Can You Bring Scuba Gear on a Cruise?

You can bring scuba gear on a cruise as long as your cruise line allows it. Pay attention to luggage requirements for cruises, as your scuba gear may be too much to bring along with your daily essentials. You can solve this issue by renting certain gear at your destination, but you’ll want to bring some personal gear you’re particular about.

Keep reading as we explore the intricacies of bringing scuba gear on a cruise ship, including how you should pack your fear when permitted.

Contents hide

1 Can You Go Scuba Diving on a Cruise Ship?

1.1 Planning Scuba Diving on a Cruise Ship

2 Can You Take Scuba Gear as a Carry-On?

3 How Do You Transport Scuba Gear?

4 References

Can You Go Scuba Diving on a Cruise Ship?

Most cruise ships partner with certain dive centers and organizations to allow you to dive while on your cruise ship. If not, or if you do not want to dive with the partnered center, you can look to plan a dive using any dive center at your destination.

The main issues you face when going scuba diving on a cruise revolve around:

What equipment you should bring
Who you can dive with
Making sure you fit into the ship’s schedule

We’ll tackle the first issue in the next section, but here’s what goes into planning your dive.

Planning Scuba Diving on a Cruise Ship

The easiest way to plan to scuba dive on a cruise ship is by working with the dive shop or dive center that the cruise line works with. You can often book your dive for a lower cost due to the affiliation, and it may be easier on you in terms of scheduling and conversation.

However, this limits you in terms of who you can dive with and where you can go. The affiliated centers are more likely to be crowded, and you may end up diving with inexperienced individuals.

Seeking out your own dive shop can give you a more in-depth and authentic experience at location, and you have more control over the entire situation.

More serious divers may want the second choice, but keep in mind that it will often cost more, and scheduling can be a major problem. A dive with an affiliated line means the ship will wait for you if you run late, but that’s not the case when you’re off doing your own thing.

Can You Take Scuba Gear as a Carry-On?

You should contact your cruise line to determine whether you can take scuba gear as a carry-on. While most allow it, you’re still limited to how much you can bring. Some lines only allow certain equipment, and you may need to leave larger gear at home.

Pay attention to local laws as well. For example, some destinations do not allow you to use a dive knife at all when diving, so you’re better off leaving it at home and bringing a suitable alternative. Reef heavy locations often prohibit gloves.

You can always rent gear at your destination, but this has several risks to weigh. The equipment often varies in quality, and there’s no guarantee they will offer something that you are comfortable with.

You are best off getting in contact with the dive center you will use and verifying what they have available to rent, especially regarding tanks. You can practice with this equipment if it differs from your norm to make sure you have proper control over issues such as buoyancy.

How Do You Transport Scuba Gear?

The easiest way to transport scuba gear is by using specialized luggage. These bags are often lightweight and designed to protect your gear while fitting everything you need.

A straightforward way to pack the bag follows these steps:

Lay your BCD on the bottom with the bladder facing the back of your bag.
Put fins in the side pocket to provide more protection. Your snorkel fits here well.
Put booties on the bottom of the bag, below your BCD.
Regulators should go in their own bag, then inside the BCD.
Pack your mask in a protective box, then place it on the BCD above the regulator.
Pack lights with batteries installed, either in your regulator bag or in another padded bag.
Your surface maker goes toward the top, and your wetsuit can sit on top of everything else for padding.

Pay as much attention to your gear during transportation. It’s also a good idea to pack a bag full of small emergency supplies you might not be able to purchase on your trip, such as straps for your mask and fins.