The corporation spent almost two billion euros between 2007 and 2013 growing the fleet. Seven ships are constructed during this time at the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg. In the interim, the specialty travel sector of cruises has grown to be significant for German tourism. Hamburg, Warnemünde, and Kiel, three cruise ports in northern Germany, are investing in larger and larger terminal structures and reporting new records every year.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will produce the "AIDAprima" and "AIDAperla," two brand-new structures, in Nagasaki in 2016 and 2017. However, there are persistent delivery issues with the "AIDAprima," which force even visits to be postponed.

Environmental activists criticize cruises.

Because it uses liquid gas to power itself, the "AIDAnova" is recognized by NABU 2019 as the cleanest cruise ship. However, environmentalists believe that the sector still has a long way to go.

The "AIDAnova," which was once more constructed at the Meyer shipyard, will indeed be put into service in 2018. More than six times as many beds as the original "AIDA" in 1996, it has 6,600. Despite this, in its first year, it was ranked first among cruise ships by NABU. Environmental researchers are looking into how floating hotels will affect the ecosystem.

The "AIDAnova" is ahead in 2018 because it burns liquid gas, which is now regarded as the most environmentally benign fuel on the market, rather than heavy oil or marine diesel. The shipping firm claims that as a result, the emission of fine dust and sulfur oxides is nearly eliminated. This was an innovation in the cruise business, and Daniel Rieger, head of transport policy at NABU, highlighted that it was appropriate to acknowledge it. Other than that, maritime shipping lacks this.

AIDA Cruises relies on onshore electricity and liquid gas

Shipping firms like AIDA Cruises expect to dramatically reduce their carbon footprint with shore power. The company has been leading the way toward emission-free trips "for many years in a wide variety of areas," according to Hansjörg Kunze, spokesman for AIDA Cruises at the time.

94 percent of the company's passengers will be on board ships that can run totally on LPG or, when available, on green shore power in port by the end of 2023. The creation of liquid gas without the use of CO2 is another area of activity for AIDA Cruises.

"AIDAcosma," the fifteenth cruise ship being built at the Meyer shipyard

The shipping company's fifteenth cruise ship will be set down at the Neptun shipyard in Warnemünde in October 2019. Like the "AIDAnova," it will exclusively run on liquefied natural gas and go with the name "AIDAcosma." The Meyer shipyard will finish the construction of the 337-meter-long vessel, which can accommodate up to 6,600 passengers.

Trouble in Corona: Emergency Loan and State Guarantee

However, AIDA Cruises abruptly came to a standstill in March 2020, canceling all excursions until further notice because of the corona epidemic. Instead of providing entertainment at sea, 14 ships with 31,888 beds are docked at the wharf. 1,500 of the 15,600 employees, who are from 60 different nations, are on land. More than virtually any other industry, the cruise industry has been particularly heavily struck by the pandemic. The federal government and the shipping business are negotiating a 400 million euro loan.

The Federal Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF), which aids businesses suffering from the Corona crisis, is claimed to be the source of the funding. For AIDA Cruises to get the WSF, the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania additionally commits its assistance by providing a counter-guarantee of 26 million euros. AIDA Cruises praised them for their trust and would decide due course, according to company spokeswoman Kunze. According to Kunze, no allegation was made.

Once more, the flotilla sets off 

This method should also be used to secure the order from Meyer Werft. The two new builds won't be canceled by AIDA Cruises despite the Corona-related issues. In April 2022, the "AIDAcosma," a vessel propelled by liquid gas, began its christening trip. In 2023, the sister ship is expected to start operations.

And in fact, AIDA cruises will gradually resume on Whitsun 2021, following a 14-month Corona mandatory vacation. Nearly a year later, the cruise period is once again fully scheduled, though the cruise giants are still not quite full.

The first ship traveling as the "Astoria Grande"

The "AIDA," which Christiane Herzog christened in 1996 and has been operating since 2001 as "AIDAcara," is no longer a part of the AIDA fleet. The shipping business cut ties with the cruise ship in 2021 after 25 years to concentrate on more eco-friendly versions going forward. The old "AIDA" won't be destroyed for the time being, though, as it now flies the Panamanian flag as "Astoria Grande."

Why choose AIDA?

The AIDA ships offer a casual environment that is fun-loving, friendly, and eventful with no uniform policy or assigned seats. AIDA Cruises has brought the traditional sea cruise into the new millennium with this idea. In Germany, the AIDA brand is recognized by 45.7 million people or more than 70% of the population aged 14 and over. A typical brand analysis from 2011 by the research organization Holidays and Travel supports this. We are now Germany's most well-known cruise brand and the fourth-best-known brand overall in the tourism industry.

Nearly 12 million Germans, or 18% of those surveyed, said they would want to enjoy an AIDA cruise 

Since it was established in 1996, AIDA Cruises has expanded continuously, adding additional ships, personnel, and happy passengers. AIDA continued to hold a dominant position in the German and European markets in 2011 and even strengthened it.

The ethical treatment of customers, staff, and business partners, as well as the responsible use of natural resources, both on board and ashore, are all very important to AIDA Cruises.

By acting morally upright and making appropriate use of the environment and natural resources, AIDA Cruises, the biggest employer in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, accepts responsibility not only for the region but also for the entire globe. Additionally, be respectful of your coworkers, business associates, and shipboard passengers!