I'm looking at excursions (What can I say, I'm a planner. I can't book until late February :rolleyes:) and I enjoy snorkeling, and don't want to commit to being a certified diver by the time the cruise rolls around (I would like to do that in the next couple of years, though). All of the excursions that involve snorkeling say that a life vest is required and included.

Are these real PFDs, or blow up things that you don't HAVE to blow up, and are you restricted from going below surface? I like to dive down some and check out things close up, and if I'm not going to be allowed to do that, I'd like to know beforehand. I mean, why did I learn how to do surface dives in swim lessons if I can't actually use them?! I have enough 'natural floation' that if the vest actually adds much flotation there's no way I could even get down 3 feet without popping back up to the surface (especially in salt water)!

THANKS!

wow.. interesting question... i just did it at at castaway cay and honestly, i don't remember. i do know for the stingray excursion, they were inflatable. i think they were for the snorkeling too but i'm not 100%. in any case, you're surrounded by lifeguards so i'm not sure they'd really let you get away with it even if you could.

you wouldn't be missing too much at cc staying at the surface anyway, other than the objects they place for your visual enjoyment and some other for the fish, there's really nothing to see/explore and the water isn't all that deep.

Are these real PFDs, or blow up things that you don't HAVE to blow up, and are you restricted from going below surface? I like to dive down some and check out things close up, and if I'm not going to be allowed to do that, I'd like to know beforehand. I mean, why did I learn how to do surface dives in swim lessons if I can't actually use them?! I have enough 'natural floation' that if the vest actually adds much flotation there's no way I could even get down 3 feet without popping back up to the surface (especially in salt water)!

They are inflatable - you have to wear them, you don't have to inflate them. So, you should be good.

They are inflatable - you have to wear them, you don't have to inflate them. So, you should be good.

Thanks!