I’m heading off on a fun trip that will include two new Canadian airlines for me…but the trip is not to Canada.
Coming Up: Porter, WestJet, JetBlue…And A Cruise
Porter recently launched nonstop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) on the E195-E2 (it cannot fly to Billy Bishop YTZ from LAX because that airport is restricted to turboprops only). I’ve been wanting to try to Porter for years and it dawned on me that I could accomplish that on my way to Bridgetown, Barbados.
Barbados?
Yes, Kyle talked me into booking a cruise with Explora Journeys and I decided to take seven-year-old Augustine along. Yes, I’m even pulling him out of school!
I figure a one-week journey to several new countries for him (and me too) will be more educational than the math and spelling of first grade (we’ll do that as well for a bit of time each day).
I’ll soon be taking my wife on a pair of trips to celebrate our 10th anniversary but I also want to take each child on a solo trip this year. Augustine’s trip will be more elaborate than Claire Marie’s, but we had such a fun time together on our Las Vegas road trip last year and I hope this will be a great bonding time.
I asked you about whether I should take Air Canada via Montreal or WestJet nonstop (to Bridgetown), even though WestJet cost 3x the price of Air Canada. Against my better judgment…or perhaps despite my spurious judgment…I booked the nonstop flight.
First, it will be nice to try a new carrier, WestJet. Second, it will be nice to fly in business class (what WestJet calls “Premium” class). Third, it will be nice to have wi-fi to get work done during the five hour flight…which Air Canada has not fully installed on its 737 MAX aircraft yet. But most importantly, we have little room for error.
I would have loved to spend a couple in Barbados…but being gone 10 days instead of eight days really would have pushed the limits of reasonableness, both for missing school and for caring for my daughter (it is nice to have parents that live five minutes away).
We will take JetBlue Mint home from Florida, something that Augustine is so excited about…because he likes the “sleep gummies” in the amenity kit. Okey dokey…
I know I’m in the middle of another trip report, but I’ll provide periodic updates as the trip goes along and who knows…maybe I’ll fall in love with cruising. It has taken me over 30 years to step on a cruise ship. Maybe this will be the start of a whole new chapter. And maybe I’ll try to top Dave Barry when I tell about it!
Sounds like a fantastic trip plan Matt.
In elementary school my parents would take my sister and I out of school, and spend a week in canada with some canadian friends for a week of skiing at small hotel. Though everyday after skiing we would get to work on all out homework, and assignments that the teachers wanted us to do that week. I am sure your family is going to have an excellent time.
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the quality of the espresso on board the ship.
I look forward to the spinoff cruise blog and Augustine’s reviews.
P.S. I do suggest allowing Mrs. Klint to help your son with his spelling homework.
I welcome more premium economy reviews on any carrier, it’s a very popular class of travel and there are some decent deals from time to time.
I can’t say that I am salivating at the prospect of spending 12 hours in Iberia’s flavour of it next month (my first time ever in long-haul premium economy and a full 15 years after my last Y long-haul), but I thought that it wasn’t worth spending more miles and money (YQ) for a day flight, and hopefully it will make me tired enough to go to bed straight after arrival, helping me to Mexican time.
*adjust to Mexican time
Kyle mentioned in his review his daughter much enjoyed the children’s program on the Explora. So Augustine will have to give us his opinion too! Bon voyage.
I hear the Hilton in Barbados is great. You should check it out while you’re there!
Porter Reserve is good but remember they won’t have hot food (No more ovens on their 195). Have fun on your trip!
I love the intentionality of taking your kids on individual trips. For years I’ve taken each of my 3 kids on a one-on-one trip, and they’re some of our best memories. It’s a sacrifice of time and money that are often in short supply, but they’re teenagers now and I would not trade those trips for anything.
Shame on you, Matthew, taking 7- year old Augustine out of school for a frivolous vacation.
He will never recover from the lost time at school- now he will never get in to Stanford .
For god’s sake- do you really want him going to Brown?
Hey! There will be none of that! I graduated from Brown, as did my incarcerated business partner’s retarded gay niece.
Perhaps you meant to say Penn.
Make sure that you take a letter signed by Mrs. Klint that gives you an okay to take your son all by yourself. Also carry his birth certificate that proves you are one of the parents. Learned this the hard way last year when returning to Toronto from a trip to NY with my then 6yo daughter. The border official made me call my wife on the spot to confirm that I wasn’t taking my child without my wife’s consent.
Seeing Matthew in a floppy hat, sandals and a tee that says “Born to Cruise” is an image I can’t escape. This is funny just imagining you on it.
Not meaning to give any offense but I’m not sure you’re really wired right for a leisurely cruise. You just come across as more of a 220v guy rather than 110, kind of always juggling a dozen things. That said, you should have a nice time. A pity you’re missing out on Barbados as it’s a really splendid place.
Trying to outdo Dave Barry is a seriously tall order. I look forward to it.