OCruisers Posted September 11, 2013 #26 Share Posted September 11, 2013 You can find good quality equipment at any sporting goods store. However, I had problems getting the cheaper masks to fit correctly so I ended up going to a store specializing in SCUBA gear. If space is an issue, consider just bringing a snorkel and possibly a mask, and use their fins. Especially if the cost of gear rental is built into the price of the excursion. Very much agree and we've always done exactly as you do! LuLu ~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzin-K Posted September 11, 2013 #27 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I bring my own mask & snorkel. Mine were not cheap - I got them at a local dive shop and my mask is the same one I use for scuba diving. I have dive fins but they're not appropriate for snorkeling so I've been using whatever they have on the excursions. I've been thinking more and more about buying and bringing my own on my upcoming cruises though. I have my own snorkel vest as well - it's pretty easy to pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry0 Posted September 11, 2013 #28 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I enjoy having my own so if the sea days get boring I can always do some deep water snorkeling. Seriously though I like taking my snorkel gear whenever we are even near a beach. You never know when you will need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncett Posted September 11, 2013 #29 Share Posted September 11, 2013 We did spend money on the mask, from a scuba store only $35... the other stuff I got the Serria Trading Post. Again did not spend that much and with the new flippers they are not a large as the sets you get Walmart or places like that. Great buy and easy to carry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveru621 Posted September 11, 2013 #30 Share Posted September 11, 2013 We got sets for the whole family at Costco. If we are tight on luggage space we'll just take the masks and snorkels and rent the fins. Ditto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogchopper Posted September 11, 2013 #31 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I love this post!! I was just talking about this with my husband last week. We leave in 20 days (freedom of the seas) and we are snorkeling in Grand Cayman. I have used snorkel gear from excursions before but it makes me uneasy!! I told him I'd prefer to bring my own. So... http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEX-Reef-Rider-Adult-Swimming-Diving-Mask-Snorkel-SET-OF-2/400553084580?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D17572%26meid%3D1200312317602213044%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D8140%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D161095495074%26 I just bought this.. They have more if anyone wants some, although I can't say if they are any good but ya can't beat the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser-007 Posted September 11, 2013 #32 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I use a nice snorkel and mask set made by 'Body Glove', it was affordably priced too. I jam it in the small suitcase that my wife fills with shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare markeb Posted September 11, 2013 #33 Share Posted September 11, 2013 any fairly recent Coco Cay visitors if I bring my own MFS, do they require a snorkel vest and if so what does it cost (I know DCL requires but they are free) Altho I've been to Coco b4 I never snorkeled!! I tried to SCUBA but we got weathered out. Got cool after that and we never ventured out to snorkel so I do not remember what the rules were. I see that their 'snorkel excursion' is a big name for renting gear ... question is, can I rent (do I need to rent) JUST the vest????? Jumped on the super cheap rates since we live 30 minutes from the port . . . trying to minimize what I carry. Yes, they require a vest. You can rent a vest and flippers for much less than the full package on the day you're there; you can't do it online ahead of time. I believe they'll rent the vest only if you're taking flippers, or not using them. I won't swear to that, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Babe Posted September 11, 2013 #34 Share Posted September 11, 2013 We always bring our snorkel and fins with us on every cruise. I think it is disgusting using rental equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Line Posted September 11, 2013 #35 Share Posted September 11, 2013 We bring our own mask and snorkel...and we use the fins they provide to cut down on luggage... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk... Please excuse punctuation, spelling, nonsensical thoughts and brevity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldgirl2 Posted September 11, 2013 Author #36 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I found a nice set with mask, snorkel, fins and carry bag. It's $167.00 for three of them. The brand is US divers. We have a trip planned to Lido Key in a few weeks so I will be able to put them to the test before our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyriecat Posted September 11, 2013 #37 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I like having my own snorkel gear. Most of the rental masks are cheap and leak. The snorkels are simply tubes with no purge valves. When I hear people complain about not enjoying snorkeling, the complaints are almost always about water in the tubes or masks. It's hard to focus on the wonders of the sea when you are having to stop every couple minutes to clear your mask or tube. My husband had a mustache so he has a hard time finding rental masks that seal well. As a minimum we bring our own masks and tubes. I prefer my fins but I leave them at home if we are flying to a port because I usually need the suitcase weight for something else. If we fly, we'll rent fins or go without. I prefer to dive when snorkeling and I'm a fairly good swimmer so I don't use a float vest unless it's required. If it is, I will inflate it as little as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keishashadow Posted September 11, 2013 #38 Share Posted September 11, 2013 If you'd like to bring fins with you, there are several brands of "short" fins on the market today