Christmas Holiday - Mauritius/St Lucia/Antigua

[bendmeoverbackwards]

Where would you recommend?

We’ve been to Barbados and loved it. Want to try somewhere new this time but worried it won’t be as nice as Barbados!

I personally think Mauritius is nicer than any Caribbean island, except maybe St Barths. The area around Le Morne is extremely beautiful.

Any of those three are nicer than Barbados in my opinion. Antigua has the best beaches, St Lucia has stunning scenery, Mauritius has better service levels in hotels. I would choose Antigua personally. St Lucia would probably be in third place as hotels are a long way from the airport and the roads are lousy.

Mauritius will definitely feel more expensive but the people in the Caribbean are fabulous and make a holiday for me. It really depends what you want from your break.

Thank you. Mauritius does seem better value and our travel advisor has found a hotel that looks great with brilliant reviews. Only thing that’s putting me off is the fights - change at Dubai. But it’s with Emirates which is supposed to be a great airline I’ve heard.

We are due to go to Mauritius in November with BA I was thinking it wouldn't happen as I saw their COVID rates have increased. But maybe it will!
The hotel I booked will not be open and I m struggling to find some as nice so would you please let me know where your travel advisor recommended?

I love the Caribbean, but didn't like Mauritius - it's a bit sterile for me and the service is OTT.
I also don't like the sand - too grainy! (I'm fussy about sand).

Both Antigua and St Lucia are lovely.

I was told today that US Govt are discouraging travel to Antigua so you might want to investigate before booking. Suspect COVID related but not sure.

Will probably book for Mauritius.

Those who have been before - did you find the food ok in relation to not having any tummy trouble? I had a bad tummy in Sri Lanka which put me off a bit!

Had absolutely no problems with food or upset stomachs in Mauritius at all. To be fair we didn’t leave the hotel resort complex, but food standards were exceptionally high, including in buffet restaurants.

Loved Mauritius, the Indian Ocean is something else. No tummy troubles.
Terribly travel sick in St Lucia, it's very mountainous.

If I get through the pcr test, I am due to fly to Mauritius tomo.

I am staying at the Preskil Island Resort.

This holiday has been cancelled and re-booked 4 times over the last 2 years. If I get there I will report back.

@uggmum we are looking at Preskil! It looks lovely.

I'm just worrying about my youngest dd who is 14. She is currently unvaccinated but due to have one dose at school next week. But does this mean she will not be 'fully vaccinated' so unable to travel?

I am not sure what the rules are for children in Mauritius.

All entry requirements changed on 1 October. The government website should detail it though

I don’t think we can go 😢 It says anyone not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days on arrival!

Fuck

I’ve been to all 3 and would choose Antigua, St Lucia, Mauritius in that order. We stayed at Le Morne - great hotel but it is an awfully long way from anywhere. I prefer the Caribbean beaches too. Not on your list but I would choose the Seychelles above those you mentioned.

Thanks @KittyMcKitty looks like we won’t be able to go to any of them, we’ll have a partially vaccinated 14 year old 😢

I always wanted to visit Mauritius but won't go now because of the police handling of the Michaela Harte-Mc Areavey murder case there. She was on her honeymoon in 2011 and was murdered in her hotel room in Legends hotel now renamed Luxe Grand Gaube.
The men charged were all acquitted.
The body of the star witness was found two days ago.
It was utterly heartbreaking for her family and friends and was big news here in Ireland as her father was hugely involved in Irish football and very popular.
By not visiting it's my way of protesting against an injustice - no one was ever charged with her murder.
Sorry for the derail.
I've been to Antigua and it was very nice.
I've not been to St Lucia.

We have booked to go to Mauritius for Xmas with an 18,15,12 and 8 year old. It was my understanding that under 18 don't have to be vaccinated?

@FluffyDavis not from what I’ve read unfortunately. Anyone not fully vaccinated has to quarantine for 14 days at the start of their holiday!

Lots of information about it on the travel agent websites, gov website takes you round in circles and is very confusing!

That sounds promising @FluffyDavis I hope I’m wrong. Everywhere I looked said nothing about under 18s being exempt from vaccination requirements. Did you book through a travel agent or independently?

We booked directly with Emirates. Be careful as some travel agents don't offer full refunds if you can't travel due to Covid.
Lots of detailed easy to read info here!

covidtraveladvice.kuoni.co.uk/destination/mauritius

Thanks @FluffyDavis did Emirates confirm that unvaxxed children can travel without having to quarantine?

This is on their website-

Exemptions
Passengers under 18 years of age are currently exempted from vaccination and can stay with vaccinated adults.

Been to Mauritius quite a few times over the last 20 years. Always lovely.
Stayed at The Residence, Le Tousserok, One & Only, Long Beach x 2 and Le Telfair.

Going back at Xmas with DC and DH to Le Telfair. All the places are great.

Mauritius has a lovely vibe. Safer (imo) than any of the Caribbean islands I've been to.

Quality of beaches and reef better than most of Caribbean (except St Vincent, Curaçao and Bonaire).
Not as good as Maldives but cost of Maldives this year is astronomical!! Both kids treated as adults so more than double our usual and it seemed too much. Cheaper to go to Maldives at Easter or summer holidays which is when we usually go there.

It will be our first proper holiday in 2.5 years and I've not had a day off work since Good Friday and before that Boxing Day (self employed and v busy industry). So can't wait. Fingers crossed we can go.