The Edit by Brett Graff
SocialMiami's editor covers Miami from the Port to the U.
University of Miami’s Centennial Celebration
University of Miami has started its 100th Year with a Centennial Community Reception. Held at the Shalala Student Center, the event featured speakers Stuart Miller, chairman and co-chief executive officer of Lennar Corporation and Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, who discussed the evolution of UM, it’s future and the pursuit of excellence, the local economy and the goal of being at the forefront of global innovation. Community leaders in attendance included: Ana VeigaMilton, Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard and her mother Suzie Sayfie, Dr. Stephen Nimer, Edgardo Defortuna, Amanda Altman and David Lynn, Deborah Koch, David Guzman, Meg Daly, Ed Easton, Swanee DiMare, Frances Suarez, Vince Lago, Leonard and Jayne Abess, Julio Frenk, Donna Shalala, Richard Fein, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who declared April 7th to be University of Miami Centennial Day.
Sra. Martinez Reopens in Coral Gables
Sra. Martinez – the eatery by the OG celebrity chief Michelle Bernstein who, in addition to appearing in a slew of famed Miami kitchens has also had her share of Food Network and PBS screen time – has opened in Coral Gables. The new location on Galiano Street, and now in addition to dinner and happy hour, is open for lunch. The menu includes the flavors for which the chef is famous – the Cesear is topped with mahón cheese and the appetizer of pan con tomate includes Spanish olives and jamon iberico. But there’s also crispy California artichokes, wood roasted duck and lamb chops.
Carnival’s New Ships, Enhanced Destinations
Christine Duffy unveils Sunsation Point on Carnival Festivale
Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines invited press and dignitaries – including tourism officials from Honduras and the Dominican Republic – as President Christine Duffy provided details on new ships, deployment, fleet enhancements and exclusive destinations.
Duffy revealed that the fourth ship in Carnival’s award-winning Excel class ships will be named Carnival Festivale, sailing from Port Canaveral. The music-themed vessel will have immersive experiences, representing the ways in which music brings people together. One zone is inspired by the process of creating music, using cutting-edge media, interactive moments, immersive sound and transformative lighting to activate it throughout the cruise, while another symbolizes the energetic vibes of outdoor music performances. For families, Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms and dedicated space for children six months to two years. It will also feature what’s called “Carnival Waterworks Ultra,” a family friendly water park at sea and open in the evening and illuminating with a DJ and other activities.
Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse is working closely with the Food and Beverage team to develop new concepts along with the existing partnerships including Guy’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse and Big Chicken.
“Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry and our plans for the next five years and beyond are no different,” said Duffy. “The excitement and energy continue at Carnival! Having just integrated two ships into the Carnival fleet in Australia, we now stand at 29 ships.”
Duffy also revealed that the name of the line’s fifth Excel class ship will be Carnival Tropicale, also one of the original names of early Carnival ships. For destinations, she announced the first exclusive destination that has been designed for Carnival guests, Celebration Key is opening in July. It offers guests the ultimate day in paradise. Twenty Carnival ships from 10 U.S. homeports on more than 1,400 sailings are already open for sale and will make visits to Celebration Key through 2027, with more to come. It also announced the expansion of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, which has been consistently rated as one of the top destinations in the Caribbean. In 2026, ships will sail to Mahogany Bay, Carnival’s destination in Roatan, Honduras, renamed Isla Tropicale and expanded to include a pool with a swim up bar and cabanas. Future enhancements will also include an expanded beach and a beach club.
Brett Graff is SocialMiami.com’s managing editor and has been a journalist covering money, people and power for over 20 years. Graff contributes to national media outlets including Reuters, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Maxim, and the PBS show, Nightly Business Report. A former U.S. government economist, her nationally syndicated column The Home Economist is first published in The Miami Herald and then on the Tribune Content Agency, where it’s available to over 400 publications nationwide. She is broadcast weekly on two iHeartRadio news shows and is the author of “Not Buying It: Stop Overspending & Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids,” a parenting guide for people who might be tempted to buy their children the very obstacles they’re trying to avoid.
