Is it worth bringing my own snorkeling gear to Bahamas on RC Cruise ship?

[johnnyscience]

So I have a full set of snorkeling gear, fins, mask etc - all brand new. My mask has the special purple film on it to have a clearer view while under water. But I didn't know if that red filter is even necessary in shallow reef snorkeling?

I originally bought it as part of my diving gear set, but haven't been able to make that trip happen yet.

Since I will be doing a Royal Caribbean cruise later this year to the Bahamas, and won't be certified, or have time for diving, I was curious if it was worth it for me to bring my snorkeling gear or not?

I do have a scuba/snorkel backpack to easily pack it all away in though.

I know you can rent them, just not sure how expensive it is and if it's worth the hassle of taking my snorkel gear with me.

I will say I have 2 sets, so it would save us time and money for at least 2 people if I brought my own stuff.

But if snorkeling is only $10-$20 a person, maybe I just pack light.

There would be 4 of us, so we either take turns or have to rent another set or two (depending on who feels like snorkeling at the time)

Thoughts?

 

[gmerick]

Bring your own gear - not brand new gear, but gear you have used enough to know it fits. I dislike the idea of sticking a snorkel in my mouth that has been used by countless others. Having a well fitting mask that doesn't fog or leak will make or break a dive trip. Fins are something I may rent, due to bulk and weight when traveling by plane, but I would definitely pack neoprene booties to keep my feet disease free (would you wear someone else's tennis or golf shoes?).

 

[johnnyscience]

Ok yes, great advice!

The mask, snorkel and booties are easy to pack. The fins are obviously a bit bulkier, but I've got some sweet ones lol, so I'll think about it.

Do you have any suggestions on brands for quality neoprene booties?

 

[johnnyscience]

I think a low pro bootie/shoe I can just wear on all the time right off the ship would be easiest. Maybe something like this AL super low:

Aqualung Superlow Bootie

 

[landphil]

I have those aqualung booties. They have a nice layer of rubber padding at all of the fin pressure points. They do run about a size large. So, definitely size down

 

[jonhall]

Thoughts?

Are you planning on snorkeling on a RC excursion or thinking of snorkeling on your own?

If like excursions I've been on from a boat/catamaran, your mask and snorkel are plenty, IMO (I'm saying that as a person who rarely wears fins when snorkeling.) My wife has often used the fins provided and been okay with them - I have size 12-13 feet so don't even try them. Again if from a boat, you'll probably have full foot fins, so really no boots or socks needed. Just me, but I wouldn't want the hassle/worry of boots drying before packing them away at the end of the cruise.

If going to a beach and snorkeling on your own is what you're doing, boots can be nice since you don't know what the entry will be like (most likely it will be a sandy entry), but a water shoe works also - can leave them on when walking to and on the beach; take them off when snorkeling. Sometimes water shoes replace flip flops on boat excursions for me.

 

[bradlw]

I've got mixed feelings. I'm reminded of my honeymoon trip to HI. Two weeks on three islands. We both brought our snorkel gear.... she was not certified so we had no plans to scuba, but I figured we'd get some snorkeling in. Nope. She got sick, presumably on the flight over...and it was one thing after another. We carted two sets of mask/fins/snorkel from Florida to three islands and back to Florida and that stuff never got wet!
If it's going to be a major focus for you and you plan to use it a lot, then yeah, I can see bringing at least my own mask and snorkel. Just one or two short dives though, maybe just maybe it's not worth the effort...rent instead.

Another story...on a RC cruise. On their private island, we rented snorkel gear once, but the visibility was horrible that day. It was something to do but not awesome like it should be.

 

[johnnyscience]

Ah good info, thanks everyone.

So I guess I didn't know about doing a snorkeling excursion through the RC cruise - this is something that's always available? Does RC charge you extra for this?

I was also considering doing some beach snorkeling too

Honestly snorkeling and enjoying the beach and water is my main focus when we'd get off the cruise ship for the day. Not really too concerned with shopping or exploring much. Just want to enjoy the water and snorkel as much as we can.

Good to hear those AL Superlow booties are good, we'll all probably get them then and just use those as a walk around and water shoe for when we exit the ship.

The AL Slingshot fins I have are setup for booties, so these would pair well with their Superlow booties I would assume.

 

[gmerick]

Neoprene booties -- Look for something with a side zip and a sole with some tread. If you do shore diving, you will be walking into the surf, and putting your fins on in waist to chest deep water. You don't want to worry about sharp rocks, broken dead coral, or urchins. If you end up using the excursion boats full foot fins, wear the booties -- you don't want to bring home the previous 9 divers foot fungus.

 

[jonhall]

snorkeling excursion through the RC cruise - this is something that's always available? Does RC charge you extra for this?

RC's website should show excursions for your cruise. Check what's included in your cruise - maybe you get a free excursion or onboard credit that can be used for an excursion - otherwise you would have to pay. You can also find other reputable excursion companies who offer excursions for your cruise and will meet you outside your cruise ship.

Honestly snorkeling and enjoying the beach and water is my main focus when we'd get off the cruise ship for the day

Check where your cruise ship docks at each stop. Not every stop (maybe none depending on your ports) will be where there is a nice sandy beach waiting at the end of the cruise ship pier. I like to research ahead of time what is at each stop and how far away things are; will a beach be within walking distance or will transportation be needed?

Generally speaking, a guided excursion from a boat to a reef will get you access to the better snorkeling areas.