hemlockdj Posted September 27, 2011 #1 Share Posted September 27, 2011 First trip south and have a snorkeling excursion planned. Can I assume that they will provide snorkeling gear. We will be in St. Thomas and Nassua. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted September 27, 2011 #2 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Yes, they will provide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemlockdj Posted September 27, 2011 Author #3 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Thanks, that was fast :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted September 27, 2011 #4 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I will try to be faster next time!:D;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kassimer1 Posted September 27, 2011 #5 Share Posted September 27, 2011 yes they provide the gear but if you ever watch how its cleaned you may want to bring your own snorkle. there are some very nasty bugs out there and you dont want it ruining your cruise. a simple snorkle doesnt cost much espically at this time of year. Or better yet get a dry snorlkle - it has a valve on the end so water doesnt come in the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasue Posted September 27, 2011 #6 Share Posted September 27, 2011 We also take our own snorkel and mask..... I really don't want stuff in my mouth that other people have used.... disinfected or not!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauer Posted September 28, 2011 #7 Share Posted September 28, 2011 The "disinfecting" is that everyone dumps their snorkels into a bucket of water with something like Clorox. It is not that expensive and doesn't take up much room in your luggage to bring your own. I also bring my own mask so that I can be sure that I have one that fits my face and has a good seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Kat Posted September 28, 2011 #8 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I usually bring my own mask (prescription) and snorkel. Then I get ones that I know fit well and work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipmaster Posted September 28, 2011 #9 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Yet to be on a snorkeling excursion where they didn't provide gear. IMHO the debate between bring your own and use rental about sanitation I find funny. People have no fear about touching elevator buttons, bathroom doors, using forks or shaking hand, holding handrails, but good snorkel gear rinsed and disinfectected cause people grief. These people are going to be with 3000+ people in close quarters that have just traveled from all over the world ( think Contagion ;) ) and they are worried about their snorkeling gear.. The gear I've seen used at on several excursions were good, if I was to buy equal gear for use very other year and have to lug, what a headache. Has always been an easy decision for me. Dip it good in salt water and trust my immune system to do the rest :D First trip south and have a snorkeling excursion planned. Can I assume that they will provide snorkeling gear. We will be in St. Thomas and Nassua. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Kat Posted September 28, 2011 #10 Share Posted September 28, 2011 For me, I've had the gear for years, since we scuba-dive, and the mask is a specialty, prescription mask, so I can see better underwater. I have the fins as well, but I really don't know if I want to carry something so bulky. I'm not booked on any snorkel excursions, so I would have to rent fins where ever I choose to beach snorkel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauer Posted September 28, 2011 #11 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Definitely the "ick" factor for me to put a used mouthpiece in -- not really the same as touching an elevator button. I think that it's really exaggerating to talk about "lugging equipment around" when you are talking about a snorkel and mask that weigh a few ounces and can easily be arranged around the other items in your luggage. Good point about the prescription goggles too -- I wear contacts when I snorkel, but my husband wears glasses and really gets more out of his experience when he can see more clearly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimau Posted September 28, 2011 #12 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I do not worry about germs but my snorkel is better than any I have been provided. I always have to take my prescription mask so now I just throw in the snorkel too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachchick Posted September 29, 2011 #13 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Yet to be on a snorkeling excursion where they didn't provide gear. IMHO the debate between bring your own and use rental about sanitation I find funny. People have no fear about touching elevator buttons, bathroom doors, using forks or shaking hand, holding handrails, but good snorkel gear rinsed and disinfectected cause people grief. These people are going to be with 3000+ people in close quarters that have just traveled from all over the world ( think Contagion ;) ) and they are worried about their snorkeling gear.. The gear I've seen used at on several excursions were good, if I was to buy equal gear for use very other year and have to lug, what a headache. Has always been an easy decision for me. Dip it good in salt water and trust my immune system to do the rest :D I certainly respect your right to not want to buy or bring snorkel equipment. But it really is not at all like touching railings, etc. etc. After I've touched railings, etc. etc., I don't stick my fingers in my mouth (or on my face) and I definitely don't leave them in there! That is precisely what you do with a snorkel. As well, snorkels are made of porous material that is not always easy to sanitize. Not all snorkel operators or rental