Box Braids!

so im going on a cruise in august and the only idea that came to mind for styling my hair was box braids.

• they aren't as small as micros (and i hate taking them down)
• because of that, they shouldnt take long to install
• they should be easy to work with for the time passed during the cruise
• i've always like big, long, poetic justice type braids

so i think im going to give them a practice run in two weeks so i'll know for sure what to do for the cruise.
have you done box braids? what hair did you use? what was the experience like for you?