Burbunny, Brucejr, and the rest

[jeffinhburg]

Newly certified and tooooo close to addicted. Thanks to you both (I think! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] ) for helping to talk me into doing it before the cruise.

I'm only a little sorry that the first fish I got to see scuba diving was a baby bass, and not a grouper. lol.

Starting to obtain equipment, in small chunks, so that I don't have to plan ahead and rent when I go to practice in the quarry down the road that I told you I wouldn't be diving in. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

How much of your equipment do you cruise with? On one hand, I hate to lug it all along, but on the other, why have it and not use it (and be comfortable with it, instead of using someone else's)?...

[brucejr]

While I feel that I'm competent enough to dive with anyone's rental gear, I do have [I]all[/I] my own stuff, including steel tanks and almost enough weights.

I take all that I need to dive when I go on a cruise, except the tanks and weights obviously. I know my reg has been serviced. I have a sea-cure mouth piece on it and an Atmos AI dive computer, so I also want it because of those. There is one thing I didn't take on my last cruise. I left my dive knife at home. I read enough about the cruise line hassling divers when they were coming back to the ship that I decided it wasn't something I needed to deal with. I would recommend a pair of snips instead of a knife. The only reason I have one is that sometimes I encounter fishing line when I dive locally.

My opinion, if you have your own gear, bring it. If you are really pressed for room, maybe leave the fins at home, or as a last resort, the BC.

<font color="FF6600">
if there's a way to construe my post as non-argumentative, please do so.</font>
Cruise photos on my [url="http://www.brobertson.org/"]Home page [/url]<font color="990066">
Spring Break was on the Grand Princess </font>21, March 2004
So when is the next cruise?

[10X]

I have a 30" wheeled duffle bag that I take all of my own stuff in, except for tanks and weights, of course. If I do a land vacation I take my knife too, but not on a cruise. I wheel the duffle right onto a dive boat and no one has ever said anything about it.

I prefer my own BC because it's weight integrated and I hate weight belts. I've nearly lost two when they started to come off in the water.

I also prefer my own wetsuit since I know what my weighting is with it. I've used rental wetsuits but I have to spend time finding the right weighting each time, since each dive operator will likely use something you've never worn before. I experimented with rental wetsuits earlier this year in Hawaii. On Oahu I received a 3mm shorty with long sleeves. On Maui I received a 5mm farmer john bottom. What a pain.

You'll also know whose mouth the reg was in last.

My gear has two computers also. An Atmos 1 that came with a package deal I bought and a Suunto Vyper that I bought separately. I like the redundancy.

I'm with Bruce, bring your own.

'89 Commodore/Caribe I
'92 NCL/Westward
'96 NCL/Seaward
'99 RCI/Rhapsody Of The Seas
'00 RCI/Legend Of The Seas
'01 Princess/Ocean Princess
'02 RCI/Vision Of The Seas
'03 Princess/Sea Princess, back-to-back
'03 Princess/Sea Princess
'04 Hawaii, 2 weeks on land

TAHITIAN PRINCESS 02/11/05

[Crockett]

My husband and I have been taking our own equipment since we learned how to dive. We don't have tanks or weights though. Since we just became rescue divers we have learned to always be prepared. Know your equipment as well as your buddys and the other divers around you. I have seen divers rent regs and computers only to have problems during the dive. As for wetsuits- I always bring mine because I get cold easily. My husband never needs his. You just have to decide what is right for you the more you dive. The main thing is to be comfortable before, during and after your dives. Congratulations, enjoy your diving adventures!

Explorer 10/10/2004 Here we go again
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;10;10;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[Orcrone]

I'll add my two cents, although I don't have much new to say.

I also bring all my own equipment except for the tanks and weights (don't own tanks anyhow). Not thinking about security I brought my knife on my last cruise. It was in with all my gear. Made it through the airlines and Carnival. However, when returning from my first dive day they confiscated it getting back on the ship and held it until my dives the next day. Not much of a hassle really.

Most people, including myself, prefer having their own equipment because they're used to it. Also, I want to have my computer available. While diving at an AI on my honeymoon the "divemaster" (I use the term loosely) kept everyone down there too long. The divemaster and I had computers and were fine, but everyone else went way beyond the dive table limits.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[jeffinhburg]

I guess that's pretty much what I wanted to hear, and what I will be repeating to myself over and over as I lug the stuff through airports. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Thank you all for the input.

I told DW that if the dive stuff goes, formal attire doesn't, lol. Need to save space and weight somewhere. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

Haven't seen posts by Amber lately -- hopefully she's off diving someplace. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[DOBERMAN]

just consider your gear one more piece of
luggage. Stack in on top of the airport
rental luggage cart. Just part of the price
you pay for a gloriously beautiful and relaxing
dive experience. No big deal.