Travel Car Seat Help, Please!

[Anonymous]

Taking ~14 month old DS (~23lbs, 32 inches) on a cruise in January (with some time in FL after), to Vegas and Phoenix in March, San Fran in April, etc, etc, etc. Not interested in uninstalling his car seat, so looking for recommendations on an affordable travel seat. Love the idea of the Sit 'N Stroll but can't stomach the price tag and the used models I've come across seem to be quite old. Anyone have suggestions for an affordable car seat that's easy to install? Also seeking recommendations for those crazy wheelie or backpack-type contraptions to haul the seat through the airport.

Thanks in advance, pro travelers out there!

[Anonymous]

We have the Cosco Scenera for our 2nd car / travel an it has been great - inexpensive (~$55), safe, light, easy to install, etc. - HIGHLY recommend it for the kind of use you're talking about.

For transporting it through the airport, I've been able to get away with threading the straps over the handle of a carry-on wheeled back or by nestling it into our stroller (City Mini). While I have managed to jerry-rig that so DD can sit in the seat wgen it's in the stroller, my preference is to load ths stroller with seat and gear and carry DD in the Ergo on my back.

[Anonymous]

Pp here - sorry for the typos - using an iPhone.

[Anonymous]

OP here: thanks 22:54. Was looking at the Cosco Scenera. We have the City Mini (love it, BTW) as well--good to know it's all maneuverable.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - 22:52 again. To get the Scenera into the City Mini, I would kind of nestle it into the seat, and then take the top anchor and wrap it around the handle to hold the seat in place. Not the most stable / secure thing ever (which is why I generally prefer to load gear if possible), but I have used it with my DD in the seat, and it got the job done.

[Anonymous]

we took the cosco scenera to argentina with our 13-month-old and it was just fine. again - i wouldn't use it for my primary car seat, but it's cheap, light and has good safety ratings.

[Anonymous]

I looked at the Scenera but got the Graco ComfortSport at Target for $60 on sale because I also have the GoGo Kidz Travelmate Wheels and the Scenera is not compatible with it. I have traveled alone w DD (13 mos) and with DH and this set up rocks. It is SO easy to deal with and DD seems to love the ride. This way we can pack up our stroller and check it through. You do have to have the seat plus wheels manually inspected at TSA but they're always great about it. The $130 we spent has already paid for itself for three trips where we would gave to rent a seat, and this we know who has used it. The GGK is pricey but I used a 20% coupon at BBB. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here again. In the end I purchase the Sit 'N Stroll, used a 20% off coupon at BBB. Total w/ tax came to about $210. Figured I'd also be wanting it and would end up convincing DH it was the right purchase Thanks for all your advice, posters!