Another 'ice bar' coming to the high seas

Could a cruise line soon have the coolest nightspot in Miami?
Norwegian Cruise Line says its soon-to-debut Norwegian Getaway, which will be based year-round in the city, will feature an "ice bar" kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Located on deck eight of the 4,028-passenger vessel, the Art Deco-styled lounge will feature South Florida-inspired elements such as South Beach's iconic Ocean Drive skyline and palm trees etched into its icy walls, and a life-size alligator throne made entirely of ice.

The room's bar area, seating and glasses also will be made out of ice. Customers will be given hooded coats and gloves to keep warm during visits. The venue exclusively will serve Svedka vodka and Inniskillin ice wine and be called the SVEDKA/Inniskillin Ice Bar. The outlet is the third of its kind at the line. Norwegian unveiled the first ice bar at sea in 2010 on the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic. There's also an ice bar on the line's four-month-old Norwegian Breakaway. A sister to the Norwegian Breakaway, the Norwegian Getaway is scheduled to sail year-round to the Eastern Caribbean out of Miami.

For more info and cruise itineraries check out Expedia CruiseShipCenters New York

Miami's Summer Groove Launches Travel Special

In South Florida, the RRA & Seminole Hard Rock presents The Summer Groove (ZSG), hosted by Zo and D. Wade, and taking place July 8 to 12, 2009. ZSG, brought to you by NBA champs Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade, kicks off bright and early Thursday morning (July 9) with the ZSG Golf Classic at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Fla. The next day it’s all about laughing and dancing at the ZSG Comedy Show/Concert Hosted by Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., with host Cedric the Entertainer on Friday evening (July 10). On Saturday (July 11) you won’t want to miss Publix Charities “Deco After Dark” ZSG Benefit Dinner Hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., with a special performance by Lalah Hathaway. Finally, on July 12, Zo and D.

Wade take the party outside at the free ZSG Block Party in front of the AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami, just before some of the league’s best look to battle it out during the Carnival Cruise Lines ZSG All-Star Basketball Game which takes place Sunday evening (July 12). Players including Lebron James, Caron Butler, Chris Paul, James Posey and many more will take it to the court for “old school” versus “new school” team challenges.
Choose American Airlines, the official airline sponsor of ZSG, as you make your travel plans to South Florida for a 5 percent discount on flights. The offer is valid for air travel from July 1 to 19, 2009 on all domestic flights into Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Palm Beach International (PBI). Enter code A5679AK when booking at www.aa.com. Stay and play during ZSG at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, July 9 to 13, 2009. The hotel boasts 500 luxury guestrooms and suites in a Mediterranean-style tower. The AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel includes more than 140,000 square feet of gaming space. Call 866-502-PLAY to make your reservations. Or, choose the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale-Plantation, just 10 minutes from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with special rates for ZSG guests of just $119 per night valid July 9 to 13, 2009. For reservations, call 800-316-7708 and request “The Summer Groove” group rate.

Aventura Limo, proud sponsor of The Summer Groove, is offering a 20 percent discount when you book ground transportation within South Florida for ZSG events, July 8 to 12, 2009. Book your ride by calling 305-770-LIMO or e-mail reservations@aventuralimo.com and use code TSG09. Offer is taken off the base rate and cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. Now in its 13th year, proceeds benefit Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade’s World Foundation. To purchase tickets, call 866-782-9838

Miami Beach's Palms Hotel Unveils New Aveda Spa

The Palms Hotel & Spa officially open its doors to Aveda's only luxury beach spa in Florida. The Palms Spa nurtures and rejuvenates by pairing Aveda's high performance, natural and botanically-derived products with the ancient science of Ayurveda and the latest in spa technology. In celebration of the opening, the hotel is offering a "Stay, Spa & Dine" package. Guests who book a minimum of three nights can enjoy 20 percent off all spa services and 20 percent off dinner at the recently launched Essensia restaurant and lounge. The offer valid from May 1 through July 31 and may not be applied to prior bookings and is not commissionable to travel agents. The 5,000 square foot spa offers a wide range of massage, skin care, and body treatments, in addition to signature nail care, hair care, waxing and make-up services. Spa treatment facilities include four indoor multi-purpose rooms, one couple's suite with experience snail shower, one hydrotherapy room and four outdoor Tiki Cabanas. Rooms are equipped with docking stations for iPods and individual music channel controls so that guests can customize their sound choice for each treatment.


The spa also has an airy indoor/outdoor relaxation area with a co-ed steam room and custom ice fountain, overlooking a streaming waterfall and connecting to the hotel's botanical gardens and pool area. Spa guests are granted full access to the resorts pool, beach, restaurant and bar facilities. The Palms Spa is also one of only two spas in the area utilizing Hydrotherm's Time Capsule, named the HydroCapsule at The Palms, a personal pod-like chamber, which allows body treatments to be self-contained for privacy and cleanliness which includes a Vichy shower system to wash off scrubs, creams and essential oils along with steam, aroma, and light therapy features. The Palms Spa also features a full service beauty salon and retail area, offering the complete line of Aveda hair, skin, lifestyle and make-up products, along with the vegan luxury nail care line SpaRitual. Spa guests can further enhance their experience with specialty spa menu selections from the recently launched Essensia restaurant & lounge, featuring natural gourmet cuisine and spa-friendly dishes.