Things To Do In SW Florida

With the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, artificial intelligence transformed from a science fiction movie plot to an easily accessible tool for the masses. Suddenly, everyone was talking about how AI would transform the world, for better or for worse.

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But credit card issuers have been using AI for decades. When you get an alert about a suspicious charge, are offered a credit limit increase, or interact with a chatbot, you’re experiencing some of the ways your credit card company employs AI to get to know you as a customer and help save you time.

And future use cases could potentially go a lot further, such as AI personal shoppers you can authorize to spend your money. Really. read more

A cruise ship crew member who planted a hidden camera to watch a young girl undress in her cabin may have spied on over 900 passengers, a class action lawsuit alleges.

Lawyers who filed the civil lawsuit in a Miami federal court last October want each of those people to be able to hold the company accountable and receive damages. But Royal Caribbean, the world’s second-largest cruise ship company, has pushed back.

RCL has tried to dismiss the suit, saying any passenger with an emotional or mental trauma complaint not involving physical contact or physical injury, like video voyeurism — must go through individual arbitration. The company says that’s because passengers agreed to that when buying their cruise ship tickets and signing the required contract.

The next step in the legal saga comes at the end of this month in a Fort Lauderdale federal courtroom.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Detra Shaw-Wilder has set a hearing date for 11 a.m. Oct. 27 to start considering the motion crucial to Royal Caribbean’s defense: whether the company can compel guests to go to arbitration instead of filing a lawsuit. Both sides can make oral arguments, and Shaw-Wilder will consider their arguments and likely rule in several weeks. read more

Florida’s red-hot cruise market, which has witnessed a remarkable post-pandemic rebound, is heating up just in time for the Sunshine State’s mild-weather winter season.

Accordingly, the big names in the cruising industry are bringing some of their largest and newest ships to Florida’s largest ports, which happen to be the three busiest in the world: PortMiami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades, in that order.

Port Everglades leads the way with the arrival of three brand new ships: Celebrity Xcel, Disney Destiny and Star Princess. PortMiami is rolling out the red carpet for Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, the Oceania Allura and the refurbished Queen Elizabeth, one of four Cunard Line ships operated by Carnival UK.

Port Canaveral saw the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas this summer and will welcome ships from MSC, Celebrity and Princess for their first season homeported on Florida’s Space Coast.

Port Everglades

Port Everglades is gearing up for an exciting winter cruising season as it prepares to welcome a trio of brand-new vessels from three different brands. read more

Kissimmee City Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to begin negotiations with local firm CapStrata for the proposed $272 million redevelopment of the city’s blighted Kmart site.

“I’d like to highlight the great opportunity this is for our city,” Mayor Jackie Espinosa said, according to a report in GrowthSpotter. “When we drive through there and see that area, we certainly are all excited about what’s coming.”

The city bought the 22-acre lot last year to spur development in the Vine Street area, then solicited proposals from developers.

Led by Capstack CEO Veronica Malolos and apartment developer Burk Hedrick, the winning team proposed a mixed-use district called Edon Park over five years with 630 mixed-income housing units, about 80,000 square feet of retail, office and dining, a large event lawn, and an indoor sportsplex. The master plan shows a large pond with fountains in the center of the project, flanked by the apartment communities and a park with a bandstand.

CapStrata was one of three proposals the city received for the redevelopment site, dubbed the “NoVi District” for North of Vine. A selection committee comprising city staff and outside experts ranked CapStrata’s Edon Park concept above the proposals from Skyview Companies and Wendover Housing Partners. read more

As Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship prepares for its Florida debut, guests can anticipate new Marvel-themed entertainment options on board, the company shared earlier this month.

The Wish-class Disney Destiny, which will sail out of Fort Lauderdale beginning in November, features a heroes and villains theme that plays into the ship’s live shows and dining venues. The Black Panther-inspired Grand Hall plays host to the “Sounds of Wakanda” musical celebration and two traveling storytellers, Zayah and Gamble, who tell tales of classic Disney villains.

The same duo will host a variety of experiences throughout each voyage, including “With Great Power: A Marvel Comedy Show.” The adults-only show takes guests on a journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe using sketch comedy.

“Disney Hercules” brings larger-than-life characters to a live musical stage show that’s exclusive to the Disney Destiny. Guests of all ages can enjoy “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” which puts a fresh spin on the familiar tale of Anna, Elsa and Olaf. “Disney Seas the Adventure” stars popular Disney and Pixar characters in an original production. read more