need help with travel carseat

[tweetybird_bren]

We are going on a cruise in a few months and have flights/taxi rides to and from the port of departure. DD (17 months) has a britax BV as her only carseat right now. We haven't gotten anything for DH's truck (dodge dakota extended cab) since he just takes my car if he (rare) takes her somewhere without me. I've been reading the forums and have seen talk of the scenera and the radian. I had considered the graco comfortsport, but that seem to have a big ole "no!" on here, lol. The scenera seems so hard and uncomfortable for a long flight that I'm hoping DD will stay in her seat for. So I looked into the radian again. I got my hands on the 80 and xt at a local store. Loved the cushioning, love that it folds (especially for 7 days in a little cabin on a cruise ship), weight was doable... but $$$. We do plan to have another little one in the next year or two and I thought I read that the radian will FF in the p/u truck. So... the dilemma:
--buy the cheaper seat that will definitely get no use after this trip as there is no way I'm comfortable with it as a frequent use seat,
--buy the cheaper seat in a boy print and sell it to my best friend who is short on cash and won't be getting a "nice" carseat any way,
--or bite the bullet and buy the radian even though it will sit unused for another 2 years until there is another little one in the picture (other than the occasional need to use it in DH's truck)?

If I get the radian, do I get the 65 and then move DD to that and DC#2 into the BV or get the 80 or xt so that they're both plushy and soft for both kids (DD will be around 3 when we plan on #2 arriving)? Is the SIP of the xt really worth the extra $?

TIA!!

[jujumum]

Hello and welcome!:)

Do you have a Big Lots near you? They occasionally have the Uptown for only $65. If you don't, the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe is made by Britax and very similar to a MA/DC but with a different base and no bells or whistles and is on albeebaby for $109 delivered. It is very much a 'boy' cover, so you could pass it on to your friend after your trip. The DOM is 8/07, so it only has just over 4 years of life left, but if you like Britax, it is a great spare seat. The Radians are great seats, too.:)

[BW1426]

I think the Safety First Avenue (available at Kmart and Sears) would be great for your situation.

[tweetybird_bren]

Thanks for the responses. I checked my big lots and they didn't have any uptowns and forgot about the avenue. I haven't ventured out to a sears or kmart to look at it. I am a bit concerned about a larger carseat sitting in our little ship room (170 sq ft including the bathroom).

[BeachMama86]

I don't think I would shell out big bucks for a Radian if it will sit unused for a long time, but that's just me :P You could keep the box tho and resell it, and buy another seat when you have #2.

I would go to a few stores and see what is on sale, the Safety 1st and the Uptown would be good choices, I haven't used either though.

I think the Scenera is a lot more comfortable that it seems, a lot of people seem to like it for the price.

And I will also raise my hand to staying far away from the comfort sport, lol. It SUCKS in SO MANY WAYS and is a PITA to install, the straps are a PITA to tighten properly (and they bunch up), and my DD HATED this seat and was so uncomfortable in it. Lol. Plus it only RFs to 30 lbs.

[wendytthomas]

I've got a Radian that's sitting in storage (well, it's in the kitchen doorway, we just moved) until baby #2 uses it forward facing for travel only. I didn't buy it with that in mind, as Piper was going to be an only, but since it has an eight year lifespan it makes perfect sense for it to sit somewhere safe and gather dust. Baby Girl can use it forward facing for travel for probably two or three years before it expires when she's five and a half. Between Piper and her sister it will have gotten a lot of use and will be worth every dime spent.

However, in your situation right now I'd probably look at the Avenue, since the Radian doesn't fit on planes rear facing. I'd probably pop the carseat on the shelf in the closet to get it out of the way when you're on board ship. I'm getting an Avenue for Baby Girl for travel while she rear faces, and then she'll go into the Radian forward facing. At 17 months I wouldn't be comfortable forward facing at all.

Wendy

[ketchupqueen]

The Avenue isn't THAT huge; it can also double as a safe place to sit baby in the cabin (just make sure to put it with its back against the wall so it won't topple, and sit within arms reach, and not sleep while she's in it; kids shouldn't be left unattended in a car seat, even strapped in.)

[Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom]

The Avenue isn't THAT huge; it can also double as a safe place to sit baby in the cabin (just make sure to put it with its back against the wall so it won't topple, and sit within arms reach, and not sleep while she's in it; kids shouldn't be left unattended in a car seat, even strapped in.)

:yeahthat: . My kids used to like to lounge in their car seats in the times when we had to take them out of the car for some reason - it was so cute, they looked like they were in little recliners;)

[Northriver]

I'm taking my Radian on our upcoming cruise. I haven't flow with it before because it is super heavy but being able to fold it and stash it under the bed won me over. Our cabin is tiny, I think a carseat sitting aroud would be a pain.

However, if I were in your situation, I'd just take the BV. I've flown/traveled with a Marathon and while that is probably a bit easier than the BV because the MA dosn't have the wings, it isn't that big of a deal to just take the BV. Your child really will be most comfortable in her own seat, and it will be easiest for you to install in strange vehicles. My daughter really loves her wings, no seat is as comfortable for her as the BV she uses every day.

[P1ally]

Whatever seat you take, just store it in the shower! (When you're not in the shower obviously.) :p