Ship for AIDA Cruises to be completed in 2007

Papenburg, 25.10.2005 - Kick-off in Papenburg for the construction of the first club ship for the German cruise operator AIDA Cruises. Today, on Tuesday, 25th October 2005, MEYER WERFT started construction of the still unnamed ship which will be delivered to the Owner in the spring of 2007.

Michael Thamm, president of AIDA Cruises in Rostock, pressed the start button of the computer-controlled cutting machine on which the first steel plates for the new ship will be fabricated. This event hallmarks the beginning of the construction of this new club ship for the AIDA brand.

She will be the first ship in a series of three to be built for the most successful cruise operator in Germany. The ships will have a length overall of 252 metres, a breadth of 32.2 metres and a tonnage of 68,500 gt. 2,030 passengers can be accommodated in 1,015 cabins. The other two newbuildings will follow suit in the spring of 2008 and in the spring of 2009.

The new ships will continue to feature the well-known outside appearance of the AIDA club ships, hence they will never be mistaken in any port. As to the interior design and engineering, they will create new standards. The novel "Theatrium" for instance will be a distinctive architectural feature.

Four large diesel engines made by MaK will generate a total power of 50,000 hp. The ship's operating speed will exceed 21 knots.