AIDAprima

The 2016-built AIDAprima cruise ship is the first of two AIDA Cruises vessels in the Hyperion-Class series, together with the sister-ship AIDAperla (launched 2017). AIDAprima is the fleet's 11th vessel and the 1st of two Japan-built AIDA ships. AIDA's Hyperion-Class was succeeded by the Helios-Class (AIDAnova and AIDAcosma).

The vessel (IMO number 9636955) is currently Italy-flagged (MMSI 247353800) and registered in Genova.

History - construction and ownership

AIDA Cruises is a Rostock-headquartered subsidiary company owned by Carnival Corporation. AIDA is Europe's largest German cruise line (followed by TUI) targeting younger and more active travelers. AIDA was founded in 1960 (as "Deutsche Seereederei") and in 2000 was acquired by P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation (shipowner) in 2003. AIDA's first World Cruise (AIDAcara) was in 2017-2018 (October-February) with 116-day roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg Germany.

The 3400-passenger ship AIDAprima is AIDA's ever largest ship and is operated under the Costa Crociere division of the Carnival group. She is also the first of AIDA vessels built in Japan.

AIDAprima's completion at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard was delayed. Instead of entering service in October 2015, the vessel started operations in April 2016 from homeport Hamburg.

AIDAprima is among the most technologically advanced passenger ships. The hull is designed to reduce friction and to minimize fuel consumption. Emissions (NOx, SOx and soot particles) are minimized by 90%.

Decks and Cabins

AIDAprima staterooms (1643 total, in 21 grades) include 32 Suites (in 6 grades), 1101 Balcony (69% of all accommodations, in 10 grades), 198 Oceanviews (in 4 grades), 312 Interior cabins (in 3 grades). The largest accommodations are the Forward-Facing Premium Suites (sized 1345 ft2 / 125 m2, with private sundeck terrace sized 885 ft2 / 82 m2).

The boat has 18 decks, of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

All staterooms offer as standard (complimentary) amenities electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), spacious wardrobe (some with walk-in closet), low table with lounge chairs, double bed (most convertible to twins), Pullman beds (in most quads), bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, direct dial phone (baby monitoring option), smart HDTV (infotainment system - satellite reception, Internet, movies-on-demand, ship info channel, real-time camera views), LED lighting, mirrored dressing table (writing desk) with chair, en-suite bathroom (toilet, shower cabin, single-sink vanity, hairdryer), individually controlled air-conditioning.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The new AIDAprima has a variety of dining options, featuring 13 restaurants and 18 bars. Prima has some classical dining options, including Bella Donna, Markt Restaurant and Fuego buffet family restaurant. Service restaurants such as Casa Nova and French Kiss offer Mediterranean and French cuisines respectively. Guests onboard can visit the AIDA cooking school and try the interactive cooking classes. The ship also features an exclusive Spray Bar which is spread across two decks and operated via a partnership with Moet & Chandon. The stern side features the Lanai Bar on Deck 8, and guests of Patio Bar on Deck 16 can enjoy the same view as the ship's Captain. Other bars include AIDAprima's nightclub Nightfly, M Bar, Tapas & Bar, and club D6.

AIDAprima was the line's first cruise ship serving the premium Starbucks drinks onboard. Since mid-January 2017, onboard can be purchased branded Starbucks products (specialty coffees/teas, 26 different menu items, 3 different sizes - Espresso, Tall, Grande). The new offer is a result of the company's partnership "We Proudly Serve Starbucks" and was gradually introduced to other AIDA ships over 2017.

Follows the complete list of AIDAprima restaurants and food bars.

