Scenera Extend

Get Cosco Sceneras! If you can find a retailer that still has some of the previous generation (Scenera Next) it will run you under $40 apiece. The new generation (Scenera Extend) will be more like $60 apiece.

FWIW the Cosco Scenera Next that has been popular as a lightweight travel seat for a while was recently discontinued. The Scenera Extend you linked has replaced it and it's a bit bulkier. I've read many 2yos outgrew the Next by harness height far before the height and weight limits, but there seems to be a bit more room on the Extend. The Cosco Finale is a forward facing harnessed booster for 30lbs+. My youngest will have recently turned 2 when we go on our cruise next year and I'm not sure whether the Scenera or Finale will be a better fit at that time. Hence me jumping on these threads!

We have it. It's bigger than the old version, but it's still functional and way easier than our normal convertible seats. Be aware that you cannot use it on some planes if the armrest won't go up. We had that issue and had to move seats -- luckily it was seamless but it could have caused problems if the circumstances had been different. Also be aware that the way it buckles into planes means the seatbelt buckle is right in the kid's back. Our daughter didn't seem to mind for the most part but we had to unbuckle it on a longer flight because she started to complain. Not as safe, but I think still better than not using a carseat. The strap does irritate my son's neck; he's 15 months and 30th percentile height and weight. I have to pull up his collar so the strap doesn't touch it.

The Cosco travel car seat is great. Super light, fits in plane seats easily, rear facing for cars. It’s only $60 and it was such a great purchase for our travels. Highly recommend doing something like this to have a car seat on the plane and skipping the rental car option. I’d never lug our Nuna onto a plane but a seat made for air travel, absolutely.

Yes. It was even a permanent seat in one of our cars.

We bought a cheap seat that is light and a single molded piece of plastic. It wasn't ideal but it worked. Lots of places like the zoo have a coat check type of place that will let you leave it there while you are inside. Example https://fromrebel.com/products/scenera-extend-convertible-car-seat-moonlit-night-005a15

It’s definitely no-frills but my kids never complained about it, and it’s super light and easy to carry around an airport.