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  October 5, 2023 marks the start of bookings for the AIDA summer season 2025. With the new program and a choice of around 500 departure dates, the cruise line has just the right offer in store for a variety of travel trends.   Travel trend number 1: Getting away from it all   Many travelers want a travel experience that will catapult them completely out of the ordinary. What could be better than exploring an exotic faraway destination on a cruise? AIDA has a real highlight in its program for this category for summer 2025, namely: JAPAN! During the cherry blossom season in spring 2025, fascinating routes will take you to the Land of Smiles. For example, on the 15-day "Great Japan Round Voyages" with AIDAstella or on cruises that combine destinations in China, Japan and South Korea or Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong. These special voyages can also be combined with the matching Trans Asia and Trans Suez voyages to create a “globetrotter’s cruise” of up to 52 days. Of particular interest for the personal bucket list are the ports that AIDA will be calling at for the first time on the new itineraries: Seoul/Incheon, Jeju, Busan, Hiroshima, Aburatsu, Kagoshima, Kyōto/Kobe, Mount Fuji/Shimizu, Tokyo/Yokohama, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Hakodate, Miyako-Iwate and Amami Oshima.   Travel trend number 2: Easy to get to, easy to enjoy   The trend toward travel starting at one's own doorstep continues unabated. In the summer of 2025, no fewer than eight AIDA ships will set sail from German ports on voyages to Northern Europe. A total of 290 cruises will be available from Hamburg, Kiel and Warnemünde between April and October 2025. How about a Baltic Sea cruise from Warnemünde, for example? The treasures of the Baltic States can be explored on numerous cruises that take you to Stockholm, Riga, Klaipeda or Gdansk, for example. Or how about the "Scottish Highlights" tour, which departs from Hamburg to Newcastle, Edinburgh and the Orkney Islands?   Travel trend number 3: Off the beaten track   Megacities are great, but smaller destinations also have their appeal. Places that are still relatively undiscovered and off the beaten track are especially in vouge. How about Brønnøysund, for example? AIDAbella is calling at this new Norwegian destination for the first time - on her voyages to the Northern Lights in fall or to the Lofoten Islands. Or Kemi? The Finnish port city is located on the Gulf of Bothnia and, with the Perämeri National Park, offers not only great nature but also countless outdoor activities. Kemi is one of the cities visited on AIDAmar's "Archipelago of the Baltic Sea" voyage.   A look to the south also offers potential for explorers: AIDAstella sets sail from Corfu to the Adriatic Sea and Greece - including Koper in Slovenia. In addition to dream beaches, there is also plenty of culture to be discovered. For example, the magnificent Gothic Praetorian Palace is located in the center of the medieval old town. Another new AIDA port on this itinerary is Korčula. Ever heard of it? Korčula is one of the most diverse and beautiful islands in Croatia with plenty of opportunities for hiking and swimming.   Travel trend number 4: Busy diary, but always finding time to get away   A travel trend is and remains - travel! Even those who don't have a lot of time on their hands still want to take a break from time to time. The extensive range of short trips with 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-day cruises is the solution: With AIDAmar from Warnemünde, you can easily visit destinations such as Gotland or Bornholm, as well as capitals such as Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. For AIDAperla it goes from Hamburg to Stavanger and Eidfjord and with AIDAluna for example to Gothenburg, Kristiansand, Arhus, Oslo and Copenhagen. Who wouldn't want to pack their suitcase for a short trip?   Travel trend number 5: Sunbathing is out, forest bathing is in!   Wildlife watching and hiking are among the top travel activities. AIDA cruises in the summer of 2025 will once again offer numerous opportunities for this. A cruise through the fjord landscapes of Norway, through the archipelago of the Baltic Sea or further west around the British Isles promises one thing above all: impressive natural spectacles.   The Geirangerfjord is certainly one of the most popular destinations. It never fails to enchant visitors with its mystical atmosphere again and again. The fjord winds its way inland past forests, cliffs, rushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountain peaks. The estuary was even named a World Heritage Site in 2005.   For those who are drawn even farther north, there are trips to the North Cape, Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard. One of the many highlights of a trip to Norway is a detour to the Lofoten Islands. This Norwegian archipelago rises like a cliff out of the sea. The islands are located 100 to 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle at the top of Norway. If you only think of ice and snow, the Lofoten Islands will surprise you: Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate here is relatively mild. The coastline is characterized by impressive mountain scenery, interspersed with countless fjords and even white sandy beaches.   Svalbard is one of the northernmost destinations in the world, with a rugged landscape of glaciers, mountains and fjords. Polar bears, reindeer and foxes live here in their natural environment.   Travel trend number 6: Me Vacation!   Mindfulness and personal growth are also top trends when it comes to traveling. On an AIDA cruise, this "me" vacation can be combined with exercise classes, yoga sessions or spa treatments. Another way to find yourself is through pilgrimage. A visit to Santiago de Compostela - the end point on the Camino de Santiago - is an absolute must. AIDAsol calls at the nearby port city of A Coruña on its "English Channel & Bay of Biscay" voyages. Parts of the Camino de Santiago can also be walked on the stops in Bilbao and Gijón, as well as the new AIDA port of Bordeaux. Vacation - here I come!   Travel trend number 7: A trip to the stars   Apparently, space exploration is one of the top travel desires of the future. Who doesn't dream of being up close to the stars one day? It only takes a little imagination to make this dream come true – even on an AIDA cruise! For example, it is well worth visiting the famous Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which houses the world’s seventh-largest telescope, a Camera Obscura and an exciting gallery dedicated to modern astronomy. Visitors can also try their hand at being an astronomer, lead a space mission and touch a meteorite that is more than 4.5 billion years old. All of this can be experienced on the "Metropolises from Hamburg" route of the AIDAperla from April to October 2025.   In the night, the stars on the vast ocean seemingly draw nearer. Every summer, the Perseids can be seen on a clear night. In 2025, the shooting stars will appear between July 17 and August 24 in the western Mediterranean, for example, where AIDAcosma and AIDAstella will explore Mediterranean highlights on voyages from Mallorca or Barcelona.   The chance to see the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, will be offered on the cruises of AIDAbella in the fall of 2025 from Kiel. The 14-day voyages will take passengers to destinations including Leknes and Bodø, Trondheim or Stavanger, and Tromsø.   Travel trend number 8: Book smart, secure early booking benefits   When booking at the AIDA PREMIUM rate, you can save up to 375 euros early booking plus discount for summer departures in 2025 if you book by October 31, 2024. On the globetrotter itineraries, the discount is even up to 1,050 euros. The contingent is limited and applies to the 1st and 2nd person in the cabin. Other benefits of the AIDA PREMIUM rate include the choice of the cabin of your choice as well as two bottles of mineral water and a 250 MB Internet package on board every day.   The voyages can also be booked at the AIDA PREMIUM All INCLUSIVE rate. In addition to the services included in the PEMIUM rate, it includes the most extensive AIDA beverage package for the entire voyage.   AIDA voyages for the 2025 summer season can be booked starting October 5, 2023, at travel agencies, at the AIDA Customer Center by calling 0381/202 707 07 or at www.aida.de.

