AIDA Cruises will christen its ninth ship with a world premiere during the festivities marking the 823rd anniversary of the Port of Hamburg. The new vessel will be christened on the Elbe in the Port of Hamburg on the evening of May 12, 2012. For the first time in the history of the cruise sector, three identical sister ships will accompany the latest addition to the fleet as "godparents".
"We are delighted that AIDA will be christening yet another 'puckered lips' ship in the Port of Hamburg for the third time," Dietrich von Albedyll, managing director of Hamburg Tourismus GmbH commented. "This ceremony will once again represent a spectacular symbol for Hamburg as a cruise location."
Following the christening ceremony, the latest AIDA ship will set off on its maiden voyage. AIDAluna will also depart from Hamburg on a new cruise, with AIDAblu and AIDAsol remaining in the Hanseatic City up to end of the port anniversary celebrations on May 13.
Following the christening on May 12, the AIDA fleet will comprise nine ultra-modern cruise ships. Cruises on the newest ship of the AIDA fleet can be booked from spring 2011 with the publication of the next AIDAtime catalogue for the 2012/2013 season.