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Eye-catching AIDA Vita cruise ship sails into Port of Tyne - with more docking on Tuesday

The fancied-up ship will dock overnight and bring up to 1,500 passengers to Newcastle, while the port prepares for its busiest day

• 17:13, 15 AUG 2016
• Updated 17:49, 15 AUG 2016

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The ‘smiling’ AIDA Vita passenger ship cruised into the Port of Tyne on Monday.

The 42,290-tonne ship is easy to spot, as its front is decorated with AIDA Cruises’ signature red lips, big yellow eyes and blue eyeshadow streaming out to the sides of the boat.

The eye-catching design - created by Germain artist Feliks Buttner, inspired by Egyptian Princess Aida of Verdi’s opera - has been on AIDA’s ships since 1994.

And the German firm thinks it captures the company’s playful personality and gives off a ‘welcome feeling’.

Paul Crulley, 48, of Tynemouth liked the odd nature of the art, but added: “It’s a beautiful ship but the business it brings in is more important than the looks.”

John Smith, 68, has been coming to the port from Newcastle for the past five years. He said he enjoys seeing the cruise ships dock, especially the foreign ones. AIDA Vita’s bright artwork was “very weird”, John said.

The 203m long vessel can hold between 1,266 and 1,582 passengers. While docked, guests are encouraged to get off and explore Newcastle and surrounding areas. The company website suggests to visit the historic city centre and check out the nightlife.

Currently, AIDA Vita is on a 15-day trip that departed from Kiel, Germany, on August 13. In addition to its stop in Newcastle, the craft will visit Dover, Liverpool, Wales, Dublin, Scotland and Denmark before arriving back in Kiel.

John said he comes out to see the visiting fleets as often as he can.

He said: “I’m fascinated by the logistics of it all; they are huge ships navigating small areas.”

John added he is looking forward to Tuesday’s port arrivals, as four more passenger ships come to dock. He will arrive midday to see Holland America Lines’ Koningsdam. It will be the largest passenger ship to come to the Port of Tyne, measuring a massive 297.2m long.

A total of five passenger ships on the same day will make Tuesday the port’s busiest day ever.

Sven Richards, Port of Tyne operations manager for vessels, said: “It will be a busy day but we have been planning this for some time and have brought in additional staff resources to ensure a smooth operation.”

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Newcastle Cruise Port

The International Passenger Terminal in the award-winning Port of Tyne, North Shields has good transport links to Newcastle city centre. There is seating for up to 800 guests, a self-service restaurant and small shop selling publications and essential travel items.

A terminal to quayside Low-Liner coach service takes guests to & from the ship and is an approximate journey of 800m. The car park is within walking distance of the terminal and on disembarkation baggage is delivered to a reclaim point within this car park for those with parked cars.

The nearest metro station is Percy Main – approximately a 20 minute walk away.

Travelling to Newcastle Cruise Terminal by Car

If you are travelling to Newcastle by car and wish to use SatNav, please use the following post code:

Newcastle cruise terminal:  NE29 6EE

From A1/A1(M) northbound

- Exit the A1/A1(M) for the A194(M)

- Continue under the A184 onto the A194, at the junction with the A19 turn left towards the Tyne Tunnel

- At the next roundabout take the first exit into the Tyne Tunnel. Tunnel charges cars £1.70 and this can be paid for online in advance or up to midnight on day of travel. 

- Keep right onto the roundabout for the A187

- Take the first exit at the roundabout and third exit at the next roundabout (A187)

- Continue ahead at the next roundabout and take the second exit at the next roundabout onto Coble Dene

- Continue ahead at the roundabout and take the third exit at the next roundabout

- The International Passenger Terminal is situated at the end of this road

From A1 southbound

- Exit the A1 southbound at junction 80, at the end of the slip road turn left onto the A19

- Remain on the A19 over three roundabouts, the leave the A19 following signs for Royal Quays. At the end of the slip road take the first exit onto the A193

- At the next roundabout take the third exit and continue on to the next roundabout, taking the first exit onto the A187

Car Parking at Newcastle Cruise Terminal

To book car parking at the Newcastle cruise terminal, please contact our Guest Services Department.

Price: From £16.00 per night Tel: 0800 0355 145

Pre booking is required.

If you have booked and pre-paid for car parking at Newcastle via Fred. Olsen, a voucher is not required. The car parks at this ports operates a convenient vehicle recognition system, so all we need is for you to let us know your car registration, make and whether you require a disabled parking space at the time of booking.

Travelling to Newcastle Cruise Terminal by Train

Guests travelling by rail on a cruise from Newcastle should alight at Newcastle Central Station.

Metro - The nearest Metro station is Percy Main, but it is a good 15 minutes walk away from the railway station. From Newcastle Central Station to Percy Main takes about 15 - 20 minutes with a further 20 minute walk to the terminal or take the R19 bus from there to Royal Quays. (Alight at Wet n’ Wild ) Tel: 0871 200 22 33 for further information.