  The AIDAsol 2024/2025 world cruise is now open for bookings for individual legs. The duration of the voyages varies between 33 and 84 days - a great opportunity to enjoy the world cruise in shorter legs and discover unique destinations. For example, guests can travel from Hamburg to San Antonio, the port of Santiago de Chile, in 36 days or to fantastic destinations such as French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia and Mauritius in 48 days. Another highlight is the leg from Mauritius to Hamburg with stops on La Réunion, in South Africa, Namibia and the Canary Islands.   The entire AIDA World Cruise will depart from Hamburg on October 23, 2024, visiting 41 ports and 17 countries in 117 days. The voyage with AIDAsol will return to Hamburg on February 17, 2025, and can be booked from 14,445 euros per person at the AIDA PREMIUM rate for a 2-person cruise (inside cabin IB), including a 3,000 euro early-bird discount for bookings made by April 30, 2024.   The individual legs can be booked from 3,650 euros per person at the AIDA PREMIUM price based on 2-person occupancy (inside cabin IB), including a 700-euro early booking discount if booked by April 30, 2024. Contingent is limited.   Unforgettable highlights   Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Golden beaches, subtropical forests and Sugar Loaf Mountain: The locals simply call their city "Cidade Maravilhosa" - the fantastically beautiful city. Fall in love with the rhythm of Rio and the joie de vivre of its inhabitants.   Napier: This new AIDA port is famous above all for its classicist architecture from the 1930s. The New Zealand Art deco city is also home to many Maori motives and patterns.   Tauranga: All of the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" movies were filmed in various locations in New Zealand. Guests can still admire the Shire with the hamlet of Hobbingen not far from the city center - in the seemingly endless greenery around Matamat.   Melbourne: Guests can celebrate their New Year's Eve in the Australian metropolis! Along the Yarra River, in the Birrarung Marr parks, at Federation Square or on the deck of AIDAsol - you have a perfect view of the fireworks and drone show from everywhere.   South Africa & Namibia: Here, guests experience the charms of Africa in all its beauty: from the charm and picturesque Table Mountain backdrop of Cape Town to the awe-inspiring African wildlife and towering sand dunes of the Namib Desert.   These are the bookable legs of the World Cruise 2024/2025:   From Hamburg to San Antonio from October 23, 2024 to November 28, 2024 (36 days) from €4,895* p. p. incl. €700 early bird plus discount From San Antonio to Mauritius from November 28, 2024 to January 15, 2025 (48 days) from €8,295* p. p. incl. €1,000 early bird plus discount From Mauritius to Hamburg from January 15, 2025 to February 17, 2025 (33 days) from €3,650* p. p. incl. €700 early bird plus discount From Hamburg to Mauritius from October 23, 2024 to January 15, 2025 (84 days) from €12,445* p. p. incl. €1,700 early bird plus discount From San Antonio to Hamburg from November 28, 2024 to February 17, 2025 (81 days) from €11,265* p. p. incl. €1,700 early bird plus discount From Hamburg to Sydney from October 23, 2024 to December 29, 2024 (67 days) from €9,790* p. p. incl. €1,400 early bird plus discount From Sydney to Hamburg from December 29, 2024 to February 17, 2025 (50 days) from €6,300* p. p. incl. €1,000 early bird plus discount Booking and further information on AIDAsol and the legs of the world cruise available now at travel agencies, at the AIDA Customer Center at +49 381 20 27 07 07 or at www.aida.de.   Rostock, August 4, 2023   * AIDA PREMIUM price per person based on double occupancy (inside cabin IB), including early bird plus discount for bookings made by April 30, 2024, subject to availability.

