Dive Gear on Ship

[DiverDan25]

Just some background I just got certified by my father-in-law who is a Dive Instructor and we were thinking about planning a trip in March doing a Western Caribbean cruise. However, neither of us has ever cruised and dive. He was wondering is it advised to bring your own gear and if you do does the cruise ship store it for you or do you have to store it in your room.


Thanks,

DiverDan25

 

[ReneeC]

I have done many cruises where I have included diving. I bring my gear bag which is on rollers and carry it onboard with me. Unless you are going to dive with a local operator don't bring your weights. Lately I have been leaving my knife behind but bring shears.

Some of the lines have pretty decent equipment. NCL has a very big dive program and even offer nitrox. But others have crap! I'm kinda fond of my gear and would not travel without at least my own regulator and skin / wetsuit. Rinse and dry right in the cabin shower.

 

[ABQdiver]

I will second the notion of taking along your own gear, sans weights, tank.

What ever works for you as far as luggage goes, but the roll type is obviously easier.

I like the balcony staterooms better than the inboard one since that makes a great place to store the dive gear. Usually they have a solid railing that will protect anything from falling off and that little extra space really helps for storage.

 

[diveborg]

I do the same as ABQdiver, take all my own gear and get the balcony for drying. We actually need the larger cabin anyway since we are a family of 4 when we cruise. I wouldn't care to wear a rental wetsuit because there are 2 kinds of diver; those that pee in their wetsuit and those that lie about it.

 

[crpntr133]

Someplace on SB someone made a comment about one of the cruise lines actually having a place that they stored their gear. Not sure which line or who said it..sorry.

I would definetly take my own gear. Just the basics and very little extra especially since the air lines have a weight limit.

 

[DiverDan25]

Thanks for all of the great info. My father-in-law isn't too keen on cruising but my mother-in-law won't fly so this maybe just the one time he gets to go diving in some of the best spots. Most of the time he dives in quarries, and the Ohio River (yuck!!) for his police department.

 

[scubajim]

Hi, just got back from a Royal Caribbean cruise to the western caribbean. I would certainly bring your own gear except for weights. but if you want you could get away with using your own wet suit, snorkel, reg and dive computer.
Have a great time

 

[rushrhees]

I did a cruise on Royal Caribbean, they are an aqualung dealer so you can get good stuff, got my regs, comp, BC duty free