Categories: Cruise News

AIDA Cruises holds massive naming ceremony for latest and largest ship AIDAnova

AIDA Cruises, the largest cruise line in Germany, has officially named AIDAnova, its largest cruise liner to date and the most advanced ever built for the German cruise market.

AIDAnova debuts with innovative guest experience features and is the world’s first cruise vessel to be powered at sea and in port by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel.

The naming ceremony was held at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg – the first naming of a cruise ship at the shipyard in more than 20 years.

AIDAnova will sail her maiden voyage in November, 2018.

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The celebration included a first-of-its-kind AIDA Open Air concert featuring a light show, fireworks display and live musical performance with superstar and two-time Grammy winner DJ David Guetta before a sold-out crowd of more than 25,000 with additional viewers tuning in via livestream.

“We are excited to introduce AIDAnova, the first ship of a new generation of vessels for AIDA Cruises that will help us further establish our position as a leader and pioneer in the cruise industry,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation.

“AIDAnova will provide our guests with among the best in culture, entertainment, sports, wellness and culinary delights, while helping maintain the popularity and growth of AIDA Cruises as the most popular cruise line in Germany,” he added.

AIDA Cruises is part of the Carnival Corporation, which owns 11 of the world’s largest cruise lines.

AIDAnova is the first of a new generation of ships for AIDA Cruises that combine innovative design with state-of-the-art technology to provide even greater on-board comfort and further enhance the guest experience.

She will be launched in November 2018, with more than 40 different restaurants and bars on board to provide guests with an opportunity to enjoy a new level of world-class dining experiences and culinary trends.

AIDA Cruises held an open air concert for 25,000 people as part of the naming event.

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Her LNG powerplant will reduce exhaust emissions to help protect the environment and support Carnival Corporation’s aggressive sustainability goals.

She is the first of 11 next-generation cruise ships coming from Carnival Corporation between 2018 and 2025 able to generate their power at sea and in port from LNG.

Additional AIDAnova features

Guests can also enjoy versatile entertainment offerings aboard AIDAnova, including the Beach Club and Four Elements adventure deck, complete with three water slides and a climbing garden under the dome of a retractable glass roof, in addition to a new escape room for thrill seekers, a 360-degree Theatrium and Studio X, the brand’s first TV studio at sea.

Additional highlights include 20 different stateroom types, ranging from a two-deck penthouse suite to spacious family and patio cabins to comfortable single options with a balcony. The ship will also feature the Body & Soul Spa, spanning two decks and offering 80 treatments from around the world.

AIDAnova will embark on its first voyage at the end of September and will head for Eemshaven in the Netherlands.

Once the ship has received its final fittings and has completed various sea trials, AIDAnova will be delivered to AIDA Cruises in an official handover ceremony from the Meyer Werft shipyard on November 15, 2018, in Bremerhaven, Germany. AIDAnova will begin its maiden voyage from Hamburg to the Canary Islands on December 2, 2018.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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