warrior yachting miami fl

• © Roadtrippers
• © Mapbox
• © OpenStreetMap
• Improve this map

Warrior Watersports

Miami , Florida 33138 USA

• Independent
• Credit Cards not Accepted
• Pet Friendly
• Wheelchair Accessible
• More in Miami

Learn more about this business on Yelp .

Reviewed by Tiffany M.

I went on their jet skis a couple weeks ago and our guide was awesome! Her name is Emma (I think) but she's in the picture below. Can't wait to do it again! Read more

Reviewed by Nicole G.

Do not do business with this company. I gave them a deposit for $100 and when they called me to tell me their jet skis were damaged and couldn't honor my reservation, they referred me to their... Read more

Reviewed by Sosun K.

I purchased a Groupon for 1 jet-ski for two from this company and it was the best experience ever! Angela helped me out and was so communicative from the beginning. The jet ski was so fun and we... Read more

View 3 reviews on

• Sun - Sat: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know .

Has RV parking changed? Let us know .

• Check Parking
• Check Pets Allowed
• Unknown Restrooms
• Check Wheelchair Accessible
• Unavailable Credit Cards Accepted

Nearby Hotels

Click to discover a great deal!

Related Trip Guides

The ultimate guide to biscayne national park, the best-kept secrets of disney world, the top things to do on an i-95 road trip, the top things to do on an i-10 road trip, keep exploring with the roadtrippers mobile apps..

Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road!

Connect with us and hit up #roadtrippers

Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful.

• Roadpass Digital
• Mobile Apps

Business Tools

• Partnerships

Get Inspired

• Road trip ideas by state
• National parks
• Famous routes
• Voices from the Road

Fresh Guides

• The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Badlands National Park
• Route 66 Leg 2: St. Louis to Tulsa
• Route 66 Leg 1: Chicago to St. Louis
• Route 66 Leg 3: Tulsa to Amarillo
• Offbeat Road Trip Guides
• Road Trip USA
• Scenic Routes America
• National Park Road Trips
• Terms and Conditions

Utilizamos cookies para mejorar su experiencia de navegación.

Y los delfines nos hacen felices. Obtenga más información sobre nuestra política de cookies aquí .

65FT WARRIOR YACHT 🤩

Hi! Thank you for clicking on my listing :) Iam the owner of this beautiful yacht, that being said I can give you the best rate!! here is what’s Included: • Cooler, Water, Ice • Large Water Mat & Water floaties • 3 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms • 1 king bed • 1 queen bed • 1 double twin • Full kitchen • XL swim platform • Wifi on board. • Brand new Air Conditioning * Fees vary depending on season, and availability. Send me an inquiry and I will reply right away with best offer possible. We will make it work so you are happy :) CAPTAIN AND STEWARDESS PAY IS NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE. Crew will be provided from a list to choose from and pay directly. Choice to add on: • Drone Footage and pics $75 • Flyboard $175 - 45min. • Jetskis $150 - 60min Charters are within the Biscayne Bay in areas such as: Miami Beach, South Beach, Downtown, Marine Stadium, Hobbie Beach, Miami River, Monument Island, Star Island, Picnic Island, Halouver Sandbar. Restaurants available to dock and dine: *By Reservation only* • American Social, Kiki on the River, the wharf, Casablanca, Joia Beach, Montys(for pickup only). Looking to book for an event? • We can offer decorations, custom cakes, food catering, party favors, let us know in advance what you need and we will be glad to put it together for you! If you have any questions, we can answer those through GetMyBoat’s messaging platform before you pay. Just hit, “Request to Book” and send us an inquiry for a custom offer!

Empezando desde

• Cada hora 6 horas max
• ₽18,095/hora 3 horas min

Consultar disponibilidad

Exactitud del anuncio, salida y regreso, embarcación y equipo, comunicación, itinerario y experiencia.

We chartered this boat for my 25th birthday and everything was AMAZING. The owner Michelle was such a sweetheart. She was very responsive and very accommodating. She helped decorate the boat with decorations for my birthday. Captain Orlando was super nice and respectful. Emma also made sure we were good the entire time when it came to bartending, the jet skis, paddle board and floats. 5 stars across the board. Will definitely book with them again when I am in the area.

BOOK NOW Let me start off with this: We had the time of our lives. BIG YACHT 🛥️ 🎉VIBES! Michelle, Amy, and the captain were amazing, great communication. We had a small hiccup but Michelle made GREAT accommodations. Amy was SUPER AMAZING 😘she was passing shots, helping with the music, making sure everyone was Gucci. We had a beautiful evening. The city at night on the ocean was litty. I had a great time enjoying my birthday on The Warrior! Michelle you have a great team. See you guys soon. This was such a great experience!

My experience and the experience of my entire group were both wonderful! The yacht was very clean and in great condition with great surround music and lighting just as described. Our captain was fantastic - making it a smooth ride! He was very instructive on what was going on and our mate Emma was incredibly attentive and accommodating she made sure everyone was having a great time. The interior of the yacht was equipped with the basic necessities, and there was room to set out food and drinks we brought which was really nice. The bathrooms inside where cleaned nicely and towels were provided as well as water and ice! We really liked how there was plenty of seating inside and outside, and I loved how the bar was positioned within the yacht so we all got to hangout while eating. Not to mention the option to go to the upper level and enjoy the beautiful scenery. From departure to arrival, this charter was a wonderful experience for me and my friends. I absolutely would recommend this to anyone looking to do a nice easy going charter yet upscale vibes. I would also like to thank Michelle for being so communicative with me on pricing time and details of our charter. She worked with me to make sure we were all set beforehand. Overall score is 10/10 experience, ambiance, and service - We will definitely be booking again!

