Lodging

Dubai sets

another record

Superlative-hungry Dubai is adding another to its list: A 72-story hotel billed as the world’s tallest.

The JW Marriott’s Marquis Dubai formally opened Tuesday after gaining the title of tallest hotel from Guinness World Records.

At 1,099 feet, the hotel would tower over skylines in most cities, but in Dubai it sits in the shadow of its more than twice-as-high neighbor, the Burj Khalif, the world’s tallest skyscraper at 2,717 feet.

Attractions

Mayflower replica closed for repairs

A replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World nearly 400 years ago is undergoing major repairs.

The 56-year-old Mayflower II was brought to dry dock in Fairhaven, Mass., in December for routine maintenance and inspection. During that work, it was discovered that the wooden vessel needed repairs to its frame that could not be deferred.

Once the work is completed in May, the Mayflower II will return to the Plymouth waterfront as part of the Plimoth Plantation living-history museum.

The ship is a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower, which sailed from England to Plymouth, Mass., in 1620.

Spring Break

This is the big week

Headed for vacation? Expect a lot of company — and the possibility of some major tie-ups. On the heels of the February winter break, crowds will again throng to airports and vacation beaches from now through the first week of April.

The only gloomy note is a possible nationwide airport jam-up because of “sequester” budget cuts. Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration agents and customs and border staff will face rolling furloughs. That will cause long lines at airports, federal officials warned.

The busiest college spring break week starts March 10, when 2.7 million students will be on the loose, according to TripSmarter.com, which tracks university spring breaks. The week of March 24 will see 1.8 million students on break.

Besides students on traditional or alternative spring break, March also is a huge travel month for last-minute skiers, baseball spring training fans and snowbirds savoring their final moments in the sun.

Airlines

New service

American Airlines will begin daily service between Miami and San Diego on June 12. Flights will leave Miami at 6:50 p.m. and arrive in San Diego at 8:55 p.m. Returning flights depart San Diego at 9:45 p.m. and arrive in Miami at 5:40 a.m. the following day.

Miami Herald

wire services