Planning a Snorkeling Excursion When Going on a Cruise

It's exciting to plan your Caribbean cruise vacation. You are interested in learning how to snorkel, but aren't really sure what you'll need or how to book your snorkel trip. This article will help you decide which type of snorkel trip to book, as well as the type of equipment you'll need.

NECESSARY SNORKEL EQUIPMENT

Many tour operators provide all the snorkel equipment for the tour. However, it is recommended you purchase some of your own gear and bring it with you. Most major cities (even in land-locked states) will have a dive shop or two. Go to a local dive shop and have them assist you in selecting a snorkel mask that fits your face well. There's nothing worse than being in the middle of the Caribbean and having salt water pouring into your mask, burning your eyes, and making your snorkel trip terrible.

Spend a little more money for a good mask (it will make a big difference) and make sure to purchase some defogging liquid. You'll also need a snorkel. It's advisable to purchase a dry snorkel, which is specifically designed to keep water from traveling down the snorkel tube to accidentally be inhaled into the lungs. Don't worry about purchasing fins in advance. These are way too bulky to pack in your suitcase, and most tour operators will have a set you can use.

SNORKEL TRIP CHOICES

Looking through the shore excursion options from the cruise line can make their snorkeling tours seem very exciting. They can also appear to be the only options you have available. But, this couldn't be further from the truth. There are two choices when it comes to booking this type of tour.

CRUISE LINE SNORKEL TRIPS

Cruise lines make arrangements with tour companies to offer cruise passengers shore excursions. For Caribbean cruise vacations, these often involve water activities - such as snorkeling. The cruise lines want you to believe it's safer and more convenient to utilize the snorkeling excursions they offer. Keep in mind that the cruise lines derive a huge amount of revenue from offering these shore excursions. Let's look at the pros and cons of cruise line snorkeling trips:

Pros: When you book your snorkel excursion with the cruise line directly, you don't have to deal with another company. It's all handled by the cruise line, which makes it very convenient. Another pro is that in the unlikely event of a delay on your snorkel trip, the ship will wait for all passengers to return to the ship before disembarking from a port of call.

Cons: Cruise ship snorkel excursions are usually very crowded with long lines and a lot of waiting. Passengers are usually transported in large buses and it can be a timely affair to arrange transportation for 100+ people. Typical cruise line tours do not support the local population (as many employees are seasonal). So, these tours can take away from the local economy of a destination.

INDEPENDENT SNORKEL TRIPS

There are many independent companies offering snorkeling trips for cruise ship passengers. These trips tend to cost about the same as a cruise line-sponsored excursion, but they often offer a much more personalized experience. Independent tour operators are often local residents who will return your tourist dollars to the local economies of the destinations you visit. This is very important in order to preserve the unique qualities of each locale. Here are the pros and cons of independent snorkel excursions:

Pros: Independent snorkel trips are often smaller, more intimate groups. The guides often get in the water to identify animals and plants of interest. You won't find that on most cruise line snorkel trips. Additionally, the price is often the same (or perhaps a better value for the same money) as cruise line trips. Most independent tour operators offer online booking, so it's just as convenient to make your reservation through them as it would be through the cruise line.

Cons: Using an independent company means you'll have to do a lot more research to make sure you're booking with a reliable outfit. Also (although you'll probably never have to worry about this), if your shore excursion experiences a delay, the cruise ship probably won't wait for you to return before it leaves the port of call. So, you would have to arrange your own transportation to meet the ship at the next port. However, the risk is so small of this occurring, that it shouldn't really be a major factor in your decision.

CONCLUSION

Cruise ship vacations are for all types of people. There are people who love the organization and structure of the cruise ship life. Others, enjoy some aspects of cruise ship life, but are interested in venturing out on their own at times too. For those who love routine and organization, the cruise-ship organized snorkel trips will be a good fit. However, for those who are looking for a little more freedom and adventure, an independent snorkel excursion would probably be a better fit.

Lorraine Grant is a writer for Water Sports Market [http://www.watersportsmarket.com], an internet resource for water sports enthusiasts. Click here [http://www.watersportsmarket.com/Store/Scuba-Snorkeling] to see the discount snorkeling equipment being offered right now!

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Night Snorkeling - Discover the Wonders of Snorkeling at Night

Snorkeling at night can be extremely exciting. This snorkeling activity is in fact my favorite type of snorkeling. The only other activity that may surpass it, in my opinion, is night scuba diving due to the fact that you have more chances to dive deeper, otherwise night snorkeling still gives you the same adrenalin buzz.

So why would anyone try and snorkel at night? It might seem strange and intimidating. Anybody who has tried it will tell you that there is a different world yet to be discovered.

The mystery of snorkeling at night will provide you with a new outlook on your favorite snorkeling site which may have lost its day time charm. At first you will feel slightly anxious... everybody does, its only natural, but then once you get used to it, you will automatically replace your anxiety with excitement, curiosity and a sense of adventure.

At dusk, you will encounter aquatic life that you seldom see during the day, making sight seeing different from what you would usually see during day time. At night the reefs become alive with the different fauna.

There are a number of aquatic creatures that just don't come out in the day time. Nocturnal animals such as lobsters and shrimps become active, coral polyps open up at night to feed giving the reef a fuzzy and colorful sort of look.