  Costa Cruises launches "Morocco and Tunisia: a journey of the senses”, the second cruise in 2023 featuring exclusive experiences dedicated to members of C|Club, the Italian cruise company’s loyalty program.   An unmissable cruise starting from the two-week itinerary, a real journey through colors, flavors and scents of unforgettable destinations, such as Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, France, and Spain. Departure from Italy will be Sept. 23, 2023, from Savona, on board of Costa Favolosa, then leaving for Civitavecchia/Rome, Palermo, Tunis (Tunisia), Cartagena (Spain), Tangier (Morocco), Casablanca (Morocco) with a one-and-a-half day call to allow guests to live fantastic excursions to Marrakech, Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Marseilles (France), and return to Savona on Oct. 7.   A rich program reserved for C|Club members has been designed for this second cruise-event, including excellent gastronomic experiences, themed parties, unique shows and excursions organized especially for the cruise.   Tony Hadley will be the super special guest of this event. The former Spandau Ballet leader will perform aboard for C|Club members, offering a dive into the 1980s with the most famous hits of his career, as well as his new singles. There will also be dedicated moments for photos and autographs with fans.   But that's not all! The 6-star Michelin chef Hélène Darroze, who together with Bruno Barbieri and Ángel León signs Costa Cruises' gastronomic excellence, will be on board to propose some never-before-tried Destination Dishes, which will convey through taste the destinations visited. In addition, she will be the protagonist of a spectacular cooking experience together with C|Club members, who under her guidance will be able to try to create typical Moroccan and Tunisian dishes through easy recipes using local ingredients.   Staying on the topic of taste, during the cruise C|Club members will find another excellent signature: Riccardo Bellaera, Costa's Corporate Pastry & Bakery Chef, close associate of the Maestro dei Maestri of international pastry, Iginio Massari. Riccardo Bellaera will delight C|Club members with his creations, devised especially to celebrate the itinerary destinations, involving them in entertaining cooking and pastry shows.   For an immersion in local culture, not to be missed are the Destination Moments, a series of events and lectures on the history and use of the spices that make Morocco and Tunisia so special.   In addition to the Welcome party, fun play and art activities, with lessons in traditional local painting and decorating, Costa Favolosa's crew will entertain guests with a Birthday Party dedicated to Costa's 75th birthday. The program of entertainment includes also themed parties: the "Desert Night," a sensory journey through the scents, flavors and traditions of Morocco and Tunisia, with amazing experiences such as the tea ceremony and ritual drawings with henna, and the "Mediterranean in festa," to celebrate the traditions and street food of the Mediterranean. Special guests on board will include South African singer Talia Alexis, who will perform an international music show and a tribute to Tina Turner, while also engaging C|Club members in a fun singing challenge.   Finally, new excursions have also been created especially for this cruise, with local gastronomic experiences, moments of pure relax, and unexpected sights and attractions. For example, it will be possible to relax with steam baths in the “Arabian” part of Cadiz; enjoy the view of Casablanca from the world's highest minaret; experience an authentic culinary experience in Tunis; and admire the colors of Rabat and Fez.

