Mauritius with VH and EK

I have managed to book Mr W and me yet another holiday this year…! ^) My excuse was that now our Chicago trip in June is cancelled, we have “spare holiday money” waiting to be spent… Found a really good deal with VH going to Mauritius (Sands Resort & Spa) in May for 8 nights (7 nights actually in the resort – losing one night in transit) for approx. £1100 each. ^)

I almost didn’t book it because VS has long stopped flying to MRU and instead wanted to start a petition here to take a stance to not fly with VS again until they reinstate that route (sorry it was too hard to resist ): ), but in the end I realised that Emirates may even offer more films to watch ) , so I decided to take the plunge.

In seriousness though, I am really excited! I normally book holidays about 10 months in advance, so only having 3 months to count down is making me pretty happy. As this is my first time using VH (or travel agents with this type of holidays), flying with EK, and also visiting Mauritius, I thought I would turn to the wonderful and well-travelled v-flyers for some advice:

1) Is there any nice VH touches that other similar TAs don’t offer? I know about the V-room at Gatwick (going from Gatwick due to better time slots and slightly lower cost, shame about the A380), but that’s the limit to my knowledge I’m afraid. I think I’ve read here before about leaving your luggage with VH on the day of check-out (can’t remember what it’s called), but I think that’s gone now. Anything else that make VH stand out?

2) Emirates in economy – what is it like? How does it compare with VS economy? Our LGW to DXB sectors will be on a 777, and DXB to MRU return on a A380. Is there a huge difference in comfort levels? Anything I should be aware of?

3) More specific questions about the flight - does EK offer advance seat selection for free? Any recommended seat for 777 and A380? I will check seatguru when the time comes but thought I’d ask for your opinion first

4) Emirates Skyward – I did have a quick look at this a while ago (when I started my new job, as I was going to make fairly regular trips to Dubai) but recall this was not the most rewarding programme – you earn less but the rewards cost more, and the miles expire after the certain time. Is it worth signing up at all? Anyone here using Skyward?

5) Mauritius – any recommended must-do activities, places to visit?

As always any advice would be much appreciated! y)

We mostly book through Virgin Holidays and there is nothing additional you get when booking with them compared to other travel agents. They do have the "check in, chill out" service but I don't think this is in operation in Mauritius.

1) Is there any nice VH touches that other similar TAs don’t offer? I know about the V-room at Gatwick (going from Gatwick due to better time slots and slightly lower cost, shame about the A380), but that’s the limit to my knowledge I’m afraid. I think I’ve read here before about leaving your luggage with VH on the day of check-out (can’t remember what it’s called), but I think that’s gone now. Anything else that make VH stand out?

Not really, and Check In and Chill Out has ceased to be, at least across the Caribbean.

2) Emirates in economy – what is it like? How does it compare with VS economy? Our LGW to DXB sectors will be on a 777, and DXB to MRU return on a A380. Is there a huge difference in comfort levels? Anything I should be aware of?

Not sure how it compares with VS, but (sorry to say this) on my limited experience I found BA to be better. Service was indifferent on EK, and on both Y legs I took recently the sound quality on the IFE was shockingly bad. IFE content is OK, but bare bums and sweariness are edited out of the offerings....

Food was good.

I know HWVLover holds a higher opinion of EK's economy offering, and mine may have been coloured somewhat by the fact that I was on a work, rather than, holiday trip.

3) More specific questions about the flight - does EK offer advance seat selection for free? Any recommended seat for 777 and A380? I will check seatguru when the time comes but thought I’d ask for your opinion first

If you have a tight connection at DXB (1.5 hours or less) sit as far forward as you can. It takes a fair few minutes to disembark and once off you then have to make your way back through security before making the move to your next gate.

4) Emirates Skyward – I did have a quick look at this a while ago (when I started my new job, as I was going to make fairly regular trips to Dubai) but recall this was not the most rewarding programme – you earn less but the rewards cost more, and the miles expire after the certain time. Is it worth signing up at all? Anyone here using Skyward?

As a general principle, sign up anyhow. I did when we went to Australia, thinking I'd probably never use EK again, but then I managed to use the status and miles to get an upgrade all the way back from India just befor Christmas.

[honey lamb]

but in the end I realised that Emirates may even offer more films to watch

While Emirates does boast about having a very wide selection of films, the reality is that because they serve such a wide market they are in a variety of different languages which immediately reduces the availability unless you are proficient in a high number of languages. And as pjh has said, nudity and sweatiness is edited out. Even the five second shot of the Swedish bloke's bare bum in Mamma Mia was cut out! In other words, don't expect to see 50 Shades of Grey at any time on an Emirates flight! ):

In other words, don't expect to see 50 Shades of Grey at any time on an Emirates flight! ):

I shall immediately book an Emirates flight!

[url]but in the end I realised that Emirates may even offer more films to watch[/url]
While Emirates does boast about having a very wide selection of films, the reality is that because they serve such a wide market they are in a variety of different languages which immediately reduces the availability unless you are proficient in a high number of languages. And as pjh has said, nudity and sweatiness is edited out. Even the five second shot of the Swedish bloke's bare bum in Mamma Mia was cut out! In other words, don't expect to see 50 Shades of Grey at any time on an Emirates flight! ):

HL - I kind of threw that in as part of the wind-up re the "petition" on another thread, but your insight (especially regarding the lack of rude words and pictures ) is much appreciated!

