In the Eastern Carb. (HMC is one stop) can you rent JUST flippers?  If so any idea how much?

OR  can you only rent the snorkel flipper set?

THANKS!

If you rent a snorkel how many people used it before you? Do they give you a new mouthpiece or do they sanitize it ?

Rick

farmrick:

If you rent a snorkel how many people used it before you?

Possibly hundreds.

Do they give you a new mouthpiece or do they sanitize it ?

Usually they get dipped into a large freshwater tank that may get changed a couple of times a day. Some operators say they sanitize, and others don't bother to lie about it by not saying anything about sanitizing at all. If you are really paranoid you can bring some hand sanitizer and squirt it around the mouthpiece; that will get rid of most of the bad bugs. Even better is a 0.5 to 1% bleach solution, but you probably aren't going to carry that around with you.

On several of the cruises I have been on, Carnival has had snorkels available for purchase at the shore excursion desk. Three weeks ago on the Valor they were $5, pretty cheap. You can also find a mask and snorkel set that are decent enough for snorkeling at many WalMarts for not too much money. I prefer to use my own equipment not because I am particularly squicked about who used it last but because I know it fits and is properly adjusted, how it all works, and where to find everything by touch (actually, without even touching) when I'm wearing/using it.

~ MattInSoCal

brc23:

 In the Eastern Carb. (HMC is one stop) can you rent JUST flippers?  If so any idea how much?

OR  can you only rent the snorkel flipper set?

 

THANKS!

If you are going to HMC and there are more than just two of you, spring for the cabana. They are well worth the $245 for four guests. You get free snorkel equipment, soft drinks, fruit, chips and salsa, A/C, misting shower, misting fan, floats, lounge chairs, etc. The sun at HMC is lovely, but super hot. We wore sunscreen, and I still got burnt despite spending half my day in the cabana shade and/or in a hammock under the trees next to our cabana drinking Monkeyheads and a Bucket of Beer while my family snorkeled until they shriveled up like prunes. If you want a cabana, book early (as soon as you board your ship), as they go quickly. If you're sailing on the Liberty on September 19, my wife and I are looking for another couple to share the cost of a cabana. We really want one again, but we're leaving the kids and grandkids at home for this cruise.

Smitty

 Thanks for all the quick answers.

There are 8 of us...we were thinking of just doing umbrellas thanks though!

I should have posted this in another thread cause I was just wondering the cost in general of the flippers...not just at HMC...this is just one place we KNOW we will want flippers.

Thanks all!

brc23:

I was just wondering the cost in general of the flippers...

Parroting leslieart's post more or less, I have seen snorkel gear rentals between 5 and 15 dollars at various venues. Most tend more towards the $15 side than $5. Again, if you want to go more than a couple of times owning your own equpment makes more sense financially. Logistically, you have to not mind carrying around and caring for your own equipment. Not wanting to bother with the care and cleaning leads many people prefer to rent versus own.

~ MattInSoCal

My wife & I bring our own snorkeling equipment. We know it will fit and we do not have to worry about using someone else's mouthpiece. My wife can not swim so she uses a waterski vest to keep her afloat. Makes it much easier for us. She had a bad experience in Grand Cayman once, with a leaking mask and made the excursion kinda stressful until we exchanged the mask. If you do a lot of snorkeling, you will save money on rental fees. We keep all our equipment in a dive bag and even though you may have to pay a baggage fee on your flight, to us it is worth it, knowing our stuff is clean and will fit properly. Have a happy and safe vacation!!!

If you go to Sams club you can get a US divers adult snorkel set that includes the bag, flippers, mask, submersible snorkle and whistle for $40...it pays for its self in 2 uses.  Not really that big either, I pack our bags and can always manage to throw this on the top eight before zippering.  If you don't have a Sams or can't find it this time of year, go online and buy one...sometimes the rental equipment is not in the best shape.