Friday, June 25, 2010

The EPIC, the new NCL Cruise Ship


On July 8, 2010 the newest NCL ship, the EPIC will depart the Port of Miami for it's inaugural voyage. I have been invited on this wonderful trip. From now until then I will be posting information regarding the EPIC. And by the way, should you need pre or post guest rooms in Miami Beach directly on the ocean, check out http://www.cghcorp.com/

After some general information regarding the Epic I will first start with the very most important thing, FOOD! The following information was provided to me by the NCL PR department. HERE'S TO SMOOTH SAILING, ENJOY!

THE NORWEGIAN EPIC
World-class entertainment is Norwegian Epic’s hallmark. For the first time at sea, Blue Man Group performs their exhilarating fusion of comedy, theatrics and paint, exclusively on Norwegian Epic. In the only “big top” at sea, Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner, written and directed by Neil Goldberg, presents a one-of-a-kind interactive theatrical dining experience with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. Legends in Concert, the original and world’s greatest live tribute show, is featured for the first time at sea in more than a decade on Norwegian Epic, along with The Second City® Comedy Troupe and Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, the world’s greatest rock ‘n roll dueling piano show that encourages audience participation.

In addition to world-class entertainment, the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic incorporates many innovations including several new types of accommodations – the curved New Wave staterooms; the largest Villas suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; and spa and family-friendly accommodations. Kids will have a blast with Nickelodeon™ at Sea offering Nickelodeon-themed family entertainment and programming including: character meet and greets; interactive game shows; and more.



The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first SVEDKA Ice Bar at sea and Spice H20 with non-stop entertainment day and night; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas. In addition, Norwegian Epic offers the next generation of Freestyle Dining with more than 20 dining options and 20 bars and lounges.

NORWEGIAN EPIC FEATURES INNOVATIVE DINING CHOICES AT SEA

The wide-range of dining choices on board Norwegian Epic will wow even the most discerning cruiser with more than 20 different Freestyle Dining options. Each restaurant features unique and sensational culinary delights from around the world that rival anything found in a top landside restaurant. Eleven of the dining options are included in the cruise fare and the additional nine dining options have a nominal cover charge.

Norwegian Epic’s dining choices include:

• Taste: Located in the ship’s atrium on Deck 5, Taste blends off-white, free-form plastered walls with European retro-chic mixed with brick details and stained glass windows. Taste, a complimentary venue, will serve a selection of traditional and contemporary cuisine.

• The Manhattan Room: Reminiscent of an elegant art deco supper club, The Manhattan Room features a dance floor as its focal point and will offer live music and dancing in the evening. The two-story complimentary restaurant features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows looking aft. The cuisine reflects the elegant and romantic nature of the room.

• The Garden Cafe: The Garden Cafe's décor is modeled after a traditional English country garden conservatory. This is Norwegian’s signature action station casual restaurant where chefs cook fresh, prepared-to-order food as guests watch. It offers guests extensive and varied selections and features seafood, pizza, fruit, soups, pasta, ethnic specialties, burgers and desserts;. It includes a Kid’s Café with child-friendly seats and tables.

• Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner: Guests experience a one-of-a-kind interactive entertainment and dining experience with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination in the colorful Spiegel Tent, the first big top at sea. The menu is as exciting as the high flying acts. Cover charge is $15 per person for standard seating and $20 per person for premium seating.

• Cagney’s Steakhouse: Norwegian’s traditional American steakhouse. Features succulent steaks paired with classic sides and cocktails. There is a $25 per person cover charge.

• Moderno Churrascaria: A new addition to Norwegian’s dining. Guests can sample a variety of skewered meats presented by tableside passadors as well as a large, centrally located salad bar. There is an $18 per person cover charge.

• La Cucina: This Tuscan-style eatery serves regional Italian specialties including stone oven baked pizza, pasta, and classic antipasto dishes and home baked bread. The traditional Italian décor reflects two distinct areas: a Tuscan farm home and an Italian courtyard, where a large olive tree with hanging lanterns is the centerpiece. There is a $10 per person cover charge.

• Le Bistro: Authentic French cuisine with traditional bistro favorites which pairs well with the restaurant’s extensive French wine collection. This elegant dining establishment surrounds guests with contemporary and traditional paintings and sculptures, making guests feel as if they were dining in an art museum. There is a $20 per person cover charge.

• Shanghai’s: This new addition to Norwegian’s specialty dining options serves a delicious mix of Chinese dishes and noodle bar specialties. The décor reflects Old Shanghai in the 1930s and is reminiscent of the China Club in Hong Kong. There is an open kitchen preparing traditional Chinese cuisine, noodles, wok fried dishes and dim sum. A la carte pricing.

• Teppanyaki: As the largest Teppanyaki restaurant at sea with 104 seats, this expanded restaurant features up to 12 knife-wielding chefs cooking exhibition-style Japanese cuisine on flat top grills. Guests will be amazed by the masterful chefs who demonstrate their skills slicing and dicing while creating an appetizing meal. There is a $25 per person cover charge.

