Bring my own stuff?

[Cornboy_99]

Hi,

I'm going on a cruise in January. Each stop has a 2 tank dive excursion, which I will be taking. I'm very new and really can't wait to dive in these places. I have my own gear, almost all ScubaPro. My question is, should I take all my nice stuff and deal with the hassle of toting it (Drive from Augusta, GA to Tampa, FL) to the ship and back. Or, just use the stuff provided. Can I expect decent quality equipment that I'll be able to learn quickly or will it be leaky old crap?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Doug

 

[Web Monkey]

Hi,

I'm going on a cruise in January. Each stop has a 2 tank dive excursion, which I will be taking. I'm very new and really can't wait to dive in these places. I have my own gear, almost all ScubaPro. My question is, should I take all my nice stuff and deal with the hassle of toting it (Drive from Augusta, GA to Tampa, FL) to the ship and back. Or, just use the stuff provided. Can I expect decent quality equipment that I'll be able to learn quickly or will it be leaky old crap?

Bring all your own stuff.

It's possible that the rental gear could be all shiny and new and/or well maintained, but it could just as easily be worn out leaky crap in all the wrong sizes with a sticking inflator and a reg that breathes like you're sucking a golfball through a garden hose.

If you pack it well, all your stuff (except tank and weights, which you don't bring) will pack nicely in a standard suitcase.

Terry

 

[ekremer]

if you are driving 100% bring your own stuff there is nothing like diving with your own stuff over rental gear. Now on a cruise the interesting part is the cleaning

 

[DeputyDan]

If you are an unusual size you will be stuck.

Take your own gear - you bought it to dive with

 

[lifes an ocean]

I would take all but weights and tank. But since you are driving and don't have to worry about weight charges you can bring your weights too. Have fun and enjoy it.

 

[S&V]

Hi Doug,
my family has made a couple of these cruise w/dive excursion trips, and we do take our own gear, everything except tanks of course. Sure, you have to find a place in your room to hang the stuff up to dry, but it is worth it to dive your own gear.
My take on the cruise dive operators and their gear is: the cruise companies are selective about who they accept as excursion partners. We have found them all to be professional and safe - at least with Royal Caribbean and Princess. If you end up renting, I'd expect the gear to be basic, standard, safe OW gear - but always give it a good pre-dive check.
Even in the 80 deg F Caribbean, we take 3mm wetsuits, full or shorty as your tolerance permits.
We're going again in Dec, can't wait!
Enjoy your trip - OBTW, what cruise line and where are you diving?
Scott

 

[lifes an ocean]

Now on a cruise the interesting part is the cleaning

For cleaning, my dad and I talked with the dive company and they let us use their dunk tank and all to clean our gear. So all we had to do when we got back was set it out to dry. Now that is fun seeing as if you have an inside cabin there is limited space, or you are going to air it out where there is sea spray if you are staying in a balcony. But yeah, just ask the operator if you can use their cleaning area.

 

[S&V]

Doug, I forgot to mention this, but another poster said it - don't bring weights, the dive ops provide those...

 

[Web Monkey]

if you are driving 100% bring your own stuff there is nothing like diving with your own stuff over rental gear. Now on a cruise the interesting part is the cleaning

It's easier than on land. You rinse it in the shower and hang it in the closet to dry.

The ships are air conditioned and the humidity is kept very low to prevent mold, so everything dries very nicely.

Terry

 

[dwhthediver]

I agreee with webmonkey, I have done a cruise with dive excursions, brought my own stuff other than tanks and weights, rinsed everything in the shower very well thank you, and had the comfortable feeling of knowing just where to reach for everything. the a/c and low humidity that is on a ship allows everything to dry fairly quickly and it is ready for the next port. I did leave my stuff hang in the bathroom till it stopped dripping before moving it so we could shower.