carseat-airpt to pier...w carrib...HELP!!

[Guest kernfam01]

When we cruise my kids will be 4 and almost 2 (1yr 8 mths). Both still requiring car seats in our state. I am holding the younger one on my lap in the plane, and not bringing a carseat on the plane of the older one. (yes I know the dangers of turbulance so no need to post about that) So what my question is, we are flying in the day B4 & staying at a hotel. I am concerned about the ride from airport to hotel from hotel to pier. Yes I am concerned about my kids saftey, but I am leary of dragging 2 giant car seats along, only to just take up room in our cabin. I am worried we won't be able to get a ride in a taxi or something if I don't have a seat. Just very torn as what to do. I know on public busses they are not required, wondering if this is the same for shuttle busses, if we stay at a hotel that has a shuttle to pick us up and drop us off. I am not so much concerned with needing one in the ports. From what I have read, there are no laws about it. I am just concerned that I am going to get to tampa, and I won't be able to get a ride, be it by taxi, shuttle or whatever, because I am not going to have any car seats. I did have 1 travel agent tell me, don't you worry, there will be somebody there to take your money and give you a ride, but it has me a bit worried. Just wanted to add that I am a very strict mother when it comes to car seats, so this is a bit unusual for me, but with all the crap I have to bring along when traveling w/ kids, I am just not going to be dragging the big seats, for a total of probably 15 minutes in a taxi. KWIM?

[merela]

I have a similar problem--taxi between airport and the ship. I'm thinking about getting this product

Cosco's tote 'n go:

[url="http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27179/1363/117.html"]http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27179/1363/117.html[/url]

and Graco's backless booster:

[url="http://www.thebabyjoint.com/ShowProduct.do?id=184&cid=10&page=1"]http://www.thebabyjoint.com/ShowProduct.do?id=184&cid=10&page=1[/url]

Do some research on-line first about usage and other people's thoughts on these two products and decide for yourself. Lugging these two products takes up less space than 2 regular carseats.

HTH.

Jennifer

8/28/04 Diamond Princess to Alaska
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;8;28;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
9/27/03 Star Princess to Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2003;9;27;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[savdoc2]

I understand your concern and will have a similar dilemma. I think I will get the Tote 'n go. Some say to get the Sit 'n stroll, but I already have it and think it is not a viable option for the cruise and ports. The base of that seat is quite wide and in ports you would need not only a seat for the child but one with a seatbelt (I have yet to see any seatbelts on any of the taxi's and busses on previous cruises. Also on excursions, since I won't have to pay for my 15 month old, they will not be allowing her a seat.

We have traveled many times already with our daughter and on shuttle busses strapping her in is not required. Even in Chicago, we were in a taxi and there were NO seatbelts to strap in her Sit 'n stroll.

I am considering the tote 'n go, for the occasional place where there might be seatbelts, but have not decided for sure. We also might be renting a car, so it would be useful for that, although rental car companies have carseats available too.

I have read good and bad things about the tote n go, but I also have read alot of negative reviews about the sit 'n stroll too.

Do a little research and do what you feel comfortable doing. Don't let any of the negative people make you lose sleep over what you determine is best for you. There are links to messageboard on carseat at [url="http://www.carseat.org"]www.carseat.org[/url].

[mommiemudd]

We did the Western Caribbean cruise last year with a 20 month old. A car seat was not needed at any of the ports. We chose tours that used a bus-some of the taxis were scary!. Even in the states, car seats are not required on buses. We took the ship transportation from the airport in Miami to the pier so that we would be in a bus. I have purchased the tote n go for our upcoming Alaskan cruise and a trip to the grandparents in Florida. We have used it a few times. The key is to fit it around them BEFORE they get in the car-making sure all the straps are adjusted correctly, take it off, install it in the car and then put your child in the seat. Have you checked to see if the hotel provides a shuttle to the pier? Also, you may want to check a limo service. Not sure what the rates are in Miami but we are using one in Seattle and found a great rate.