal is faulty, drops of water will appear on the outside.

 

Don't be fooled by the size of a mask's frame and lenses. This has little if anything to do with how a masks fits. People will look for what seems like a narrow or wide mask, depending, but what counts is the size of the skirt where your face is actually touching the mask. An exaggerated example but if the lens of a mask is 1 foot wide but the skirt is only 4 inches, this would fit a rather narrow face but the mask looks huge.

 

With literally 10's of dozens of masks on the market, there is one that will fit. It may take awhile to find but it is out there.

[divingmedic]

I was just wondering if you can purchase these on the ship somewhere. We aren't keen of using one hundreds of people have used. Let us know if you have any info!

 

THANK YOU

I would go to a local dive shop and get a good snorkel and mask there. Most of the stuff they sell a big box stores are not worth it. They will last for about two snorkel trips and that is about it.