straw market

[crissyp]

WOW!! you really scared me....I was so longing forward to the straw market....anyone else out there ever been treated like this at the markets....I've heard that they approach you and haggle you alittle, but that if your polite and say "no thankyou" that they'll leave u alone. Please let me know!

 

[hydster]

We loved the straw market! Even our 3 kids loved the haggling process a little bit! We learned from going to Jamaica that you just have to be firm and make sure they know you mean it. A very forceful no thank you will usually get them to leave you alone however some of them are relentless no matter what you do. The "junk" at the straw market was your typical tourist junk and we didnt see anything really exciting although my dd did get a woven purse with her name embroidered on it while we waited and I think it ended up costing about 3 us dollars after we did a little haggling. Of course hubby and I love to haggle so it was really fun for us. I wouldnt let it scare you...go experience it. If it turns out to be a little overwhelming leave and walk back to your "floating island".

Heidi

 

[kcashner]

DCL really insisted that the straw market vendors clean up their act when the cruise line started in 1998. It used to be terrible. Now the hair braiders are more regulated, much more clean,etc. Just say no, thank you and keep walking.

If you really feel that you are being harassed, let guest services know about it. The cruise line officially can't do anything about it, but the local economy wants to keep DCL happy.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Crissyp,
I really didn't mean to scare you, but I was really freaked out about the Straw Market. I am very claustrophic and I do not like people that I don't know touching me. These vendors were literally grabbing me and placing jewelery and hats on me. The aisles in this market were only 3 feet wide and the merchandise was hung from ceiling to floor. The smell of the place gagged me. I don't know how anyone could enjoy this place.

If you want to give this place a try please don't let my opinion keep you away. I am sorry to have scared you.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by EmmasGrammy
Crissyp,
I am very claustrophic and I do not like people that I don't know touching me. These vendors were literally grabbing me and placing jewelery and hats on me. The aisles in this market were only 3 feet wide and the merchandise was hung from ceiling to floor. The smell of the place gagged me. I don't know how anyone could enjoy this place.

I agree!! I couldn't stand them grabbing at my arms and shoulders...the aisles were to narrow to even push my daughters stroller down because they had stuff stacked out in front of all their booths...I hated it!

 

[crazy4cruises]

I didn't think it was that bad. My little girl was almost 2 and in a stroller. Most of the women just made over her. None were really pushy. We did get the normal solicitations to buy their goods, but when we said no thanks, that was that. No one insisted. I didn't think it was nearly as bad as in Cozumel a few years ago.

 

[jwann]

Straw market is an adventure. I wouldn't bring the kids.

 

[inkkognito]

Thankfully, I have never been physically grabbed by anyone at the Straw Market. Of course, it's been quite a while since we've actually disembarked in Nassau. I noticed that on our cruises right after 9/11, the merchants seemed much more aggressive than usual. I thought perhaps it was because the decrease in tourism was causing them to try to get more money out of the people who did show up.
Of course, I don't think anything will ever be as bad as Labadee, RCCL's supposedly private island. In the marketplace, the merchants did literally grab me. It was totally creepy! As soon as you got off the ship, there were men trying to get tips out of you for sitting in the chairs provided by RCCL! And in the bathroom, there was a woman who literally blocked the door with her body trying to get a tip (these were restrooms provided by RCCL). If the island isn't really private, they shouldn't advertise it that way. Give me Castaway Cay any time! Even though Bahamians come from the other islands to work there, they do not do any solicitation (although I think hubby did tip the guide on the nature tour).
Barb

 

[crissyp]

thanks all....I've never been to any of the islands, and this being my first cruise also, makes the adventure even seem more exciting..and I'll also have my own body guard with me (lol),
my DH, a NYC detective...

 

[nyloc]

Hey guys ... come on now. When you're visiting the Straw Market you're not going to Macy's! You won't be ignored. Promise!

The Straw Market is ... and is meant to be ... a bit of a "cultural" experience. People have to make a living, and this is the way some people do it ... and many, many visitors find the whole experience entertaining and profitable.

When my wife and I were in Honolulu we visited an open market on the north side of the strip along Waikiki ("International" something). The experience was largely similar to the straw market here, except with brown faces rather than black ones. We felt quite at home, but I will admit that the woman who chased us all around for 1/2 hour because we had shown an interest in some hibiscus earrings was a little overbearing.

Remember that when you leave US shores cultures are different. Enjoy the differences - you won't have to endure it for long.

