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Thinking about doing the Searstar buffet night with the kids. Never been before but thought it might be something cool for us to do. They range in age from 12 - 15. Mainly worried about blatant ganja smoking in the general vicinity of the dining area.
Thanks for any insight.
Um....that might be a discussion you need to have with your kids prior to going to Jamaica. "It's medicine for some ADULTS that need it"....or something. Personally, I would be more worried about explaining how some people are acting weird because they over consumed booze. Not for nothing...they are 12 +15, you can't protect them forever from what their eyes will see.....ears will hear....noses will smell.
On a side note, I would have no issue taking my kids (7+12) to Seastar, they know Ganja is for medical use by adults and some people drink too much booze......
If you are worried about ganja smoking you are going to the wrong Island. As far as Seastar I have been there a few times and haven't noticed any ganja smoking but like anywhere else it is a possibility. That being said, I think they would have a blast at Seastar. When we were there there were all ages including little ones having fun and dancing.
It is a great place for you and your family to have a good meal and lots of fun.
God made weed, man made alcohol-who do you trust???
We've been there many times and there are children of all ages. Yes there is the occasional spliff but it is not blatant or predominant. Bring your kids, they will have a blast!
I have a 6 and 9 year old. because of our impending trip I have talked to the 10 year old about marijuana. I told her it is something some adults do, in my opinion it is safer than alcohol for adults but a very dangerous substance for young developing minds. Also that it is a big part of the Jamaican culture and is also used in by the rastafari religiously. I knew if I didn't talk before, it would come up when I wasn't prepared. we are taking them to seastar feb 1st. the 6 year old wont notice so I left that alone. Don't know where your from but at 15 you can bet the kid has already seen it at school.
"We've been there many times and there are children of all ages. Yes there is the occasional spliff but it is not blatant or predominant. Bring your kids, they will have a blast! "
I agree with Ras Walleye You will all have a good time and good food.
Yes, I would take my kids. Yes, I would explain that they may see people smoking ganja all over Negril. Different country, different customs.
We bring our 6 year old daughter to Negril every year with us, have been since she was 18 months old. I think this will be the first year that we will have to be a little more discreet about smoking. We definitely won't hide it from her, she knows that dad smokes, but it's the stuff that's good for you, as she says. lol. We will never stop going to Jamaica because of that heavenly smell wafting everywhere...
To be honest, there is more smoke at Seastar than most places. Let's keep it real.
Thanks Gerry. Didn't understand what others were saying. There's a lot of smoking at Seastar. Healthy common sense wisdom from OnceDeparted. Talk about it.
I don't want to start a fuss but having been to the Seastar Saturday night show and buffet many times I disagree with Gerry. As I said yes there is some ganja smoking but it is by no means excessive. In the main seating area you may see a spliff or 2 but most of the smoking tends to be off to the sides. Lets not spread reefer madness. Have an honest conversation with your children and go enjoy the show. As was previously stated, if you don't want them exposed to ganja then maybe Jamaica/Negril is not the destination for your family. But I seriously don't think it will be an issue. Go, enjoy, have fun.
Bless,
Ed
Your family may also enjoy the steel drum band at Canoe on Thursday nights.
We all have different parenting styles and to each their own, but honestly if you are concerned about the kiddies seeing/smelling ganj.....you might have a hard time going of places in Negril, period. I just took my 9 and 6 yr olds and it was no big deal, then again, I talk to them about it pretty openly and like I said, it's just not a big deal. I'd prefer they see smoking over heavy drinking any day of the week. IMO, the atmosphere at Seastar is very kid-friendly regardless of smoking.
You're call ;)
I'd also just like to say for the record, that taking my little ones to Jamaica was the best thing I ever did for them. Great experience. They are hooked. I truly hope nothing deters you from getting out and about with yours in Negril!
my child has seen so much ganja smoking and liquor drinking - he's not interested in doing either
and the topless and naked people on the beach are no longer eye popping either lol
That's too funny...We brought our then 12 year old son and 16 year old daughter to JA in 2006 and discussed very openly that you will see and smell plenty of ganja while on the island. We also touched on the nudity you will see while on the beach. The ganja didn't seem to bother them very much...but you should have seen the look on my son's face when he was in the ocean and turned back to the beach side to see two very large topless women walking by...priceless :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Seveen
i told my son --- everyone has breasts - men and women --- some are just bigger than others :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by T&A
It wasn't the boobs that shocked my kids lol, it was the man bits at FF! LMAO
They both said....EEEEEEEEEEWWWWW in harmony! hahahahahah
LOL Hello Tizzy, are your children boys, girls or a combo
Hey OD, my girl is 9 and my boy is 6 :)
Bet y'all are getting xcited!!! Think I saw that yours are same ages?
We will be there Sat night with our three year old reggae dancer! By the way, is the pool heated and open during the show?
Pool is not heated but usually warm enough to swim any time, day or not. You don't see a lot of swimming at the shows, but sometimes a few folks will jump in.
Yes Tizzy we are all very excited. Schrilling high pitched screams from both girls when I told them and non stop Negril talk for whole family!
As a person who stays at Firefly, I can honestly say one of my favorite things is when a family saunters by on the beach and One Kid YELLS, "HEY EVERYBODY - LOOK AT ALL THE NAKED PEOPLE" The faces are Priceless, Whatever the reactions! :)
I agree that SeaStar is very kid friendly and the kids will love the African Drummers show, especially.
