Cruise Talk: Aida

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Author

Topic: Aida

DonW
First Class Passenger
Member # 130

posted 03-26-1999 02:13 PM

Joe (or anyone else who might have the answer) - We were recently on the Norwegian Dream's Southern Carribean itinerary and, while docked in Curacao, I saw the Cruise Ship "Aida". I haven't been able to find any reference to this ship on any BBs and am curious whose ship it is and where does she sail?

Posts: 24 | From: Bartlett, IL, USA | Registered: Dec 98

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 03-26-1999 03:58 PM

DonW,

She is currently operated by Arkona Group /
Deutsche Seetouristik and is marketed primarily in Europe. She was purchased by NCL and is scheduled to begin sailing for them sometime in 1999 - not sure what they will do about the lips and eyes painted on her hull.

We have a photo and overview at http://travelpage.com/cruise/ships/see_aida.htm

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

JuliaP
Just Boarded
Member # 236

posted 03-26-1999 06:41 PM

Don, I would be interested to know what you thought of the Southern Caribbean cruise on the Dream. I am booked on it for next January. JuliaP.

Posts: 7 | Registered: Mar 99

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 03-27-1999 12:10 PM

Hello Don,
Like Joe mentioned already, CS AIDA belongs to NCL but is under long term bare-boat charter to Arkona Touristik Group / Deutsche Seetouristik , Rostock which is operating the ship exclusively on the German market. It is very popular here because it's a very different style because it it what we call a Club ship (CS). That means there's plenty sport and entertainment activities the whole day, there's no captains party or formal night and the food won't be served but is only buffet style with open seatings, except in one dining room. But food quality is very good. Unfortunately, Deutsche Seetouristik sold the ship shortly after its conmstruction to NCL because at the beginning people were not used to this kind of cruises and were a bit sceptic so the ship did not reach the booking numbers which the line expected. So they sold it to NCL but chartered it back and during this periode the ship became very successful and now they are extending the charter contract every year. They even plan to build a second AIDA-style ship.
It's really a great ship, it features by the way the largest open-air disco with laser show on the high sea.
Since it is only cruising for German people, it might be difficult for you to book it or to get along with the communication onboard.
Please don't expect the ship to be delivered to NCL in the near future because this definitely won't happen soon.
Arkona Touristik Group will try to keep the ship as long as possible and NCL won't cancel this successful operation of the ship.

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98

DonW
First Class Passenger
Member # 130

posted 04-01-1999 02:37 PM

Joe & Patrick - Thanks very much for your responses about the Aida! It certainly looks like an interesting ship, but, Patrick, you're probably right, "seit ich spreche nur ein bischen Deutsch", I wouldn't be able to keep up very well!
JuliaP - Our cruise on the Dream was very nice. It's a very clean ship with what we considered comfortable accomodations (we book lower level cabins - read "cheap as possible" :-) - so we are not comparing to suites, or balconies,etc.). Meals were nothing spectacular, but everything was good. The itinerary was terrific. We loved Aruba and Curacao and the snorkeling was a lot of fun (if I gained weight, it was due to the salt water I swallowed). Our only "complaint" was NCL's handling of the air add-on, which they screwed up royally! Other than that, we'd recommend the ship and itinerary. Enjoy the anticipation and have a terrific cruise :-)!!

Posts: 24 | From: Bartlett, IL, USA | Registered: Dec 98

smart
First Class Passenger
Member # 5763

posted 06-21-2005 02:28 AM

Maybe this is an old thread, but I will give some new informations about Aida!
Aida is now the German part of Carnival Cop. In the past it was Seetours.
Aida has in the moment 4 ship's AidaCara, AidaVita, AidaAura and AidaBlu (formaly a Princess Ship)! Aidacruises has given an order to Meyer Werft to build 2 new ship's. (www.aida.de)
I was 3 times on an Aida (twice Cara, once Blu).
This ship are like Club Med. All beverages (softdrinks, wine, beere) at meal are included. Tipping is just you like. But the language on board is just german!

Greatings from Germany

Annette

Posts: 28 | From: Mannheim/ Germany | Registered: Jun 2005 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 06-21-2005 02:40 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Patrick:
Hello Don,
Like Joe mentioned already, CS AIDA belongs to NCL but is under long term bare-boat charter to Arkona Touristik Group / Deutsche Seetouristik ...Unfortunately, Deutsche Seetouristik sold the ship shortly after its construction to NCL because at the beginning people were not used to this kind of cruises and were a bit sceptic so the ship did not reach the booking numbers which the line expected. So they sold it to NCL but chartered it back and during this periode the ship became very successful...Please don't expect the ship to be delivered to NCL in the near future because this definitely won't happen soon.

