Actually I live in CT. Flights to Miami were very inexpensive ($90) and the cost to continue onto the repositioning of the ship to Panama was also cheap. I was able to use miles for the return flight home from Panama.
They have not mentioned what the special activities / events would be onboard; however, given that it's a promotional thing to show off the ship in the US (as she's been sailing with these enhancements for a while now in Europe) - hoping it's a cool experience.