For those wishing to book a taxi pick up:

Company: Blue Line Taxis Tel No: 0191 262 6666 E-mail: [email protected] Other companies are also available.

Subject to availability, we offer a shuttle bus service to Newcastle Central Train Station on your day of disembarkation. This is a payable service that can be booked on board your ship with our friendly Guest Services Team. Please note that bookings are made on a first come, first served basis and more information, including ticket prices and times will be detailed in the Daily Times.

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Cruise line AIDA Cruises

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• Kiel (Germany)

AIDAnova current position

AIDAnova current location is at North Sea (coordinates 52.32551 N / 3.79688 E) cruising en route to Rotterdam. The AIS position was reported 1 minute ago.

Current itinerary of AIDAnova

AIDAnova current cruise is 14 days, round-trip Metropolen Sudnorwegen , themed as "Easter". The itinerary starts on 23 Mar, 2024 and ends on 06 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of AIDAnova

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

AIDAnova Itineraries

Aidanova review, review of aidanova.

The 2018-built AIDAnova cruise ship was constructed by Meyer Werft in Papenburg Germany . This is the first of two Helios-class AIDA liners, with sistership AIDAcosma (2021). Excellence/Helios-Class was preceded by Hyperion-Class ( AIDAprima and AIDAperla ).

The vessel (IMO number 9781865) is currently Italy- flagged (MMSI 247389200) and registered in Genova .

AIDAnova is the company's 8th vessel built in Papenburg. Other Excellence-Class liners (AIDAnova sisterships) are P&O Iona (2020), P&O Arvia (2022), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023).

History - construction and ownership

AIDA Cruises is a Rostock -headquartered subsidiary company owned by Carnival Corporation . AIDA is Europe's largest German cruise line (followed by TUI ) targeting younger and more active travelers. AIDA was founded in 1960 (as "Deutsche Seereederei") and in 2000 was acquired by P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation (shipowner) in 2003. AIDA's first World Cruise (AIDAcara) was in 2017-2018 (October-February) with 116-day roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg Germany .

The 5400-passenger ship AIDAnova (IMO number 9781865) is among the world's most technologically advanced vessels. The newbuild was handed over to the company in autumn 2018.

Besides the ship's staff and crew, AIDA cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in 3 languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.

Decks and Cabins

AIDAnova has a total of 2600 passenger staterooms in 21 categories and on 11 cabin decks. A new type is the Einzelkabine (Single Cabin), which is planned to be introduced fleetwide during AIDA's next scheduled drydock refurbishments . A new suite-type is the Duplex Suite (aft on Deck 12), which is a 2-deck accommodation sized 73 m2 (with 20-m2 private sundeck).

Suites' amenities include private sundeck areas (large outdoor terrace), separate bedroom, sofabeds, 2 bathrooms (bathrobes, slippers, luxury bath products), queen beds, pillow menu (5 different pillows) plus bonus perks (amenities and services).

Standard cabin balconies are equipped with padded deckchairs and coffee tables. Junior Suites are with separate "conservatory" (lounge room, sized 7 m2) plus step-out balcony (4 m2). The lounge room's glass door can be opened to double the balcony's size. The conservatory is temperature-controlled (via the Suite's heater).

Deluxe Balconies have a large-sized veranda (5-13 m2). Comfort Balconies are the ship's main "family cabin" type. They are larger than the standard Balkonkabine and also have double sofabed for quad occupancy. Category DL (Verandakabine Deluxe with Lounge) is for 5 passengers. Oceanview and Interior cabins are with twin-beds (convertible to double / Queen-size).

All staterooms offer as standard (complimentary) amenities electronic safe box (in the closet), spacious wardrobe (some with walk-in closet), low table with lounge chairs, double bed (most convertible to twins), Pullman beds (in most quads), bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, direct dial phone (baby monitoring option), smart HDTV (infotainment system - satellite reception, Internet, movies-on-demand, ship info channel, real-time camera views), LED lighting, mirrored dressing table (writing desk) with chair, en-suite bathroom (toilet, shower cabin, single-sink vanity, hairdryer), individually controlled air-conditioning.

The boat has 20 decks , of which 17 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The new AIDAnova has a variety of dining options. Among its 17 dining venues are the specialty restaurants Casa Nova, French Kiss, and Brauhaus, as well as 5 buffet restaurants (including the family-themed Fuego), the classic Bella Donna and Markt Restaurant. Guests onboard can visit the AIDA cooking school and try interactive cooking classes.

The ship features an exclusive Spray Bar which is spread across 2 decks and operated via a partnership with Moet & Chandon (1869-established French champagne producer). At the ship's stern is the Lanai Bar (Deck 8). At Patio Bar (Deck 16 aft) passengers can enjoy the same view as the Captain. Other bars are the nightclub Nightfly, M Bar, Tapas & Bar, club D6.