Carnival Cruise Line is expanding use of facial biometric tech to speed up the debarkation process in partnership with the CBP. The service has already been used by more than three million Carnival guests. Nine of Carnival's 14 U.S. homeports are using this service including Miami, Port Canaveral, Mobile, Galveston and Long Beach. Carnival says facial biometrics has speeded up debarkation by an average of 30%. "We're doing everything we can to make the debarkation process as simple as possible for our guests," said Christine Duffy, president. "Thanks to our partnership with CBP, these technology solutions make the process more efficient." Guests pause at a kiosk with a camera and take a photo. Within seconds, the image is biometrically compared to their passport or visa photo to verify the guest's identity. It has over 98% accuracy. US travelers and some foreign nationals who prefer to opt out of the facial biometric process can request a manual document check. .

Carnival Cruise Line is bolstering business support for travel agents. It will roll out  business growth opportuniies with a series of business improvement events and competitions. The eight-part event series brings small business and entrepreneurship experts to coach travel agents. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SBA partner, the America's Small Business Development Center Network, will provide business advice. SBA leaders will provide resources to advisors across the country. Advisors will also hear from CLIA reps, ASTA and Carnival's business development team. They will dispense special training on social media, Carnival booking tools and developing business plans. Advisors can enter the Your Winning Plan competition. Shark Tank’s Daymond John will take part in a fireside chat to share business expertise during the final event in Houston. John will present the grand prize to the  Your Winning Plan's champion. Your Winning Plan is open to all travel advisors across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Events take place in seven cities, plus an all-virtual event. It kicks off in June in San Jose, Detroit and Las Vegas on July 7; Nashville on July 14; Denver on July 19; and Richmond, Va. on July 28 The grand finale event is in Houston on Sept. 27. "Your Winning Plan emphasizes the win-win partnerships between travel advisors and Carnival Cruise Line," said Adolfo Perez, Carnival trade marketing SVP. Your Winning Plan's competition will choose seven semi-finalists, one from each event. In addition to a $2,500 prize to use toward implementing their winning business plans, each semi-finalist will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the grand finale event. Attendees will also hear from President Christine Duffy, Perez and members of Carnival's leadership team.  

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The Italian company is offering five Mediterranean cruises during the Easter holiday period. Big news then in spring-summer, with the return of the flagship Costa Toscana to the Mediterranean, the re-entry into service of Costa Diadema after major restyling work, and Costa Fortuna's itineraries between Greece and the Balearic Islands.