• Scharfe Ecke (Sharp Corner, complimentary fast-food dining venue)
• Rossini (a specialty, dinner-only restaurant at surcharge, reservations required; offers waiter service and 6-course a-la-carte menu)
• Markt Restaurant (complimentary main dining room; self-service buffet restaurant with a variety of food stations and a small terrace)
• Bella Donna (Italian cuisine restaurant, complimentary, buffet-style dining, open 24 hours)
• Ristorante Casa Nova (Mediterranean cuisine restaurant at a surcharge)
• Brasserie French Kiss (French cuisine restaurant, reservations-only, at a surcharge)
• Weite Welt Restaurant (Wide World complimentary buffet-style restaurant)
• Buffalo Steakhouse (American fare restaurant with a la carte menu; reservations required; at a surcharge)
• Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant at surcharge, reservations are required)
• Fuego Restaurant (new family restaurant, complimentary, with a kids buffet)
• East Restaurant (Asian cuisine, buffet-style complimentary restaurant)

On June 24, 2023, on the ships AIDAprima , AIDAperla and AIDAnova was introduced the new specialty restaurant Soulkitchen. The a-la-carte-priced venue has a 3-course menu with plant-based vegan dishes (including meat and seafood alternatives) and organic beverages (coffee, tea, fresh juices) as well as non-alcoholic wines and spirits.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Passengers can unwind by the pool in the AIDA Prima's Beach Club. At night, this area turns into a magnificent party scene. The Beach Club is housed beneath the expandable membrane roof. It features the activity area "Four Elements" (based on water, air, fire, and earth). Guests can have their best "AIDA fun" on the two water slides, or to try rock climbing, or any other activities on the Prima ship's sports deck. This deck also has a giant LED wall for movies and other outdoor video entertainment. In addition to the Teens and Kids Clubs on board, for the first time, there is a "Mini Club" for infants from 6 months.

The panoramic glass elevators which connect the outdoor areas, as well as the glass 45-meter above water level skywalk are among the other highlights. Organic treatments pamper at the Body & Soul Organic Spa. AIDA plaza offers a wealth of bars and shops and functions as a meeting place and a stage for street performers. The enhanced Theatrium is the heart of the entertainment - its round stage is the trademark of AIDA Cruises.

On September 25, 2021, was officially opened AIDAprima's LEGO Store. The ceremony was attended by Annette Rosendahl (LEGO Group's Sales Director). The LEGO shop (sized 75 m2 / 810 ft2) includes the brand's popular toy collections LEGO Duplo, LEGO City, LEGO Harry Potter, LEGO Cars.