Follows the complete list of AIDAnova restaurants and food bars.

• Scharfe Ecke (Sharp Corner, complimentary fast-food dining venue)
• Rossini (a specialty, dinner-only restaurant at surcharge, reservations required; offers waiter service and 6-course a-la-carte menu)
• Markt Restaurant (complimentary main dining room; self-service buffet restaurant with a variety of food stations and a small terrace)
• Bella Donna (Italian cuisine restaurant, complimentary, buffet-style dining, open 24 hours)
• Ristorante Casa Nova (Mediterranean cuisine restaurant at a surcharge)
• Brasserie French Kiss (French cuisine restaurant, reservations-only, at a surcharge)
• Brauhaus (specialty restaurant, reservations-only, at a surcharge)
• Weite Welt Restaurant (Wide World complimentary buffet-style restaurant)
• Buffalo Steakhouse (American fare restaurant with a la carte menu; reservations required; at a surcharge)
• Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant at surcharge, reservations are required)
• Fuego Restaurant (new family restaurant, complimentary, with a kids buffet)
• East Restaurant (Asian cuisine, buffet-style complimentary restaurant)

Time Machine Restaurant is a new dinner-only restaurant with fantasy-themed entertainment.

On June 24, 2023, on the ships AIDAnova, AIDAperla and AIDAprima was introduced the new specialty restaurant Soulkitchen. The a-la-carte-priced venue has a 3-course menu with plant-based vegan dishes (including meat and seafood alternatives) and organic beverages (coffee, tea, fresh juices) as well as non-alcoholic wines and spirits.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Deck 16 features an activity deck with water park, slides, high rope garden, and mini golf. The beach club (introduced with the Hyperion-class) is also available on the Helios-class ships. The pool deck is covered via an openable roof in lightweight construction.

Passengers can unwind by Beach Club's swimming pool. At night, this area turns into a deck party zone. The Cube dance club and the Casino also offer night-time live entertainment. The Beach Club is beneath the expandable membrane roof. It features a dedicated for family activities area "Four Elements" (based on water, air, fire, and earth). Four Elements is an outdoor playground on Sports Deck fitted with 2 waterslides (3-decks high), rock climbing walls, rope course. This deck also has a giant LED screen for movies and other outdoor video entertainment. In addition to the Teens and Kids Clubs on board, for the first time, there is a "Mini Club" for infants from 6 months.

The panoramic glass elevators which connect the outdoor areas, as well as the glass 45-meter above water level skywalk are among the other highlights. Organic treatments pamper at the Body & Soul Organic Spa. AIDA plaza offers a wealth of bars and shops and functions as a meeting place and a stage for street performers.

AIDAnova offers different and innovative entertainment experiences for all ages in a total of thirteen venues. Apart from popular shows of the cruise line, such as "Wer wird Millionar" (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), "The Voice of the Ocean" and "AIDA Stars" vacationers benefit from new entertainment formats which are exclusively available onboard AIDAnova. The enhanced Theatrium is the heart of onboard entertainment - its round stage is the trademark of AIDA Cruises. The Theatrium is great to enjoy entertainment as well as relax during the day. However, in the evenings it's the spot for shows on the 360-degree stage, with technical highlights like 11 LED walls, 7 laser shows and LED Tube inclusive of "artistes elevator".

Some of the shows premiered on AIDAnova include:

• "AIDA LOVE" is an adventure-packed show celebrating birthdays, weddings, honeymoons. The audience may become part of the show via a special phone app.
• "Avona Dia" is a family show with imaginative choreography created by Cirque du Soleil star Benjamin Pring.
• "Nashville - Just Good Music: It rocks!" is a live concert with American rock's greatest hits.
• "Show me! YELLO!" combines music and videos of Swiss electronic duo band YELLO with a pyrotechnical display, acrobatics, dance, and extravagant scenery.
• "Steampunk Circus" show is fantasy-themed (magical world), featuring special effects, original costumes, and specially created music by Stefan Richter.

The list of new facilities introduced first on AIDAnova includes:

• Studio X makes AIDAnova fleet's first boat with TV studio at sea and its own station - "Prime Time One". Passengers can observe live AIDA Cruises TV shows, how are produced, and also to experience the new AIDA TV guessing show for kids "1, 2 or 3".
• "The Pyramid Kids' entertainment program offers new games and quizzes. "Keep Your Light On" (modern version of hangman) is played in teams wearing LED suits. Kids and Teens Workshops offer interactive games and video making and editing.
• "The Mystery Room" serves treasure hunt players searching for the Holy Grail.
• "The Rock Box" music room/karaoke bar has a jukebox and also hosts live performances.
• Mysterious elevator access the new "Time Machine Restaurant" - the realm of Professor Tempus who welcomes passengers for a 3-course dinner and takes them on a voyage through time.

