renting snorkel equipment on board

[Scarlotte]

we are doing Holland America's Carribean cruise in Nov. Do they rent snorkel equipment even if you aren't going on an excursion. If so, any idea how much.

 

ths

[Stevesan]

we are doing Holland America's Carribean cruise in Nov. Do they rent snorkel equipment even if you aren't going on an excursion. If so, any idea how much.

 

ths

 

 

Nope, HAL doesn't. Princess used to, but discontinued the practice after ending their "New Waves" program.

 

You can purchase the same quality snorkel gear at Walmart (or equivalent) for less than rental fees.

I wouldn't recommend that, but it's an option.

[Scarlotte]

thanks stevesan. we're trying to find snorkel equip. so far, we're finding it is the wrong season. will keep looking

[scubaran]

thanks stevesan. we're trying to find snorkel equip. so far, we're finding it is the wrong season. will keep looking

 

Hi,

 

You can try some on-line dealers like snorkelmart.com, scuba.com, diversdirect.com, leisurepro.com, etc. Also you may have a local dive center near you. Try looking in the yellow pages under scuba. BTW, if you buy on-line make sure they have a no hassle return policy on masks and snorkels. Most will let you return to try another piece of equipment and even pay the shipping for the return.

 

Randall

[Greymeowsr]

www.joediveramerica.com has lots of different styles and packages.

 

Of course if you buy online you run the risk of fit issues.

 

I just ordered some that hasn't arrived as yet.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Stevesan]

thanks stevesan. we're trying to find snorkel equip. so far, we're finding it is the wrong season. will keep looking

 

This time of year, discount stores may not stock snorkel gear even in your area.

However, there are dive shops nearby.

Here are a few in Tampa/St Pete:

 

http://yp.yahoo.com/ypResults.py?stp=y&stx=95743847&city=Tampa&state=FL&uzip=33602&msa=8280&slt=27.946609&sln=-82.458366&cs=4

 

You're much better off buying thru a dive shop where you will get a proper mask fitting. A poorly fit mask will ruin snorkel trips.

Most dive shop operators will help with the fit. In case you encounter one who doesn't, read the excerpt below.

I'm cribbing this from someone else. Fortunately it's not copyrighted. :D

 

Mask Fitting

 

How many times have you gone into a dive store, tried a mask that seemed to fit just great, got on an airplane to halfway around the world, jumped into the water and the mask leaked? There seems to be a nearly universal way to try a mask, which unfortunately happens to be the wrong way. Put the mask on, inhale through your nose and guess what? The mask fits. Right? Wrong!

 

The big mistake is that no one dives or snorkels with a vacuum in their mask or shouldn't be if they are. By inhaling through the nose, an unnatural seal is created. Some divers have tried on masks that don't even come close to fitting but as soon as they inhale, a tight seal is created. While diving though, they are not constantly trying to inhale through their nose (which is what the store clerk told them to do) and now the mask leaks.

 

Someone told a tale of a dive store that displays all masks without straps. The idea apparently is to check that a really good vacuum makes a really good fit. Once again, no one dives trying to inhale through their nose constantly and without a strap no less.

 

Almost all modern masks have an outer seal and a narrower inner seal. This inside seal covers everywhere except just under the nose. If both of these seals touch the face than the odds of that mask fitting and not leaking are very good. This is done by putting the mask on with the strap loose, but in place, and then tightening it to what would be normal if you were diving. Some divers who have had very bad masks are in the habit of over tightening the strap on a new mask in hopes of a better seal. Don't do that especially while trying masks for fit.

 

The next step takes a second person or a mirror. Look around the entire inside of the mask checking to see that the inner seal touches everywhere. It is very important not to inhale through the nose which forces the mask seals to touch if they didn't naturally. Next check the outside seal the same way.

 

If the inner seal is not touching the face, especially next to the side of the eyes, it is likely the mask won't work well. But do check everywhere around the inside. The outer seal might keep water from dripping in but not as well as if both seals touch. Make sure the seals do not cut across any hairline or eyebrows. Also that the side seals are not right at the edge of the eye.

 

One other problem can occur when someone laughs, smiles or even squints. This motion creates lines or wrinkles next to the nose. Sometimes this makes a passage where water pours in. Almost every mask will leak when this happens. So don't laugh! Occasionally, depending on the person, these wrinkles may remain even after they stop laughing. In this case it may be necessary to straighten the face by pulling down or sideways on the cheeks. Again this is not necessarily a mask problem. So don't run out and buy a new mask.

 

If absolutely necessary, to keep everyone happy, you can now inhale slightly to check any unseen leaks. Sometimes a mask leaks around the glass. This is very unusual and is a one off problem, not the design of the mask. You can check this by holding the mask with the face plate parallel to the floor and putting water in the mask. If the face plate seal is faulty, drops of water will appear on the outside.

 

Don't be fooled by the size of a mask's frame and lenses. This has little if anything to do with how a masks fits. People will look for what seems like a narrow or wide mask, depending, but what counts is the size of the skirt where your face is actually touching the mask. An exaggerated example but if the lens of a mask is 1 foot wide but the skirt is only 4 inches, this would fit a rather narrow face but the mask looks huge.

 

With literally 10's of dozens of masks on the market, there is one that will fit. It may take awhile to find but it is out there.

 

[flatman]

thanks stevesan. we're trying to find snorkel equip. so far, we're finding it is the wrong season. will keep looking

 

scarlotte, try googling Diver Supply, it's never out of season there. Dw and I just purchased our gear there and was very pleased with the service and quality.

[RedHeadTexan]

Scarlotte, at the minimum purchase a mask and snorkel. If you have room for fins in your luggage, then purchase those as well. Keep in mind that the shorter the fin the more likely it will fit in your suitcase :D. Some fins are really long!

 

For my diving gear I have had great experiences with:

www.leisurepro.com - great return policy, website, and customer service

Local Dive Shop - you can't beat them for personalized service, but they will cost a little more than the online companies.

www.scubatoys.com - very knowledgable staff and great prices

[Stevesan]

Scarlotte, at the minimum purchase a mask and snorkel. If you have room for fins in your luggage, then purchase those as well. Keep in mind that the shorter the fin the more likely it will fit in your suitcase :D. Some fins are really long!

 

For my diving gear I have had great experiences with:

www.leisurepro.com - great return policy, website, and customer service

Local Dive Shop - you can't beat them for personalized service, but they will cost a little more than the online companies.

www.scubatoys.com - very knowledgable staff and great prices

 

And heavy, too. I bought a pair of open heel dive fins thinking they'd provide more power. Boy, was that a mistake. The darn things plumb wore me out! :mad:

Now they permanently reside at home, a complete waste of money.