  Costa Cruises takes the spotlight in the Easter holidays 2023. Over the next weekend, the Italian company is offering five different cruises in the western Mediterranean, including two one-week cruises with the flagships Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda, two 5-day and 4-day mini-cruises with Costa Pacifica and Costa Fascinosa, and a two-week cruise on Costa Diadema, bound for the Canary Islands. Costa Firenze and Costa Favolosa will also be offering cruises in South America over the Easter period.   Costa Deliziosa, on the other hand, will be sailing on the final part of her Around the World cruise, with the evocative passage through the Panama Canal, while Costa Fortuna is completing her transatlantic cruise from South America to Italy.   On all Costa ships there is a dedicated programme to celebrate Easter on board, with special dishes and entertainment activities.   “Sales in the last three months have been robust. Ship occupancy is growing steadily, and summer programs are selling very quickly with a high demand for cabins. This is a very encouraging outlook, considering that our capacity in the Mediterranean has increased compared to 2019, while keeping our capacity in Northern Europe constant, thanks to the entry of new, state-of-the-art ships into the fleet in the last three years, such as Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda” – said Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Cruises.   Costa's Easter cruises mark the start of the spring-summer 2023 season. Among the new proposals, there are the return of the flagship Costa Toscana to the Mediterranean, the re-entry into service of the Costa Diadema and the Costa Fortuna itineraries.   After a winter in the Arabian Gulf, Costa Toscana returned to the Mediterranean over the Easter holiday period, offering one-week cruises to Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Cagliari, Naples and Civitavecchia/Rome, joining the sister ship Costa Smeralda, already in the Mediterranean, which offers a one-week itinerary to Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca (Ibiza in summer), Palermo, and Civitavecchia/Rome.   The third Costa ship positioned in the western part of the Mediterranean is Costa Diadema. During the winter break, the ship underwent major renovation work, introducing new experiences to make the holiday on board even more unique. Such as the Archipelago restaurant, where guests can enjoy menus created exclusively for Costa by chefs Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze and Ángel León; the Sushino at Costa, a sushi bistro by the sea, also featuring a lounge with live music; the Fiorentina Steak House, offering the best of Italian and international meats; the Sunset Bar, for an aperitif during "golden hour" on a seafront terrace; and a completely revamped Aperol Spritz bar. From Easter 2023, Costa Diadema will offer two-week cruises to the Canary Islands, followed, from 7 May, by a one-week itinerary with calls in Savona, Civitavecchia/Rome, Cagliari or Ajaccio (depending on departures), Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Marseille.   From 13 April, Costa Fortuna, having completed the season in South America, will also return to the western Mediterranean. After a 3-day mini-cruise, she will start offering 14-day itineraries, first to Turkey and then to the Canary Islands. In the summer, the ship will offer a never-before-seen two-week itinerary, which will make it possible to visit the Greek and Balearic islands in a single holiday, with Savona, Civitavecchia/Rome, Messina, four magnificent islands in Greece, such as Crete (with a call in Heraklion), Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Kefalonia (with a call in Argostoli), Palma de Mallorca, in the Balearic islands, and then Barcelona and Marseille.   Costa's offer in the Mediterranean will be completed by Costa Deliziosa, which will explore Marghera/Venice, Katakolon/Olympia (Greece), Mykonos (Greece) Santorini (Greece) and Bari, and Costa Pacifica, which will visit Taranto, Costa's new port of call, Catania, Malta, Mykonos and Santorini. Both itineraries are one week long.   Northern Europe cruises will be available from May to September. Costa Fascinosa will offer 12-day itineraries to the North Cape, or nine-day cruises to the most beautiful cities in the Baltic; Costa Favolosa will visit Iceland, the Lofoten Islands, Greenland, a new destination for this summer, or Great Britain and Ireland; Costa Firenze will offer one-week cruises in the Norwegian fjords.   For those with only a few days available, in spring there are mini-cruises to France and Spain, from 3 to 5 days, with Costa Fascinosa and Costa Pacifica. For a longer break, in addition to Costa Fortuna and Costa Diadema, in spring there are Costa Pacifica cruises to Israel and Egypt; Costa Firenze, Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa cruises from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, with the possibility of choosing the reverse itinerary, from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, in September; and finally Costa Fascinosa's 10-day Lisbon cruises and Costa Favolosa's 11-day Morocco cruises.   It is still available the 75th Anniversary promotion to book a Costa’s cruise in spring and summer, with 75 cruises at a special price.

 

Vacation time is family time on the AIDA ships: At Easter and Whitsun, during the summer and fall vacations in 2023, AIDA Cruises now offers more reasons for a family break aboard the cruise fleet. On selected cruises, guest artists will accompany the most wonderful time of the year with exciting hands-on workshops and entertaining shows. For young cruisers, the program includes special sports activities such as freestyle soccer tricks, American football workshops, and dance classes with the pros. Those who like it more musical can produce their own radio play or listen to the mini-musical "Ocean Kids" or the show "Ritter Rost auf Kreuzfahrt". For the very young guests, there will be exciting chamber puppet shows in Studio X for the first time this year.