Follows the complete list of AIDAnova lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar)
• Spray Bar (adults-only 2-level luxury lounge & Champagne bar via a partnership with French winery "Moet & Chandon")
• Diskothek (The Cube) is a nightclub with DJ program, light shows, themed dance parties.
• Nachtclub Nightfly (adult-only nightclub lounge with grand piano, live band music, and its own bar)
• Tapas & Bar
• AIDA Plaza (2-deck high, open-floor Atrium lounge with bars and live entertainment; luxury boutique shopping arcade)
• Jewelry Shop; Travel Shop; PhotoShop; Sports Shop; Parfumerie; Kids Shop; Treasure Chest Shop
• Kids Club (AIDA Cruises kids program is complimentary, with supervised, age-appropriate activities: the 3 age groups include Seahorses for 3-6 yo, Dolphins for 7-9 yo and Sharks 10-11 yo; the Kids Club has an outdoor area with a paddling pool)
• AIDA Bar (cocktail bar with live music)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; sells original artworks of renowned art schools and German artists; hosts art auctions)
• AIDA Lounge (with 270-degree panoramic views and comfortable seating)
• The Library (Bibliotek; offers card and board games)
• Casino (served by Casino Bar)
• Theatrium is a 3-deck high, big-capacity show lounge with large round-shaped central stage with a dynamic platform and 11x LED screen covered walls. This is a combined Atrium-Theater-Lounge for daily entertainment, large-scale evening productions, cabaret, and magician shows. Here are presented 7 differently themed laser shows. The theater lounge is served by Theatrium Bar.
• Eiscafe (ice cream parlor Ice cafe Erste Sahne)
• Cafe Mare (patisserie & specialty coffee bar)
• Vinotek (fine wines shop; offers sommelier service and wine tasting events)
• Brauhaus (beerhouse; onboard brewery, purified seawater is used for brewing beer; the Beer House sells its own draft beers)
• Destille (Distillery; fruit spirits bar)
• AIDA Bar (big-capacity lounge with panoramic windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (professional photo & video services, duty-free accessories and equipment; new feature are the photo kiosks with touch-screens /face-recognition system)
• AIDA Shop (duty-free merchandise at discount prices; the shopping arcade has a general store selling liquor and tobaccos, as well as small boutiques for jewelry, luxury watches, perfumes, brand fashion clothing, AIDA logo goods)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; provides hairdresser, barber services, professional manicure/pedicure Nail Spa)
• Body & Soul Sports Fitness Centre (with a modern Gym and separate area for classes)
• Zen Lounge (relaxation room; hosts indoor classes)
• Blutenmeer (Blooming Sea flower shop)
• Kochstudio (Cooking Studio for culinary classes, workshops, master chefs presentations; reservations are required)
• "The Mystery Room" is a new venue dedicated to onboard treasure hunt games.
• "Rock Box" is a music room/karaoke bar with a jukebox and also hosting live performances.
• "Studio X" is the ship's TV Room producing live AIDA Cruises themed shows.
• Lanai Bar (with outdoor seating area)
• Sundeck area (with 4 infinity pools)
• Wave Club (water playground and teens club with supervised activities in two age groups - Orcas for 12 -13 yo and Teens 14 -17 yo; complimentary)
• Body & Soul Organic SPA complex (3100 m2, with indoor/outdoor pools, big whirlpools and retractable glass roof; offers Japanese Tea Ceremony, body scrubs, and wraps; facilities include 5 saunas, treatment rooms, Rasul bath, relaxation room, shower room, conservatory, luxury Spa Suites, SPA Bar)
• AIDA Lounge (with 270-degree panorama views, comfortable couches, and tables); Sunset Bar
• Mini Club (childcare/babysitting services for toddlers and little kids 6 months to 3yo)
• "Four Elements" (Water Park with rock climbing walls, pools and whirlpools, splash pool and fountains for children, a stage for live shows, huge LED screen, 2 water slides, rope course. This activity/sports deck is covered with a sliding glass roof. In the evenings, Four Elements transforms into a deck party/dancing zone with live music.
• Bar 5 Elements (serving the Aqua Park complex)
• AIDA Beach Club (2-deck high relaxation oasis, covered with a glass dome for tropical beach-like experience with live plants and palm trees; in the evenings, the club is transformed into a party zone)
• Sundeck / sunbathing area (Freibereich, located above the swimming pool; with loungers, served by the Pool Bar); the liner's Top Deck is dedicated to Freikorperkultur / FKK Bereich nudist area with sun loungers)
• Sun Deck games area (Sonnendeck - Freibereich, with shuffleboard, giant chess, Boccia, backgammon, darts, table tennis)
• Patio deck (exclusive, covered deck area for Panorama cabin guests only, adult-only)
• Sports Deck area (Sportaussendeck with a combined sports court volleyball/basketball, Golf Cage, putting green area, golf simulator)
• Rock Climbing Walls; High Ropes Course; Power Walking/Jogging Track.

