Dream out of New Orleans! Help!

Hi All,

Need some help/advice. I looked on the New Orleans port forum but it's very inactive. I am a single Dad traveling with a 3 year old in January going on Dream out of New Orleans. We are flying in the day before the cruise and flying out the day after the cruise.

I will be taking one suitcase, a stroller and I wanted to leave his car seat at home as I only have two hands. I'm not crazy about riding in a taxi without a carseat and have heard only horrible stories about the shuttle services. What would you all do?

Thanks..

Call the cab company and see if they can help you.

I think I would just force myself to suck it up and take the cab without a car seat. And I don't mean that offensively - I'd be just as conflicted as you are if I were in your shoes. But I think you being just a little bit stressed for a short cab ride is a reasonable trade off for not having to lug around a car seat.

Were the shuttle stories really that bad? I haven't had an opportunity to use them just yet but I don't recall any horror stories.

Car seats are not required for children in taxis in New Orleans. If you have trouble with this from a safety perspective, then I would recommend calling Machu Picchu tours. They may not have a child seat but they may be able to recommend someone who does.

http://machupicchutours.com/contact/

(504) 561-9050

I think I would just force myself to suck it up and take the cab without a car seat. And I don't mean that offensively - I'd be just as conflicted as you are if I were in your shoes. But I think you being just a little bit stressed for a short cab ride is a reasonable trade off for not having to lug around a car seat.

 

Were the shuttle stories really that bad? I haven't had an opportunity to use them just yet but I don't recall any horror stories.

Personnally, I would just "suck it up" and carry the car seat with me. I don't mean that offensively, but the safety of my child out weighs the inconvenience. Heck, I wouldn't even be conflicted on this decision......

Hi All,

 

Need some help/advice. I looked on the New Orleans port forum but it's very inactive. I am a single Dad traveling with a 3 year old in January going on Dream out of New Orleans. We are flying in the day before the cruise and flying out the day after the cruise.

 

I will be taking one suitcase, a stroller and I wanted to leave his car seat at home as I only have two hands. I'm not crazy about riding in a taxi without a carseat and have heard only horrible stories about the shuttle services. What would you all do?

 

Thanks..

I have used towncar services in the past for airport to port transfers, and they offered a car seat upon advance notice (no extra charge). It might cost you a little more for towncar service vs. taxi service, but it would be worth the convenience IMO.

Hope you have a good time with your son.

I've ridden in many New Orleans taxis. If you tell them that you are late or in a hurry "buckle up". But if you tell your driver that you 'do' have your 3-year precious son with you and to please drive safely he or she will.

I've ridden in many New Orleans taxis. If you tell them that you are late or in a hurry "buckle up". But if you tell your driver that you 'do' have your 3-year precious son with you and to please drive safely he or she will.

I agree with this.

I would take the carseat and the stroller and as much luggage as you think you'll need. Just bring lots of tip money for porters. There are porters at every airport in the world who will help haul your belonging to your taxi.

I would check the bag, gate check the stroller and have my 3 year in a carseat on the airplane. When you get to the port check the carseat as a piece of luggage, again tipping the porter. When you return just reverse the process.

Or if you're using the same hotel pre and post cruise ask them to hold the carseat in their luggage room for you.

Get this car seat that converts to a stroller. We travel a lot, and that thing was AWESOME when our son was smaller (and then we used it for our daughter as well). We brought it on two cruises and it fit perfectly in the cabin's closet. We used it for years, not only to cruise, but also to fly.

With that said, do keep in mind that many ports of call won't even have seat belts or anchors in their taxis, so that may defeat the purpose of bringing a car seat. This is the main reason why we now plan our activities ashore close to the port or using alternative methods of transportation (water taxis, etc) so that we won't need to ride taxis.

I frequently take my kids on trips to see the grandparents without my wife, and pushing a stroller with one kid, while holding the hand of the older one, and ALL of our belongings in one large backpack on my back is the way that I manage to take them through the airport. :)

We're talking about your child for God's sake. Take the damn car seat and muscle through it, Dad. No matter how safe your cab driver is, you can't control everyone else's driving. good suggestion, Tapi.

'cause I'm not - but I made it this far and there weren't even seat belts in cars when I was a kid, much less car seats...

How is this a discussion?? Humm my child's well being or my comfort? Really people? Are we really willing to gamble with a child's life because the odds are nothing will happen? Leave the suitcase and wear your same underwear if you can't carry everything! Or call a private car service that will supply a car seat! Honestly... Sorry for the rant but I don't gamble children's life (has the whole world gone mad?)

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With the unknown of the size and weight of your child its hard to say but he could use a booster seat, the super cheep 20 dollar ones are light and easy to transport. For 20 bucks you could leave it in the cab at the end of the trip and it gives you some security for the short ride.

There are FAA approved lightweight vests that can be used both on the plane and as a booster seat in a car. My kids are 10 and 13 so it's been awhile but the products are out there.

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We used the Go Shuttle this past September and it was smooth sailing. You wouldn't need a car seat, just sit in the back of the comfortable shuttle. We are using it both directions when we go back next month.

http://goairportshuttle.com/louis_armstrong_new_orleans_international_msy_airport_shuttle