• Wasabi: This expansive sushi and sake bar serves the freshest sushi, sashimi and Japanese Yakitori dishes. Featuring modern décor and clean lines, Wasabi is located outside the Teppanyaki restaurant. A la carte pricing.

• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill: This 24 hour, classic neighborhood sports bar and restaurant serves American favorites and comfort food. The Atrium’s two-story high video screen is visible from inside the restaurant and additional flat screen televisions show sporting events, while guests enjoy their own activities, including three lanes of bowling, dart boards, pool tables, foosball and arcade games. No cover charge.

• The Epic Club and Courtyard Grill: Located high atop the ship in The Villas complex, this modern and elegant restaurant is reserved exclusively for Norwegian Epic’s Suite and Villa guests. The décor reflects a private club ambiance with contemporary and modern furnishings. The Courtyard Grill serves as an al fresco dining option. No cover charge.

• Spice H2O: Latin and Asian-influenced cuisine adds to the flavor of Spice H2O, the hottest beach club on the high seas. Light fare and tapas are paired with signature cocktails in the adults-only complex. No cover charge.

• Atrium Cafe and Wine Bar: Serves creative coffees, sweets and a selection of wines. A la carte pricing on premium coffee drinks.

• Great Outdoors: This poolside grill features burgers, hot dogs and other casual menu items. No cover charge.

• The Studio Lounge: The Studio Lounge serves complimentary continental breakfast and light fare for Studio guests.

• Pizza Delivery: Available 24/7 and delivered to most anywhere on the ship. Each 16 inch pizza is $5.

• 24-hour Room Service: Complimentary room service is available for all guests on board Norwegian Epic.

Throughout the ship, there are also a total of 20 bars and lounges which include: the Atrium Bar; Bliss Ultra Lounge; Cagney’s Bar; Cascades, casino bar; The Epic Club private lounge; the Epic Theater Bar; Fat Cats; Headliners; Humidor Cigar Lounge: SVEDKA Ice Bar; the Studio Lounge; Maltings, whiskey bar; O’Sheehan’s; Posh; Sake Bar; Shaker’s, martini and champagne bar; Spice H2O; Waves Pool Bar; Garden Cafe bar; and the Courtyard Grill Bar.

For more information on Norwegian Epic and to book a cruise, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional.


About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea.

Norwegian’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids.

High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com, find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube or contact us in the U.S. and Canada at 888- NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

SUPER BOWL IS HERE....DO YOU HAVE YOUR ROOMS YET?

If you do not yet have your guest rooms for Super Bowl yet and you would like to be in the heart of Miami Beach or South Beach, rooms are still available at some of the Charles Group Hotels. All hotels are non-smoking and directly on the ocean. You can check them out and make reservations via the link below.

The game will be awesome and the water is fine like wine!

http://www.cgh305.com/

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Super Bowl 2010 in Miami Once Again!



Super Bowl XLIV

Super Bowl will be held in Miami on February 7, 2010. This will be Miami's 10th time hosting Super Bowl  beginning with Super Bowl II in 1968 and most recently Super Bowl XLI in 2007. That is the most number of times that any city has been host to the game. Why, you ask? Well with almost perfect February weather and an variety of outdoor activities and fabulous restaurants, it is a no-brainer when people are looking to spend several days celebrating football. Temperatures in Miami during February are ususally very mild with an average daytime temperature of 78, with lows at night around a pleasant 61degrees.


Blurb posted from Wikipedia:
Super Bowl XLIV will be the 44th annual edition of the Super Bowl in American Professional Football, and the 40th annual championship game of the modern-era National Football League (NFL), after its 1970 merger with the American Football League (AFL, 1960-1969). The game will be played at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Prior to this event, the stadium will be known as "Land Shark Stadium" until January 2010, at which time the name reverts to Dolphin Stadium, barring a new naming rights deal. Five times the game has been held at Dolphin Stadium; the other five were played at the Orange Bowl. The game will be televised on CBS, which will celebrate coverage of its 50th NFL season (1956–93; 1998–present). It also broadcast the most recent Super Bowl held in South Florida (XLI).

On November 12, 2009 it was announced that The Who would headline the halftime show. Remember the Who??? I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles..................



If you are need guest room accommodations, look no further. I have 5 Miami Beach oceanfront hotels, all contracted NFL hotels. There is a 4 night minimum stay restriction in place at most Miami Beach and Ft. Lauderdale Beach hotels which is where the primary guest room demand will be because of the beach and the ever so popular pre-Super Bowl parties and events. Who wants to stay inland when in Miami??? Anyway, if you need rooms, here is the link:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=1484944

Just keep in mind that if you reserve the room, you own the room for those 4 days!