I wish I was proficient in a high number of languages... :#

We mostly book through Virgin Holidays and there is nothing additional you get when booking with them compared to other travel agents. They do have the "check in, chill out" service but I don't think this is in operation in Mauritius.

Thanks interlog. I recall reading here that the "check in, chill out" service has been discontinued, in many if not all destinations which is a great shame!

@pjh - thank you for such a comprehensive response.

I remember reading your recent TR and your wonderful upgrade experience

I think you are right - I may as well sign-up to Skywards. There's no downside really.

I'll try to sit towards the front. Although our connection time (both outbound and return) is around 3 hours, the quick we get off, the longer we have at Duty Free

I have managed to book Mr W and me yet another holiday this year…! ^) My excuse was that now our Chicago trip in June is cancelled, we have “spare holiday money” waiting to be spent… Found a really good deal with VH going to Mauritius (Sands Resort & Spa) in May for 8 nights (7 nights actually in the resort – losing one night in transit) for approx. £1100 each. ^)

I almost didn’t book it because VS has long stopped flying to MRU and instead wanted to start a petition here to take a stance to not fly with VS again until they reinstate that route (sorry it was too hard to resist ): ), but in the end I realised that Emirates may even offer more films to watch ) , so I decided to take the plunge.

In seriousness though, I am really excited! I normally book holidays about 10 months in advance, so only having 3 months to count down is making me pretty happy. As this is my first time using VH (or travel agents with this type of holidays), flying with EK, and also visiting Mauritius, I thought I would turn to the wonderful and well-travelled v-flyers for some advice:

1) Is there any nice VH touches that other similar TAs don’t offer? I know about the V-room at Gatwick (going from Gatwick due to better time slots and slightly lower cost, shame about the A380), but that’s the limit to my knowledge I’m afraid. I think I’ve read here before about leaving your luggage with VH on the day of check-out (can’t remember what it’s called), but I think that’s gone now. Anything else that make VH stand out?

2) Emirates in economy – what is it like? How does it compare with VS economy? Our LGW to DXB sectors will be on a 777, and DXB to MRU return on a A380. Is there a huge difference in comfort levels? Anything I should be aware of?

3) More specific questions about the flight - does EK offer advance seat selection for free? Any recommended seat for 777 and A380? I will check seatguru when the time comes but thought I’d ask for your opinion first

4) Emirates Skyward – I did have a quick look at this a while ago (when I started my new job, as I was going to make fairly regular trips to Dubai) but recall this was not the most rewarding programme – you earn less but the rewards cost more, and the miles expire after the certain time. Is it worth signing up at all? Anyone here using Skyward?

5) Mauritius – any recommended must-do activities, places to visit?

As always any advice would be much appreciated! y)

Congratulations! You will have a great time...we went to Mauritius during the 2012 Olympics, also booked through Virgin Holidays and flying with Emirates from Gatwick.

In response to your questions

1) The only additional touch above the regular service of any TA/holiday rep was 'Chick in Chill-Out' but this no longer operates and was only ever run in the Caribbean. When we went we were flying in Business Class so were given access to the Emirates lounge at LGW. Whilst no additional nice touches are included with VH I believe you could pay to use the V-Room or one of the other lounges at LGW (Aspire or No.1 Traveller).

2) When we went both flights were on 777-300ER and in Business Class, so can't compare, though from what I've heard their seats should be competitive with the VS economy one. One thing to note is that Emirates have the ICE Entertainment which is meant to be better than any other airline so you should be kept well entertained.

3) Emirates do offer free seat selection in advance...at least they did when we flew. If you have a fairly short connection I would choose towards the front of the economy cabin just to be safe. Our experience of Emirates was great in terms of comfort, staff and value. We even got upgraded from Business to First!

4) Skywards - depends how much you are likely to use them in the future really. We joined skywards particularly as we were travelling so far in business but have yet to fly them again since and so the miles are just sitting there shortly to expire :0

5) We loved Mauritius, only slight downside (at least where we were staying on the island) is that it was a bit cool. Definitely not cold just not very hot i.e 17-19 degrees.

In terms of the main things we did apart from lapping up the sun:

Botanical Gardens, Submarine Adventure, Island Tour, Hindu Temple and Catamaran Cruise


VH Usually has quite a large variety of trips so there should be a few that take your fancy.

And as pjh has said, nudity and sweatiness is edited out.

I said sweariness, not sweatiness . I think fans of Die Hard are ok...

And EK ICE guide can be found here

[honey lamb]

And as pjh has said, nudity and sweatiness is edited out.

I said sweariness, not sweatiness . I think fans of Die Hard are ok...

And EK ICE guide can be found here

Sorry, I think it got auto-corrected!

And as pjh has said, nudity and sweatiness is edited out.

I said sweariness, not sweatiness . I think fans of Die Hard are ok...

And EK ICE guide can be found here

Sorry, I think it got auto-corrected!

I thought V-flyers 'glowed' and all that moisture nonsense was for the oiks on flyer talk !

In other words, don't expect to see 50 Shades of Grey at any time on an Emirates flight! ):

I shall immediately book an Emirates flight!

^)

mrsw, I don't have anything useful to add, but I hope you have a wonderful time!

@flyerz - Many thanks for all the information! I think May is the beginning of the winter/dry season and am hoping that the weather will still be nice and hot, and with fewer mosquitoes

@spacedog - thank you! I'm very excited