YES, take your regulator and computer on carry-on!  I just returned from
Roatan this weekend; I didn't have luggage trouble, but numerous people said
that Taca is notorious for loosing luggage and overbooking flights.  One
person on our Aggressor liveaboard did lose their bags, although it arrived
2 days later.

P.S. Great diving...we spotted 2 whale sharks!

To some extent, it depends on where you're going. If you're headed to one of
the better AI's, they have great gear to loan you... in case. Do you want to
carry it's weight? Would you rather carry two bathing suits, three t-shirts,
perscription meds, masks, etc? I think TACA limits to 22# weight for
carryon- check with them when you reconfirm.

I would laugh if it wasn't so damned stupid- all of those people carrying on
their u/w photo gear... IN heavy bulletproof Pellican cases. Softsides will
do, if you're using a Pellican- just check it (after putting it in a duffel
bag for camoflage).

Put three (3) routing tags on your bag- and one inside. It should say in BIG
letters, "RTB" and the name of your destination resort. A lot of mislaid
stuff at TACA comes from the non-automated baggage system. Give them "RTB"
in big letters, chances are your stuff will show up.

To some extent, your questiuon may be a bit misleading. If you are going
thru San Pedro while flying from the states, the information I am giving is
reliable. If you are flying from your mainland home to Roatan- you already
must know about Islena and TACA's vagaries.

CoCoView does free loaners of nice quality gear in the event that your stuff
is delayed. They have been mollifying guests for TACA's mistakes for years.

Con tinental will be flying from Houston to RTB in June... we all hope.

I would absolutely pack some non-aerosol DEET. You'll need it just outside
the airport doors.

I'd carry on everything if were flying Take A Chance Airline.

Yes, take you reg in a carry on and a swim suit!  TACA or Take A Chance
Airlines is actually pretty safe but they must hire the cheapest luggage
handlers in the world.  One time my luggage stayed in Houston for a few days
before they sent it on down to me!