AIDA Cruises to Christen its New Flagship Hamburg
AIDA Cruises will help the Port of Hamburg ring in its 827th anniversary with the christening if its new flagship, AIDAprima.
AIDA Cruises will christen its 11th ship, AIDAprima, in Hamburg on May 7, 2016 as part of the celebrations for the 827th Hamburg Port Anniversary. From April 30, 2016, Hamburg will be the home port for AIDAprima’s seven-day round trips to Western Europe metropolises such as London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
“With AIDAprima, we are opening a new chapter in the history of the cruise industry,” said Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises. “This ship is the first of a new generation whose product innovations and environmental friendliness will in turn set new benchmarks for the future. With AIDAprima and the next three new ships to be built, we will continue to provide the German cruise market with a further momentum for growth.”
“With more than 70 calls this year, we are by far the most important cruise partner of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Hamburg and AIDA – they belong together. Not only on the water, but also on shore,” Eichhorn added.
As main sponsor of the 827th Hamburg Port Anniversary from May 5-8, 2016, AIDA Cruises presents a variety of holiday offers with several activities on shore and on the water under the motto “Experience the christening of the year.”
Accompanied by AIDAaura, another member of the AIDA fleet, the new flag ship of Germany’s largest cruise ship company, AIDAprima, is due to arrive in the port of Hamburg in the early morning hours of May 7, 2016. AIDAaura will call at the Cruise Center Altona, and AIDAprima will moor at the new Cruise Center Steinwerder. For visitors of the Hamburg Port Anniversary, who want to see AIDAprima at close range, AIDA Cruises will offer an hourly free-of-charge shuttle with barges between Inner Harbor South (pontoons near Baumwall) and Steinwerder.
Saturday night will mark the event’s highlight when the AIDA christening firework displays in the vicinity of Harbor Piers and turns the night sky above the Elbe into a glittering sea of color. AIDAprima will open this production against the backdrop of Hamburg harbor. Afterwards, AIDAprima will depart for cities in Western Europe, while guests aboard AIDAaura will set off on an eight-day cruise to Denmark and Norway.
Tall and small cruise enthusiasts can discover the AIDA world on shore in its dazzling variety in the harbor city at Marco Polo Terrassen. AIDAprima will be in the center of the theme islands. The replica of a veranda stateroom allows visitors to gain an impression of their future home on board. Visitors can also enjoy a virtual tour of the AIDA ships using digital glasses. Travel consultants will inform about the most beautiful holiday options to more than 200 destinations worldwide. Interested visitors will also have the opportunity to book their choice of cabin for the next cruise on board of one of the 11 ships of the AIDA fleet. In the family area, the youngest cruise fans are in the center of attention with plays, fun and entertainment.
During this maritime festival, the beach club HAMBURG del mar at Harbor Piers will be transformed into a world of AIDA. From here, guests will be able to view fireworks and festivities on the water.