Dance like no one is looking!
d
Realex, if you don't talk to you kids about drugs, who will? May as well have the talk because they are gonna hear the dope dogs jump into the baggage compartment the minute you pull up to the jetway, and they are often in the baggage collection area. And they are in the departure area. We have been going since our kids were 5 & 9, and I agree with Tizzy - best thing we ever did for them! They are going smell it all over the island, so have your say before you go, or while you're there, but talk about it. Open and honest. With a 15 yr old, I would impress upon him or her how not cool it is to try to bring some back .... as the kids got older I was surprised at the number of their friends who wanted souvenirs!
However much weed or other vices there may be in Jamaica, you will be happy that you took your family and will be impressed with what impresses them! They will experience a whole new and different culture! More than worth the trip. One time in Mobay, we were talking to 2 guys just a day or so before we left and the girls whined that they didn't want to go and didn't want to go back to school. These 2 guys got right to their level and told them how lucky they were that they "had" to go to school! How they wished they could have stayed in school past 14! How lucky they were to have the chance for an education. THAT made the biggest impression on them! They told us years later that whenever they got down about school and having to go and all - they would remember Everyday and Michael's words and thank their lucky stars they COULD go.
They will learn a lot on your vacation, believe me.
The Seastar party will be fun for them. They can swim if they want to. You don't need a heated pool. Really. Listen to the peepers and go to near the front gate to smell the night jasmine. Unforgettable! There are plenty of kids there and they can probably use the guest computer if they get bored. But I doubt they will be bored and there will probably be other kids there, too.
Might I suggest you take them St. Anthony's soup kitchen for a breakfast or lunch volunteer morning. It is an awesome experience and makes you appreciate just how fortunate we are! The kids will learn a lot!
When are you going - and OD, when are you goin? We will be at the Seastar party on Feb 1 and 8. Maybe we'll see you there?
Hello M & G The kids, wife and I will be there on Feb 1st. Come say hello!
Will do! Looking forward to it! Gonna be a lot of Canadian escaping the cold! I keep telling people at work "NOW you get why we keep going back? It's warm in Jan and Feb. Doesn't take rocket science to figure it all out!
See you in OMG - we're almost at the single-digit fidget!
M&G, very good advice and perspective you gave. Too bad we're leaving on the 1st, would have loved to met you at Seastar for a few stripes. Maybe next year as we're planning on a longer trip.
Yes sir....Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
I have seen both scenarios'. My last reach there was a washed out hippy in a conga line treating a spliff like a 13 year old first timer. Take a hit, stare at it, smile at the crowd, dance all ridiculous, creep most folks out kind of guy. I'm going to skip any other references as not to make that appear to be the normal vibe.....With that said, Seastar is a fine environment for a family as long as people partying and having a good time is not an issue to you. I took my extremely conservative Mom and my daughter last month and they both had a great time. Seastar has family written all over it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ras Walleye
dude in see-through white speedo leaning up against the picnic table so ALL could see his junk. LOL..... Reminded me of the guy walking the beach in this commercial..Quote:
Originally Posted by TizzyATX
http://youtu.be/ygeWsoYYMuQ
Quote:
Originally Posted by Debbie
HAHaHaaahAHHHAHAH
i've been there a couple times. there's a lot of ganja...and once i saw a few girls remove all their clothes and jump in the pool.Quote:
Originally Posted by realxeption
wasn't me
:rolleyes:
P.S. Boog I almost successfully blocked that from my memory, so thank you for the reminder LOL
Wow! Having been at all but 4 Seastar Saturday night shows since they started back in 2005, I can never remember a "few girls" removing their clothes and going skinny dipping in the pool. How could I have missed this!?!? (grin)Quote:
Originally Posted by sethtomp
On one single occasion about 7 years ago, a single inebriated woman did take the plunge but was quickly helped out of the pool and wrapped up and taken back to her room.
The show has progressed and grown over the years and become much more child friendly than it was in those early days. There is nothing that any 12 or 15 year old will see that they probably havent seen already, except maybe seeing African drumming live which is an experience not to be missed!
My daughter was ten when we took her. We never noticed a thing. The only time my daughter was embarrassed was when Stephen West "serenaded" her. It was so adorable!
ditto@!!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by rob
I have a table for ten reserved next month. Two are 5 and 7 first time in Ja..........Just like their fathers 30 yrs ago.......
No worries at all
I was hesitant to say anything but its been a week... BEFORE I TYPE THIS I KNOW YOU ALL HAD THE BEST OF INTENTIONS, but telling someone "basically" how to raise their kids is a very thin line... i agree that they should teach their kids about "drug usage" but it's THEIR kids.... they only asked if it was excessive enough for them to notice... Im just saying thats a subject that should be approached VERY carefully.... Someone could take it the wrong way... not that I did but when I was reading I was cringing thinking what the parents were thinking.... BTW I'm not saying this to any particular person either just in general.
I agree with several people re: the growth of the crowd and the changes this has brought. I have brought a couple of newbies and there was no problem, that being said there is seating upstairs where the food originally was where you get a good view of the show and it's pretty quiet up there I think because it's for overflow.
Hello Everyone,
Please be advised that the band comes on from 7:30pm to 10:00pm and the Seastar Drummers come on from 10:00pm to 11:00pm. The African Drumming and Dancing is traditional dance of course which some parents may not deem appropriate. It is however good clean entertainment.
Okema,
Don't forget a table for 10 on Feb 22.
Love ya'
Cap
Maybe I should clarify what I was looking for here. Not looking for advice on how to raise nor speak openly about sensitive topics with my children. We live in the Phoenix area (not exactly a drug devoid area of the country). The public high school my oldest attends has over 5,000 students. Believe me, they have been exposed to and seen pretty much everything. Just wanted to get insight on how prevalent the ganja smoking is and how much overhead smoke we might be dealing with here if any. Is it well ventilated?
Thanks for all the replies.