AIDAprima

AIDAprima belongs to a generation of ships developed for AIDA Cruises, the first of which entered service in 2016. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) handed her over to the cruise line at its shipyard in Nagasaki on March 14, 2016. The transfer voyage to Hamburg began that same day. MHI announced at the time that the first regular voyage was scheduled to depart from there on April 30; the announced itinerary called at Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton. The christening was planned for May 7 as part of the Port of Hamburg’s anniversary celebrations.

Construction and entry into service

AIDAprima was built by MHI in Nagasaki. At handover, according to the shipyard, she measured 300 metres and had 18 decks, 1,643 cabins and a gross tonnage of 125,000 GT. Among the features MHI highlighted on this new ship were an air lubrication system on the hull and other energy-efficiency measures. The system blows air bubbles beneath the ship’s hull to reduce friction between the hull and the water.

Leisure spaces on board

A defining feature of the onboard concept is the Beach Club beneath a translucent foil dome. The roof protects the area from the weather without making it feel like a fully enclosed indoor space. The Four Elements activity deck combines water-based and active pursuits: it features a double waterslide, a climbing course and a lazy river. The foil roof over this area can be opened. This allows the deck to be used as either a sheltered or open space, depending on the weather.

Other areas listed in AIDA’s ship profile include the Theatrium, the Nightfly entertainment venue and the Organic Spa. The Lanai Deck is home to infinity pools, and a glass Skywalk adds to the viewing points.

Cabins and places to unwind

AIDA describes several cabin options, including Lanai cabins with a winter garden that opens onto the veranda. For certain Veranda Comfort options, the cruise line also lists a walk-in wardrobe or a separate bathroom and toilet. These features apply to specific categories and should not be assumed to be available in every cabin.

Restaurants and dining together

The shipyard counted twelve restaurants at handover. AIDA’s current ship profile lists, among others, Fuego, East, Weite Welt, Bella Donna, French Kiss and Casa Nova. The selection therefore goes beyond a single main restaurant and includes a range of different dining concepts. At handover, MHI also listed 18 bars, an onboard brewery, a nightclub, a casino and shops. At the centre of the atrium is a theatre space spanning three decks. These facilities complement the restaurants with a variety of places to meet in the evening.

Hamburg and the start of the voyage

The connection with Hamburg is part of AIDAprima’s early service history. After handover in Japan, the voyage to her European home port began. The first regular cruises, announced in March 2016, connected Hamburg with port cities in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. A Western European city itinerary was therefore at the heart of the ship’s early career. At handover, the ship changed from the Japanese to the Italian flag.

Her sister ship, AIDAperla, offers a point of comparison within the same class; information about the cruise line is available at AIDA Cruises. The two ships combine covered leisure areas with distinctive cabin types such as the Lanai cabin. For AIDAprima, the shipyard’s handover specifications also record a beam of 37.6 metres and accommodation for up to 3,286 passengers in 1,643 cabins.