 

Over the 2023 Easter holidays, the Unique Freestylers will be guests on board AIDAdiva from April 6 to 14 from Hamburg/to Warnemünde and on board AIDAprima from April 8 to 15 from/to Hamburg. The Unique Freestylers convince with extraordinary ball acrobatics, spectacular moves, and a breathtaking show. In their workshops, young and old soccer fans can learn fantastic tricks and juggling and impress their audience with lots of soccer fun.

 

New this year on AIDA Cruises is the chamber puppet show on board AIDAnova and AIDAcosma. They will delight young audiences in Studio X with the well-known classics "Der kleine Rabe Socke" and "Das Sams." Children can experience the puppet shows live on board on the voyages with AIDAnova from May 13 to 20, 2023 from Hamburg/to Kiel, as well as on board AIDAcosma on the 7-day voyages from/to Palma de Mallorca on July 8,15,22 and 29, 2023, and on August 5, 12 and 19, 2023. Back on board this year for an extensive AIDA Kids and Teens program is the radio play production by TonPony. In the free workshops, children and teens can conceptualize their own vacation radio play. TonPony will be on board the voyages from May 27 to June 3, 2023, with AIDAnova from/to Kiel and on board AIDAluna from August 13 to 30, 2023 also from/to Kiel.

 

Also new this year for the 2023 summer vacations is the American football workshop "Football Ahoy". Under the guidance of former national league players, participants on board AIDAnova can learn the basics of this exciting team sport and actively experience it on the voyage from July 22 to 29, 2023.

 

The professional dancers Renata & Valentin Lusin are several times as Edutainer with dance courses for adults on board the AIDA fleet. This year, for the first time, they are also giving dance classes for kids & teens. On board AIDAmar from August 14 to 24, 2023 from/to Warnemünde, younger guests can now also learn basic steps and advanced figures in cha-cha-cha, waltz, discofox, tango and salsa in various workshops. Also, on board AIDAdiva, on the voyage from July 29 to August 5, 2023, from/to Warnemünde, young dancers can learn a hot sole: Patricija and Alexandru Ionel, reigning world champions in showdance, are guesting on board for various dance workshops.

 

During the upcoming fall vacations, Ritter Rost is going on a cruise again! From October 1 to 11, 2023 on board AIDAbella from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca, cabaret artist and author Felix Janosa invites you to a family show "Ritter Rost auf Kreuzfahrt". Singing along, joining in, and laughing along is guaranteed. In addition, there will be a cheerful reading with great songs on the piano for the whole family with Felix Janosa: "Fjodor, cheeky captain". Also, during the fall vacations, the mini-musical "Ocean Kids" by DIE NIXEN will be performed on board AIDAprima on the voyage from October 21 to 28, 2023 from/to Hamburg. The musical little sea "Ocean Kids" tells the story of the little mermaid and her friend, the whale.

 

In addition to the numerous attractions with celebrity guest artists, an AIDA vacation for the entire family offers a unique combination of action and adventure with supervision for kids and teens. The extensive children's offerings also include a variety of show and TV formats, such as the "Young Stars - AIDA Kids & Teens Talents" show. For the older ones, there is a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Teens Edition" on some voyages as well as a "The Voice of the Ocean - Teens Special" or "1,2 or 3" in Studio X - only on board AIDAnova and AIDAcosma. On board AIDAnova, kids and teens can set the Action Wall in Studio X ablaze. A variety of voyages feature the popular Kids Prime Time live from the Theatrium. The entertainment manager presents the little sailors with a colorful mix of fun and games with exciting guests like the AIDA Clubbies and show spots of the AIDA stars.

 

In classic fashion, there is the AIDA Cinema with family films from the current film lineup and the AIDA Family Bingo. Other highlights are the Kids' Question Time with the officers and the "Family Ocean Lounge", where lecturers have prepared child-friendly presentations on the destinations visited for the whole family. At the AIDA Clubbie Disco, all young cruisers with an affinity for dancing will get their money's worth. Afterwards, the day ends with a bedtime story (on board AIDAcosma, AIDAperla, AIDAprima and AIDAnova). 