designed for swimmers but work very well for snorkeling as well. Finis Zoomers is one of the brands. They look like this. Tuck nicely into luggage! what a good idea! might pick them up when i get new snorkle. I prefer using the 'dry' variety but for some reason despite rinsing them thoroughly they tend to stick after several uses.:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted September 11, 2013 #39 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I was happy with this set that I got before my last cruise: http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/19609.htm#color=25857 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bplazo Posted September 11, 2013 #40 Share Posted September 11, 2013 We also always bring our owm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbillfromchicago Posted September 11, 2013 #41 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I am really nearsighted and bought a prescription mask for not much more than a mid-level regular one - works great. DW and I both have "dry snorkel" versions that are so much more pleasant than basic open tube models. I hate being surprised my a mouth full of salt water when an unexpected wave comes by. We have fins, but seldom take them as they take up the most room. Many excursions include equipment and they have been happy to provide fins as we use our own masks and snorkels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiselvr04 Posted September 11, 2013 #42 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Our inflatable vests take up no room and we always use them. DH is a good swimmer but likes to go out further alone. If he got into trouble he could puff a little air into the vest and stay afloat. Plus they are bright yellow for visibility. This happened once to him at trunk bay around the edge of the little island where the current suddenly got strong. I inflate mine as I am not a good swimmer and then a can float along not going out too far. Worth the $40 pp they cost when we snorkel without a group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldgirl2 Posted September 11, 2013 Author #43 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I was happy with this set that I got before my last cruise: http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/19609.htm#color=25857 Thank you for this link! What a great deal!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted September 12, 2013 #44 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Thank you for this link! What a great deal!!:D You're very welcome! Oh, and if you're in the market for water shoes, the "disposable" ones from that same company are simply the closeouts of the regular shoes. They're not actually "use once and dispose of them" -- they just don't come in a choice of colors. (Mine were blue.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impatientlywaiting Posted September 12, 2013 #45 Share Posted September 12, 2013 We will be doing a snorkel excursion and the thought of putting my mouth on something that was used by others does not sit well with me. I don't really trust the cleaning technique or lack of it. Where can I purchase snorkel gear for a reasonable price? We bought ours at Costco in 2007 and have hauled that gear all over the world and back and they are still in as good as shape as they were when we bought them. I refuse to use any snorkel gear that somebody else has put their mouth on. ICK :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldgirl2 Posted September 12, 2013 Author #46 Share Posted September 12, 2013 You're very welcome! Oh, and if you're in the market for water shoes, the "disposable" ones from that same company are simply the closeouts of the regular shoes. They're not actually "use once and dispose of them" -- they just don't come in a choice of colors. (Mine were blue.) Funny you should mention that because I ordered the shoes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted September 12, 2013 #47 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Funny you should mention that because I ordered the shoes! Great Mitten State minds think alike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfer1966 Posted September 12, 2013 #48 Share Posted September 12, 2013 We will be doing a snorkel excursion and the thought of putting my mouth on something that was used by others does not sit well with me. I don't really trust the cleaning technique or lack of it. Where can I purchase snorkel gear for a reasonable price? DW and I bought two complete sets several years ago. They paid for themselves over and over again. We even bought a special back pack to carry the stuff in too. Oh, and we also bought the inflatable vests too... If you are gonna go a few times Id recommend buying a set...even if just for the sanity of knowing there are clean and used by you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wineandbeach Posted September 13, 2013 #49 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Does anyone know of a good brand and price for a snorkeling mask. I have been buying cheap ones for years and I get out there and it fills with water so I am ready to go to a dive shop and buy a good one but don't want to be talked into buying something I don't need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted September 13, 2013 #50 Share Posted September 13, 2013 you can get a pretty good idea of the price range, options, and some of the good brand names by looking here http://www.leisurepro.com/c-958/masks#!1 and here http://www.diversdirect.com/scuba/scuba-gear/scuba-mask/browse/page/2/ but I am NOT saying buy on line .... go to a dive shop and try some on. Fit is IMPORTANT. I've never seen a 'real dive shop' that sold toy equipment . . . Makers of quality equipment include: SCUBAPRO, SUB-GEAR, TUSA, CRESSI, OCEANIC, MARES, EVO (may be unique to DiversDirect) (not all inclusive list) and for a 'good' mask I'd expect to pay .... well, recently bought dd the MARES X-VISION for $50 at Divers Direct it held up fine on her trip to Roatan - 6 weeks, dive 6 days a week, 3 or 4 dives a day - biological research team UNIV of BAMA // summer intern CocoView Resort the family that dives together . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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