Michelle is very responsive and. The Captain, Orlando, and crew made our experience extra special by providing high quality photos and drone footage. I highly recommend booking the Warrior Yacht. 🛥️

Michelle went above and beyond to make sure we had a fun time on the boat! Me and my group had a blast. Everything was as advertised in the listing. 5 star afternoon, for sure

Hi my name is Michelle! I was born in Miami, FL. Background Colombian, from San Andres Island I been boating since I was a little girl. I know the waters very well, I will always make sure to make your trip memorable!! I will go out of my way for your requests, if there’s anyone that understand the water life is me! I speak Spanish and English. 🙋🏻‍♀️🌊

Características y Detalles

• Aire acondicionado
• Chalecos salvavidas / Equipo de seguridad requerido
• Equipo de deportes acuáticos
• Tipo de combustible: Diesel
• Motor gemelo
• Propulsores de arco
• Sistema de música
• Moto acuática
• Baño completo

Ubicación aproximada

Recibirás indicaciones para llegar al lugar de salida cuando hagas la reserva.

Política de cancelación

Reembolso completo de la cantidad oferta hasta 14 día antes.

Términos e información adicionales

All charters are 13 people Maximum including charterer (at the dock in transit or while at anchor) at anytime unless special guidelines and restrictions in place under official government executive order. All charters are rain or shine other than government issued severe storm warnings. Eg. Severe lightning, thunder, gale force winds.

Anuncios similares

45' Four Winns. 1 FREE hour or $150 OFF 🏖 From Monday thru Friday!

Enjoy Miami In 62FT EXPLORER!!

ENJOY MIAMI IN 94' PERSHING LUXURY LIFE!

Luxury Yacht Silverton Flybridge 48ft in Miami!

70Ft Azimut with 2 Jet Ski's included in Miami - One Free Hour!

Los mejores destinos cercanos.

Miami Beach

North Miami

Fort Lauderdale

Dania Beach

• Acerca de Getmyboat
• Consultas de medios
• Términos de uso
• Política de privacidad
• Política de cookies
• Declaración de accesibilidad
• Acuerdo de interfaz de usuario
• Contáctanos

Aprende más

• Cómo funciona
• Para propietarios
• Aplicaciones móviles

Experiencias

• Alquiler de barcos
• Alquiler de motos acuáticas
• Chárteres de pesca
• Alquiler de casa flotante
• Alquiler de pontones
• Alquiler de yates
• Alquiler de veleros
• Noticias de la empresa
• Estilo de vida
• Guía de experiencias
• Consejos para inquilinos y propietarios

Destinos populares

• Lago Lanier
• Lago Travis
• Newport Beach
• Lago Norman

Asistencia 24/7

• Ayuda y preguntas frecuentes
• +1 818 927 2148
• [email protected]

Reseñas reales de Getmyboaters felices.

4.9 En base a 5 385,000 + comentarios

• EN ES FR PT

•  : +17865614116    |
• Luxury Yacht Charters
• BOOK YOUR FLEET
• Miami Experience

Luxury Yacht Charters The best yacht and charter service in Miami.

About - miami yachts rentals.

We have luxury yachts in our fleet and a talented staff of experienced captains and deck hands. Vacationers from all over the world choose MIAMI YACHTS RENTALS . Treat yourself to a relaxing day on the water and experience the good life, Miami-style. Read More..

We offer an excellent way to learn the basics of boat sailing.

Join our premier private yacht club in the Pacific ocean.

All our yachts are equipped with everything divers need.

Our yachts are built to explore untouched fishing grounds.

We offer you exclusive yacht tours with professional crew.

OUR FEATURED BOATS

Sea Ray sedan bridge – Rose 50-Ft 13 Guests   |   2 Badroom   |   2 Bathroom

Carrera 38’ whith 3 x300hp 8 Guests   |   No Badroom   |   No Bathroom

Pure Energy 65 Ft 13 Guests   |   2 Badroom   |   2 Bathroom

Warriors ll – 35 Ft 10 Guests   |   Badroom   |   1 Bathroom

Warrior-I 64 Ft 13 Guests   |   3 Badroom   |   2 Bathroom

Azimut 70 Ft – Andiamo 13 Guests   |   3 Badroom   |   2 Bathroom

55 FT Azimut 13 Guests   |   3 Badroom   |   2 Bathroom

Benefits What you get

TV and Music

Air conditioning

3 meals per day

It is interesting recent blog posts.

Rating the best manufacturers of yachts for 2018

In February, the Baltic Sea water temperature exceeded a three-year maximum.

How to transport people and cargo on large yachts

Miami Yacht Rentals is the premier boat rental company servicing the greater miami, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach and Houlover Arfas. Read More..

• 55 FT Azimut
• Azimut 70 Ft – Andiamo
• Carrera 38’ whith 3 x300hp
• Pure Energy 65 Ft
• Sea Ray sedan bridge – Rose 50-Ft
• Warrior-I 64 Ft
• Warriors ll – 35 Ft

 Esta direccion vamos a cambiarla 9343 nw 27 ave miami fl 33147

 [email protected]

 +17865614116

Managed by: Mosaic Creation

© 2024 miamiyachtsrental.com . All rights reserved.

Warrior Sailing: Here and Now

by Warrior Sailing Team

It has been a busy spring for Warrior Sailing, an official program of the USMMA Sailing Foundation.

From March thru the beginning of May, Warrior Sailing hosted an Advanced Training Camp in partnership with College of Charleston Sailing plus we graduated 9 warriors with ASA keelboat certifications. We then fielded a team aboard Metolius for the Miami to Havana Race.

April we moved operations to St. Petersburg, Florida with the SPYC and St. Petersburg Sailing Center , introducing a new class of 17 graduates to the sport of sailing. Later that month, 18 of our Warrior Sailors competed in Charleston Race Week .

Thanks to the many supporters including CRW, Charleston Ocean Racing Association and Tom Webster to name a few.

Coming up: Advanced Training Camp with Sail Newport , Basic Training with San Diego Yacht Club and Vineyard Cup 2017 .

warriorsailing

• BOLD Campaign
• Basic Training
• Certification Training
• Beyond Our Camps
• Get Involved
• Luiz Legacy
• Warrior Sailing’s Overpriced Garage Sale

Warrior Watersports

Miami Jet Ski Rental: chase the Ocean, ride the Waves

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

WARRIOR WATERSPORTS (Miami) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Boat that fatally struck a 15-year-old girl in Florida has been found, officials say

• Copy Link copied

MIAMI (AP) — Investigators believe they’ve found the boat that fatally struck a 15-year-old girl off a South Florida beach, officials said Tuesday.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and other law enforcement agencies had been searching for the vessel since Saturday, when Ella Adler was killed and the boat operator fled without stopping.

