27 April 2000
In an elaborate opening ceremony, the Princess Royal christens the new £200m superliner Aurora at its home port of Southampton.
But the champagne bottle fails to smash - something sailors consider a bad omen.
2 May 2000
The Aurora breaks down just 18 hours into its maiden voyage and is forced to return to port.
14 May 2000
The ship undergoes repairs at a German shipyard before returning to Southampton.
11 March 2001
The P&O liner is involved in a dramatic rescue in the South China Sea - plucking 11 Russian sailors from the sea after their ship overturns.
October 2003
About 450 passengers are taken ill with a highly contagious stomach virus while on a cruise in the eastern Mediterranean.
1 November 2003
The ship is forced to sail to Gibraltar after being refused entry into Greece because of fears the passengers would spread the infection.
3 November 2003
Spain seals its border with Gibraltar after the virus-hit ship docks in the colony - sparking an international row with Britain.
The border was closed for 13 hours after the ship arrived in the morning.
It was reopened after the ship departed for Southampton in the evening.
9 November 2003
The ship is disinfected and cleaned in Southampton before the next group of passengers embark for a three-day cruise of the Channel Islands.
9 January 2005
A scheduled 103-day round-the-world cruise is halted because of technical problems.
15 January 2005
The luxury cruise sails around the Isle of Wight to check repairs have been successful.
19 January 2005
After several false starts the Aurora finally leaves on its world cruise - ten days late and with 385 fewer passengers who had lost patience with the delays.
20 January 2005
After just a few hours of its rescheduled voyage P&O are forced to admit defeat and turn back.
The ship turns back to Southampton after repairs to the propulsion motor proved unsuccessful.
P&O said passengers would be refunded their full fare and receive a "cruise credit".
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