Mauritius in July....advice please....

[LokiBear]

Not really an AIBU but I'm struggling. PIL have booked to take the entire family to Maritius in July and I'm a bit worried about well, everything. Firstly, our children will be almost 7 and 18 months. DD1 will be fine, but I'm worried about dd2 on the plane. How do I keep her entertained? I really wouldn't have chosen to go somewhere 11 hours away, I'm an anxious flyer anyway and I hate long haul. However, the holiday was booked for us, I had very little input into the destination and, in the end, they booked it without me as I was at the hairdressers. It is very generous of PIL, I know this, and the rest of the family are excited so I'm trying realky hard not to be a wet lettuce. However, the thought of the flight is making me feel anxious. PIL have picked up on this and have upgraded us to premium because they want me to feel comfortable and have said tgat more room will make dd2 easier to manage. This just makes me worried we are going to piss people off even more because they've paid more to end up sat next to a fidgety, shouty baby flying for the first time! Does anyone have any sure fire tips for dealing with a toddler on a long haul flight?
The other thing I'm worried about is the weather. Trip advisor seems to suggest it's actually not that hot. Usually, if we were off to Spain or where ever, I'd pack a range if swimsuits and maxi dresses for me and dd1 and swimwear and shorts and t-shirts for the baby. Because it is winter over there during our summer months I really do not know where to begin with clothes. The travel agent helpfully told MIL it's like a good British summers day......I don't know what that means! Has anyone been during those months? What do we need to pack? Is it the type of weather where you could happily sit by the pool in a swimsuit and be perfectly warm? Should I pack cardigans and long trousers? The more I think about it, the more I do not want to go. I feel like I've been railroaded into a destination that is expressly said was a bit too far on a plane with such a young baby, but I've had to go along with it. I also feel guilty because it's a free holiday and I know I sound ungrateful. I need to get a plan in place so that I can pull myself together and stop being so negative. I haven't said anything to the family other than to say I'm a bit worried about the plane, but they know I'm not looking forward to it, firstly because when we were talking about destinations I expressly said 'not there, it is too far' but then they booked it, and also, when they talk about it I just can't find the words to join in on the conversation and find myself just smiling and nodding. I'm anxious, I'm a worrier and it is borne from that rather than me just being an ungrateful bitch, honest. Id be grateful for any advice to help me make a plan so that I can be less anxious and more positive. TIA

In all fairness, what alerted my PIL to my anxiety was them asking us to choose a destination and me saying I didn't really want to go to Maritius because of the long flight time with a toddler and the weather. They then went ahead and booked it anyway. My opinion didnt make a difference, they just said 'we know the flight is a worry so we've booked premium seats'. I'm trying to make a plan so that I feel secure and less anxious. This is me, actively trying to ensure I do not suck the joy out of the holiday by asking for experiences so I can get my shit together. Thank you to p.p for the links and tips.

I think it's bonkers to sit on a plane for 11 hours to go somewhere for their winter!! Why didn't they book for Mauritian summer when it's heavenly to get away from the hideous British winter?

You could be somewhere just as lovely but with guaranteed summer weather in a couple of hours! So no I don't think yabu.

Do they know it's winter out there!? It can be v chilly. Especially in the evening. And the water isn't warm!

Mil is insisting that her friend has been and it will be 26/27° everyday.

Both times I’ve been to Mauritus in July (west coast) it was about 26C in the day and 17 evenings. We had a couple of cooler overcast days where it was probably around 21 like an english summer.

Why can't she have her own seat? It would be safer in case of unexpected turbulences and much more comfortable for you all.

I went in July and some days were 25 degrees and some 21. Some days were bright sun and others were rain. Quite like England but no cold wind!

Oh and I was told by our Mauritius tour guide that their summer is humid, wet, sticky zany rainy and their winter is the best time to go! Personally I think the weather in July is great if you have children with you.

Ive been to mauritius in August (done after safari so went at this time to suit the other bit of hol not as a stand alone trip.)

Daytime was laying on the beach in swimwear weather, evenings summer dress plus cardi or light jacket. NB im not a fan of too much heat and DH hates heat so was perfect for us both, Spain/ italy is too hot for me in august so hopefully that gives a point of reference. (Went to greece in july and kept a shirt and trousers on the whole time)

The trade winds blow during that month so you need to be on the right bit of the island, the sea current was quite strong and the sea temp was cool although we still did lots of water activities.

No rain or humidity but i was only there for a week so can't say if we had good or typical weather, however it suited DH and I well. Also a bonus was there were not too many mossies!

I was in Mauritius in late July- it was 20-25 degrees most days. I lay out in my swimwear, though sometimes covered in a sarong if the breeze picked up a little. You'll definitely need layers for the evening though, and there was a spectacular storm on our last day. We went on our honeymoon so not too sure about things for kids- I think there is a zoo/ bird park near the north of the island, and you can take a boat trip to an island nature sanctuary on the south east. We hired a vehicle and explored the whole island but it is a surprising distance (and the traffic in Port Louis is a nightmare) so long distances wouldn't be ideal with kids. It would be worth finding out where your hotel is in advance and researching localish options.

I've been in August, September and October, and October was a bit too hot for me! Are you on the overnight flight? Should think your smallest will sleep for most of it. If you're anywhere near the west coast, take them to the Casela Wildlife Park.