You can view all of my hotels at http://www.cgh305.com/

Site: Dolphin Stadium-Miami Gardens, FL

Date: February 7, 2010
Game time: Kickoff approximately 6:28 p.m. EST
Stadium Capacity: 74,000
Television: CBS
Radio: Westwood One Radio Sports (English), Univision Radio (Spanish)
Home Team: NFC
Visiting Team: AFC

Game day tips:

•Come early to avoid delays and to expedite entrance to the game.
•Take time to review the list of prohibited items so you don't have to return to your vehicle.
•The NFL does not permit tailgating in any NFL-controlled parking area.
•There will be hundreds of vehicles that look identical in the bus and limousine lots. Ask your driver for a locator card with a site map to find your way back to the vehicle after the game. Note your transportation carrier's company name, parking location and vehicle descriptions.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Art Basel Miami Beach 2009









Art Basel Miami Beach takes place December 3 - 6, 2009. The following information was taken from the Art Basel website.
Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 40 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.An exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists. The exhibiting galleries are among the world's most respected art dealers, offering exceptional pieces by both renowned artists and cutting-edge newcomers. Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art. The show will be a vital source for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-calibre artworks.Top-quality exhibitions in the museums of South Florida and special programs for art collectors and curators also help make the event a special time for encountering art. And every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel Miami Beach - the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.We look forward to welcoming you at Art Basel Miami Beach 2009. To see more please see the official Art Basel website at http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/.
If you need overnight accommodations, please visit http://www.cgh305.com/ for information about 5 oceanfront Miami Beach hotels between 1/2 block and 1.5 miles from the location of Art Basel.
Well, that's all for now. Toodles from the beach.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Cruising from Port of Miami


Cruising makes for a wonderful vacation, especially if you are cruising the Caribbean. It's an easy way to visit other countries without the hassle of immigration and customs in those countries.




The cabins are usually pretty small but since there is so much to do onboard you don't spend a whole lot of time in your cabin anyway.




Of course there is always the pool and getting a fabulous tan. Usually there is a rock climbing wall. Casinos, shows, dancing, music and, OMG, so much good food. There are usually a wide variety of restaurants to suit everyone's likes and taste. It is also a great way to meet new people from other locations and walks of life.




And then there is aslo the tours on land in the ports that you visit. All organized and all you have to do is sign up for them and pay! Pretty much one stop shop and pretty safe way to see another country in today's difficult and troubled world.




Several cruise companies operate out of the Port of Miami http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/




Most notable cruise companies out of the Port of Miami are:


Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (or RCCL) http://www.royalcaribbean.com/


Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) http://ncl.com/ and


Carnival Cruise Lines http://carnival.com/




Most people like to extend their pre or post vacation in Miami Beach. It helps decompress from the flights to and from Miami. If you are interested in great locations right on the beach and with great prices go to http://www.cgh305.com/ to see 5 oceanfront hotels that are available. Take a look at what we have to offer.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Winter Music Conference 2009 in Miami Beach


















Right now Winter Music Conference is going on in Miami Beach. WMC is an annual event in Miami Beach, check out the website if you would like to know more:
http://www.wintermusicconference.com/ WMC is the largest Dance Music event in the world and people all over the globe in the music industry converge on Miami Beach to hear music, party and network. There are parties all over the city until the early hours of the morning. Here is a link to see some of last year's party pictures http://www.wintermusicconference.com/photogallery/2008/index.php?event=24&p=4 see all the beautiful party animals.

Anyway if you are interested in coming to Winter Music Conference in 2010 and need accommodations you can check out any of my hotels at http://www.cgh305.com/. My hotels offer some of the best locations and prices on the beach. And we are just 3 blocks from the headquarter event hotel. You can just scoot on down the boardwalk along the ocean to check out the action and beautiful people.

Well, that's it for now. Toddles and best regards from the beach..............

Want to know about Miami Beach???

Well, Miami Beach is everything you have heard and more. I have been in the hotel business for quite some time now, mainly in corporate cites, so I can tell you that taking a new hotel job in Miami Beach was really a change for me. I was looking for a new adventure and I certainly found it here.

I work for a small hotel company. We have 5 hotels in Miami Beach and all are directly on the ocean, so we are really lucky. Not big fancy hotels but hotels that you would not be intimidated to stay in. Friendly, comfortable hotels. Our company website is www.cgh305.com Please check us out.

What most people don't realize (well I didn't anyway) is that most hotels in and around Miami Beach are smaller, independent hotels. The main drag is Collins Ave which is also A1A or the Ocean Highway. All of my hotels are on Collins Ave and if you are familiar with Miami Beach, we are located for the most part next to the Fontainebleau, directly on the Miami Beach Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is raised and gives you an excellent view of the beach and the awesome ocean. It runs about 2 miles and once you get to South Beach it becomes a meandering paver walk. Lot's of people at all hours walking or running, very safe and well lit at night but lots of private security also from the hotels and the area condos.

I will chat more about Miami Beach and happenings in our area each time I log on. If you would like to know more about Miami Beach or my hotels, let me know. If you have any type of question I will try to answer or help you get an answer. Best regards from the Beach........