“The boat is in our custody, and the owner is cooperating,” FWC officer George Reynaud said in a video on Facebook.

Officials didn’t immediately say where the boat was found or how it was located. It also wasn’t clear whether the owner of the boat was the person who was operating it when the girl was hit.

Adler was water-skiing near Key Biscayne, just south of Miami, on Saturday afternoon when she fell into the water and was hit by another boat, which immediately sped away, officials said. Witnesses described the hit-and-run craft as a center console boat with a light blue hull, multiple white outboard engines and blue bottom paint.

A funeral service for Adler was held Monday morning at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach. Adler was a freshman at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove and a ballerina with the Miami City Ballet.

A total reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

• Entertainment
• Newsletters

WEATHER ALERT

A special weather statement in effect for Mainland Monroe Region

‘pretty dangerous’: yacht captain lends insights on area where teen killed in boat crash, he also says boat towing ella adler, 15, is ‘not ideal’ for wakeboarding.

Christina Vazquez , Reporter

Chris Gothner , Digital Journalist

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – A Key Biscayne yacht captain is sharing insight into the area where 15-year-old Ella Adler lost her life over the weekend.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report said she was wakeboarding with someone else when she fell into the water near the Nixon Beach Sandbar and was struck and killed by the passing boater, who never stopped to help.

“She had the wakeboard on, she had fallen off from being towed, and she was just in the water waiting to be recovered by her vessel,” FWC Officer George Reynaud told “Good Morning America” Wednesday. “She was in the water, with her life jacket on, with her wakeboard attached at the time of the impact.”

Reynaud said, “Nixon Beach does have a sandbar where boats go to congregate, however, they were outside of that area.”

The report, released Wednesday, identified the operator as Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, of Coral Gables.

Yacht captain Griffen Diaz spoke to Local 10 News on Wednesday. He said he was anchored at Nixon Beach, about a mile north of the crash, when it happened at around 4 p.m. Saturday.

“My heart goes out to this girl’s family and everyone who was involved,” Diaz said. “I have been really heartbroken about this story.”

Diaz said the water was choppy that day.

“The wind and the waves were coming out of the west which is very unusual for Biscayne Bay, it is a rare wind occurrence and it makes the bay a lot choppier,” he said.

WATCH 4PM STORY:

The yacht captain told Local 10 News the channel is known to be treacherous.

“It is pretty dangerous there to water ski because of the heavy traffic; I would never recommend it,” Diaz said, later adding, “The last thing someone would expect is to find (someone) waterskiing in the water in that heavy traffic area.”

Instead, he said, “If someone were to want to waterski or go tubing or any kind of water sports there’s an area right in front of Brickell, right in front of the apartment buildings in Brickell, actually just North of the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge and that is a safe area because it is away from a channel and it is a safe place to waterski.”

We’re also learning more about the boat towing Adler: a 42-foot Fjord.

“Which is not the ideal boat you want to be waterskiing on or pulling somebody with,” Diaz said. “The ideal waterskiing boat has one single engine and can turn on a dime and pick you right back up.”

Regarding the crash, he said, “If she let go of the rope or fell, and the captain did not notice, that would be negligent on his behalf because your eyes are locked on the person in tow and that is usually the rule we follow.”

Diaz said it’s possible that Alonso, who authorities said is cooperating with investigators, didn’t know he even hit Adler.

“The last thing someone would expect is to find a waterskier in the water in that heavy traffic area,” he said. “It was a four-engine boat, they could have been going at a high rate of speed (and) by the time they got close they didn’t even see her in the water.”

It’s not clear whether Alonso will be charged.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Authors

Christina vazquez.

Christina returned to Local 10 in 2019 as a reporter after covering Hurricane Dorian for the station. She is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and previously earned an Emmy Award while at WPLG for her investigative consumer protection segment "Call Christina."

Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

Recommended Videos

Watch CBS News

Attorney for boater ID'd as man who fatally struck 15-year-old Ella Adler speaks out

By CBS Miami Team , Mauricio Maldonado , Peter D'Oench

Updated on: May 16, 2024 / 5:09 PM EDT / CBS/CNN

MIAMI - The man authorities say was the boat operator who struck a teen girl in Biscayne Bay on Saturday insists he had no idea it happened until police showed up asking questions.

That's according to Carlos Guillermo Alonso's attorney, Lauren Field Krasnoff. She also says there's doubt about his involvement.

On Wednesday, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission identified 78-year-old Alonso as the boat operator who struck 15-year-old Ella Adler  while she was wakeboarding.

Field Krasnoff faced the media on Wednesday. Here's what she had to say: 

"So first and foremost, let me say that this is the worst possible tragedy that anyone could imagine. We are devastated for the Adlers for their friends for their family, there is no question in our minds, that this is an absolutely horrific thing that happened."

"And then think of their family and their friends during this time. I know that there are people that want to hear from Carlos Alonso, from Bill, as I know him, he's not going to make a statement right now. This is an ongoing investigation. And so we've advised him that at this time, we'll make the statement for him."

"And we're happy to speak about what we know about this awful, awful and tragic accident. I can tell you that Bill has been boating for 50 years. He's an experienced boater. He was boating by himself on Saturday. If he was the person that was involved in this accident, and I want to be clear, we don't know that yet. If he was he had absolutely no idea of his involvement."

"When the police came knocking, he did not know why. We're not sure if he was involved. But if he was he absolutely did not know what had happened. He docked his boat in plain sight. And most importantly, he's been cooperative with law enforcement and with anybody that has a need to need it to investigate what happened on the water that day."

"He is a 78-year-old man, he came from Cuba on Operation Peter Pan, he has had no contact with the criminal system. He does not drink and he was not drinking on that Saturday."

