AIDA Cruises: start of construction of the first LNG cruise ship in the world at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg
Pre-reservations
for initial cruises around the Canaries from today
On
February 21, 2017, a new age dawned for the cruise shipping sector at the Meyer
Werft shipyard in Papenburg. AIDA President Felix Eichhorn and Meyer Werft
Director Bernard Meyer performed the symbolic first steel cutting for the
world's first cruise ship that can be run completely on liquid natural gas
(LNG).
The
Rostock-based cruise company had announced the continuation of the longstanding
strategic partnership with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg in the summer
of 2015 and issued the order for two new vessels of the next AIDA generation.
The vessels, with a size in excess of 180,000 GT (gross tonnage) and around
2,500 cabins each will strengthen the AIDA fleet in the fall of 2018 and spring
2021 respectively.
With the
"Green Cruising" concept, AIDA Cruises will be the first cruise shipping
company in the world with the capability to operate its new generation of ships
using 100% LNG.
"With
the start of construction of the first LNG cruise ship in the world, we are not
only setting standards for the future in terms of eco-friendliness. Thanks to
the further development of the innovative ship design and a large number of
successful product innovations of the existing AIDA fleet, we will be opening
up totally new worlds of experience to our guests on board our ships in the
future. An extraordinary variety of individual vacation possibilities,
innovative entertainment and cuisine concepts, inspired by the modern lifestyle
of international hotspots – these are just some of the themes with which we are
creating new impetus in Germany's vacation market", said Felix Eichhorn on the
occasion of the first steel cutting in Papenburg.
"We are
very proud to be driving forward this quantum leap in the area of environmental
protection together with AIDA Cruises. The successful development of this new
and sophisticated ship class for AIDA Cruises shows what a good team spirit,
the consistent pursuit of a common goal and committed people can bring about",
added Bernard Meyer.
The new
generation of ships combines innovative design with state-of-the-art technology
for even more comfort on board. The successfully launched features, such as the
Brewerie, Theatrium, Beach Club and the Four Elements, have been developed
further for the new vessel generation. A new cabin concept will provide AIDA
guests with even more room for individuality and personal service in the
future, from the Penthouse Suite to the extra-large cabin for families as well
as the single cabin. Culinary trends from all over the world served in 15
restaurants and 23 bars will inspire guests to sample something new onboard.
The
first 7-day cruises on the 13th member of the AIDA fleet will take
guests to the Canaries from December 2018. AIDA Cruises will announce
further details of the new generation of ships over the coming months.
Those
who wish to be among the first to make a pre-reservation or who would like to
obtain the latest first-hand information about AIDA's next generation of ships
should register at www.aida.de/genaumeinurlaub, starting
from February 21, 2017.
A
preview of the next generation of AIDA ships can be found in the newly designed
AIDA Cruises exhibition area at the Meyer Werft shipyard visitors' center in
Papenburg, which attracts up to 300,000 guests each year. In the "AIDA Lounge",
visitors can obtain an insight into the diversity of the world of AIDA as well
as obtain the very latest information about the progress of construction. A
visit to the "AIDA Lounge" is possible as part of a guided tour arranged in
advance. For registration and further information, please go to www.meyerwerft.de or www.papenburg-marketing.de.
Papenburg/Rostock,
February 21, 2017
© by AIDA Cruises
AIDA Cruises
German Branch of Costa Crociere S.p.A.
Am Strande 3d, 18055 Rostock, Germany
Geschäftsleitung: Felix Eichhorn (President), Dr. Ali Arnaout (Senior Vice President & CFO)
Amtsgericht Rostock, HRB - Nr. 10559