 

The whole family can experience sports and fun together at Fit4Drums, AIDA Family Race Slides, Imagination Playground, Loopy Ball, Family Climbing, Bowling and much more (offers vary depending on ship class).

 

Numerous workshops invite kids & teens to join in: cocktail workshop, cooking school, sushi workshop and fruit carving, as well as beauty workshop, sauna night, fitness classes, towel origami and DJ workshop.

 

One of the highlights per vacation trip is the AIDA Family Festival: the various departments on board present themselves in a playful way. The families complete a rally across the entire ship with many hands-on stations.

 

Unique offers for different age groups, family-friendly cabins and prices, and exciting excursions for a wide range of interests make the family vacation perfect.

 

Children cruise for free

 

AIDA offers families with children particularly attractive travel deals. Children under 2 years of age always travel free on AIDA. Children from 2 to 15 years of age travel free of charge in seasonal periods X and S, or at low fixed prices in their parents' cabin in seasonal periods A, B and C. Young people up to the age of 24 are also entitled to a low fixed price in their parents' cabin. In their own cabin, children from 2 to 15 years receive a 35% discount - youths from 16 to 24 years receive a 25% discount. This discount applies to the 1st and 2nd bed of the cabin (except suites, exception AIDAcosma and AIDAnova: child and youth discount also valid in Junior Suites).

 

Family friendly cabins

 

Families can choose between 3- and 4-bed cabins as well as Junior Suites and Suites. Especially family-friendly are the cabins with connecting doors, which are available aboard all AIDA ships. On board AIDAcosma, there are the veranda and balcony cabins with extra space or with a walk-in closet, with a spacious veranda, somewhat smaller balcony, or a 12.5 m² sun deck. If you want a little more of everything - more living space and more room in the sun - the Veranda Cabin Deluxe is recommended. Depending on the cabin, it can be occupied by up to five people (also on board AIDAperla, AIDAprima and AIDAnova). This means families with three children can look forward to an even more comfortable vacation together.

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Diamond Princess Returns for 36 Departures to Scenic Island Country, Plus Royal Princess Debuts on a New Japan & Northern Pacific Crossing

  The lure of Japan is calling with its ancient temples, cherry blossoms, modern cityscapes and vibrant cuisine with the newly released 2024 Japan cruise season on sale now from Princess Cruises. New for 2024, Royal Princess makes her Japan debut and marks the first Royal-Class ship to sail in the region. The series of cruises offers many opportunities to view the magnificent spring flowers, as well as four breathtaking summer festivals.   Royal Princess sails a new Japan & North Pacific Crossing, calling to the northern Tohoku and Hokkaido regions during the magnificent cherry blossom season with the option to combine with the cruise line's popular Voyage of the Glaciers cruise to witness the majestic glaciers of Alaska. Guests can opt to disembark in Anchorage (Whittier) for a 15-day voyage or continue to Vancouver, B.C. for a 22-day cruise. The cruise departs Tokyo (Yokohama) on April 27, 2024.   "Japan has been a popular homeport and destination experience for Princess guests for many years and we're thrilled to offer such a culturally-rich season of cruises in this region for the 2024 season," said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president.   Japan-built Diamond Princess returns to Japan for a March through August 2024 season, sailing roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama), calling to 35 destinations in three countries on 31 unique itineraries and 36 departures, ranging from seven to 23 days.   Diamond Princess kicks off the season with a series of four 10-day Spring Flowers voyages, calling at all four of Japan's main islands and following the predicted blooming season as it moves from south to north.   The Japan festival season reaches its peak in the summer months, and in 2024 Diamond Princess offers guests the opportunity to experience the following festivals with late-night stays in each port:  

• Aomori Nebuta Festival (Aug 2 and Aug 7) which features Nebuta float figures accompanied by traditional music, many vibrant dancers and audience participation, all within easy walking distance from the port.
• Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival (Aug 12), one of Japan's 10 largest festivals, featuring teams of dancers with colorful costumes and unique performances.
• Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival (Aug 13), one of the most famous summer dance festivals that dates back to the 1500s and features dancers performing throughout the city well into the night highlighted by the famous "Fool's Dance."
• Kumano Fireworks Festival (Aug 17), a display of over 10,000 fireworks visible from the decks of Diamond Princess.