I think I would rather sit in economy and DC have her own seat. That way she can sit, watch the iPad, colour on her table etc and then when she wants to sleep lift up the arm rest between your seats and she can sleep across your/DH's lap and her seat.

Thanks all it's really helpful to get other people's opinions and experiences. POL booked the holiday and just told me that dd would have to sit on my knee. I didn't feel I could argue. I hope she will sleep too! She might be able to share dd1's seat for some of it.

We went to Mauritius in July (years ago) and it rained for 18 out of 21 days. And we had to get a cab to Port Louis to buy a few jumpers for the afternoon and evening as it was chilly. But it was nice and relaxing, a very quiet holiday. We didn’t have any choice in the time we went as it was to attend weddings. Hopefully the in laws have booked a good hotel with lots to do and you’ll have a great time. I wouldn’t give the flight a second thought, that will be fine.

Are you in a position to purchase a seat for her?

Not really. For a start it would offend PIL. They've already selected the seats and we are in a three. A forth seat would mean dh would have to sit away from us and I'm not letting him off the hook that easy!

I went to Mauritius in July. I thought it was a very pleasant temperature for being out and about sightseeing. I probably wouldn’t have wanted to sit on the beach in a cozzie very often, but I get cold easily and I’m not fond of beaches in the first place. From what I remember I mainly wore shorts and shirt-sleeved tops, had a raincoat in my bag, and wore a dress plus shawl for the evenings. I genuinely would pack as if you were off to Cornwall.

In premium you will probably be able to push the arm rests up to hopefully sit 2 adults and 2 kids when your knees need a break. We went to Mauritius in October, our kids are older (8&6) but there were lots of smaller ones on the flight. On the night flight out most of them slept.

Long haul when ours were smaller consisted of iPads and lots of cheap toys from the Poundshop. We went to the Maldives when DS was 18 months and it was better than I had thought it would be.

Mauritius is beautiful, they love children and are great with them, but I think it might be cooler than your in laws are expecting. We found the pools cold in October when it's just getting into their Summer. I'd recommend a baby wetsuit.

Oh, and if you manage to get some shopping time and like clothes, avoid the factory shops you get taken to on guided tours, they're usually more expensive than buying in the UK, but see if you can get to a branch of Pridemark, there are a few dotted around the island. It's a bit like our TK Maxx, but it's factory rejects and a lot of major brands are made on the island. Last time I was there I bought some Calvin Klein jeans with an unfinished button hole, Paul Smith trousers with a missing belt and a Burberry sweater for less than £20 for the lot. The one above the central market in Port Louis (which is worth a look on its own) is the biggest, I think.

Certainly go to Port Louis for a trot around the markets. As PP said Pridemark is well worth a look. Items there are genuine seconds, items in the market are genuine fakes!
Don't bother with Bagatelle Mall for shopping it's international brands at high prices, although Flying Dodo Brewery is nice for a meal and a beer.
Sunday afternoon at Trou aux Biches the locals gather for music and barbeques, although more so in the summer. It's the only place outside UK and Ireland I have seen proper ice cream vans!

Oh and you don't need to book special excursions, just take a bus. You can get pretty much anywhere, they cost pennies and you get soca music, tinsel and artificial flowers.
Where are you staying? I can get my colleagues over there to suggest off the beaten track ideas for a day out if you want?

Oh OP I am from Mauritius and the weather is absolutely lovely in July and they are indeed very children centric. You will have a great time and expect the weather to be around 25°-28° during the day and around 18°-20° in the evening.

Ive been to Mauritius many times in July. I don't ever remember not being able to sunbathe due to it being cold, although it can rain at that time of year, and as people have mentioned you will need warmer clothes at night.

Re the flight, as people have said, take stickers and colouring books. Load an iPad with things to watch. Feel free to go for a wander to the galley. Make sure all these relatives have a turn at entertaining the children - they deserve it! Will they be night flights? They are often easier.

everyone giving you good advice already Mauritius is beautiful and hot you will all really enjoy yourself please try a curry roti and briyani will love it they also have these little green chilli things over there extremely hot but so nice. Mauritius rum is really good as well very coconut
went when I was 13 really need to return

Please be reassured you will be fine. People fly with their children / babies / toddlers across the world all the time - australia is more than 24hrs travel and includes two flights with a stop over. My children did the 24 plus flight to australia at 6 months and 12 months and 18 months (in exconomy.) We have been to mauritius twice (in economy) and it’s one of the easiest flights - something like 12 hours non stop from the uk. If you go on a night flight it’s likely your toddler can sleep for most of it as they’ll make the cabin dark. One tip is, with two children focus on getting one child to sleep and then the other. Some flights let you take approved car seats if you think your toddler will fall asleep more readily in one of these.
During the day it’s likely they will want to walk around at 18 months so just follow them. Just be careful near the kitchen area as toddlers and hot food and drinks being prepared is not a good mix.
We went for two weeks last Easter and my sister had 3 children (6, 3 and 18 months). Just make sure you have insect repellant.
Also - we have stayed on three sides of the island - the east coast speaking the most English, the south very French - the north a mixture.
Hope you have a nice time.

Phenergan (assuming no health issues etc).
But do a test run first as it can make some children hyper instead of sleepy.

You can thank me when you get back from your lovely holiday.