"He's a good man, and he is devastated by what has happened. We're going to keep that statement. That will be the end of the statement for now. The investigation is ongoing. And Bill will continue to cooperate with law enforcement."

Officials said Wednesday that Alonso was the only occupant of the vessel on that day, according to the one-page incident report.  

FWC24ON0038760_updated-2 by sergio.candido on Scribd

The boat was discovered behind a home in the Hammocks Oaks neighborhood in Coral Gables. Neighbors described the Alonso as a family man and an experienced boater. They said he was devastated by what happened.

Rodney Barreto, the Chairman of the FWC,  said this about Ella's death, "It's touched our community in a way. When you're 15 years old you don't expect to go out on a boat and not come home." 

The new preliminary FWC report says she had been on a boat with 12 other people and was being towed while on a wakeboard. 

Records show Alonso owns the house where the vessel was seized.

"The gentleman who was driving the boat who is cooperating with us is Mr. Alonso," said Barreto. "We have some physical evidence that we have recovered that we have sent to our state lab for testing." 

Barreto says officers used witness descriptions to find the boat.

"It was good old-fashioned police work by our officers. 
We asked them to go up and down the canals from Coconut Grove to South Miami. They went up and down the canals with the physical description they had and recognized the boat." 

Batteto said there was no evidence pointing to reckless or drunk driving.

It's not known if Alonso will be cited or charged.

"Our job is to gather information and present it to the State Attorney, so they can do their job," said Barreto. 

The loss of Adler prompts this warning from Barreto.

"Make sure you pay attention to the water and always look around because things can happen on the water and they can happen very quickly," he said. "We encourage people to use a lot of caution and go to boating safety schools. Florida has the most registered boats in the country and Miami-Dade has the most registered boats than any county in Florida."

Ella, the granddaughter of US Ambassador to Belgium Michael M. Adler, was water skiing with friends Saturday near the Nixon Beach sandbar when she fell in the water while being towed and was struck by another boat. The operator of that boat never stopped.

An all out search was then launched to find the boat and driver.

On Wednesday, Florida Fish and Wildlife said they believed they had found it. 

"I am pleased to report that we have a vessel in custody that matches the description given by witnesses," said FWC's George Reynaud. "The boat is in our custody and the owner is cooperating with us."

On Monday morning, hundreds of people attended services for Adler at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach.

On Tuesday, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stopped by in person to offer her condolences and be with the family.

"We are honored that the First Lady paid a shiva call to our family during this time of immense pain. We are touched by their support and love and we are proud to call the President and First Lady our friends for over 40 years," according to a statement from the family.

Adler was a freshman at Ransom Everglades High School and a ballerina with the Miami City Ballet.

"We are heartbroken," Ransom Everglades posted on Facebook. "Ella Adler '27 shined in our classrooms and on our stages, and she embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School. We wish peace and comfort to her family."

"We at Miami City Ballet and the Miami City Ballet School are utterly devastated by the heartbreaking news of this tragic accident," said the organization which described Adler as a beloved student and a magnificent dancer who graced their stage. "Our hearts go out to Ella's family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and adoring her. As we come together, we will profoundly grieve the loss of Ella, and hold dear the precious memories we were fortunate enough to create with her."

"We extend our deepest condolences to the Adler family at this difficult time," the US Embassy to Belgium said in a statement. "Out of respect for their privacy, we have nothing further."

Anyone who saw the accident or anyone who might have video footage or information about it is urged to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

The CBS Miami team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSMiami.com.

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Man dead, woman critically injured after drunk driving crash in Miami Shores; driver arrested

Veteran Florida boater shares tips as National Safe Boating Week kicks off

South Florida man shares story of love found, life saved all thanks to University of Miami

Fight at Sawgrass Mills causes shoppers to run away in panic, police say

Man accused of driving boat that killed girl had 'no knowledge' of accident, lawyer says

Authorities in South Florida have identified the person driving a boat in the hit-and-run death of 15-year-old girl over the weekend.

Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, of Coral Gables was piloting a 42-foot Boston Whaler in Key Biscayne when officials say his boat struck Ella Riley Adler , according to a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission incident report obtained by The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.

According to the report, the girl was wakeboarding and fell into the water before she was struck by Alonso's vessel.

The man driving the boat left the scene without stopping, witnesses told the agency. Ella was retrieved by the other boat but died of her injuries, according to the report.

Here's what we know so far about the fatal hit-and-run boating incident:

Texas power outage map: Severe storms leave nearly 800,000 homes, businesses without power

When was Ella Adler struck by a boat?

According to new information released in the report, Ella was struck wakeboarding in waters off Key Biscayne on Saturday afternoon.

Initial reports from the FWC indicated the girl had been waterskiing.

The agency reported Ella fell in the ocean  near Nixon Beach  while being towed about a mile from shore and was struck by another vessel at 4:30 p.m.

The beach is in Miami-Dade County about 7 miles south of downtown Miami.

Ella was wakeboarding behind a 42-foot 2017 Hanse Fjord yacht near a sandbar at the same time as another unidentified female on a wake surfboard rode, officers wrote in the report.

Ella and the other female being towed fell into the water at different times and locations.

While waiting to be recovered by her boat, another vessel struck her and fled the scene, officials said. A witness said the boat did not appear to swerve or slow down when it hit the girl.

Ella, who wore a life jacket, died from her injuries.

Who is Carlos Guillermo Alonso?

Alonso is 78 and lives in Coral Gables . The city is about 5 miles from downtown Miami. According to his attorney, Lauren Krasnoff, her client goes by the name Bill.

Investigators said it was unclear if Alonso knew Ella was hit or whether alcohol was a factor.

Krasnoff told USA TODAY on Friday Alonso does not drink and did not know he struck anyone on the water.

Here is a statement in full released to USA TODAY from his attorney:

"This is the worst possible tragedy and before saying anything else, we want to express our deepest sympathies to Ella Adler’s family and friends.

There have been numerous requests for Carlos Alonso, who goes by “Bill,” to make a statement. Because this is an ongoing investigation with which he is fully cooperating, he will not be making any statements to the media other than to say that he was beyond devastated to learn that he may have been involved in this awful tragedy.

