AIDAcara
The AIDAcara leaving the Port of Helsinki
AIDA (1996-2001) (called " AIDA - The Club Ship " )
- German Seereederei (1996-1997)
- NCL Corporation Ltd.. (1997-1999)
- P & O (1999-2000)
- P & O Princess Cruises (2000-2004)
- Societa di Crociere Mercurio S.r.l. (2004-2010)
- Costa Crociere SpA (since 2010)
Germanischer Lloyd
IMO no. 9112789
The AIDAcara is a cruise ship of Carnival Corporation & plc. It is used for driving under the specially focused on the German market corporate brand AIDA Cruises. It is operated under the Italian flag by Costa Crociere SpA in Genoa.
Prior to its renaming in AIDAcara in December 2001 she was mainly about their marketing nicknamed as " AIDA - The cruise ship " known. She was the first cruise ship, which was built for the brand AIDA and put into service. Today characteristic of an entire fleet livery with " pout ", eyes and eye shadow was designed by the graphic artist Feliks Büttner and implemented on this ship for the first time. Measured on 38 557 GT, AIDAcara is both the oldest and the smallest of the AIDA ships.
History
Construction and commissioning
After the Hamburg merchants Nicholas W. Schües and Horst Rahe taken just privatized German Seereederei and for the German market a concept for cruises had developed in a relaxed atmosphere on the American model, it commissioned on 26 August 1994 the construction of a " club ship" in the Kværner Masa yards shipyard in Finland AB. This was laid on September 11, 1995 under construction number 1337 in Turku on Kiel. The launch was followed on 16 February 1996. On 7 June 1996 the ship in Warnemünde by Christiane Herzog, wife of former German President Roman Herzog, christened AIDA. The name was chosen as the other passenger ships of DSR to have a name with the letter "A" at the beginning and end, but also in terms of the original opera by Giuseppe Verdi, who is accused of falsely that it was for the opening the Suez Canal was commissioned.
Use
On 11 June 1996, the AIDA ran out for their first cruise to Palma de Mallorca, where she was also initially deployed to run during the summer destinations in the Mediterranean region. In winter, the ship was used in the Caribbean.
In August 1997, the AIDA went to the NCL Corporation Ltd.. and there was reflagged to Liberia, but otherwise as previously operated on. 1999, only two years later, the German Seereederei took back the ship to get it in her. Especially with the British Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company ( P & O) joint venture founded AIDA Cruises Ltd. contribute. P & O kept in mind the majority and should completely take over the AIDA brand and the ship only a year later. New owner was then, however, P & O Princess Cruises, in which P & O had simultaneously spun his entire cruise business as a separate company to take over. In December 2001, the ship was named AIDAcara.
In 2003, P & O Princess Cruises decided to connect with the American Carnival Corporation Carnival Corporation & plc, which owns the ship and the AIDA Cruises brand stand since then. As a new owner, first was their European subsidiary Societa di Crociere Mercurio Srl determined. Since 2010, however, the ship is on Costa Crociere SpA registered in Genoa, the AIDAcara, and also the rest of the now greatly increasing AIDA fleet operates as the operating arm of the Carnival Group since 2004 under the Italian flag.
The AIDAcara is used throughout the year, mainly in European cruise regions such as the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and in northern European waters. The ship is in a position to also control regions such as the Amazon region, the larger cruise ships are not accessible. In addition, Atlantic crossings and cruises in the Caribbean and in South America are offered. The end of 2006 was the AIDAcara the first ship of the company in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula in use.
Since 2009, the AIDAcara happens regularly the Kiel Canal; it is the only cruise ship in the cruise line, which corresponds to the height limit of 40 meters for the ten canal bridges. In spring 2010, the AIDAcara broke for the first time on a world tour, which resulted in 55 days from Bangkok ( Thailand) to Hamburg. During the winter, she spends the time mostly in the South Atlantic, the Caribbean and around the Canary Islands; in the summer she is traveling around the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic and will periodically present in Kiel Ostseekai.
In 2013, the AIDAcara drives on as the year the seas in Northern Europe and South America at the turn of the waters around the Canary Islands. For summer 2014, it is rescheduled for northern Europe; the following winter it is used in the Canary Islands.
