USVI-On-Line

An acquaintance of mine is going on a cruise and will be doing the excursion to Trunk Bay.

She will have her two year old with her and she's wondering what to do about car seats for the taxi rides.

I've heard of taxi drivers on STT being grumpy about letting people install car seats in their vans, and on STJ I can't imagine that you can even install one in an open air taxi?

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Yeah, I have heard enough horror stories about STT taxi drivers (from different sources) as it relates to carseats that I would be concerned.

As far as I know, there is no way to use a carseat in an open air taxi simply due to the lack of seat belts.

If the driver is nice, maybe they would let her install it in the cab but that opens up a whole host of other issues relating to front seats/airbags.

She might need to think about if she is willing to do the trip without a carseat.

Aside from the safety concerns, do you know what the law says about toddlers not being in car seats?

Since they give out tickets like candy for not wearing seat belts on STJ I'm curious about car seats.

Would renting a car be an option? It would certainly be a lot of work/expense (though I don't know how much cruise ships charge for excursions so overall it could cost less) but it might be the only safe way to do it. I think there's a Budget right near the cruise ship dock.

Maybe you could drop St. John Julie a PM, she has raised two kids on the island.

Oddly enough, I think don't think the rules concerning child restraints are anywhere are strict as the seat belts.

You might be on to something with renting a car, it very well may be less expensive or at least break-even. We have friends that cruise and they always do their own thing and claim they save tons of money.

Teresa_Rae wrote:Would renting a car be an option? It would certainly be a lot of work/expense (though I don't know how much cruise ships charge for excursions so overall it could cost less) but it might be the only safe way to do it. I think there's a Budget right near the cruise ship dock.

We had a group rent three jeeps from Budget a number of years ago when on a cruise, that we took to STJ on the car barge. Cheaper than the ship's excursion, and we got to see what we wanted to see, on OUR schedule. I'd think that would be even a bigger deal with a toddler in tow.

keep in mind that when it comes to the open-air taxes here on St John, there may also be the option of putting the car seat (and a parent?) up in the cab, riding next to the driver. don't know if they would be amenable, but it's an idea to try, at least.

pnoeric wrote:keep in mind that when it comes to the open-air taxes here on St John, there may also be the option of putting the car seat (and a parent?) up in the cab, riding next to the driver. don't know if they would be amenable, but it's an idea to try, at least.

It's risky though because of the airbag. If the airbag can't be turned off, then an otherwise minor accident can become a death sentence for a small child.

Teresa_Rae wrote:

pnoeric wrote:keep in mind that when it comes to the open-air taxes here on St John, there may also be the option of putting the car seat (and a parent?) up in the cab, riding next to the driver. don't know if they would be amenable, but it's an idea to try, at least.

It's risky though because of the airbag. If the airbag can't be turned off, then an otherwise minor accident can become a death sentence for a small child.

very good point... if you try this, definitely see if the airbag can be switched off!

I am not sure what the written law is regarding car seats and kids in the USVI. I can tell you that you often see kids of all ages unrestrained bouncing around in the back of the car. I often see people holding their babies in the passenger side of the front of the car as well. Not something I recommend, but it does happen, and I have never seen the police ticket anyone or even comment on it.

On St. Thomas, most of the taxis are vans. They are enclosed and you can go without the car seat there if you are comfortable with it (I don't have much hesitation about doing this). On St. John, the taxis are open air (back of pickup trucks mostly) and you can also go without a car seat if you are comfortable with that (I'm not so comfortable with that myself). I would feel more comfortable riding in the cab of the truck without the car seat than in the back without one.

Renting a car is an option, and most places will have a few car seats. You would have to reserve this in advance. You could rent on St. John, it probably would be a little easier, but they would have to reserve early. We often run out of cars to rent on St. John.

If your friend rented a car on St. John, and couldn't get a car seat, I might be able to help out. If it's only for a day, I have two, and could loan one out to help out I have one that is suitable for a baby all the way through 'big kid' (65lbs). When will they be traveling?

Quite honestly, if I were doing a ship excursion with a toddler in tow, I think I'd opt to stay on STT and go to Magen's Bay. Trunk Bay is beautiful, but it sounds like a lot of work and arranging for a 1-day cruise stop. Magen's Bay is beautiful (always calm water for the little one to play in) and a whole lot easier to get to in an enclosed van. During our recent trip we did a day trip over to STT, Magen's Bay. It was quite busy in the morning but by around noon MANY people left and went back toward the ships for shopping and whatever. The afternoon at the beach was not crowded at all. I would recommend they shop and such first, then get a cab to Magen's for the later morning and afternoon, then head back to the ship at the end of the day. No need for an organized excursion, they'd just do it on their own.

I agree with Julie, I think I'd try to reserve a car on St. John in advance and maybe try to see if they could pre arrange a private taxi to take them to the ferry dock from the port and that way they could install their car seat in their private taxi, get the quickest ferry, get to St. John and have their own car for the day and visit more than one beach if they want. Trunk on a cruise ship tour is not the same Trunk Bay!

Is your friend going on the cruise excursion? They may take them on a boat directly from the cruise dock - no taxi needed in STT. Once on STJ, they will probably be stuck with the safari taxi or else having to rent a car. I don't think there is really any way you can put a toddler car seat in a safari taxi.