Itineraries

AIDAnova itinerary program is based on 7-night roundtrip Canary Islands cruises with Madeira island (Portugal). The "Inaugural Cruise" from Tenerife was scheduled for December 12, 2018. The roundtrip Canaries itinerary visits the ports Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), Arrecife (Lanzarote) , Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) , and Funchal (Madeira Island) .

For winter 2021-2022, the boat was originally scheduled for homeporting in Kiel Germany , to operate two alternating 7-day roundtrip Norwegian Fjord itineraries. However, in May 2021 AIDA canceled the deployment and substituted this program with AIDAcosma 's Red Sea program based on homeporting in the UAE ( Dubai and Abu Dhabi ) and 7-day roundtrips to Doha Qatar and Mina Salman-Manama Bahrain .

Serving mainly the German-speaking market, AIDA operates the Nova ship with fly-cruise deals from Germany and also from the UK.

AIDAnova - user reviews and comments

Photos of aidanova.

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Other AIDA Cruises cruise ships

Aidanova wiki.

In July 2015, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding agreement with Meyer Werft for the construction of all 4 new-class (Excellence, aka Helios) vessels. Of these, 2 liners were for Costa Cruises ( Smeralda /2019 and Toscana /2021 ) and the other 2 for AIDA (AIDAnova /2018 and AIDAcosma /2021 ). On February 27, 2018, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding contract for a 3rd AIDA ship (delivery in 2023) but in June 2021 decided the vessel ( Carnival Jubilee ) to be assigned to CCL-Carnival . This was the 98th ship order for the cruise industry's global fleet (vessels in the order book 2018-2026).

On February 21, 2017, was vessel's steel-cutting ceremony held at Meyer Werft shipyard (Papenburg Germany) . With this special event officially started the vessel's construction works. On September 6 (2017) was the keel-laying ceremony for the first hull block, held at the Papenburg shipyard's building dock. The first steel block (of all 90 blocks) has a weight of 120 tons, width 5 m (16 ft), height 8 m (26 ft) and length 21 m (69 ft). A traditional lucky coin was placed under the first block. The ship's powerplant was constructed at NEPTUN WERFT ( Warnemunde Germany ). It consists of all 4x low-emission LNG engines that supply all the power needed for the vessel's shipping and hotel operations.

Like most large -sized newbuilds , the AIDA ship Nova is LNG-powered , with 4x Caterpillar Marine LNG engines (model MaK 16M-46DF) generating combined output 57,2 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters (combined power output 37 MW). The ship has 3x LNG tanks (cryogenic steel) with total capacity ~3200 m3. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m, diameter 8 m, LNG capacity 1525 m3), while the 3rd tank has length 28 m, diameter 5 m and capacity 520 m3.

On September 21, 2017, Neptun shipyard (Rostock) completed vessel's 3-decks high first (out of 2) engine room block (length 120 m / 394 ft, width 42 m / 138 ft). The block was next shipped on a cargo barge via Kiel Canal from Rostock to Papenburg. The complex carries the 4 dual-fuel engines by Caterpillar and hence AIDAnova's heart. The 2nd block (length 120 m / 394 ft, width 42 m / 138 ft) was completed on December 1. Both blocks were shipped (barged) to Papenburg shipyard on December 2. With AIDAnova engine room construction at Neptun shipyard, were engaged over 500 shipyard workers plus 500 external employees (service providers) and 120 Caterpillar (diesel engine manufacturer) employees.

On December 11, 2017, the vessel's stern (aft) section was delivered to the Papenburg yard. The section (1st of 2 equally sized, prefabricated modules) has length 120 m (394 ft), width 42 m (138 ft) and height 19 decks.

The ship's launch (float-out ceremony) was at 7 pm on August 21, 2018. The vessel was floated out from MEYER WERFT's covered building (drydock 2) and was berthed at yard’s pier for outfitting. Sea trials included passage along Ems River to the North Sea. Sea trials started on November 16, 2018. Due to construction issues, vessel's delivery was delayed and the inaugural cruise rescheduled for December 19 (originally planned for December 2).

The ship's delivery was initially scheduled for November 15, 2018, but the liner was actually delivered on December 12, in Bremerhaven . Fan fact is, that to enable AIDAnova to berth at the shipyard's pier, the floating part of Spectrum of the Seas (RCI ship) was moved to another berth in the harbor.

The christening ceremony was on August 31, 2018, held at Meyer Werft's Papenburg shipyard. The show included a live, open-air solo concert by DJ David Guetta. Advance ticket sales for the "AIDA Open Air" show started on March 9, 2018, with ticket price EUR 35 pp.

The event was unique as it was the first shipyard christening ceremony in over 20 years. The decision was made to express AIDA's gratitude to all the workers who contributed to the liner's construction. The naming ceremony was attended by around 25,000 spectators. "AIDA Open Air" show featured laser and lighting effects (produced by 20 laser projectors, over 300 stroboscopic lamps, over 100 floodlights-spotlights) and two acrobats gliding over the water. Instead of a Godmother, the liner has a "god family" (Mirza, from Hanau / Hesse, Germany) - Asad (33 yo) and Sonja (31), and their kids Adrian (3 yo) and Sophia (2 yo).

