Seeking Advice on Wether to Take Carseat or Not.

I would advise taking it along. It would be better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Bring the carseat and stow it on the plane. You will most likely need it for the ride to the ship from the plane, as well as for any side trips you may take at port.

Take a carseat, if your carseat is approved for the cars then it is FAA approved. You can place the carseat by the window and that way your child can look out the window.

Also, some shuttles charge you to use their carseats if you don't have one. It is always best to be safe than sorry.

Id' say there's a few things you need to decide b4 if you wanna take the carseat: 1) how long is the shuttle ride to the dock, 2) does the shuttle have seatbelts so you can install the seat. Some shuttles do not have seatbelts. 3) how big is your cabin? As one other said, you may not have any room to store the carseat & it will just end up beign in the way. 4) will you be off-boarding on day tours in cars that will require you to put your daughter in the carseat? 5) if the ship can store it for you, will there be a charge & is that fee worth having the carseat you'll use for a very short period of time?
Honestly, I say leave it. It sounds like it will be more hassle than needed & in the way. Your baby can sit on your lap via your seatbelt on the shuttle. On the plane, carseats can be hard to install & then, as was in our case, the laptray wouldn't lay flat cuz the sides of our son's Britax were too big. Also, w/o the carseat in the seat, your daughter can use the plane seat as a play surface. Oor son was 18 m & we flew (w/o) his carseat on the plane from Ohio to SF & he was able to play on his seat. But when he was 2, we flew to Hawaii w/his Brtiax & it was a big mistake cuz w/his Britax, it made for tight quarters, the laptray wouldn't lay flat, & he had no place to play for 5 hours. Instead we all ( MIL, SIL & her fam) took turns following him up & down the aisle of the plane. Just the beginning of a very unenjoyable trip!

Do not bring the car seat, it will just be a hassle. On the shuttle there are probably not seatbelts anyway. For the airplane by the CARES restraint system. It makes the airplane seat into a car seat and is much more comfortable for your child and the person in front of them, because they can't kick the seat in front. It is approved for all stages of flight and it will fit in your purse. I found out about this on the United Airlines website and talked to my sister about it who has been a flight attendant for 4 years. I think it cost about $65.

For our Alaska cruise, it was a tour bus type vehicle that transported us from airport to dock. I would take a carseat just in case you need it for any side trips.
Hope you have a great time...my hubby and I loved our cruise and would like to do it again one year!

I would take a car seat. You never know when you will need it, especially if you aren't sure of what type of ground transportation is provided. I am a nanny for a family that travels by air frequently. When we traveled with the baby, we had a car seat/stroller combo - The Triple Play Sit n Stroll - that we used. It is FAA approved. The best part is that we would have a car seat for whatever vehicle we were in, and a stroller, all in one! There is also a travel bag that holds the Sit n Stroll. It keeps it clean when not in use and also protects it if you do have to check it on the flight.

TAKE THE CAR SEAT!!!!!! We started buying our son his own seat when he was about 20 months old and bringing the car seat along and it was well worth it. Since they are used to sitting in their car seats for longer amounts of time, they tolerate the flight much better and sleep deeply if they sleep. Furthermore, it is MUCH more enjoyable for Mom and Dad since having a wiggly 22 month old in your lap can be exhausted. Beyond that, you might very well be "shuttled" in a vehicle and accidents can happen anywhere anytime. Better safe than sorry!

If you are going to need it from the plane to the boat take it. However you are more often than not-not going to be able to use in the the plane. I have been on quite a few flights with one child and then also after we had our second. One time out of all of our flights did we actually have an extra seat. So don't bank on using it in the plane-although I wish we had one for our last flight to NY. My 3 year old did great and we bought her a seat on the plane, however my 17 month old (at the time) not so great. I ended up walking up and down the isles. It is funny though we take a 5 hour trip in the car and she is fine.

Anyway hope you have a fun and safe cruse!!

I would call and find out what type of vehicle the shuttle is, and find out whether they provide car seats. It would be a shame for you to bring yours all that way if you don't need it.

definitely take the car seat and use it whenever possible for the most safety possible in whatever situation you find yourself in! safety first!!!

We took a couple of airline trips with our two-year-old and I was always grateful to have our car seat. Both times, there was room on the plane for us to put it on a seat and it buckled in easily. It helped keep our little guy safe and secure and also enabled him to nap a bit on the plane. While traveling, we needed it constantly in shuttles, taxis, buses, etc. There are usually no carseats available in those kinds of vehicles. It's more of a pain to haul a carseat around, but we found it to be well worth it. Good luck and have fun!!
Jen

I just did the same trip. Use a car service for transporation to and from the airport/cruise terminal/hotel that has a car seat available so that you can leave yours at home. The cruise ship rooms are so tiny that there isn't room to store your car seat in it in addition to a crib/pack n play. We actually took 2 cruises this year. We brought it along the first time and swore not to bring it on the second one because of the space contraints.

If you're worried, take it with you. I wouldn't use it on the plane though because it is a BIG hassle. Bag it up and check it for your flight.

Another thing to consider is whether your cabin/stateroom on the ship will be large enough to store the seat while you are on board. The one cruise I went on, our cabin was SO tiny we would have had major issues storing a carseat, if we had one. However, the ship may allow you to check the seat in with them for storage once you are on board.

I would also definitely take an umbrella stroller or baby backpack unless your child loves walking so that you can push/carry her when she's tired and through the airport terminal, it's safer and easier to have them contained in a stroller once you get through security. Have fun!!

You will be required by the airline to install the seat in a window seat only --- but you don't HAVE to use a car seat nor do the airlines inspect the car seat for "FAA approval". You WILL need the car seat for the shuttle vehicle. We just finished traveling with our grand-twins and next time would bring the car seats as checked baggage so they could be used in cars, shuttles, etc. but wouldn't bother using them on the plane again.

take it--you won't be sorry

I always play it safe! My mom taught me better safe than sorry-so I would take it. Not to mention that even if someone else did have a carseat for you, you know the history (crash wise and use wise-think of other children's food and germs) of yours-not to mention that she knows her carseat and they get sort of attached to them. All-in-all, you can't go wrong with your own carseat - but a stroller to carry it in is a nice addition as well, as it is hard to take a child, all the lugguage and a carseat, but with a stroller, it sure makes it easier.

B.-
TAKE IT!!!
We have travelled long distances with our now 2 year old a couple of times, and although it's kind of a hassle to tote the car seat along, it was so very worth it when there was a seat available on the plane (and honestly, 3 times out of 4 there was a seat available). You simply have to ask at the check in counter; they will tell you if there are no seats, then you check it there. If there are seats, they tell you to bring the seat up to the boarding gate, and if the seat isn't sold to someone by the time you board, you get it and it is a lifesaver.
Also very good idea at the destination to have it, in case you need it in your pick up vehicle.
Good luck!

I would take the car seat. We went on a cruise last year and had to fly to LA. We used the car seat in the car that took us to/from the port and then we brought it on ship with us and just kept it in our room.

Ive also been on the alaskan cruise and if your planning on any off board tours or trips you may want to bring a car seat of your own. but the rooms are VERY limited on space(enless you have the top floor rooms that have the outside patio they are a little more spacious!!!

Hi B.,
We've taken lots of cruises and loved them all with our young daughters. I absolutely recommend bringing the car seat. It's bulky, for the safety of your child, it's worth the inconvenience:) Have a great trip!
A.

B.,

Bring the carseat. It is better to be safe-- have a great trip!

Molly