Carseats and excursions...

[jmccoy18]

People that cruise with small children that still use carseats: When you get off the boat, how do you handle transportation- more specifically, when you get off on port days and don't have an excursion booked? Are there excursions (DCL or booked on your own) (Eastern Caribbean) that are more recommended for families with younger children that include safe transportation without having to bring a carseat? My 5/will be 6 by the cruise we could use one of those small travel boosters, but my 2/will be 3 by the cruise will still need a 5pt harness if traveling by car/taxi.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

People that cruise with small children that still use carseats: When you get off the boat, how do you handle transportation- more specifically, when you get off on port days and don't have an excursion booked? Are there excursions (DCL or booked on your own) (Eastern Caribbean) that are more recommended for families with younger children that include safe transportation without having to bring a carseat? My 5/will be 6 by the cruise we could use one of those small travel boosters, but my 2/will be 3 by the cruise will still need a 5pt harness if traveling by car/taxi.

If you're going to require a car seat, you'll have to bring it yourself. I'll also point out that not all taxi/rentals will have seat belts for attaching said car seat. You might do best, if you want excursions, booking either DCL excursions or with a private company. Most places buses don't require car seats for little ones.

Or, bring a stroller and just walk around on your own in the general port area.

 

[DisneyKarenG]

honestly, I am a big carseat fanatic, but when I cruised with my 22 month old last time, I just held on to him in the taxi rides, I couldn't be bothered to drag a carseat around and try to install it, and then take it with me to the beach (and I used a CARES harness on the plane - he was huge at 22 months!)

 

[jmccoy18]

Yeah, I am not taking the carseats with me on the boat, so I guess I would be looking for excursions that use tour busses or if there was an option for larger passenger van taxis (not the best option).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There aren't really big tour buses in the Virgin Islands. The roads are not suited.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

I'm pretty safety-conscious (always buy seats on planes for my dd's and use car seat and/or CARES), and even though we will have her car seat on the ship with us (bc we are flying with it), we will not be using it on excursions. I plan on either holding her, or using the baby carrier on the transportation on the islands.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There aren't really big tour buses in the Virgin Islands. The roads are not suited.

In Tortola, they weren't even enclosed. Just, basically, covered bench seats on the back of a truck:

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Exactly.

Because I am assuming in a conversation about "big tour buses" and "car seats," OP means something more like the motor coach used by Magical Express and DCL buses from MCO to port. The stuff in Tortola and at Havensight is commonly those open safari buses. There may be some private passenger vans as well operated by some tour companies.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Exactly.

Because I am assuming in a conversation about "big tour buses" and "car seats," OP means something more like the motor coach used by Magical Express and DCL buses from MCO to port. The stuff in Tortola and at Havensight is commonly those open safari buses. There may be some private passenger vans as well operated by some tour companies.

just a not the majority of tour buses and buses in general do not alw car seats as there is nothing to secure them in them just like they don't have sat belts for everyone else. Alos local laws in ports may differ about the use of car seats in vehicles as well.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

In Tortola, they weren't even enclosed. Just, basically, covered bench seats on the back of a truck:

They were the same in St. Thomas.

 

[SDJEL]

For children who need only a belt positioning booster seat, we found one called the bubble bum car seat. It is inflatable and can fit easily in a backpack. It blows us easily in less than a minute. We have used it when we travel. No advice for kids who still need a five point harness.

 

[msmama]

My ex cruised with my son Ana few years ago and I made sure whatever excursion he booked knew to have a car seat for my son. It wasn't a Disney cruise and I think they booked on their own so they just asked the tour operator and they provided one. I know that doesn't really answer your question about non excursions but I know they did that waterfall thing in Jamaica (?) and had Safe transport.

 

[jmccoy18]

Thanks everyone! Those open air safari buses would be perfect! I just am trying to avoid excursions that would require us to ride in a car with seat belts, as the seat belts would not fit my children.

 

[mama2mickeyfans]

If you are going to Magen's Bay or wherever else on St Thomas, you can ask for a belted seat in the Taxis. Those open air busses are typically built on F350's that have a crew cab so there is a second row in the vehicle with traditional belts. (we had to wait for a couple vehicles to pull through before we found one with a rear seat)
Yes they are inconvenient to lug around but it was important to me.

 

[My_Pooh]

I am also one of those crazy parents when it comes to car seats (father was a police officer and I was a vehicle claims adjuster when I first came of of college). Check out the experts but most say not to hold a older baby on your lap because you can crush them if the accident is at a decent speed. We buy the bubble gum seat for both kids (d8 & d4) and have used them since 12m. I also do not agree to use the vehicle unless there are enough seat belts for the kids. I got into arguments with taxi drivers in Grand Cayman because they didn't have enough seat belts but another driver had enough to get us back to port. I have even had a pre arranged driver pick us up from a company that would have belts. Better safe than sorry... especially in St. Thomas!