Castaway Cay is a controlled experience ... it's not the Bahamas though it may be located here. I love it ... but it's definitely Imagineered to the max.

There are many more beautiful and spectacular spots in the Bahamas that put Castaway Cay (I knew it as Gorda Cay growing up ... and it has a rather checkered past) to shame ... for my money Eleuthera is heaven on earth, and I've travelled pretty well the whole of Europe and the Americas.

So ... if you visit the Straw Market don't fear for you life. As far as I know there's never been a case of physical abuse of a tourist there in my long memory.

 

[val2001]

I'm wondering why you say "don't bring the kids". I have been to straw markets before and plan to take my dd7 this time. We probably won't spend much time there, but I think she might enjoy the "haggling" process.

 

[bbump]

Me, hubby and 7 yr old daughter enjoyed shopping in Nassau! My daughter got her hair braided under a palm tree, bought a strawpurse with a dolphin on it, and a rag doll with her own money, and bargained a bit.
We did not have any negative experiences with this port, as long as you go into Nassau with an open mind, ready to bargain, you will have a great time. There are lots of great deals on tropical wear too! We stocked up on wacky cruise gear.
I enjoyed this port because everyone I came in contact with was very friendly.

 

[crissyp]

thanks again for all your responses I am very much looking foward to seeing the straw markets and can't wait for the experience of seeing a different culture. I love the outdoor/flea market type shopping. We're a group of 14, 9 of them teenagers,
and I know that the girls especially are looking forward to this part of our trip!

 

[skyhawk]

We went to the Straw Market on a RCL Cruise in 2003. My DW wanted her hair braided. A local lady offered to do it for her, and charged BY THE BRAID. Make sure you ask how many braids they are planning on giving you - I forget what the total was - but it was over $100!!!

 

[daddyhome]

OK now it's been a great adventure being at the markets. If someone should come up to you just speak a different language they will walk away!!LOL

just kidding, bring alot of $$$ with you . there are alot of things you might like . But don't forget anything you buy you will have to carry it with you everywhere you go. it will be hard to go back to the ship with bags in your hands.. So on that note plan accordingly. try to see them on the return if you can..

Good Luck!!!

FR

 

[gonna go cruising]

I think one should visit it at least the first time out. We did, and did go again the second time, although for a very short time and only to find a few particular shirts. Yes, they are aggressive, yes you can haggle. If you arent interested, just dont make eye contact, and if you dont speak with your party in their presence, they will just think you do not understand them.

As for the braiding,the charge is per braid on CC also, and we chose to have my daughter have it done there both times as it is a much cleaner atmosphere.

It is a culture shock, sure, but one well deserving of being experienced at least once to form your own opinion. JMO.

 

[Zuzu03]

I think it sounds like fun, and yes, an adventure. Do they speak French in Nassau? My daughter and I can babble to our hearts content if they don't and switch to English if we DO want to buy something!

 

[Lunanh]

I've really enjoyed reading all your post about the straw market
It totally is another world being inside one of them. As I was standing outside of it a woman came up to me and said come look at my stand. I went into the narrow Aisle with my daughter in the stroller and felt overwhelmed!! ( I lead a sheltered life ) She was giving my 1 1/2 year old everything she could find! She kept handing her different baskets and trying to sell me everything. I felt bad and didn't know what to do I have never haggled before and didn't know how to begin..hehe. I ended up paying 7 bucks for a little tweety bird basket. Can you say sucker?? My mother thought it was a riot. After that I said let's get out of here. Glad my sister felt the same way I did.
I am glad I experienced a straw market, but not sure i'll be entering anymore any time soon. I will say that none of them were rude and none of them touched or grabbed my arm. Saying no thank you does work, and they did give a lot of attention to my daughter. It just wasn't for me Kristy

 

[webray]

We just got off the wonder...we didn't have any trouble at all at the straw market. No thanks and keep walking worked fine.

We found many great items/bargains and we had a blast there..so much so, we had to go drop things off on the ship and come back for more shopping.

 

[crissyp]

loved the straw market, and everyone was very friendly...maybe alittle agressive, but hey, that's what it's all about...Just a polite no thankyou or I'm just looking seemed to work fine for me. Make sure you bargain though, they will come down in price....I'm not a bargainer, but almost felt foolish not to....Got a great straw bag for 25.00 from 40.00. Had soooo much fun there, found a great driver that stayed with us and then drove us to the Atlantis, and was very prompt in picking us up to head back to the ship....Great experience....Don't miss it!