AIDA Cruises has taken delivery of its first new-build vessel.

The ship is a new ship generation from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and was delivered in Nagasaki during a formal ceremony.

In the presence of Michael Thamm, chief executive of the Costa Group, and Felix Eichhorn, president AIDA Cruises, AIDAprima was handed over to the cruise line by Shunichi Miyanaga, president Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Yoichi Kujirai, president, commercial aviation and transportation systems, MHI.

The ship has left Nagasaki today towards Hamburg.

AIDAprima, the 11th ship in the AIDA fleet, will be christened by Emma Schweiger on May 7th, 2016, in front of an audience of millions as the climax of the 827th anniversary of the port of Hamburg. 

“AIDAprima is the first ship of an entirely new AIDA product family.

“With creativity and great innovativeness, our team has managed to implement our high standards in terms of product quality and environmental friendliness in an exemplary and impressive way.

“We are extremely pleased with the successful design of the ship, and look forward to welcoming guests aboard her, who are going to be equally impressed,” said Thamm.

From April 30th, 2016, Hamburg will be the home port for seven-day round trips to Western Europe’s most beautiful metropolises such as London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.

Eichhorn added: “20 years ago, AIDA launched its concept of modern cruising.

“With our new flagship and the three new-builds to follow, the company will continue to provide important growth impulses for the German cruise market.

“We are once again charting new territory by being the first German cruise line to offer cruises starting from Germany the whole year round.

“I am convinced that we will reach new guest groups with our unique variety of offerings aboard AIDAprima.”