People have opinion about the use of, and seeing the need for, a snorkel (or other pieces of kit for that matter) usually based on the limited scope of diving they do.
For example; I don't generally use a snorkel with modern gear but find it handy while diving vintage stuff. In the latter case, being neutrally weighted without a power inflate bcd it's very handy for hanging around or swimming face forward on the surface. I have a boltsnap attached to it and clip it off tucked away while not in use as I don't like one flapping around my head. With modern gear I use a long hose (so it would interfere) and have a drysuit and bcd to keep my face out of the water on the surface.
Does that make the snorkel useful or not? Depends...