What gear should I bring on a cruise?

[MichelleA]

I'm going on a cruise the end of this month to the Western Caribbean. We're going to go scuba diving in Cozumel and Belize and don't know if we should bring some of our own gear or not. What do you all recommend us bringing, if anything?

 

[Sharky1948]

Personally, I'd always bring my own reg and BCD (for safety) and my own mask and fins (for fit.)

 

[Hemlon]

Most cabins don't have bath tubs so there is no way to adequately rinse your gear. It's just not possible to rinse salt water off gear with just using a shower.

I have gone on 5 cruises and I only take my personal gear- mask, snorkel, computer, boots and fins.

 

[DiveMaven]

You can take all of your gear up on the pool deck and borrow a hose to hose everything off (been there, done that). Then you find a nice spot in the shade and hang out, letting your gear dry off a little.

 

[Hemlon]

You can take all of your gear up on the pool deck and borrow a hose to hose everything off (been there, done that). Then you find a nice spot in the shade and hang out, letting your gear dry off a little.

IF you can find a hose up on deck, the water that flows from it is saltwater.

Have you ever been in the pool/hot tub on a cruise ship? Salt water!

 

[divematt]

I have been on 27 cruises and I believe you CAN do a good job of rinsing a lot of your gear in the shower. It just takes some time. you can even flood your bc (which I absolutely think should take) by putting the inflation hose up to the shower head. The regulator (which I also think you should take) can be rinsed the same way too. Don't push the purge button on it though. The only thing that you might leave home if you want to save a little weight might be the fins. You can rent them for 5 bucks. You want your own CLEAN regulator and the bc you're used to using. I take all of my own gear because I like to use the stuff that I'm used to wearing and with a little patience and time, you can rinse it quite well.

 

[Hemlon]

I have been on 27 cruises and I believe you CAN do a good job of rinsing a lot of your gear in the shower. It just takes some time. you can even flood your bc (which I absolutely think should take) by putting the inflation hose up to the shower head. The regulator (which I also think you should take) can be rinsed the same way too. Don't push the purge button on it though. The only thing that you might leave home if you want to save a little weight might be the fins. You can rent them for 5 bucks. You want your own CLEAN regulator and the bc you're used to using. I take all of my own gear because I like to use the stuff that I'm used to wearing and with a little patience and time, you can rinse it quite well.

I think you and I have different standards of gear care.

 

[shark_tamer]

I have never been on a cruise, but when I go down in the Carribean I pack ALL of my gear ( except the tanks ) ....

I say " Scuba diving with rental equipment is like playing golf with rental equipment !! "

Golfers will know what I mean !!!!

 

[nereas]

Bring whatever you can fit, in the following order:

Swimsuit
Booties
Mask
Snorkel
Fins
Weight belt without weights
1/2 mm or 3mm wetsuit
Regulator
Mesh bag to hold everything

I think in Cozumel you can dive in your swimsuit if hard pressed. That would certainly be more scenic for everyone else, as well. If you are not sure, because you get cold easily, then make sure you bring a wetsuit. Being from Tampa you should know.

 

[Damselfish]

It is certainly possible to rinse gear well enough in the shower, though it is easier if the shower is roomy. Also helps to have someone helping, handing stuff in and out. Takes longer but I think you can do a better job in a clean shower than a brackish rinse tank. You can always rinse it again when you get home.