Reconstruction measures
In the second half of April 2005, the AIDAcara was extensively renovated and rebuilt in the dry dock of Neptune Steel Construction GmbH, Rostock. This 44 outside cabins have balconies. Because of the resulting visual obstruction both bridge wings were retractable platforms that ensure optimal visibility when maneuvering. At the rear, the area of the restaurant outside decks has been increased. The conversion costs were specified with approximately 2.5 million euros.
From 3 to 14 November 2007, the ship was in dry dock Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo. During this time the guest area has been modernized, including the entrance area, a disco and part of the spa area.
Between 9 September and 21 September 2009, the AIDAcara was revised again by Blohm Voss in Hamburg. The complete interior of the cabin has been adapted to the design of the new buildings of the Sphinx - class dining and service areas were expanded. In addition, computer systems were renewed and a laser show system installed.
From 13 to 24 March 2011, the AIDAcara was docked at Blohm Voss. In addition to the due maintenance of the paint and the spa area were renewed and a golf simulator installed.
In October 2013, the AIDAcara was modernized again in Bremerhaven in the dock at Lloyd Werft. The board restaurant " Calypso" was redesigned, and the ship was next to a lounge for young people and a picture gallery and a new coat of paint. Next usual maintenance has been performed. Moreover, preparations were carried out for the installation einens complete filter system for the reduction of the exhaust gases. The first ship of the AIDA fleet will obtain a catalyst for bonding the nitrogen oxides and filter where soot and fuel residues are precipitated. The sulfur oxides are removed without the use of chemicals in a scrubber. The filter system was developed within the Carnival group and is designed to reduce the emission of soot particles, nitrogen and sulfur oxides between 90 and 99 percent.
Machinery and drive
The AIDAcara is equipped with a conventional machine and drive system, are involved in the four medium-speed four - stroke diesel engines in pairs through a reduction gear and shafting to the two Kamewa controllable-pitch propellers. The motors of the type MAN B & W 6L48/60 is 6- cylinder in-line engines with turbocharger. Each engine has a capacity of about 650 liters. The two main gear reduce their speed from 450 rpm to the required propeller speed of 152/min. Since engines and propellers run at a substantially constant speed, the angle of attack of the propeller blades is variable depending on driving conditions.
The main electric power supply via two wave generators. They produce an electrical output of 4,500 kVA. In addition, three generators with a capacity of 3,500 kVA available that are powered by diesel engines of the Wärtsilä Vasa 3R32D.
The control of the vessel has two half- balance - balanced rudder in the rear that are supported when maneuvering of two transverse thrusters. In order to damp rolling motions the AIDAcara is equips with two fin stabilizers Blohm Voss.
Cabins and onboard facilities
The AIDAcara has a total of 590 passenger cabins of different categories that are located on the lower passenger decks. After the renovation of 2005 measures 44 balcony cabins are available. Depending on the equipment, the cabins can accommodate up to four people. The four premium suites and twelve junior suites are located in the front section of deck 7 and provide an area of 35 or 25 square meters. The premium suites feature a private deck with views over the ship's bow; the laterally disposed junior suites have balconies.
The public areas of the ship are, with the exception of the reception on the four upper decks. Many institutions such as the market - restaurant, the star-shaped AIDA Bar or the shopping area AIDA shop were first implemented on the AIDAcara and adopted due to its success in partially modified form, for all the club ships of the company. The theater in the bow extends over two decks and can accommodate up to 700 spectators. It is equipped with an amphitheater -like benches instead of the usual chair.
The wellness area includes an area of about 1,100 square meters. The Club Ship concept accordingly, the ship offers extensive sports facilities ( eg, golf simulator, volleyball and basketball court ). On the sun deck, a separate nudist area is set up.
Accidents
On 13 October 2012, the AIDAcara touched when dropping from Hamburg cruise terminal in Altona located on the quay fenders. The ship was damaged and was able to travel commenced only after a Notreperatur in Hamburg harbor take nine hours late.
On 22 April 2013, the AIDAcara because of strong wind touched the quay when you drop in Oslo. A slight damage in the tail was found, prompting a return to port was initiated. After several hours of review, the AIDAcara could continue their journey.