Having your own gear is safer, more comfortable and less costly. Rental gear isn't always in great shape. Because you will be diving with different operators throughout the week you may find a wide discrepancy from one shop to the next. Some of this uncertainty can be alleviated by checking with scubaboard.com or other dive review venues to see what others have said about a potential dive shop's equipment. Of course, with your own gear you know exactly when it was last serviced.
Even with relatively new equipment your discomfort level increases when you aren't sure how the weight release works or how to use a BC-integrated octo. If you wear a size M BC and the operator has only S or L the BC won't fit and you will struggle the entire dive. It's important when diving with different operators to settle some of the uncertainty by feeling comfortable in the gear. As you know you have enough to worry about - gear shouldn't be one of your concerns.
Finally, dive shops can charge anywhere from $15 to $45/day for equipment. If you are diving several days the cost for rental gear can really add up. It might actually be cheaper to pay the baggage fees and skip the hassles of rental gear. That said, your own gear isn't without it's share of hassle.
Cruise ship cabins are small. Not only will you battle where to put your gear when you aren't diving, but rinsing and drying the gear can be nearly impossible on the ship. Fortunately, most dive operators have a fresh water rinse of some sort (hose, dunk tank) so you may not have to actually stand in the shower with your gear to rinse off the salt water.
But even rinsed gear is drippy, leaving a trail from the dock through the hallways and around your bed. If you chose a balcony cabin (as mentioned in my last post) then the gear can stay outside and dry in the breeze. If not, then the gear will take up precious space in your bathroom requiring you to unload the shower every time you want to use it. If you do decide to go this route ask the room steward for extra beach towels for when you have to move the gear out of the shower.
I personally prefer to bring my own gear even though the cost and hassle factor may be high. Why? Because my life depends on that gear. My comfort level under the water is much more important to me than my comfort level in the cabin. However I do try to spring for the balcony room as often as possible. Not only because if provides a convenient place for my gear, but also because we enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset on our balcony. These quiet, peaceful moments are precious to me. It is here that we reminisce about the day's dives, and plan future trips. Thanks for reading -- bottoms up!
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