I will tell you that Bill, who has been boating for 50 years and is a very experienced boater who knows these waters, was out boating by himself on Saturday. He has no knowledge whatsoever of having been involved in this accident. If he hit Ella that day, he certainly did not know it. Had Bill thought he hit anything, he absolutely would have stopped. But he did not at any point think that he had hit anything, let alone a person. He docked his boat in plain sight right behind his house. When Fish and Wildlife contacted Bill on Sunday, he did not know why they were reaching out to him. He did not even know there was an accident on the water the day before, but immediately met with law enforcement, spoke to them without a lawyer, and has been cooperating with law enforcement eversince.

Bill is 78 years old and came to the United States from Cuba in operation Peter Pan. He has never had any contact with the criminal justice system. He does not drink and was not drinking on Saturday, May 11, and he was driving his boat safely at a reasonable rate of speed.

Bill is a good man and he is absolutely devastated by the loss of this intelligent, accomplished and beautiful young woman. He has cooperated 100% with law enforcement and will continue to do so. As I said, this is an ongoing investigation. So we will have no further comment at this time."

The FWC reported Alonso's vessel was in custody on Tuesday and Alonso was cooperating with the investigation.

Has anyone been arrested in Ella Adler's death?

Officials did not say whether Alonso was facing charges in connection to the fatal hit-and-run.

They also did not say what day they located the suspect vessel.

Golfer arrested: Scottie Scheffler handcuffed by police before start of Round 2 of the PGA Championship

Who was Ella Adler?

Ella, a ballerina, lived in Miami Beach, officials said, and attended  Ransom Everglades High School  in Miami.

"She was a force of nature, and when she was near, everyone felt a gravitational pull toward her," her obituary reads. "She loved to dance, she loved her friends, and most of all she loved her family."

She is the granddaughter of Michael Adler, the current  U.S. Ambassador to Belgium , according to the  Miami Herald .

She is survived by her parents, Amanda and Matthew Adler, and her younger siblings Jaden and Adalynn, and many other relatives.

Reward being offered in Ella Adler's hit-and-run boating death

A $20,000 reward − $10,000 from Ella's family and a combined $10,000 from FWC and Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers − is being offered for information in the case.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact those agencies.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Warrior Watersports

Miami Jet Ski Rental: chase the Ocean, ride the Waves

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Warrior Watersports - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

I spent a night in Panama's richest neighborhood, often called a 'little Dubai' or the 'Miami of Latin America'

• Punta Pacifica is Panama City's most expensive neighborhood.
• The neighborhood has man-made islands, private marinas, and penthouses worth $5 million.
• I stayed at the five-star JW Marriott Panama and experienced the neighborhood's luxury firsthand.

Duncan McGowan describes Panama City's Ocean Reef Islands as "perfection."

The landscaping is manicured flawlessly, never a leaf or branch out of place. You'd have to hunt to find trash anywhere on the islands, and instead, you're more likely to notice bird songs filling the air.

Looking one way, all you see is the endless ocean. Turn around, and there's a stunning cityscape behind you, McGowan, the president of Punta Pacifica Realty , told Business Insider.

The Ocean Reef Islands are part of Panama's Punta Pacifica neighborhood, and that perfection is exactly what Panama's wealthiest residents seek.

On a recent trip to the country, I saw the opulence that residents chase across Punta Pacifica, Panama's wealthiest neighborhood.

I landed in Panama City, snapped skyline pictures, and texted my friends that I had arrived. Immediately, one pointed out how the city resembled Miami.

I spent my first night in Casco Viejo, Panama City's old town. From the coast, I could look out onto Punta Pacifica, where a grouping of tall buildings reached out to the clouds.

My friend's initial thoughts about Punta Pacifica aren't uncommon. McGowan said people always compare Punta Pacifica to dense cities like Miami, New York City, and Dubai. Central America Living refers to the neighborhood as a "mini-Dubai," and The New York Times said in 2014 that Punta Pacifica is "often called the Miami of Latin America."

The comparisons made sense. All three cities are home to impressive skyscrapers and coastlines. And since Punta Pacifica is home to the Ocean Reef Islands, which were man-made in the early 2000s, it's easy to see how it's grouped with Dubai.

But McGowan said that they are vastly different destinations.

"It resembles all of them, but it has its own flavor," McGowan said. "I think Panama City and Punta Pacifica have matured enough now that it doesn't have to be compared. It stands on its own."

The next day, I headed to Punta Pacifica.

Three decades ago, Punta Pacifica didn't exist.

Created in the early 2000s, a company that built one of Panama City's major highways earned the rights to develop 86 acres of landfill and 73 acres of mainland along an area of the city's coast known today as Punta Pacifica.

McGowan, who has worked in Panama's real-estate market for nearly two decades, said it was designed as a luxury area from the start, and living in Punta Pacifica can come at a steep price.

The neighborhood is home to more than a dozen condominiums and apartment complexes, which can range in price. On the lower end, McGowan said residents can expect to pay around $2,200 a square meter, while prime real estate can cost $7,000 a square meter.

A quick search on Punta Pacifica Realty or Panama Realtor shows one-bedroom apartments for sale at $200,000 and luxury penthouses for as much as $5 million .

I spent a night in the neighborhood's famous TOC building.

One building stands out in Punta Pacifica's skyline with its sail-like shape: the TOC building.

Today, TOC stands for The Ocean Club, but ask anyone in Panama, and they know it by its former name, the Trump Ocean Club.

The Trump Organization wasn't the building developer; local developer Roger Khafif was. However, the Associated Press reported that the Trump name was licensed to the building to increase its credibility and notoriety.

It became Ivanka Trump's business project in 2006, according to NBC , and since its opening in 2011, the building's history has been riddled with scandals. An NBC and Reuters investigation found that many of the property's brokers, customers, and investors were tied to drug trafficking and international crime.

In 2015, the AP reported that "concerns about overspending and transparency" led the Trump management company to be forced out after a vote by condo owners and board members. However, the Trump Organization refused to accept the vote and claimed that it quit instead. Along with that announcement, the Trump Organization demanded a $5 million termination fee, according to the outlet.

