Hair braiding at St. Maarten

[HelenC]

I'd like to get my girls hair braided asap so with St. Maarten being the first port of call I'm hoping to do it there.

Any advice from seasoned cruisers on where to go, cost, etc.???

 

[Mickey7811]

I believe they do hair braiding on the ship now on the long days at sea. So that would be your first opportunity and then you do not need to waste your on shore time doing this.

Darlene

 

[cruiser]

We let my daughter get her hair braided on our day at St Maarten. As we were heading back to the ship (around 2pm or so if I remember correctly) we were asked by many many women if we would like my daughter's hair braided. So we decided to go for it.

I must admit I was a bit nervous when it all started though. We were led essentially to what was a back alley. Suddenly a second woman appeared with a bag full of beads and the two began haggling with us on price. We settled on a price and they went work. Strange thing, instead of rubber bands to hold the beads in place they actually used foil. I did not like this at all, but they claimed it was a better way to go and all they had. They kept encouraging me to leave my wife and daughter with them and go get a drink or something. No way was I leaving, seemed a bit strange to me.

Nothing really eventful happened, they finished her hair and we all went back to the ship. It took about and hour or more if I remember. Everything was fine, but it all just seemed a bit strange that we were rushed into a back alley and that they used foil instead of rubber bands.

If we do it again, I will insist on the rubber bands, they were much easier to deal with and lasted a great deal longer. Also, one piece of advice, bring your own comb for them to use. I would not trust their combs or brushes as you may get lice.

Hope this helps-

 

[dis4me]

Hey Cruiser Did a woman named Elizabeth do your daughters hair. When we went in August we had the same situation. We were led into a back alley. I was scared for my life and wouldn't let my husband leave my side(Note I will remember not to bring all my cash with me as that made me panic more).
Helen I would look at the girls' hair who are doing it. it can usually give you a clue of their ability. Don't forget sunscreen for the scalp for afterwards. Some people use q tips to put it on the scalp only. I used the spray bottle and sprayed it directly on the scalp.
I however found that although the foil did need to be replaced earlier it did cause less damage to my dds hair. I would also buy your own beads if you want it to stay in longer. My daughters beads looked dirty after a week. We went to Walmart and bought beads which looked of better quality and they stayed new looking for much longer. Also then you can have your colors picked out before you get there so you are not looking through there beads. Halfway through the braiding they ran out of the colors we needed.
Anyway Live and Learn. Next time I will definately bring my own comb, beads and will negotiate a little harder. We paid $120 for both daughters heads an average of 60 braids per girl. It took over two hours but the girls were very patient.

 

[mickybean0816]

I just got back from the 3/2 Magic cruise...I got cornrows done in St. Maarten on the beach (Orient Bay) by a local woman. Make sure that you agree on a price BEFORE they start braiding...we agreed on $30...she did it right on the beach...and it took about an hour. She used foil on the ends...it's cheaper...but rubber bands are better. If they have rubber bands, request those, but chances are...since most of them do not have much money, they will go for the cheapest thing, and that's foil. She did a very good job...however...

I got the rest of my hair braided in Castaway Cay. The ladies that do it there come from a nearby island to do the braiding, and they use rubber bands (which are better and easier to take out). I was much more impressed with the braids that I got at Castaway Cay. Plus, since Castaway Cay is the last port, your braids are fresh for when you go home...and won't get all yucky from salt water, sand, and wind. Also, the lady even took the foil off of my St. Maarten braids, and put rubber bands on instead so they'd stay in longer...how nice of her. I was charged $1/braid there.

They do do the hair braiding on the ship now (on sea days only, normally by the Goofy pool)...which would probably be your best bet as you don't have to waste precious time at the ports getting it done. I suggest waiting until the last sea day. Also, it's first come, first serve, and many times it's very difficult to jump in there (as they don't take any appointments).

Hope this helps!

Mickybean0816

 

[peter pans family]

My daughter had braids done last week on the Magic and it took approx 2 and a half hours by the pool. I was glad we didn't waste island time having it done and as she is 15 I was at the adult pool while she was there. She had 51 braids done and it cost $74.00 plus a $10.00 tip (she paid). I think the girl did a fine job however my daughter's hair is fine and layered so it began to fall out as the week progressed (she had it done Sunday). As it was my daughters own money (she wouldn't care if it had been ours!) she went down to show them were it was coming out and they credited our account for the full amount. Again I don't think it was a reflection on the braiders job it was my daughter's hair that made it start to come out.

 

[HelenC]

Thanks for the info everyone! I don't think I'll go for the back alley thing! That sounds kind of weird, wonder why they do it there.......I'll probably just get them done on the ship. It would be nice to do them near the end, however, If I do them in the beginning I'll be able to avoid daily hair brushing and pony tails!

On our last cruise, my oldest dd (4 at the time) had a few braids done across the front in Nassau, on the beach. She's determined to get more done this time.....we'll see how patient she is!

thanks again!

 

[cruiser]

Originally posted by dis4me
Hey Cruiser Did a woman named Elizabeth do your daughters hair.

I am not sure what the woman's name was, there were actually two of them. They were very nice, I just felt like someone else was going to show up at anytime and rob us or something. When we go in December, if my daughter wants to do it again, we will either do it at Castway Cay or hopefully on the ship.