Toddler transportation at Caribbean ports

We are doing an Eastern Caribbean Cruise soon and our 1 year old & 3 year old will be with us. I’ve seen some simple beach excursions that seem manageable with the kids, but we have concerns about safe transportation from the port to these destinations. Any insight into the transportation available would be much appreciated.Thank you!

Your concern is justified. It is very rare to find child seats in the various transport mediums on the islands. So, if you want to keep your child safety secured in a child seat you will need to bring your own. As to "Beach Excursions," the vehicles they use will seldom have a child seat. The Caribbean islands are relatively easy to do on your own, especially if its just a matter of going to a beach. You might consider just getting a taxi to the beach and use your own child seat. If you need detailed info on any of the islands you can get a lot of help right here on Cruise Critic by simply going to the appropriate Ports of Call boards.

Hank

Some islands have wonderful bus service...no seats required. Or google your ports, or get a guidebook and see what's in walking distance.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

If you are concerned, definitely bring your own car seats.

Our kids are all adults now. But, many many moons ago, we bought a cheap smaller sized car seat at the port city before boarding. I probably paid less than $30 for it way back then but am sure prices for such things are a little higher these days. Anyway, by taking this approach we didn't have to lug the big heavy one around during the vacation.

However you do it I'm sure you will be more comfortable having the car seat. I guess the ones that double as a baby carrier (or whatever you call it) would also be great on a cruise. Even better if it doubles as a stroller.

Remember that even though you will gain some protection by bringing your own portable child seat it is not the same as though you had installed it properly at home. Use one as best you can but still be cautious in any vehicle with the kids.

Thank you to everyone for your responses!

PS many vehicles don't even have seat belts.

PS many vehicles don't even have seat belts.

I'm not sure why this is constantly posted in car seat threads. I have traveled quite a bit (including third world countries) and have always been able to find a cab with seat belts. If the first cab doesn't, choose one that does.

PS many vehicles don't even have seat belts.

Then we would say, "No thank you," and take a look at the next taxi :). Where toddlers/babies are concerned we see no reason for compromise.

Hank

We are doing an Eastern Caribbean Cruise soon and our 1 year old & 3 year old will be with us. I’ve seen some simple beach excursions that seem manageable with the kids, but we have concerns about safe transportation from the port to these destinations. Any insight into the transportation available would be much appreciated.Thank you!

With regards to beach excursions - group trips thru cruiseline or with private operators - most of these will be in big buses or vans or open air taxis that are not equipped for car seats.

If you wish to use car seats, you will have to use private taxis - excursions arranged yourselves once you arrive and as others have noted - wait for one with seat belts.

Most islands have a taxi area with a supervisor right near the port.

Find the supervisor and ask them for what you want - specify where you want to go, how many of you there are, that you need belts and tether anchors (or whatever you require) and insist on what you want.

Most times they will try to upsell to a longer island tour with a full car -If you don't want the upsell, hold firm and insist your family only and beach only or whatever it is you want.

Research in advance which beach (check for washrooms, restaurant, shade, etc) and know where exactly you want to go. Be specific.

Eventually the right car will magically appear - reconfirm it all with the driver. Confirm and reconfirm price. (Then tip driver if they were helpful)

Ensure you confirm pickup time and place and same vehicle - no issues for the trip back. Confirm again with the driver before they leave you.

Check the family message board here for additional help.

Check the port boards too.

Be aware that some islands were hit hard by hurricanes and trees have not regrown and other shade providing structures may not have been rebuilt so bring sun screen and hats.

Most of the time in cabs we've had, they don't even have seatbelts! So child seats would do no good. But cabbies are good drivers. This is their income and they don't want to do anything to jeopardize their main income. Don't know your ports but some have beaches close enough to walk to. Google your ports to find this out or ask here about your ports.

(We've been cruising since 1984, 100+ cruises!)