In 2018, the AP reported that Marriott International took over management and renamed it The Ocean Club to keep its TOC branding.

Today, the 70-story building is one of the largest mixed-use buildings in Panama.

The building includes the JW Marriott Panama and its 369 hotel rooms, along with about 630 condos, McGowan said.

It's the neighborhood's only five-star hotel. In addition to the hotel rooms and condos, the building is home to a casino, a handful of restaurants, real-estate offices, a spa, a gym, and multiple salons.

I spent a night in an executive suite at the JW Marriott and experienced Punta Pacifica's opulence firsthand.

A night at the JW Marriott felt like the ideal way to experience Panama's richest neighborhood. So, at 4 p.m., I arrived at the skyscraper and headed to the hotel's lobby on floor 16.

I received a key to my suite and headed to floor 31. Golden light cast across the room as I stepped inside. The suite had an open concept, with a shower and bathtub looking to Panama City's skyline.

According to TripAdvisor, standard rooms typically cost between $193 and $290 for a night. BI received a media rate for the room.

The same views could be seen from the king-size bed.

The suite was spacious, with two of the room's four walls lined with windows. A loveseat, table, and desk filled one area of the room. In another corner, a king-size bed called my name.

A balcony faced hundreds of condos and a sliver of ocean.

While TOC might be the most recognizable building in Punta Pacifica, it's far from the only condominium in the neighborhood.

A large balcony in my hotel room was just a few hundred feet away from other balconies. Below me, I spotted a bright blue pool, a parking garage, and a playground for the neighborhood children.

Hotel guests have access to amenities like a gym and spa. Plus, they can access other parts of the building, like the casino on the top floors.

Before the sun sank below the horizon, Moises Muñoz, the international sales manager at the JW Marriott Panama, gave me a tour of the building.

He compared it to a cruise ship, where everything you need is in one place.

We explored the commercial area downstairs, where real-estate offices, restaurants, salons, and businesses are located.

Inside the hotel, there's a spa and gym, which both hotel and condo guests can use. The Marriott is also home to the restaurant Masi and a Cava 15, a bar designed in conjunction with Louis Vuitton, Muñoz said.

The most impressive part was the infinity pools with seamless views out onto the ocean.

While luxury details such as a glass elevator and executive lounge heightened the stay, the most impressive part of the hotel was its two infinity pools.

Later that evening, I dined on fresh ceviche at the hotel's restaurant Masi.

While it was tempting to order room service and dine on my meal from the luxury of my executive suite, the lush oasis at the hotel's Masi restaurant called my name.

The restaurant serves Panamanian and Latin American cuisine. I ordered a trio of different ceviches alongside a pumpkin dish. Each bite had the ideal balance of citrusy and fresh flavors.

Before I went to bed that night, I noticed that only a handful of the hundreds of condos had their lights on.

McGowan explained that many of Punta Pacifica's condo owners don't live there year-round. Instead, it's a second, third, or even fourth home for the residents.

They might escape to Punta Pacifica during the winter or stay for a few weeks at a time. McGowan also added that most of Punta Pacifica's residents are foreigners.

McGowan said that even with its past, The Ocean Club is still one of the most luxurious condominium towers in the country.

McGowan said the building remains one of Punta Pacifica's luxury staples, adding that owning a condo there is like living in a high-end hotel.

Later, I explored the rest of the neighborhood.

Stepping outside the hotel, it was impossible to know the ocean was just a few hundred feet away. Instead, nearly every direction was filled with skyscrapers.

As I explored the small neighborhood, I spotted just a handful of stores and restaurants.

I covered most of the neighborhood in less than an hour. Along the way, I spotted dog parks with designer pooches, pristine playgrounds for children, and lobbies with spiraling staircases and impressive chandeliers.

It was clear that the area oozed wealth.

McGowan said that while it's a dense area, it often feels like a quiet neighborhood.

"I love this neighborhood," McGowan said. "I don't think I would move to another neighborhood in Panama City. This is the neighborhood I consider home."

Punta Pacifica has everything McGowan needs. There are stores, some of the city's top restaurants, and the ocean just around the corner. Everything is within walking distance, and McGowan has gotten to know his neighbors there.

"I bought myself a new car in August. I was driving it yesterday morning, and when I looked the car had 2,100 kilometers on it," he said.

And if he does need to drive, McGowan said Punta Pacifica is close to other popular areas in Panama. You're a short drive to Casco Viejo and other downtown parts of Panama City.

To wrap up my exploration, I headed to the most luxurious part of Punta Pacifica: the Ocean Reef Islands.

A short, narrow bridge leads to two small artificial islands, where the most expensive properties in Punta Pacifica are located.

"Ocean Reef Islands, today, is Panama's most expensive neighborhood in price per square meter," McGowan said, adding that the average price per square meter there is $7,000.

The man-made islands cater to Panama's ultrawealthy residents.

According to The New York Times , Empresas ICA announced plans to construct the two islands in 1998, around the same time the creation of Punta Pacifica was announced. Grupo Los Pueblos, a Panamanian company, was hired by Empresas ICA as the project's developer.

The project was largely completed in 2016, McGowan said.

"It is more expensive because they had to create the islands," McGowan said. "So the land itself has more value."

My walk was cut short; only residents and guests could enter the islands. McGowan painted a picture of the area for me.

He said the two islands have a slightly different feel because they're zoned differently.

One island is predominantly zoned for homes, while the second has more condominiums with taller buildings.

Currently, McGowan said the developers are in the last stage of the project, which is building the commercial component of Ocean Reef. This will include stores, restaurants, spas, and fitness centers.

These operations are catered to and supported by the island's residents since no one else can visit.

Between the islands is the yacht club and marina, which McGowan called the "jewel of the island." On a typical workday, the marina is teeming with yachts. Come Saturday, however, the island is deserted, with its yacht owners all out exploring nearby islands.

Ultimately, McGowan said the Ocean Reef Islands offer a tropical escape from Panama's bustling city life.

