how clean is rented snorkel equipment?

[iceman262]

We're cruising in 2 weeks and plan on snorkeling in Cayman. We signed up for a tour through the ship and the snorkeling equipment is included. However, my wife's a little wary about using the equipment on the boat. I really don't want to have buy flippers and masks, not to mention schlepping them on board. I told my wife that they probably sterilize everything with bleach or some other kind of sanitizer. Still, anyone know for sure? Did anyone ever have a problem with this?

[caribsun]

Never had a problem and at times I could smell a sanitizer residue on the mask. To be sure bring along a packet hand sanitizer and wipe down the mask and snorkel.

[drew sailbum]

Snorkel gear is sanitized using a rinsing agent that is similar to what is used in commercial dish washers. They just rinse it in the sanitizer and then let it air dry.

 

For what it is worth, the sea itself is a veritable soup of bacteria and other stuff - all generally non-harmful.

[bobbisailsolo]

I agree with the others, never had a problem. Saw them sanitize it.

[TheVegasMan]

I'd bring along my own snorkel.

[dvan68]

Carnival now sells snorkels at the Excursion Desk for $5. They are certainly not fancy, but would serve the purpose of being germ free. I don't know how many they carry, but they had a bucket of them on the counter on the first day.

[Capt_BJ]

Who last used that knife and fork?