You will also experience encountering luminescence microscopic plankton which generate light flashes if disturbed. Should you experience such an encounter, turn off your flashlight and wave your hands through the water. This will provide you with an unforgettable experience as you will see "sparks" igniting around you.. Its a great sensation... Try it, you will be in for a surprise.

Before entering the water - what equipment do I need?

Safe snorkeling is a must, especially when you are snorkeling at night. Therefore be sure that before conducting your night snorkel you are well equipped for the job. The difference to snorkeling during the day is that snorkeling at night requires additional equipment and more planning and preparation.

The most important piece of equipment is an underwater flashlight. The flash light will not only serve to bring out the colors and show you way during your night snorkel but will also make your position known to your snorkeling buddy.

When snorkeling at night, besides carrying a flashlight, I advise you to also consider using chemical lights. These are basically light sticks which use a chemical reaction. These type of lights serve as orientation lights for marking your own and your buddies location. It is wise to strap these lights onto your buoy flag staff. I also find these lights useful for finding my exit points. A snorkeling tip is to place them strategically at the entry points so that you will know where to exit the water. Example if you entered the water from either from land or boat, then strategically place them on the land or boat to guide you for an easy exit.

Another equipment you will find useful during you night snorkeling is a whistle. Attach this to your snorkeling vest and it will act as a signaling device to grab your buddies attentions should you be in an emergency situation. Again, it is important if all your buddies have this piece of equipment at hand.

Gear protection should also be taken into consideration. Protect yourself with an exposure suit, booties and gloves, since you are more likely to get colder due to the cool night air. Another advantage for you using protective gear is that you are also more susceptible to bump into things at night which would cause scrapes and cuts. However remember to take special care as not to damage fragile coral or other aquatic life.

This is an excerpt from an article appearing on Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com. If you want to learn more on night snorkeling including planning and preparation and communication and emergency signals be sure to read the rest of our guide under the Tips and Techniques section of the site at http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com/snorkeling-at-night.html.

Copyright (c) 2010 Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com. All rights reserved.

Kris Mifsud- A keen enthusiast, with a life long passion for all types of water sports.
Editor and publisher of http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com - a comprehensive Scuba and Snorkeling guide to techniques, equipment and reviews.

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To Purge Or Not to Purge - Know Your Snorkeling Options

Snorkeling is a popular recreational sport and the number of enthusiasts are not about to go down anytime soon. Now frequently pursued by regular beach bums and serious scuba divers alike, many snorkeling hobbyists have been enticed to the purchase of snorkels rather than settle for the sustained rental of this device that is also identified as a component of a scuba gear package. While the purchase of snorkels can be viewed appropriate for experienced, frequent snorkelers; it would also come about as good advice to persuade first time snorkelers to think about getting a snorkel - as one could easily get hooked to this recreation. For those not adept with pertinent snorkel features or as to which type to secure for a rendezvous at the beach, this article is for you to read and digest.

Non-Purge Snorkels. A non-purge snorkel is your average, everyday snorkel. The general design of this aquatic device comprises of a mouthpiece on one end of a tube and a blow hole on the opposite end. Water seeps into the tube occasionally and the only way to get rid of the water is by blowing air through the mouthpiece. Nonetheless, pertinent advances in technology has lead to the development of lightweight, flexible, sturdy and more stylish non-purge snorkels.

Non-purge snorkels come in all shapes and sizes - often priced cheaper than the purge models and easily available with most sporting goods retailers. Occasional snorkelers will find good use of non-purge snorkelers in view of its basic functionalities available at a low price range.

Purge Snorkels. With advanced technology and engineering come extensively functional snorkels. Purge snorkels are outfitted with purge valves that replace the blowing action required to clear water from non-purge snorkels. Purge snorkels are equipped with functionalities that allow as little water possible to penetrate the tube and be further classified as either semi-dry or dry purge snorkels.

Semi-dry snorkels are designed with caps that deflect water and prevent it from entering the snorkel. These snorkels need to be purged once in a while, though not as frequently as compared to a non-purge type; making the purge valve a welcome addition to the unit.

Dry snorkels, on the other hand, are equipped with caps that automatically close when submerged in water and open when exposed to air. With its purge valve, the dry snorkel is the most advanced piece of aquatic device a snorkeler could own. Purge snorkels are perfect for seasoned snorkelers and certified scuba divers on a break from the strenuous dives of the day.

Purge snorkels aren't a bad choice either for beginners who have some dough to spare. Though given the limited skills and experience of first-time snorkelers, beginners will find a good match in a non-purge snorkel such as the IST Flexible Non-Purge Snorkel. Imagine flexible, sturdy, stylish and affordable features all bundled in one snorkel. Why, you can even integrate your personality to this snorkel since it comes in 8 beautiful colors. Now if you desire a top of the line snorkel, the IST Dry Topped Purge Snorkel will suit your requirements to this end. With the IST Dry Topped Purge Snorkel [http://www.scubasuppliers.com/site/1408308/product/SN50], swallowing and choking on sea water while snorkeling is but a thing of the past.  

Felix Tero produces web content for Scuba Suppliers, Inc. Get the scuba equipment that's right for you at [http://www.scubasuppliers.com]

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