The cruise ship's tugboats-assisted conveyance on Ems River to North Sea (Papenburg to Eemshaven Holland ) was conducted on October 8-9, 2018. The conveyance schedule included for October 8th : departure from Papenburg (~7 am), passing sea lock Papenburg (~8 am), passing Friesenbridge/Weener (~2:30 pm), passing Jann Berghaus Bridge/ Leer (~7 pm), arrival at Ems River barrier/Gandersum (~11:15 pm), and for October 9th : passing Ems River barrier (~1 am), passing Emden (~2:30 am) and arrival at Eemshaven (~9 am).

Followed sea trials. The 183,900 GT-ton vessel is by far the largest Germany-built liner, as well as the world's biggest cruise ship that has ever sailed on such a narrow inland waterway. AIDAnova's Captain is Boris Becker.

The German manufacturer Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH supplied AIDAnova's 1000+ trolleys used by the ship's housekeeping and room service staff. Of all units, 150 were customized Mundus chambermaid trolleys. The custom design features fold-out push handle, locking brake (for better maneuverability and stability), 3 flexible shelves (for clean laundry), push and pull drawer (above the shelves), separate enclosed container (for dirty laundry), 2 removable-washable plastic bags (secured on both sides, for towels and cloths), bucket, storage tray, waste separation baskets (each accessed separately), as well as ability to lock the trolley via RFID chip.

The AIDA ship's namesake is the 2023-built Silver Nova ( Silversea ).

In 2022, AIDAnova's powerplant was retrofitted to be able to use electricity generated by the methanol-powered fuel cell system developed by Freudenberg e-Power Systems (Freudenberg Fuel Cell e-Power Systems GmbH), which is part of Freudenberg Group (1849-founded, Weinheim-based, family-owned group of technology and production companies specializing in household products, textiles, building materials, auto parts, telecommunications).

Inaugural itineraries 2018

In February 2018 was announced that AIDAnova will offer new ("premier cruise") itineraries scheduled prior to the maiden voyage on Dec 2nd.

All premiere voyages ("mini-cruises") were open for booking on February 1, 2018.

The first 4-day itinerary was scheduled to depart on November 15th (right after the ship's delivery) from Oslo to Hamburg (arriving on November 19th).

Next short cruises were planned to depart from Hamburg to either Oslo Norway or Rotterdam Holland .

The following table shows the "Inaugural Cruise" (maiden voyage, itinerary 2018) 7-day "Kanaren und Madeira". Prices started from USD 625 pp (double-occupancy inside cabin rates).

Next tables show the inaugural cruises updated in November 2018 (following the delay).

10-day repositioning from Hamburg to Tenerife

7-day repositioning from Lisbon to Las Palmas

7-day Inaugural Canaries Cruise (itinerary "Kanaren und Madeira 4") from homeport Tenerife

7-day Inaugural Canaries Cruise (itinerary "Kanaren und Madeira 3") from homeport Las Palmas

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AIDA new summer routes 2023 in the north

August 03, 2022 - For the 2023 summer season, AIDA Cruises is launching new routes for the cruise ships AIDAdiva, AIDAmar and AIDAnova. A variety of attractive travel options in the north are now on the agenda. The new cruises can be booked from August 3, 2022.

AIDAnova - Lanai deck view

AIDAnova from Kiel

For the seven-day trips " AIDAnova Baltic Sea from Kiel ’ and the 14-day trips ‘Norway and Baltic Sea’ with departure dates between May 6 and October 21, 2023, AIDA Cruises has developed attractive new routes to Norway and Denmark for its guests.

In Norway, guests experience from AIDAnova next to the charming capital Oslo with its innovative architecture, museums and newly created city quarters also the sun-kissed one Kristiansand with its old town Posebyen, where the white wooden houses reflect the sunlight. Numerous sights and urban lifestyle await the guests in Denmark's capital Copenhagen. In Skagen, on the other hand, endless beaches and the country's largest shifting dune, from which only the tower of the silted-up parish church can still be seen, attract visitors. Only here can you swim with one leg in the Baltic Sea and the other leg in the North Sea.

AIDAnova Baltic Sea offers

AIDAnova Northern Europe Offers

AIDAmar from Warnemünde

On her nine- and ten-day cruises in the 2023 summer season, AIDAmar will now sail on attractive routes to Scandinavia or Norway. For example, with Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm, three Nordic capitals are on the program as well as calls in Gothenburg , Aarhus and Visby . The new trips to Norway take you to three different fjords to Eidfjord, Olden and Vik, as well as to Bergen , Skagen , Kristiansand and Gothenburg .

AIDAmar offers Warnemünde

AIDAdiva from Warnemünde

Received on May 6th and October 14th, 2023 AIDAdiva a new summer programme.

