AIDA Cruises has held a naming ceremony to welcome AIDAnova into their fleet.
The vessel will debut with innovative guest experience features and as the world’s first cruise vessel to be powered at sea and in port by liquefied natural gas, the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel.
AIDAnova was named on by Sonja and Asad Mirza and their children Sophia and Adrian of Hanau, Germany, who were selected from hundreds of applicants from all over Germany.
Held at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg – the first naming of a cruise ship at the shipyard in more than 20 years – the celebration included a first-of-its-kind AIDA Open Air concert featuring a light show, fireworks display and live musical performance with superstar and two-time Grammy winner DJ David Guetta before a sold-out crowd of more than 25,000 with additional viewers tuning in via livestream.
“We are excited to introduce AIDAnova, the first ship of a new generation of vessels for AIDA Cruises that will help us further establish our position as a leader and pioneer in the cruise industry,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for AIDA-owner Carnival Corporation.
“AIDAnova will provide our guests with among the best in culture, entertainment, sports, wellness and culinary delights, while helping maintain the popularity and growth of AIDA Cruises as the most popular cruise line in Germany.”
AIDAnova marks an exciting new generation of ships for AIDA Cruises that combine innovative design with state-of-the-art technology to provide even greater onboard comfort and further enhance the guest experience.
Expected to launch in November 2018, AIDAnova will have more than 40 different restaurants and bars on board to provide guests with an opportunity to enjoy a new level of world-class dining experiences and culinary trends.
AIDAnova will also make history as the world’s first cruise ship to be powered in port and at sea by liquefied natural gas – an innovation that will reduce exhaust emissions to help protect the environment and support Carnival Corporation’s aggressive sustainability goals.
It is the first of 11 next-generation cruise ships from Carnival Corporation between 2018 and 2025 able to generate their power at sea and in port from LNG.