Cathy

My husband and I will be taking an NCL cruise. We are wondering if the snorkeling gear that the ship uses in their "dive in" program if quality gear or if we should buy our own. Does anyone know what they charge to rent the ship's gear?

Cassie

I always carry my own gear, altho it does take up room in the suitcase. It costs about $20-30 per week to rent gear. The gear isn't so bad, but there is a limited amount for rent, so you might spend 3 hours in line your first night signing up to rent gear that might be gone by the time you get to the front of the line. Some excursions provide gear, so the line isn't as big an issue if you plan to take excursions, but excursion equipment does tend to be more beat up since it is used harder. I probably paid $35 total for my own stuff and carry it everywhere - it's guaranteed to fit and be clean

Carl

Rent it!! Most shore excursions arranged by the ship include snorkeling gear, and are sanitized. If your going out on your own you can rent on ship or rent where you are snorkeling. Most of the better snorkeling areas have places where you can rent gear at the site. Why burden yourself with carrying all this gear. Save the room in your suitcase for the souvenirs!! Afterall your on vacation!!

linda

I vote for renting. Save the space in your suitcase for other things. You can rent on the ship which guarantees that you will have it when you need it. But, you will have to carry it on shore. Snorkeling excursions usually include it but most people advise you to NOT take the prearranged excursions...they are expensive and crowded. You can always take a chance and rent your equipment where you intend to snorkel. Just be sure your selected beach has rental gear. Most cruises offer an overview of activity options at each port and the cruise director will tell you the best snorkeling locations and which areas have facilities and rental equipment.

stephanie

It does indeed take up a lot of room in suitcase - flippers are the most room consuming. We have always taken our own, but not only does it consume room, you have to get all the salt water & sand off them and dry them before packing - or take large leak proof plastic bags. <BR> <BR>I think the snorkel & mask are kind of personal items, so I like to have my own. You could always buy your own snorkel & mask and just rent flippers - if it's possible to rent them seperately.

cheryl

I think it's fine to rent flippers, but when it comes to the mask and snorkel (which are usually sold together in one package), I say bring them along. You have to put the snorkel in your mouth, and even though they say that it's sanitized, you really never know. My husband and I took a Carribean cruise last year and found that the snorkel and mask took almost no room in our luggage. <BR>Have fun--snorkeling is great! <BR> <BR>cheryl.

Katie

We are taking our first cruise in September, and I've been doing a lot of research on snorkeling gear. I wear very thick glasses so I'm bringing a mask with my prescription lenses added, and I also have arthritis in my feet, so I've had to look for very soft fins. I'm afraid to take a chance with rental equipment even though I've heard some prescription lenses/masks are available for rent. I'd rather have my own equipment than take the chance my vacation is ruined. Needless to say, my investment will be a lot higher than $39.95, but this is my dream vacation, after all.

Lynn

We've always taken what the excursion operators provide or rented, but I recently purchased inexpensive masks and snorkel for the next time we cruise. I'm not sure if I'll invest in flippers because they are cumbersome, but for my own comfort (sometimes fit and sizes are not always available) and for the santization reason, I'm going to take my own snorkel and mask on the next trip. <BR>

Hilary

Take your own! My husband and I have been on 2 cruises and both times rented gear (or used the ones provided with the excursion). Each time one of us was unhappy with the way the mask would not fit, or that often they would run out of the size flippers we wanted (we both have common shoe sizes). Frankly, I wouldn't put a rented snorkle in my mouth since there is no proof they are sanitized. At the very least, strongly consider taking your own mask and snorkel and renting the fins.

Beth

We also bought our own masks and snorkles before taking a snorkling vacation. aside from all the good points made above, the snorkles themselves can be different sizes. I have a small mouth, and so I was able to buy a very comfortable mouthpiece. the larger ones make my jaw very uncomfortable after a while. If you think you will snorkle more than just this trip, then I would make the investment.