AIDAdiva is now touring the beauties of Norway on four travel dates (May 06.05th, July 08.07th, August 05.08th and September 2.9nd). Among other things, a visit to the tranquil port of Vik on the Sognefjord is on the program. The country's longest and deepest fjord stretches 204 kilometers inland from the coast north of Bergen.

New in the program are 4- and 5-day trips in the Baltic Sea region. In addition to the popular classics Stockholm , Copenhagen and Gothenburg guests can now choose Gdansk/Gdynia, Fredericia or Bornholm get to know them for the first time during a short trip with AIDA.

The four 7-day trips "Sweden, Poland & Denmark" with the trip beginning on July 01st remain unchanged. July 29, August 26, September 23, 2022.

Both the 7-day cruises and the new 4- and 5-day trips can be combined with each other and thus offer a large selection of routes for the start and destination port of Warnemünde.

AIDAdiva Northern Europe

AIDAdiva Baltic Sea

AIDA cruise offers

Overview of all AIDA Kreuzfahrten

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Activities & entertainment

• Waterslides (3)
• Teens Lounge
• Hot Tub (12)
• Dancing Classes
• Cooking Classes *
• Climbing Park
• Game Center *
• Outdoor Fitness Parcours
• The Voice Of The Ocean
• Spirit Tasting *
• Mystery Room *
• Kochstudio *
• Art Gallery
• Theatre Shows
• Bella Donna Restaurant - Buffet *
• Markt Restaurant - Buffet *
• Pool Bar - Bar
• Beach Club - Bar
• Hemingway Lounge - Bar
• Casino Bar - Bar
• Lanai Bar - Bar
• Art Bar - Bar
• Aida Lounge - Bar
• Juicy's - Smoothies *
• Rock Box Bar - Bar
• Loge 7 Bar - Bar
• French Kiss - French *
• Nova Bar - Bar
• Tokyo Bar - Bar
• Rossini Bar - Bar
• Sushi House - Sushi *
• 5. Element - Bar
• Fuego Restaurant - Buffet/family
• Café Mare - Coffeebar *
• Eisbar - Icebar *
• Vinothek - Winery *
• Ristorante Casa Nova - Italian *
• Churrascaria Steakhouse - Churrascaria *
• Brauhaus - Brewery *
• Street Food - Street Food
• Best Burger @ Sea - Burger
• Ocean's - Fish Restaurant *
• Yacht Club Restaurants - Restaurant For Suite Guests Only *
• Rossini Restaurant - Fine Dining *
• Time Machine Restaurant - Show Dining *
• Excellent 6
• Very Good 2
• All languages ( 17 )
• German ( 12 )
• English ( 2 )
• Spanish ( 2 )
• Dutch ( 1 )

Celestyal Acquires AIDAaura; To Sail as Celestyal Discovery

• November 16, 2023

Celestyal has confirmed the acquisition of a second new vessel this year as the Celestyal Discovery follows the recent arrival of the Celestyal Journey, signaling a fleet refresh and further commitment to significant investment into the customer proposition, the company said.

The Celestyal Discovery will now join the Celestyal Journey in Athens, where they will both undergo multimillion-euro winter refurbishment programs ahead of the new season, which starts in 2024.

The Discovery takes over the Olympia’s program starting next March. Cruises will go on sale in December.

Built in 2003 for the Carnival Corporation, the ship has been sailing for the AIDA Cruise brand throughout her career to date.

The company said that the Celestyal Discovery is a mid-sized vessel, allowing Celestyal to continue offering its signature unique blend of marquee destinations and more secluded gems that characterize the company’s itineraries. She offers 633 staterooms, 62 of which feature balconies, in total accommodating up to 1,266 guests.

“Given strong market and business conditions, we are thrilled to have expedited the renewal of our fleet to welcome the Celestyal Discovery into the Celestyal family,” said Chris Theophilides, CEO. “Celestyal Discovery joins the Celestyal Journey to undergo an extensive refurbishment program over the winter period, signifying further our intent to keep delighting our customers. As a confident challenger brand, our team is excited to continue to make waves across the industry next season, with a refreshed fleet, brand, network, and a renewed sense of direction.”

North America Push

“The new Celestyal Discovery is a significant upgrade from the Olympia, in both guest-facing spaces and below deck,” said Brandon Townsley, vice president and managing director, North America. “It offers a variety of restaurant outlets, entertainment spaces, and we are very excited about the conference and meeting facilities it offers.”

The ship also has a better mix of premium accommodations and 62 balcony cabins, Townsley told Cruise Industry News , noting that per diems should be on the rise with the more modern ship.

The new Discovery joins the Celestyal Journey, which replaced the older Crystal earlier this year, marking a quick complete fleet transformation for the brand.

“It’s a testament to the efforts and initiatives to position the brand as a small, premium ship experience with upgraded hardware and an upgraded range of accommodations,” said Townsley.