Follows the complete list of AIDAprima lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar)
• Spray Bar (adults-only 2-level luxury lounge & Champagne bar via a partnership with French winery "Moet & Chandon")
• Diskothek (Disco D6, with a DJ program, light shows, and themed dance parties)
• Nachtclub Nightfly (adult-only nightclub lounge with grand piano, live band music, and its own bar)
• Tapas & Bar
• AIDA Plaza (2-deck high, open-floor Atrium lounge with bars and live entertainment; luxury boutique shopping arcade)
• Jewelry Shop; Travel Shop; PhotoShop; Sports Shop; Parfumerie; Kids Shop; Treasure Chest Shop
• Kids Club (AIDA Cruises kids program is complimentary, with supervised, age-appropriate activities: the 3 age groups include Seahorses for 3-6 yo, Dolphins for 7-9 yo and Sharks 10-11 yo; the Kids Club has an outdoor area with a paddling pool)
• AIDA Bar (cocktail bar with live music)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; sells original artworks of renowned art schools and German artists; hosts art auctions)
• AIDA Lounge (with 270-degree panoramic views and comfortable seating)
• The Library (Bibliotek; offers card and board games)
• Casino (served by Casino Bar)
• Theatrium (3-deck high, big-capacity show lounge with large stage with a dynamic platform; this is a combined Atrium-Theater-Lounge for daily entertainment, large-scale productions, cabaret, and magician shows; served by Theatrium Bar)
• Eiscafe (ice cream parlor Ice cafe Erste Sahne)
• Cafe Mare (patisserie & specialty coffee bar)
• Vinotek (fine wines shop; offers sommelier service and wine tasting events)
• Brauhaus (beerhouse; onboard brewery, purified seawater is used for brewing beer; the Beer House sells its own draft beers)
• Destille (Distillery; fruit spirits bar)
• AIDA Bar (big-capacity lounge with panoramic windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (professional photo & video services, duty-free accessories and equipment; new feature are the photo kiosks with touch-screens /face-recognition system)
• AIDA Shop (duty-free merchandise at discount prices; the shopping arcade has a general store selling liquor and tobaccos, as well as small boutiques for jewelry, luxury watches, perfumes, brand fashion clothing, AIDA logo goods)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; provides hairdresser, barber services, professional manicure/pedicure Nail Spa)
• Body & Soul Sports Fitness Centre (with a modern Gym and separate area for classes)
• Zen Lounge (relaxation room; hosts indoor classes)
• Blutenmeer (Blooming Sea flower shop)
• Kochstudio (Cooking Studio for culinary classes, workshops, master chefs presentations; reservations are required)
• Lanai Bar (with outdoor seating area)
• Sundeck area (with 4 infinity pools)
• Wave Club (water playground and teens club with supervised activities in two age groups - Orcas for 12 -13 yo and Teens 14 -17 yo; complimentary)
• Body & Soul Organic SPA complex (3100 m2, with indoor/outdoor pools, big whirlpools and retractable glass roof; offers Japanese Tea Ceremony, body scrubs, and wraps; facilities include 5 saunas, treatment rooms, Rasul bath, relaxation room, shower room, conservatory, luxury Spa Suites, SPA Bar)
• AIDA Lounge (with 270-degree panorama views, comfortable couches, and tables); Sunset Bar
• Mini Club (childcare/babysitting services for toddlers and little kids 6 months to 3yo)
• Four Elements (Water Park with rock climbing walls, pools, and whirlpools, splash pool and fountains for children, a stage for live shows, huge LED Video screen and 2 water slides; the activity deck is covered with a sliding glass roof)
• Bar 5 Elements (serving the Aqua Park complex)
• AIDA Beach Club (2-deck high relaxation oasis, covered with a glass dome for tropical beach-like experience with live plants and palm trees; in the evenings, the club is transformed into a party zone)
• Sundeck / sunbathing area (Freibereich, located above the swimming pool; with loungers, served by the Pool Bar); the ship's Top Deck is dedicated to Freikorperkultur / FKK Bereich nudist area with sun loungers)
• Sun Deck games area (Sonnendeck - Freibereich, with shuffleboard, giant chess, Boccia, backgammon, darts, table tennis)
• Patio deck (exclusive, covered deck area for Panorama cabin guests only, adult-only)
• Sports Deck area (Sportaussendeck with a combined sports court volleyball/basketball, Golf Cage, putting green area, golf simulator)
• Rock Climbing Walls; High Ropes Course; Power Walking/Jogging Track.

Itineraries

AIDAprima itinerary program is based on round-trip cruises in Asia from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Western European sailings out of Hamburg and Rotterdam. From April 30, 2016, Hamburg is AIDAprima's homeport for 7-day round-trips to top cities in Western Europe.

AIDAprima is the company's 11th liner and also the fleet's first Japan-built ship. The vessel's construction started on June 30, 2013. The launch was in April 2016. The second "Japanese ship" (AIDAperla) joined the fleet in 2017. In August 2011, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) was awarded the contract for building two new generation AIDA ships - Prima and Perla. Prima's construction began with the keel-laying ceremony at the company's Tategami Plant (Nagasaki Shipyard) in June 2013.

The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on May 4, 2015. The christening ceremony was scheduled for March 2015 and the inaugural cruise first for October, then for December 2015. The ship's delivery was on March 14, 2016. Finally, the 86-day long World Cruise (inaugural itinerary from Hamburg) was re-scheduled for April 30, 2016.

Ship's maiden voyage was scheduled for October 1, 2015 (departing from Yokohama-Tokyo). However, due to construction problems, vessel's delivery was re-scheduled for December 2015, then for April 2016. The cruise ship is commanded by Captain Detlef Harms.

