Tourism in the Tropics

Miami-Dade looking for gay newlyweds too

We told you about Broward's efforts to lure gay honeymooners now that same-sex couples can get married in New York. Miami-Dade is making its own pitch, with an ad in last weekend's New York Times and more coming up.

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is already running a "Miami Summer of Love" campaign, is tweaking that message to target the recent change in New York law that allows gay couples to wed.

Their ad shows a male couple locking lips on a park bench with the pitch: "You married for better or worse. Here's the better...Marry in New York, honeymoon in Miami."

Broward seeking gay honeymooners

 
 
Broward tourism officials are finding new ways to bring more business from two significant markets: gay travelers and New Yorkers.

In celebration New York’s legalization of gay marriage, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a new marketing campaign to lure newlyweds to the destination. The bureau is running an ad in the New York Times this weekend (see above) and launching a website.

The site — www.sunny.org/honeymoonwithpride — is offering a “Honeymoon with Pride” contest with the prize being five nights at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa or three nights at the Atlantic Resort & Spa.

"Bringing an estimated one million gay travelers to Greater Fort Lauderdale last year was a remarkable achievement, and now we grow even prouder celebrating the legalization of gay marriage in New York,” said Broward tourism chief Nicki Grossman in a statement.

Three local hotels have created honeymoon packages: the Royal Palms, which is offering a six-night stay, spa treatments, a photography session and Intracoastal yacht cruise; the Atlantic, with three nights at the hotel, welcome cocktails and a discount at the spa and the Grand Resort & Spa, with a two-night stay, chocolates, and a massage or facial.

More Nikki Beach hotels in the pipeline

Nikki Beach Club is known in South Beach for its Sunday brunch party scene, famous sun lounges and iconic white teepees.

Now, the company that Jack Penrod built is hoping to be known for luxury resorts around the world.

Read more about the company's plans to expand hotel operations in locales including Qatar, Croatia, Greece and Egypt here.

Norwegian Cruise Line to offer pizza delivery on all ships

Norwegian Cruise Line is expanding its onboard pizza delivery options -- but the service will cost some extra dough.

First launched on the Norwegian Epic, 24-hour pizza delivery is being added on the cruise line's eight ships that depart from U.S. ports throughout July. The service will roll out to Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Sun in Europe in August.

Pies (16 inches, either cheese, pepperoni or vegetarian) can be delivered almost anywhere on the ships at any time. The cost is $5 each.

The Epic's room service menu, with more options than available on other ships, is also being expanded to the rest of the fleet. Room service will stay free between 5 a.m. and midnight, but the cruise operator is introducing a $3.95 "overnight surcharge" to orders placed between midnight and 5 a.m.

New life for old Grand Bay?

Coconut Grove's dilapidated Grand Bay hotel, which has been closed since 2008, has a new owner.

An affiliate of developer Terra Group bought the property for $24 million. Plans for the site, once home to Miami's only five-star hotel, are still up in the air.

Read more in our story here.

Spirit Airlines: No frills, no apologies

 

Just about everyone has an opinion on Spirit Airlines, the Miramar-based "ultra low cost carrier" that advertises rock-bottom fares and adds plenty of fees.

Frequent fliers (and even non-fliers) agree: They're the best deal around. But customers get what pay for, and in Spirit's case that means few of amenities that other airlines provide for free.

Go here to read our story today about Spirit's business model, growth strategy and whether or not you can expect to pay for the privilege of using the bathroom in the air.