Snorkel Question on Coco Cay

[stillfrantic]

I just read in another review that even if you have your own snorkel equipment you have to pay the full rental fee to snorkel b/c of the vest??? Is that right???

[MadCnty]

I cannot really answer your question "per say" but if the vest is a problem, you can also purchase those elsewhere...;)

[jaxcrsr]

I was on Coco Cay in April. We took our our masks and snorkels. No one said a word to us about the vests. We had a great time -no vests required- even without fins!:D Patty

[stillfrantic]

I have them for the kids but thought if RCI required them they were rentable for a small fee. Disney just gives them for use for free.

[stillfrantic]

Anyone know if vests can be rented alone for a reasonable fee? Has this changed?

[TPKeller]

You might ask this question over on the Scuba and Snorkeling board! :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=40

 

I'd like to know as well, I am planning to snorkel for the first time on my next cruise!

 

Theron

[lorimay]

We were there in January and brought our own snorkel gear. The vest was required and we were able to just walk up to the snorkel hut and rent the vests. I can't remember what it was, but I think $6 apiece. There is a mandatory safety lecture (free) and then you can snorkel all you want. You are NOT required to pay for the snorkel tour if you bring your own equipment - just the vest.

[stillfrantic]

Thank you! That is just what I had expected. I can't imagine them requiring $27 pp for just a vest and from the sound of the other post, $27 from everyone regardless of whether they snorkeled or not. :eek:

[PhinsAndGills]

We have all our own equip. You can buy a vest at most discount sporting goods stores. They're pretty cheap right now (around here) - like $20 or so. We're pretty die-hard snorkelers. I've even snorkeled Lake Erie! :) To me, $20 is a good investment and it's the SMALLEST and EASIEST piece of snorkel equipment to pack. We have all our gear in specially designed backpacks that fit nicely in our designitated UGLY 1970's hard sided suitcase we keep all our "beach" and "Sporting equip" in. It becomes a nice souvie tote as well. You CAN'T squish this baby.

 

By the way - the "specially designed backpack" full of nice Body Glove gear can now be bought at Sam's Club for only $45 or so. NICE set, too. Trust me, you'll want the little backpack. Carrying it in a drawstring bag hurts the hands.

[stillfrantic]

We've got some of our own vests, but not for the adults. I've never seen them particularly cheap, but then again we have NO sporting goods stores of ANY size here. :p

[floodcity cruiser]

We were on Coco Cay in June. We brought our own masks and snorkel, we rented RCCL' s vest for $6.00 each They let us use their fins for free. Great time.

[Coolcruise02]

Are you allowed to snorkel anywhere? I had read on another thread to go away from the crowds and go to the far end of the island for the best snorkeling. Has anyone done this? :) Thanks

[PhinsAndGills]

We actually go to the "main" beach (where the sunken ship and airplane are...) and stay WAY to the left. We've had some AWESOME luck there. We've seen puffer fish, small nurse sharks, TONS of Yellowtauil snappers, TONS MORE Sgt. Majors, eagle rays, stingrays, and lots of other fish I took pictures of and am working on identifying.

 

:) LOVE CocoCay. Last cruise didn't do a private island at ALL, next one stops at Labadee. miss CocoCay. Actually, I've snorkeled Cozumel, Belize, CocoCay, Bahamas (Nassau), Jamaica, Key West, and Lake Erie. The most luck I've had with fish has been CocoCay and Nassau. Coral was pretty in Belize. Was MASSIVLY dissapointed with snorkeling in Coz, but giving it another shot. I think it was just the tour we were on. Jamaica was good but nothing to write home about. I saw a bluegill in Lake Erie and some cool rock formations. :D Key West was fun but I liked the kayack trip better! :)

[Coolcruise02]

Do you pay cash for the snorkeling vest ($6) or do you put it on your card?

 

Thanks :)