On March 14, 2016, the vessel was officially delivered to AIDA Cruises. The traditional Japanese ceremony was attended by Michael Thamm (Costa Group's CEO), Felix Eichhorn (AIDA's President), Shunichi Miyanaga (shipbuilder MHI's CEO) and Yoichi Kujirai (shipbuilder MHI's Senior Executive VP). Followed the repositioning to Europe via Suez Canal. On March 20, 2016, the ship stopped in its first ever port of call - Singapore, en-route from Nagasaki to Hamburg. The new ship was berthed for 2 days at the Sembawang Shipyard, where some 40 containers with equipment were loaded. She sailed away with all the 900+ crew.

On April 19, 2016, in Rotterdam AIDA Cruises signed an agreement with Royal Dutch Shell as exclusive LNG provider for AIDA's port engine operations. On April 27, 2016, the new ship made its maiden call at Southampton during the 4-day cruise roundtrip from Hamburg (Apr 25-29).

On May 7, 2016, was the vessel's christening ceremony in Port Hamburg, where was joined by the fleet mate AIDAaura. The ship's naming ceremony coincided with Hamburg port's 827th anniversary marked by a fireworks show. Ship's godmother is Emma Schweiger - a 13-year-old German actress. The ship's Captain is Detlef Harms. The naming ceremony was also attended by AIDA's president Felix Eichhorn.

On April 30, 2016, was the Inaugural Cruise (itinerary April 30 - May 7). The 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg visited Southampton, Le Havre-Paris, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam. Maiden voyage's prices started at GBP 500 pp. Followed regular roundtrip departures (year-round) from Hamburg and also from Rotterdam.

On January 26, 2017, 80 leading politicians, scientists and businessmen boarded the ship (docked in Rotterdam Holland). The special event was part of the international trade conference “Making LNG Happen: Combining Forces for Sustainable Shipping". Prima was chosen as being the world's first cruise ship with dual-fuel marine engines, producing energy from LNG (liquefied natural gas) while the vessel is docked in port. The LNG fuel is supplied by truck. Ship's diesel engines are shut off in port, resulting in approx 80% reduction of NOX emissions and about 20% of CO2.

Ship technology

AIDAprima is one of the most technologically advanced cruise vessels on the market. The ship rides on a cushion of air, thus reducing frictions and fuel consumption, The new technology is called MALS ("Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System"), allowing the liner to glide on an air bubbles carpet.

Zeppelin Power Systems was contracted to provide engine-maintenance and support services. The deal included the company's "Cat Asset Intelligence" (engine data analysis) system providing real-time monitoring and reporting.

• The powerplant consists of 3x diesel engines (Caterpillar MaK, model 12V M43C, total output 28,35 MV) plus 1x dual-fuel (LNG/oil, model MaK M46DF, output 8,6 MV).
• Dual-fuel engines use heavy oil and LNG, thus reducing fuel consumption. The ship has an advanced filtering system that reduces stack emissions (greenhouse gases).
• The propulsion system includes 2x stabilizers, 2x ABB Azipod drives (new XO-Pod thrusters, power output 3 MW per unit) plus 3x Brunvoll thrusters (model FU-115-3000).
• The vessel's total power output is 48 MW.

Next YouTube video shows the AIDAprima cruise ship construction (time-lapse, Nagasaki Shipyard).

AIDAprima is the world's first-ever "LNG cruise ship" as it uses LNG fuel supply while berthed in ports. This is also the first German-market dedicated cruise ship with an ice rink. The facility was inaugurated by the skating duo Peter Turner and Salome Casabona Studer, best known from their "Believe" ice show. With the ice rink, AIDA Cruises announced the company's partnership with "Holiday on Ice". The ice rink is opened only during the winter season (until mid-March).

Among the ship's signature facilities are also Beach Club (adults-only complex, dome-covered), climbing garden, Four Elements (water park with 2 slides), Mini Club (nursery / babysitting), patio deck (panorama cabins), promenade deck (lanai with infinity pools), huge Spa complex (sized 3100 m2 / 33400 ft2), glass-walled elevators, skywalk (glass-bottomed platform).

The AIDA ship's namesakes are the AmaWaterways' riverboat AmaPrima (2013-built) and the NCL's liner Norwegian Prima (2022-built).