McGowan said stepping onto Ocean Reef Islands is peaceful. There's always a breeze, and bird songs fill the air.

"You really do feel like you're on a tropical island," McGowan said. "But you turn your head and look back to the city and see a massive skyline."

It's the best of both worlds, McGowan said.

Between yacht clubs and infinity pools, a night in Punta Pacifica highlighted how the city's wealthy live.

After less than 24 hours in the neighborhood, I tasted fresh ceviche, swam in the most luxurious pool of my life, and saw impressive condos people spent years dreaming of.

It's easy to see how this neighborhood earned its reputation as the Miami of Panama, but just as McGowan said, the neighborhood is truly its own unique oasis.

And you have to visit to experience it.

• Main content

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

After Living Much of Life at Sea, Captain Sandy Finds Love on Land

Sandy Yawn of “Below Deck Mediterranean” married Leah Shafer on — what else? — a superyacht in Florida.

By Tammy LaGorce

Sandra Dolores Yawn has been locked up, left for dead on a Florida highway and chased through the Red Sea by pirates.

In the summer of 2018, Leah Rae Shafer reached out on Facebook to send Ms. Yawn her blessings. Not because she thought Ms. Yawn, who goes by Captain Sandy, needed her well wishes, but because she had started watching “Below Deck Mediterranean” on Bravo.

The show follows a crew tasked with catering to a revolving cadre of guests who have chartered a superyacht. Ms. Yawn, a star of the series, is at the helm. Ms. Shafer had written to congratulate her on the show’s success. There was another reason, too. “I thought she was hot,” she said.

Ms. Yawn, 59, has been a yacht captain for more than 30 years. Her foray into television, which started in 2017, was not exactly foreordained. Until her mid-20s, “I was a mess,” Ms. Yawn said. “I was always in trouble. I got kicked out of 11th grade. I didn’t go to college.” At 13, at the start of an adolescence spent between Dundee, Fla., where her father lived, and Bradenton, Fla., where her mother lived, she started drinking. By 17, “I was getting arrested so many times I couldn’t even count how many,” she said. Usually a parent bailed her out. Her father’s refusal to do so after one drunken incident landed her a night in jail.

In 1989, when she was 25, the revolving door of South Florida treatment centers she had been pushing through quit spinning when a counselor told her she couldn’t return. “She said, ‘Sandy, as soon as you get some money in your pocket you’re going to start drinking again,’” Ms. Yawn said.

Fearing real jail time, she joined Alcoholics Anonymous. To start paying off the thousands of dollars she owed in legal fees and addiction treatment center bills, she got a job washing boats in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. By 30, she had earned her captain’s license from Maritime Professional Training, a school in Fort Lauderdale for mariners and yachting professionals.

Rehab — she still has an A.A. sponsor and attends meetings whenever possible — helped her pin down the roots of her teenage rebellion. “I think a big part of my drinking was that I couldn’t accept my sexuality,” she said. “When I got sober is when I accepted that, oh my gosh, I actually prefer women.”

For Ms. Shafer, that level of acceptance took much longer. It also cost her a career as a gospel singer.

Ms. Shafer, 50, is the entrepreneur behind a skin care line, Skin by Leah, and a jewelry business started with a friend, Cuff Me. When she messaged Ms. Yawn to congratulate her on the success of “Below Deck Mediterranean” in 2018, she and her husband of 20 years, then living with their teenage daughter in Denver, were going through a divorce. The relationship had gone stale years earlier, Ms. Shafer said, but fear and uncertainty prevented her from leaving.

“I had the security of not worrying financially, because he took care of everything,” she said. Her gospel career at a nondenominational church had taken off when she was still in high school in Hesperia, Calif. But that was mostly a labor of love.

“I toured and went to college at the same time,” said Ms. Shafer, who graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.

By her 30s, she was recording albums, touring megachurches and singing at major Christian conferences. A flirtation with secular performance in the 2000s landed her on the 2003-04 revival of “Star Search” and later a recurring role on NBC’s “The Singing Bee.”

But “I loved God and I loved inspiring people, and the platform I was given was on the stage of churches,” she said. The only problem: “There was really no money in that.”

Before their divorce was final in 2019, she and her husband tried therapy and prayed together. Finally, in 2018, “I just jumped,” she said. “I took a leap of faith. I wanted freedom.”

She found it financially first. Skin by Leah Studio, her Lone Tree, Colo. facial salon that she founded in 2017, was successful right away, she said. When she first saw Ms. Yawn on TV, she was settling into life as an entrepreneur. She didn’t expect to get a response to her Facebook message. But when she got one three months later, in October 2018, it came with an invitation.

In addition to her job as a TV star, Ms. Yawn had started touring with “I Believe,” a series of motivational talks she created to inspire women in leadership positions. When she finally read Ms. Shafer’s message — thousands had been piling up, she said, but something drew her to Ms. Shafer’s — she was in the market for an entertainer for the talks.

In her message, Ms. Shafer had included a video of herself singing the national anthem at a 2014 Denver Broncos game. Once Ms. Yawn clicked the link, she replied right away. “She gave me her phone number and said, ‘I heard you sing,’” Ms. Shafer said. “‘Let’s meet up and talk about how we can do something together.’”

The two continued to talk on the phone and over email. Ms. Yawn was then living in Los Angeles. Ms. Shafer had been planning a Disneyland vacation with her daughter, Lauren, in November, a trip that gave her an excuse to meet Ms. Yawn in person.

Both say they fell in love seconds after Ms. Shafer pulled into Ms. Yawn’s driveway in mid-November 2018. “I offered to park her car for her, and that’s when we hugged,” Ms. Yawn said. “I felt this energy I had never felt. I knew I had to pay attention to that.”

It was a life-changing hug for Ms. Shafer, too. “It was not a normal feeling when I met Sandy,” she said. “She wasn’t the stern captain you see on TV. She was just so fun and so beautiful. That hug melted me.”

Over dinner at Catch, a Los Angeles seafood restaurant, they acknowledged their attraction. “I was really honest with her,” Ms. Yawn said. But Ms. Shafer wasn’t ready to date a woman. “I knew I wanted to be with her,” she said. “I was just freaked out.”

