Securing car seats properly

[shygirl]

I will be bringing my 2 year old's car seat on our cruise. We will fly into New York and taxi to hotel and port before and after our cruise.

 

Our seat faces forward. It is secured with a shoulder/lap seat belt and a tether strap.

 

I know shoulder/lap belts are available on the plane and taxis; but what should I do with the tether strap? The tether strap prevents the seat from tilting forward.

 

Is my car seat safety compromised not using the tether strap?

 

Sara.

[Gocruzin]

I have two convertible car seats and they both say to tuck in the strap when not using it. One of them actually has a pouch to tuck it into. Does your manual mention it at all?

[shygirl]

It does say to tuck strap away when not using; but I thought this was done only when my child reaches 40lbs and switches from harness system to a lap belt. This question must be too specific so I better call the manufacturer.

 

Thanks for your help

 

Sara

[Gocruzin]

No problem. Good idea calling the company, I didn't even think of that.

 

I just hope we can find taxi's with seatbelts. Well, that is if I win the battle with DH about even bringing the carseat. He thinks it will be pointless and doesn't want to have to drag it around.

[Cruisin' Chick]

With a two-year-old, I wouldn't risk a taxi ride without the car seat. We even brought our girl's booster seat with us on the last cruise for using in taxis, rental cars. The seat belt just won't completely protect small kids.