Jaymee287 Posted February 15, 2010 #1 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I'll be on my first cruise in June and I'm a SERIOUS germ-a-fob so I will be purchasing my own snorkeling gear. It won't be TOP of the line but it won't be terribly cheap. I'm thinking 30-40 will be a decent set. But do I really need the fins? What's your opinion on this. Thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmsorensen Posted February 15, 2010 #2 Share Posted February 15, 2010 We just got back from our Mexican cruise on the Splendor. We went snorkeling in Cabo. Although I don't think the fins would be necessary, they were nice to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymee287 Posted February 15, 2010 Author #3 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I'm assuming you used them then. I'm checking into prices on snorkel gear now, do you know a good website? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine8 Posted February 15, 2010 #4 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Not necessary but I would think you would prefer to have them. They are light-weight enough and make snorkeling quite a bit better in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonz Posted February 15, 2010 #5 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Fins are simply nice for their efficiency in getting you around in the water. While scuba diving, they're a must since you are generally moving around quite a bit and without fins you'll breath harder and use up your air faster. From a safety standpoint fins are necessary if you get separated from your group and need to get back, or if there are strong currents that you might have to fight. But generally anywhere that a tour is going to take novice snorkelers is going to be quite safe. Here's an option: Get yourself a set of tight fitting water shoes, which are nice to have anyways around the pool/showers/beaches. Then get a pair of fins from your outfitter that are large enough to accomodate your foot and water shoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonz Posted February 15, 2010 #6 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I'm assuming you used them then. I'm checking into prices on snorkel gear now, do you know a good website? Do you have a Target nearby? They sell mediocre snorkling gear that's well priced and will work fine for your needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymee287 Posted February 15, 2010 Author #7 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I'm probably going to purchase them. I'm from Illinois so snorkeling doesn't exist and obviously there are no dive shops around. Our "beach" is icky brown sand at the lake. lol :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymee287 Posted February 15, 2010 Author #8 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Do you have a Target nearby? They sell mediocre snorkling gear that's well priced and will work fine for your needs. I sure do have a Target! Well it's about an hour away, I'll have to check there! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted February 15, 2010 #9 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I'll be on my first cruise in June and I'm a SERIOUS germ-a-fob so I will be purchasing my own snorkeling gear. It won't be TOP of the line but it won't be terribly cheap. I'm thinking 30-40 will be a decent set. But do I really need the fins? What's your opinion on this. Thanks for the help! Fins are critical if you want to safely snorkel in open ocean. Keep in mind that all snorkel excursions provide equipment. Just use their fins, there is no reason to buy them. (You don't have to use their masks and snorkels) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymee287 Posted February 15, 2010 Author #10 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Good point. But if I'm going to purchase a set I can get it cheaper with the fins (most places) rather than the snorkel and mask separate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbay-eh Posted February 15, 2010 #11 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I'll be on my first cruise in June and I'm a SERIOUS germ-a-fob so I will be purchasing my own snorkeling gear. It won't be TOP of the line but it won't be terribly cheap. I'm thinking 30-40 will be a decent set. But do I really need the fins? What's your opinion on this. Thanks for the help! If you are a serious germ-a-phobe then you might to ignore my post as I am with a previous poster and say just use theirs. All the ones I have been on they give you a new tube sealed in plastic and you can either keep and take home as a souvenier or toss it. The mask you can wipe out yourself with lysol wipes and same with the fins (a must as far as I am concerned too) they give you a lot of control and speed. We had 4 people and it would have taken another suitcase just to take our own gear. Have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymee287 Posted February 15, 2010 Author #12 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I saw that you can take the lysol wipes or the alcohol wipes, but I we are doing some sort of snorkling at each stop. I would much rather have my own then have to worry about forgetting the wipes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DQGal Posted February 15, 2010 #13 Share Posted February 15, 2010 We bought 2 sets of body glove snorkeling set at Sams for $40 each, as the summer went on the lowest I saw them for was $8.00!