Do you have your own?

[zebra]

In reading another topic it reminded me of the fact that we always take our water shoes with us (you can buy them at WalMart). Also we used to have our own snorkeling equipment, but Tony's broke and we haven't replaced it.... so we have rented equipment locally. My question is: Do you take your own snorkeling equipment or do you rent it from the locals?

[rogue]

We don't own any snorkel equipment, but do like to snorkel at least once on a cruise. With the extra cost of luggage on planes these days, it might be cheaper for some to rent the equipment than bring it with.

[JoeyandDavid]

we have never used snorkeling equipment... but have considered purchasing some.. is it expensive?

[DebbieandJerry]

We bought our own equipment after our first snorkeling experience. Jerry had his lense Rx put in his mask. Said it makes a huge difference. Our vests are much better than the ones you get because you can inflate them as little as you want or as much as you want.

Last cruise, we decided not to take the fins. They take up a lot of room. When we go on snorkel excursions, they all say "equipment included" so we figure we're paying for it anyway. There is no discount for bringing your own equipment. The fins that you get are dive fins - much better and much more expensive that what I paid for our fins.

I have snorkeled without fins. Mighty tough workout, but do-able.

We have also snorkeled on beaches by hotels and/or where the locals hang out. There you can rent equipment by the piece. So renting fins was only a couple of bucks. Certainly worth it!

[lashl]

We rent. Just don't use it that often in Missouri! Plus we would probably forget where we put them!

[boba]

We just use the excursion equipment. Our own would take up to much valuable space.

[Gregswife]

Our first cruise, back in 1995, we signed up for a snorkel excursion in our first port, which was Freeport, Bahamas. We had never snorkeled before so we used the excursion supplied equipment. After snorkeling, we watched their method of "sanitizing" the equipment and decided we would never use "shared equipment" again. We went to a sporting goods store and bought complete sets for us and the boys before our next cruise. Joey, it was relatively inexpensive. Back then, they did not charge for extra baggage on airlines, so we always took a suitcase that had nothing but snorkel gear in it. As I prefer to drive to port nowadays, it is not an issue either, so we always carry our own. Our friends, who cruised with us for the first time last Nov., asked us this same question when they were here last summer, and after they heard our answer, we all headed to Sports Authority and they bought their own. They were on sale for 1/2 price and I think they paid around $30 per set.

[sailingrose]

If I plan on snorkeling I take my own.......no flippers however, I hate them!

[zebra]

Cheryl.... $30 is a good price. Do you know that sea water (salt water) is one of the world's best sanitizers

[Gregswife]

I didn't know that Jackie, but I still can't bring myself to put my mouth on a snorkel that someone else had used and then it was just thrown in a barrel of water. Call me anal (my son calls me that all the time) but I just can't get past that one!!!