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Global cruise canceled

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P&O; Cruises’ 1,870-passenger Aurora ship aborted its around-the-world cruise Jan. 19, nine days after setting out from Southampton, England, because of a mechanical breakdown.

The cancellation of the 103-day journey cost P&O;’s parent company, Miami-based Carnival Corp., about $40 million, its biggest-ever loss from an aborted cruise, said Carnival spokesman Tim Gallagher.

Passengers, most of them British, had paid more than $18,000 to nearly $75,000 in cruise fares. P&O; offered them refunds and a 25% credit on a future cruise.

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Gallagher said the problem was with one of the Aurora’s electrical propulsion motors.

“They worked on that around the clock and just could not repair it satisfactorily,” he said.

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Trains still delayed by track damage

Passenger train service in California continued to be disrupted last week after storms earlier this month damaged and blocked tracks.

Commuter operations between Los Angeles and Oxnard resumed last week on a slightly altered schedule.

Amtrak service between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara is expected to resume by Feb. 8.

But full restoration of service between Los Angeles and Oakland isn’t expected until Feb. 28, according to Union Pacific Railroad, which operates the tracks.

Passenger lines using the affected tracks include Metrolink’s Ventura County commuter line and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight trains; the latter runs from Los Angeles to Seattle.

For service updates, visit www.amtrak.com and www.metrolinktrains.com.

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Bookings begin for Wynn resort

Reservations have opened for Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club, the $2.7-billion complex by developer Steve Wynn that is scheduled to open April 28 on the Strip.

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The 217-acre resort, just north of the Venetian on the site of the former Desert Inn, will have 2,700 guest rooms, 18 dining outlets, a casino, a spa and an 18-hole golf course -- a first for the Strip, the owners say.

It will also have an art gallery drawn from Wynn’s private collection; shops by Louis Vuitton, Cartier and other designers; and a Maserati and Ferrari car dealership.

There will be two theaters, including one expected to open a production of “Avenue Q,” the 2004 winner of the Tony Award for best musical, in the fall.

Room rates recently quoted for May start at $259. (866) 770-7108, www.wynnlasvegas.com.

-- Compiled by Jane Engle

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