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanishDonut Posted February 15, 2010 #14 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Do you have access to a local CostCo? They have a complete snorkel set similar to this for $38.99 Don't forget about CostCo's generous return policy. Bedford Park 7300 S. Cicero Ave, Bedford Park, Illinois, IL, 60629 (708) 552-9010 Map | Directions Bloomingdale 505 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, Illinois, IL, 60108 (630) 351-3059 Map | Directions Chicago (Lincoln Park) 2746 N. Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, IL, 60614-1006 (773) 360-2053 Map | Directions Glenview 2900 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, Illinois, IL, 60026 (847) 730-1003 Map | Directions Lake in the Hills 250 N. Randall Rd., Lake in the Hills, Illinois, IL, 60156 (847) 960-9909 Map | Directions Lake Zurich 680 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, Illinois, IL, 60047 (847) 540-3053 Map | Directions Mount Prospect 999 N. Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois, IL, 60056 (847) 660-2000 Map | Directions Naperville 1324 S. Route 59, Naperville, Illinois, IL, 60564 (630) 328-2900 Map | Directions Niles 7311 North Melvina Ave, Niles, Illinois, IL, 60714 (847) 972-3003 Map | Directions Oak Brook 1901 West 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois, IL, 60523 (630) 928-0235 Map | Directions Orland Park 9915 W 159th St, Orland Park, Illinois, IL, 60462 (708) 645-5336 Map | Directions Schaumburg 1375 North Meacham Rd, Schaumburg, Illinois, IL, 60173 (847) 969-0790 Map | Directions St. Charles 221 S. Randall Rd, St. Charles, Illinois, IL, 60174 (630) 549-2022 Map | Directions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzman Posted February 15, 2010 #15 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I have had my own snorkeling gear for a number of years, including fins. I found that the fins take up a lot of space in luggage and are cumbersome to put on and then navigate to where you enter the water. I don't even take them with me anymore and I enjoy snorkeling just as well without them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof4boys Posted February 15, 2010 #16 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I love to snorkel. The first two years we went, I wore the dang fins. However, they kill my feet and I am more proficient without them. My two oldest sons were high school and college swimmers and they love the fins. So you can snorkel with or without fins. It is a personal choice whether to us them. Have fun!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjpu Posted February 16, 2010 #17 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I saw that you can take the lysol wipes or the alcohol wipes, but I we are doing some sort of snorkling at each stop. I would much rather have my own then have to worry about forgetting the wipes! But also remember that not only will they take up precious packing space, but then you also have to carry them around for the rest of your time, like shopping etc. We took our own stuff the first time we cruised and it was just a pain to keep up with. THis time we're just taking the mask and snorkle - easy to throw in the beach bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphakitty Posted February 16, 2010 #18 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I don't lug the fins along anymore. If I'm snorkeling right off the beach, I don't feel a need for them. When snorkeling off a boat, we are on excursions that provide the fins,I will wear them then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfcSupport Posted February 16, 2010 #19 Share Posted February 16, 2010 We took them on our last cruise. I was glad we did because the place where we were snorkeling was very rocky. I was glad to have something on my feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginal Posted February 16, 2010 #20 Share Posted February 16, 2010 We purchase our gear at Academy Sports. My husband loves his fins and I hate mine. We got new ones this year and I still am not happy. So it is personal preference. We always take the mask and snorkel, but the fins depend on where we are going. This time we will go off of beaches so we will pack the fins. We also take foam Noodles if we are going on our own. Yes they take up room, but make it so easy to snorkel from a beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbean dreams Posted February 16, 2010 #21 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I never wear fins when snorkeling, even when they are offered. i pass them up. I have found i can swim much better without them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoyle999 Posted February 16, 2010 #22 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Man, a bunch of you must be related to aquaman and have webbed toes! :p I really like fins when I'm snorkeling. I bring all my own gear including fins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbean dreams Posted February 16, 2010 #23 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Man, a bunch of you must be related to aquaman and have webbed toes! :p I really like fins when I'm snorkeling. I bring all my own gear including fins. Excuse me.....what did you say?, i was busy cleaning my gills:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.