Woah. I never knew the original AIDA was owned by NCL for a time! I am really surprised at this. When did Aida buy the ship back or when did NCL sold the ship to another owner?

[ 06-21-2005: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 06-21-2005 02:44 AM

quote:
Originally posted by smart:
Aida is now the German part of Carnival Cop. In the past it was Seetours.
Aida has in the moment 4 ship's AidaCara, AidaVita, AidaAura and AidaBlu (formaly a Princess Ship)! Aidacruises has given an order to Meyer Werft to build 2 new ship's.

Yes, in 6-7 years AIDA really has grown and become successful. They should be able to expand quickly and prosper with Carnival Corp's deep pockets for newbuilds. Now, I am really interested to know if P&O Princess had plans to give AIDA some newbuilds pre-merger with Carnival Corp?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 06-21-2005 05:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Waynaro:
Yes, in 6-7 years AIDA really has grown and become successful. They should be able to expand quickly and prosper with Carnival Corp's deep pockets for newbuilds. Now, I am really interested to know if P&O Princess had plans to give AIDA some newbuilds pre-merger with Carnival Corp?

I thought that AIDA was direct owned by Seetours and that the company was never owned by Princess. Later after Carnival take over P&O/Princess they purchased Seetours and AIDA. And merge the company fore management reasons within the Princess group.

Greetings Ben.

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 06-21-2005 08:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Maasdam:
I thought that AIDA was direct owned by Seetours and that the company was never owned by Princess. Later after Carnival take over P&O/Princess they purchased Seetours and AIDA. And merge the company fore management reasons within the Princess group.
Greetings Ben.

Aida, when she debuted in 1996, was the first newbuildings of Deutsche Seetouristik/Arkona Reisen.
She was designed as a club ship " Das Clubschiff " in German.
The concept was inspired by Sally Albatross ( currently Silja Opera ) which Deutsche Seetouristik considered buying, before deciding that a new ship was necessary to develop their concept of cruising.
As said Aida wasn't very successfull at first, so Ncl acquired her, planning to introduce this ship in the american cruise market.
After Ncl purchased the hull of the former Costa Olympia to build Norwegian Sky, they changed their plans about Aida.
In 1999 P&O Cruises bought a 51% interest in Arkona Reisen, to reinforce their presence in the european cruise market, starting from the german one.
Two larger cruiseships where ordered: AidaVita ( 2002 ) and AidaAura ( 2003 ). The former Aida was renamed AidaCara.
Aida was strictly connected with P&O Cruises: the ships were even registered in the United Kingdom.
In 2002 P&O Cruises created Arosa Cruises, a sort of more upscale version of Aida Cruises, transferring to this company the first Crown Princess, that was renamed ArosaBlu.
After Carnival merged with P&O/Princess Cruises creating Carnival Plc, the Arosa brand and name, that included also some river vessels, was sold.
In September 2003 it was announced that ArosaBlu was to be transferred to Aida to reinforce this company.
Since November 2004 Aida is under the management of Costa Crociere.
The ships were reflagged to Italy, but, as logical, Aida retained its separate identity as a german informal cruise line.

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 06-21-2005 09:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Italian Cruiser:
[QB]
Aida, when she debuted in 1996, was the first newbuildings of Deutsche Seetouristik/Arkona Reisen.
[QB]

Thanks Italian Cruiser.

Greetings Ben.

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 06-21-2005 02:49 PM

Thanks Italian Cruises for the information.

So Aida eventually bought back the original AIDA from NCL? It would have been interesting to see AIDA in the American market with NCL's colors....

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Beezo
First Class Passenger
Member # 1505

posted 06-21-2005 06:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Waynaro:
Thanks Italian Cruises for the information.
So Aida eventually bought back the original AIDA from NCL? It would have been interesting to see AIDA in the American market with NCL's colors....

Anyone want to make a photoshop?! lol

~Brian

Posts: 865 | From: Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

smart
First Class Passenger
Member # 5763

posted 06-22-2005 03:01 AM

I have some photos!! I will put them to the Gallery!

Annette

Posts: 28 | From: Mannheim/ Germany | Registered: Jun 2005 | IP: Logged

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