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I'm not going to be much help on this, as I only know those islands as a diver. Of the three, Grand Turk should have the most impressive underwater environment. I just don't have direct experience from a snorkeling perspective. However, all three of those islands should have a popular snorkeling reef or two that snorkel boats frequent. All three locations will provide organized snorkeling excursions and your cruise line will most likely offer them as a ship excursion. Snorkeling operators seem to make these trips look fun and high energy. These operators take thousands of cruisers out each year and your family should have a safe, fun experience. Note: boat music might be loud and, depending on the type of excursion, the booze could be flowing. Look for info about 'free drinks' or a boat bar if you're concerned about the environment for the kids. Cruise ship organized vs. independent. In diving, this can be a big issue and a highly-ranked independent operator will almost always provide a better experience. But with snorkeling, I'm guessing that the experience would be similar with all operators. T'were I doing it, I'd go with the ship organized trip. Those outfits should be working hard to keep their biggest customer (Carnival) happy. Hopefully someone with more snorkeling experience will weigh in. Best of luck. Give us a report here about your experience. Future snorkelers will like to hear of your experience.

We do unlimited laundry every trip. The crew always does an excellent job and we're able to bring fewer clothes with us.

Thanks for sharing those moments. Barbados is one of my favorite places.

I agree with mac66 on the wrecks. Here's my dive there for your research:

Same here. Last month, it went as smooth as silk. There just must have been something there that triggered theiŕ server's defenses this time.

Actually, I think it was my attached pdf. I attached my brokerage statement as a pdf and, for some reason, their email server didn't like it. I read the "undeliverable" code that I'd gotten back from them and found statements about suspected spam. So, I tried it again today and this time I embedded screen shots of those statement pages into the email instead of attaching that pdf. It went through just fine and I got the confirmation email. Beats me.

Hmmm. I just requested my shareholder credit and the email is bouncing back as undeliverable. Either they've changed the email address or they're having an email server problem. I'll try it again tomorrow.

Here are my Curacao shore dives. I'll be doing it again this winter. Your mileage may vary. Past performance is no indicator of future results.

I'd also choose Curacao. While looking at options, also check with The Dive Bus.

Getting on the plane soon to return home.

Diving in the Philippines this week.

I'm spending some time diving in the Philippines. Here's some snaps of Anemonefish.

Stunning.

I don't do it. I'll bring my camera, mask, fins, and computer. I rent the rest. I hate lugging gear around.

I plan to do that dive in early February. You're right. The excursion description does not address this. On these ship excursions, they often state that gear is available for rental, if needed. For that price, though, I would expect them to provide the gear. It looks like the operator will send out a medical questionaire, so maybe they'll provide details at some point. You might ask this question also in the Scuba/snorkel sub-forum.

This little investment really has been a great one. It will pay for itself many times over.

I'd be the best, most attentive steward ever. My towel animals would be famous.

I plan to dive St Thomas this winter. I've passed on the opportunity previously, but think I'll take it this time around.

Queen Angelfish, taken on Easy Street dive site, here on Grand Cayman. This was the first Queenie that I'd seen up to that moment. (Lumix LX-10, BigBlue 4600s, red filter)

A handsome couple. Congrats.

I just hope that my Feb cruise MAKES it to Bonaire. Bonaire denied us a stop there last year (too many ships) and I'm already hearing of ships having to reschedule away from there for this winter too. Fingers crossed.

If diving in that area, I'd go to the fresh water springs before I'd dive Pensacola. Consider the caverns at Ginnie Springs and Williston.

Gray Angelfish cruising over a forest of bristle brush algae. (Lumix LX-10 on the north side of Grand Cayman)

No direct experience, but I've heard that the south side of that island offers better diving. Keep us posted on your experiences there.

You know, I'm hauling less and less gear around these days. It seems like my travel load gets lighter each year and all that expensive gear of mine just sits there in my closet. I pretty much only pack my mask, my computer, and an SMB. Oh, and of course, my camera rig that weighs a ton. Basically, I tote my camera and let the local operator provide the heavy, bulky stuff.