Hair braiding for a 39 y.o.

[martel-luv-wdw]

O.K. maybe silly but I want a Hair braid.

On the 3 day Wonder later this week.

Whats the best place? The Wonder or Bahamas or CC.

How long does it take? (hair shoulder lenght)

About how much? Is it worth it?

Thanks

 

[musicgirl]

I would get it done on the ship as early as possible. Check the Navigators for sign ups. It is usually around 5:30 on the first night near the shops. My niece had hers done the first evening for $22 plus tip just the "crown". Not full braids. I think it is around $2 a braid for cornrows. If you get it done early, they won't bother you in Nassau.

My second choice would be CC, but that is the last day and there might be a wait.

I would not get it done in Nassau. I heard of cheap jobs that don't secure the braids well and also lice.

I am also interested about getting it done, but I wonder how many women our age have it done.

Hope this helps!

 

[tlgoblue]

I had mine done last jan, 2003. (i'm turning 40 in June)

I had it done at CC. It was $2 a braid, and they were beautiful. They lasted every bit of a month. I had DD's done on St. Martiine, and the prices were all over the place, the Quality was not great and it only lasted about a week. The people on the boat are the same as at CC for the most part and the rates and quality are about the same.

Some things to keep in mind. If you have extreamly thin hair, you will lose more. It also hurts like mad to sleep on, but you do get used to it.

I would not let my age determine whether or not I have this done.
It's fun, easy and totally cool!

Have fun!
Tracy

 

[rsjj]

I don't get out much...so please tell me...what exactly is hair-braiding? Is it where they wrap your hair in colorful strings? Or something else? Please explain...thank you!

 

[mermaidlady]

I'm 41 and am growing out my hair so I can get it braided. Luckily we have more than a year wait should be below shoulder length then

 

[Penny12]

rsjj - hair braiding is different from the hair wraps that you see done at say, WDW. They are small tight plaits done tight to the scalp in 'corn rows' - there are different variations in styles for instance you can have just the front with the back still free, or you can have all of your hair done.

 

[Scratch42]

but only the "headband", let's just say I'm 40something!LOL

It's true it will be a bit uncomfortable while sleeping but the greatest part was not having to do your hair in the morning!

A full head of cornrows will be close to $100.00 just to give you a guesstimate.

I had mine done at CC.

Scratch

 

[kalama]

Is it just me or does anyone else wonder about the cleanliness of these hair braiding sessions? Last time we were in Nassau, I didn't notice anywhere for the braiders to wash their hands inbetween customers...

 

[musicgirl]

kalama,

I have heard the same things about Nassau. That's why I wouldn't have it done there. I would only do it on the ship!

Lorie

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I have to agree with several of the others that age is not the deciding factor here!

On past trips I had a hair wrap done (the colored thread wrap) and this time had them do 4 or 5 braids on one side. The nice thing about that was it was fun, lasted a good month (done on CC) and I could also tuck those braids out of sight when it was necessary. (I knew I had a couple of work related things coming up where not everyone would appreciate my sense of fun!)

If you want to do it - go for it!

Deb

 

[dani2679]

I had my whole head done when I went in November 1999 -- braids were $2 each then, and I think we paid around $70 or $80 for it all. I had it done on Castaway Cay because the women in Nassau were a little too pushy for my tastes. I had to wait a little bit at CC, though, because the lines were rather long and a lot of kids wanted theirs done.

I'm doing it again on this cruise, but am only getting a few braids done. Mine from last time would have lasted a lot longer, but I took them out after two weeks because they started getting really frizzy (my hair was in REALLY bad condition then). Plus, I just couldn't stand sleeping on them one more night!



My healthy-haired sister's were done as well, and hers lasted at least a month. She only had a few done, though.

 

[skyhawk]

Went last year to Nassau on RCL (sorry). My wife was dying to get her hair braided. She got it done outside the Straw Market.

2 things:
1) When we were negotiating, we were quoted the price per braid (I forget what the price was) but we neglected to ask how many braids she would get. Anyway, like I said, I forget the total price, but it was close to $100 - alot more than we thought.

2) Not only was it expensive - it was extremely painful for her. After not being able to sleep that night because of discomfort, she ended up taking them all out. The experience ended up being a total waste of money.

PS - she was 40 at the time.

 

[Talking Hands]

Had it done in August and I'll be 56 in a few days. It was fun.

 

[JC Butterfly]

I have had my hair done twice. The first time I did it on Castaway Cay. There were maybe 6-8 people braiding at the same time so I had to wait like 15 minutes or so. I had the full head done. There are actually two types cornrows and braids. They usually suggest having the crown part of your head done in cornrows, tighter and longer lasting but the back of your head can be done in just braids. It hurt quite a lot to have done. In order to make them tight and last long they really pull around your eyes, ears, other sensitive areas. I have bangs and elected not to have them braided in.

