AIDA Cruises

AIDA Cruises is Germany's largest and most popular cruise line, headquartered in Rostock. Since the maiden voyage of the first AIDA ship (AIDAcara, 1996) operated by DSR-Senator Lines, the brand — recognizable by its distinctive kissing lips on the bow — has stood for a relaxed, German-language club ship concept: buffet restaurants instead of fixed dining times, a Theatrium atrium instead of a traditional proscenium theatre, and casual dress code instead of formal wear. Today, AIDA is part of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise group.

The fleet currently comprises 12 active ships — ranging from the compact AIDAaura (2003, 42,000 GRT) to AIDAnova and AIDAcosma (both ~184,000 GRT), the world's first cruise ships capable of running entirely on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Most AIDA ships follow a consistent naming family (AIDAdiva, AIDAbella, AIDAluna, AIDAblu of the Sphinx class; AIDAsol, AIDAmar, AIDAstella of the Sphinx Plus class) and share a unified design.

Routes operate year-round to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, and the Orient. The onboard language is German and the onboard currency is the euro. Families will find an aqua park, a kids' club with three age groups, and baby care facilities on the larger ships. With the transition to LNG and the gradual testing of methanol and hydrogen fuel cells, AIDA is positioning itself as a pioneer in lower-emission cruising.