AIDA to homeport new LNG mega ship AIDAcosma in Dubai for 2021/22 season

The largest cruise ship in the AIDA Cruises fleet, AIDAcosma, will homeport in Dubai for the 2021/22 cruise season, sailing roundtrip in the Arabian Gulf.

At 183,900 gross tons and carrying 5,200 passengers, AIDAcosma will be the largest cruise ship ever to homeport in Dubai, or the wider Middle East.

AIDAcosma at sea (rendering)

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With 20 passenger decks and 2,600 staterooms, she is one of the largest cruise ships in the world and the latest of AIDA Cruises’ innovative LNG-powered mega cruise ships.

AIDAcosma is part of a series of sister ships being built for various Carnival Corporation-owned cruise lines, including AIDA, Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Princess.

The ship is being built at the Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock, Germany and while she will be a sister ship to AIDAnova, she will feature a number of new experiences.

Stern pool area and Fun Park aboard AIDAcosma (rendering)

One of these new features is the Fun Park at the stern with a children’s pool, a twin water chute and water slide.

For the first time, the outdoor Sport Deck will have a boulder wall and the Pool Deck in the stern extends across the width of the ship.

AIDAcosma will offer 17 restaurants and 23 bars, including the new Beach House Restaurant serving summery and light dishes. Its decor will have soft cream and sand shades.

The specialty restaurant Mamma Mia is also new, offering home-made pasta and fresh Italian cuisine with table service.

AIDAcosma will feature a new Beach Club as well

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The many public amenities include the Theatrium, shops, a disco, a gym area, the lavish Body & Soul Organic Spa and clubs for tiny tots, kids and teens.

AIDAcosma will arrive in the Middle East in November, 2021 and will begin her Arabian Gulf cruise season with a 7-night roundtrip cruise from Dubai, visiting Doha, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi.

AIDAcosma’s western Arabian Gulf itinerary for 2021/22

Her port calls in Dubai will be overnighters, while in Abu Dhabi she will stay for two nights and three days.

AIDAcosma’s eastern Arabian Gulf itinerary for 2021/22

AIDAcosma will alternate this itinerary with an eastern Arabian Gulf cruise that sails from Dubai and visits Doha, Muscat and Abu Dhabi. On these cruises she will stay overnight in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but the Abu Dhabi port call will be shorter.

AIDA Cruises will also continue the trend of inter-porting between Dubai and Abu Dhabi (whereby both ports are offered as the roundtrip homeports on the same itineraries).

She will homeport in Dubai between November, 2021 and March, 2022.

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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