companies use a good disinfectant solution. Sure, it's a small risk, but I'd rather not worry about it. (As a small note: Even the CDC recommends not using bare hands to open public bathroom doors when leaving. And hand shaking is becoming less frequent as more people realize it's a great way to spread illnesses.) On top of all that, snorkels are not all the same size, same materials, or same style. I like specific ones that fit my small mouth comfortably and that are semi-dry or dry. It's really not a headache for us to "lug" it along with us and we use it often enough that it's more than paid for itself. As for masks, my hubby has a large head and a beard, and I have a small head and need corrective lenses. We know that our gear will be ready, in good shape, and fit perfectly whenever we want it. We even bring our own short power fins. The whole deal fits nicely, along with towels and sunblock, into a single netted snorkel duffel that can be worn as a backpack. It's not the least bit a headache. beachchick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickler1 Posted September 29, 2011 #14 Share Posted September 29, 2011 "The whole deal fits nicely, along with towels and sunblock, into a single netted snorkel duffel that can be worn as a backpack. It's not the least bit a headache." Where did you purchase the netted duffel? We were disappointed that the snorkeling gear that we ordered did not come with a bag. The mesh backpack sounds nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachchick Posted September 30, 2011 #15 Share Posted September 30, 2011 "The whole deal fits nicely, along with towels and sunblock, into a single netted snorkel duffel that can be worn as a backpack. It's not the least bit a headache." Where did you purchase the netted duffel? We were disappointed that the snorkeling gear that we ordered did not come with a bag. The mesh backpack sounds nice. Hi. I'm trying to remember if we bought it through Diver's Direct where we bought most of our gear (in one of the outlets, rather than online), if we bought it in Hawaii the next year when we picked up our new fins, or if we picked it up locally. I just can't recall. It's shaped like a mid-size duffel and can be carried that way, but the straps are long enough and just comfy enough that I can sling it on my back backpack style for reasonably short distances. I don't think I'd love wearing it for a long hike or anything. OTOH, I can't do long hikes anymore, so it's not an issue. If I can remember where the heck we bought it, I'll post here. Sorry about that. beachchick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Kat Posted September 30, 2011 #16 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Check out your local dive stores to see what they offer. We have one of those netted bags as well, but we've had it so long I do not recall where we got it. It might have been a dive shop bonus when we purchased other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcruiser123456789 Posted September 30, 2011 #17 Share Posted September 30, 2011 They will provide it if you are comfortable using it, go for it. We bring our own but we are big snorkelers and use it every year, at least once. So it was worth it to us - it's not that expensive and if you use corrective lenses you will definitely want a prescription mask or else you won't be able to see anything. I am a germophobe so I'd never use a mask/snorkel someone else has worn but to each their own! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotoco Posted September 30, 2011 #18 Share Posted September 30, 2011 http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-76/018792/Oceanic-Cargo-Mesh-Backpack.html Here is the bag we use when we go snorkeling/diving. It has an enclosure to keep vauables and holds a lot. You can carry it like a backpack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsrdsrdsr Posted September 30, 2011 #19 Share Posted September 30, 2011 I went snorkelling in Barbados where they gave you a mask and snorkel, but no fins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted September 30, 2011 #20 Share Posted September 30, 2011 My experience is that do provide gear. However I have my own, I particularly want my own snorkel and I also have a mask with corrective lenses which an excursion won't have. The netted bag for gear can be purchased at most dive shops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34TigerLily Posted September 30, 2011 #21 Share Posted September 30, 2011 We bring our own equipment, including fins. DH has very short, wide feet and it is hard to find fins that fit him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted September 30, 2011 #22 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Yes they will supply you with all.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kassimer1 Posted October 1, 2011 #23 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Yet to be on a snorkeling excursion where they didn't provide gear. IMHO the debate between bring your own and use rental about sanitation I find funny. People have no fear about touching elevator buttons, bathroom doors, using forks or shaking hand, holding handrails, but good snorkel gear rinsed and disinfectected cause people grief. These people are going to be with 3000+ people in close quarters that have just traveled from all over the world ( think Contagion ;) ) and they are worried about their snorkeling gear.. The gear I've seen used at on several excursions were good, if I was to buy equal gear for use very other year and have to lug, what a headache. Has always been an easy decision for me. Dip it good in salt water and trust my immune system to do the rest :D I dont push the elevator button with my mouth. And i definitely dont kiss the 3000 people on the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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