Carry On Question

[DuxDweller]

I am wondering whether I can take a "snorkel pack" in addition to my rolling carry-on bag onto my flights (United/US Airways)? I hate checking luggage - and sending the snorkel gear down for 6 people costs a fortune (even by Priority because it doesn't fit in the flat rate boxes).

Thanks!

[bnsilly]

I believe only if your snorkel gear fits in a regular backpack. Can you have each person carry their own?

[Gromit]

We have done this in the past with AA and Delta without issue.

I have an Akona snorkel pack. I claim that as my "personal item" instead of a purse.

[Greenskeeper]

As long as it can fit under the seat, and you do put it under there and not as a second item overhead you'll be good to go. Flew Delta last year and they had measuring tapes out and were stopping people at the gate. Attendants were literally going through the overhead compartments asking people what belonged to them. If they had more than one item stowed, the attendant yanked out the smaller of the two and threw it on the owner's lap.

[Kealani]

I flew us air a few years ago with a carry on and snorkel gear bag. I think they allowed it because the flight wasn't full I plan to try again on AA and hope for the best.

[DuxDweller]

Wow - that's ridiculous with the measuring tapes! My plan was to have each person carry a pack (with their own gear) plus a carry-on suitcase. Prying the purse out of my wife's hands might be a problem though . . Any thoughts on whether it is economical to just rent fins (and pack your snorkel/mask inside the carry-on)? The fins are what really bulk up the gear. . .

[DuxDweller]

Looks like I can rent fins for $20 for the week at Low Key (or $25 at Maho). Since I don't already own the backpacks, it's probably better to just rent fins down there (and pack the masks/snorkels)!

[sherpa]

You can rent great gear (mask, fins, snorkel) for the week at Crabby's in Coral Bay for $35

[rpplano]

I wear a snorkel gear backpack with two sets of gear on my back along with my carry-on every trip. Never a problem. AA & Delta. It also helps to be friendly as you board.

[RickG]

For us, each two people share a carryon suitcase and a snorkel bag. We each bring a full size knapsack too. We treat the snorkel bag, with my big dive fins, as a full-size carryon.

We also cheat on the one quart carryon liquids bag, we bring 1+ and send it through security with no problem. That way we can bring all of the consumables for a week and not have to buy sunscreen or ship it down.

I'm considering just using my polar bear cooler as my carryon. Not for food, for clothes. I was terribly missing mine on the beach since there is little reason to bring food to STJ anymore.

Cheers, RickG

[Gromit]

Dux-- if it helps tell your wife to leave her leather purse at home and opt for something made of cotton or synthetic material (this can also be folded and put into the snorkel pack). I cope by organizing the purse stuff in ziploc bags until I can switch back when I get on island. Does that make sense? Sorry-- it's early haven't finished the coffee yet!

[DuxDweller]

Hi Gromit. Thanks - my wife actually carries a cotton "beach bag sling-thing" and stuffs a lot of stuff in it. The more I think about the potential pit-falls of the backpack, the more I like the idea of just renting the fins alone. We'll only use them for the week at STJ (cruising for a week afterward) and beyond that I'd have to buy the packs - a net wash . . . though I guess I might use them next year (but then again the kids will have grown out of theirs by then!). Thanks for all of your help!!