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More From Forbes

How to see the best of iceland on a cruise.

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The port of Isafjordur in the westfjords region of Iceland has attracted record numbers of cruise ... [+] ships in recent years.

Unlike more traditional cruise destinations, Iceland presents a rugged, untamed beauty. Known for its raw and varied landscapes, Iceland offers a seemingly endless list of natural wonders, from the steaming geothermal vents and spouting geysers to the dramatic glaciers and thunderous waterfalls.

The island's rich Viking heritage and folklore add layers of intrigue to its already captivating landscapes.

This unique terrain, coupled with the opportunity—depending on the season—to enjoy the midnight sun or mystical northern lights, makes Iceland a prime destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those fascinated by the interplay of culture and the natural world.

Cruising around Iceland not only allows travelers to experience the volcanic landscapes from a unique vantage point but also offers convenient transport between the main ports and highlights of Iceland , all from the comfort of a modern cruise ship.

The cruise industry has recognized Iceland's appeal, offering an increasing variety of itineraries that cater to different interests and time frames, including extensive circumnavigations of the island.

According to Cruise Iceland , cruise ships registered almost one million passenger visits in 2023, marking an 80% increase from 2019.

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The accessibility of remote fjords, wildlife encounters including puffins and whales, and the chance to experience the midnight sun in summer or witness the mystical northern lights in winter, are among the highlights of these voyages.

Something to bear in mind is the additional cost required for excursions, whether you book through the cruise line or choose independent options.

Unlike a Norwegian fjords cruise , which you can enjoy without leaving the ship, Iceland cruises require additional transport to reach the most iconic sites. They are also a wise idea if you want to make the most of wildlife-watching opportunities.

Whale watching is a major tourist attraction in Northern Iceland.

The most popular Icelandic cruise port is Reykjavik, followed by Akureyri in the north of the country, Isafjordur in the westfjords region, and Seydisfjordur on the east coast.

An itinerary that includes all four of these ports—Reykjavik, Akureyri, Isafjordur, and Seydisfjordur—offers guests a comprehensive appreciation of Iceland’s varied landscapes.

Fly-Cruise From Reykjavik

If you don’t mind flying, Reykjavik is the starting point for many of the more in-depth circumnavigations of Iceland.

Such cruises contain fewer sea days and may call at smaller ports, offering a more intimate experience of Iceland, while also allowing guests to spend a few days exploring the Icelandic capital before or after the cruise.

This 7-day Iceland Intensive itinerary from Celebrity Cruises begins and ends in Reykjavik and includes port calls in Reykjavik, Seydisfjordur, Djúpivogur, and Akureyri.

Iceland Cruises From The U.K.

The U.K. is a popular departure point for Iceland cruises, some of which may also include ports of call in Scotland and Norway. The Port of Southampton is the most common departure port, used by lines including Celebrity, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, and Princess.

This 14-day cruise on Norwegian Prima starts and ends in Southampton and includes three Icelandic ports, including an overnight stay in Reykjavik, along with three ports of call in Norway.

Some small ship lines such as Ambassador, Fred Olsen, and Saga Cruises, offer departures from regional ports such as Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Rosyth.

The gateway to the westfjords region, Isafjordur is increasingly found on Iceland cruise ... [+] itineraries.

Other popular departure points across Europe include the Netherlands (Celebrity, Holland America) and Germany (AIDA). Although the latter does welcome English speakers, some knowledge of German is advised to get the most from the experience.

Northern Transatlantic Route

Another option to consider is a one-way cruise between North America and Europe that calls in to at least one port in Iceland. Such repositioning cruises that take a northern route often include additional ports of call in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Luxury Cruises To Iceland

In addition to the mainstream cruise lines, Iceland is a popular destination for luxury and ultra-luxury lines such as Seabourn, Silversea, and Windstar.

Iceland is also a popular destination for expedition cruise lines such as Aurora Expeditions, Hurtigruten Expeditions, and Lindblad. This option is worth considering for travelers interested in learning more about the science behind Iceland’s geology or the wildlife that calls its chilly waters home.

Packing For An Iceland Cruise

When packing for an Iceland cruise, remember that the weather can be as varied as the landscape itself. It's essential to be prepared for all conditions, regardless of the season.

The cornerstone of any travel wardrobe for Iceland is layering. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep you dry, add an insulating layer for warmth, and finish with a waterproof and windproof outer layer. This approach allows you to adjust your clothing to match the weather, which can change several times in a day.

A waterproof jacket and pants are crucial, as rain is possible any time of the year. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are also essential if you plan to explore Iceland's rugged terrain during port stops.

Don't forget warm accessories such as hats, gloves, and scarves, but also sun protection including sunglasses and sunscreen. For wildlife enthusiasts, a good pair of binoculars is invaluable. To keep all these accessories safe and at hand, a sturdy daypack is useful for shore excursions.

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