I was allowed to pick out the beads at the end of the cornrows. I think two beads at the end were included in the price but if you wanted more beads per braid you could pay extra for that. I don't remember how long it took.

Is there a formal night on the three day cruise? My personal preference would be to not have braids on a formal night (although several people 40+ did).

It was uncomfortable to sleep in. The person who did them suggested sleeping in a bandana to cut down on the frizz. She also reminded me to wear sunscreen in between those braids because now there is skin exposed that isn't usually.

She also suggested products that are normally used for African-American hair. I don't remember the name but it has the word "braid" in it and it makes hair really shiny and keeps it staying longer. I kept those braids in for a month and they still looked awesome but I was just in the mood to be able to do more with my hair. (although they look good in a ponytail, an updo if you don't mind some beads sticking out).

The second time I had only the crown area of my head done and I did it in Nassau. I had done my research on these boards and brought my own come for the woman to use and asked her to use my hand sanitizer before starting on my hair. probably wouldn't kill everything but made me feel better. I did not negotiate a price per braid but instead a full head crown cost. As others have mentioned, you may convince them to charge you only $1 per braid but if they put 50 itty bitty braids in your hair when you were expecting 20 it might surprise you how much it costs.

I liked the look of this one a lot and it kept my hair in control on top. Unfortunately since the rest of my hair wasn't braided I had a hard time washing it without messing up the crown braids. I probably kept it in about 2 weeks.

I will definitely get it done again if I go back because it is just such a fun reminder of visiting the Bahamas!

I never looked into doing it on the ship so I can't comment on that one. Go for it, you'll love it!!

Brenda

 

[elemusing]

I am 32 . I had my hair (whole head both times) done on our first cruise (I had very long hair at the time) at Nassau. I took my own comb and they had no problem with that. I told her I would pay $60 and we finally negotiated for $80 for the whole head. I gave her $100 (included tip) Her name was Tonka. She did a fantastic job and they stayed in for 3 weeks. DO TAKE SPRAY ON SUNSCREEN for your head. You will burn in between the braids.

The second cruise I had it done at CC. Be sure you are one of the first off the ship and go straight there. You will have little wait time if you do this. This time it was $2 a braid and cost me almost $100 plus a $15 tip. The ladies who do it on CC are not from the ship. (Or at least they weren't last June.) These ladies come over on a boat from a neighboring island. I asked them all about it. Anyway, this time, my braids lasted only a week and they began to frizz out.

Both times I used African American hair care products. The ladies at Nassua were much faster.

Next cruise, I plan to try for the ship. I don't want to waste 2 hours (at least for whole head) at CC. I just can't do Nassau again because we have our DS5 with us now (we didn't on the first cruise in 2000) and I hate to make him wait while in Nassau. and DH will not let me get off the ship alone there.

Hope my info helps!
Angie

 

[hydster]

I've had it done twice (and I'm 33) and I loved not having to do my hair BUT I hated taking them out because I lost A LOT of hair taking them out. Fortunately I have very thick hair so it was ok but be prepared that your hair may fall out and be kind of clumpy. I did the headband once and the full hair once and I liked the headband one much better. I dont think I'll do it again but it was fun when I did it. I think I paid about 30 dollars for the headband (not on DCL but another line) and it took about an hour.

Heidi

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi!

I'm 30 something and I've never had my hair done like that before. Does anyone have any pics to share to show the difference between crown and full head?

Also, has anyone had their hair french-braided? I had it done at the MK Barbershop last year (it was only just starting to grow out & she did two pig braids). Very nice & I hope to get it done again. The woman who did my hair did mention that she was the only one who could do it.

When I asked her if she could french-braid it she said, "Honey, this is the Barber Shop. Fantasyland is at the other end of the park!" It was sooo funny, but like I said she did a wonderful job. It took like 2 minutes, if that, and she charged me only $10. I gave $15 total.

We are staying at WDW this October & hope to have it done again.

Thanks!

 

[Zuzu03]

I know my daughter will want to have her hair braided, but her hair is so baby fine, I'm afraid it would all fall out when we take it out! We had the hair wraps done at the Carribbean Beach resort last year and her hair practically broke off while they were doing it! Even though I love the look on other people, I can't imagine anything more uncomfortable (I can't even stand a headband on my head, ponytail or barrettes), but I say go for it no matter what your chronological age is, remember it's not the number, but how you feel inside!

 

[mickey minder]

I'm 39 also and had my hair braided while on the cruise in January. Yes, it was tight. Yes, it hurt. But the greatest part is that it pulled the wrinkles out of my face. My 11 year old DD had hers done also - made her look older. The photographer thought we were sisters (I should have given that woman a big tip).

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hmm, somehow this seems way more appealing now that you mention the semi-face lift effect..... LOL