By the end of the evening, Ms. Yawn told her she should take her time. It had been two years since Ms. Yawn’s last relationship. “So at that point I was like, ‘Why rush it?’” she said. “I was older and I’ve learned a lot of lessons. One was, let things happen naturally. Slow and steady wins the race.”

Six months later, the race was over. The women were in a committed relationship, and Ms. Yawn had moved to a place near Ms. Shafer’s in Denver. It was smooth sailing until the end of 2019, when news of the couple’s relationship started circulating in entertainment media.

The public outing ended Ms. Shafer’s gospel career. “I knew the minute I came out as being in love with a woman it would be over, and it was,” she said. Her six CDs, sold in dozens of church bookstores, were pulled from shelves and shipped to her doorstep. Christian radio stations stopped playing her music.

“I had worked for 35 years,” she said. “And it was over.”

Most painful of all were comments after her father’s death from Covid in 2020. “People in the church told me he died because of my sins,” she said. “But he had met and come to accept Sandy before he passed, and I thank God that happened.” Now, “my family adores Sandy.”

Ms. Yawn lost both her parents to heart attacks before she became a TV star — her father in 2006, and her mother in 2009. In 2015, she was en route to the Miami Boat Show on her motorcycle when she was hit by a car. The driver left the scene. “I felt my mother’s presence while I was flipping through the air, and I felt peaceful,” she said.

When she hit the pavement, she had a fractured pelvis and her foot “was on sideways,” she said. By then, though, she was used to navigating life and death scenarios, including fires at sea and run-ins with pirates. She credits her fortitude and empathy, qualities highlighted on “Below Deck Mediterranean,” which she joined in 2017, to her sobriety. “I’ve got nothing to hide and everything to share,” she said.

In 2022, Ms. Yawn and Ms. Shafer bought a house together in Parker, Colo. In September 2023, while Ms. Yawn was filming in Greece, Ms. Shafer flew overseas to visit. Ms. Yawn proposed with a diamond engagement ring on the beach , with violin players in the background.

Binge more Vows columns here and read all our wedding, relationship and divorce coverage here .

On May 11, Ms. Shafer and Ms. Yawn were married in Fort Lauderdale aboard She’s a 10 Too, a superyacht lent to the couple by their friend Carolyn Aronson. Fifty-five guests, the maximum allowed aboard the vessel, were in attendance. Among them were “Below Deck Mediterranean” castmates Aesha Scott, Kate Chastain and Dave White, known to viewers as Chef Dave. (And yes, there were cameras filming.)

Ms. Shafer, in a long white wedding gown by Leah Da Gloria, walked down the aisle with her two brothers, Matthew Dale and Justin Dale, to an altar decorated with white roses and hydrangeas; her daughter, now 18, was her maid of honor.

Ms. Yawn, in a white Veronica Beard suit, was escorted down the aisle by Mark Dunham, her brother-in-law. Michelle Dunham, Ms. Yawn’s sister, was her maid of honor. Most guests were barefoot, as is common on yachts. The brides and their wedding party were granted an exception.

Nadine Rajabi, the showrunner of “Below Deck Mediterranean,” who is ordained by the Universal Life Church, married them on the yacht’s bridge aft deck, a job made more difficult by the weather: wind caused her microphone to cut out and blew the pages of her speech around. But nothing could disturb the focus of the brides as they read handwritten vows.

Ms. Shafer told Ms. Yawn that she had taught her to be more optimistic, more playful and “to jump.” Ms. Yawn told Ms. Shafer that she had given her patience and grace.

The captain had been hoping to make it through the ceremony free of tears. But that, she said shortly after they were pronounced married, was impossible. “The minute I looked at Leah and started reading her all the reasons I fell in love with her I started to cry,” she said. “It’s so amazing to find this kind of love in your lifetime.”

On This Day

When May 11, 2024

Where Aboard the superyacht She’s a 10 Too, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Rescue Mission The couple chose “She’s a Lady” for their first dance during an onboard reception. Chef Dave prepared short ribs and a three-tiered, gluten-free vanilla, chocolate and strawberry cake that threatened to topple in the wind and heat (temperatures were in the 90s).

Cruising After the wedding, the brides took off for a five-day honeymoon to Little Palm Island on a yacht lent by Mr. Flynn. Ms. Yawn was at the helm, of course.

Onward In June, Ms. Yawn and Ms. Shafer will move from Denver to Ponte Vedra, Fla., to be closer to Ms. Dunham, who runs a private school for children with autism, Jacksonville School for Autism, in Jacksonville. On June 3, season nine of “Below Deck Mediterranean” premieres on Bravo. And on July 1, Ms. Shafer will open a skin care studio in Ponte Vedra.

An earlier version of this article misidentified   the man who escorted Sandy Yawn down the aisle. It was Mark Dunham, her brother-in-law, not her friend John Flynn. An earlier version of a picture caption also misidentified Mr. Dunham as Mr. Flynn. Additionally, the article misstated   the shoe rule aboard   the superyacht on which the wedding was held. The brides and their wedding party were allowed to wear shoes; other guests were not.

How we handle corrections

Weddings Trends and Ideas

Keeping Friendships Intact: The soon-to-be-married couple and their closest friends might experience stress and even tension leading up to their nuptials. Here’s how to avoid a friendship breakup .

‘Edible Haute Couture’: Bastien Blanc-Tailleur, a luxury cake designer based in Paris, creates opulent confections for high-profile clients , including European royalty and American socialites.

Reinventing a Mexican Tradition: Mariachi, a soundtrack for celebration in Mexico, offers a way for couples to honor their heritage  at their weddings.

Something Thrifted: Focused on recycled clothing , some brides are finding their wedding attire on vintage sites and at resale stores.

Brand Your Love Story: Some couples are going above and beyond to personalize their weddings, with bespoke party favors and custom experiences for guests .

Going to Great Lengths : Mega wedding cakes are momentous for reasons beyond their size — they are part of an emerging trend of extremely long cakes .