  Additionally, Diamond Princess will sail on nine-day Southern Islands voyages that call to two Okinawan ports and two Taiwan ports; nine-day and 10-day Sea of Japan voyages that will feature ports along the historic Kitamaebune trading route; 10-day Hokkaido voyages that will visit Otaru (for Sapporo), Hakodate and Kushiro; and the popular 10-day Japan Explorer voyages that will call to some of the country's most iconic destinations like Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Osaka or Kobe (for Kyoto), Hiroshima, and more.   The 2024 Japan program also features access to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Mount Fuji (from Shimizu), Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (from Kobe or Osaka), Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (from Kobe or Osaka), Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (from Kanazawa or Toyama), the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, and the newly inscribed Iriomote Island (from Ishigaki) and Jomon Prehistoric Sites (from Aomori or Hakodate).   Guests only unpack once to enjoy and explore all the sights ashore, while onboard Princess delivers the ultimate in effortless, personalized cruising featuring world-class dining, award-winning entertainment, casinos, pools, fitness centers and spas, all elevated by exclusive Princess MedallionClass service.   Additional information about the 2024 Japan season is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

Carnival Cruise Line opened reservations for two all-new Asia cruises for 2024. They will mark the first-ever port visits for Carnival between Long Beach and Tokyo and Sydney and Singapore. Bookings are now available for 2024 departures on four new Carnival Journeys on Carnival Panorama and Carnival Splendor. "Offering guests new destinations builds on our portfolio of Carnival Journeys sailings," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. The four new itineraries include: Carnival Panorama 18-day Transpacific Carnival Journeys from Long Beach to Tokyo (Yokohama) on Aug. 22, 2024. It calls at Ketchikan; Sitka,; Icy Strait Point, Kushiroand Aomori, Japan 25-day Transpacific Carnival Journeys sailing from Singapore to Long Beach departing on Oct. 12, 2024 – Ho Chi Minh, Kota Kinabalu, Manila, Guam; Honolulu, Maui. Carnival Splendor 15-day Carnival Journeys sailing from Sydney to Singapore departing on July 21, 2024 – Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Lombok, Bali. 16-day Carnival Journeys sailing from Singapore to Sydney departing on Aug. 24, 2024 – Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Darwin, Airlie Beach, Moreton Island, Australia.   Carnival Panorama will be the first Carnival ship to visit Manila and Carnival Splendor will mark the first visit to Jakarta.

All Carnival cruise brands have re-imposed mandatory mask-wearing on Australia cruses. The company said it is ‘out of an abundance of caution’ after a recent sailing led to hundreds of infections. There has been an uptick in community infections across New South Wales and Victoria. Cases in the states have than doubled in only two weeks “Mask wearing is being applied on board all Carnival Corporation brand ships operating in Australia as an additional safeguard,” Carnival Australia said. Masks were scrapped for passengers in February. Carnival requires masks to be worn in indoor public spaces, and when boarding and disembarking the ship Masks are also required for outdoors events when social distancing is difficult. "At a time when Australia is faced with a rapid rise of cases, it's critical everyone plays their part," Carnival Australia added.

Carnival Cruise Line has officially restarted sailing in Australia. Carnival Splendor departed Sydney on a four-day cruise visiting Moreton Island in Queensland and will sail various Australia itineraries year-round. It arrived last week after a 23-night journey from Alaska. “We have been planning this return for some time, and we are elated now to see guests back on board, ready to have fun,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. The ship will be joined in Australia by Carnival Luminosa in Brisbane next month. “As we welcome the arrival of our newest ship, Carnival Luminosa to Brisbane next month, we’re looking forward to even more fun in Australia,” said Duffy.

Carnival Cruise Line is lifting some pre-embarkation testing requirements. From August 4, it will waive pre-cruise testing for fully vaccinated guests for cruises no longer than five days. Pre-cruise testing remains for longer voyages and for all unvaccinated guests. Tests can be taken up to three days before departure. Carnival states ‘all adjustments are subject to any destinations on the itinerary.’ Royal Caribbean recently announced that it would no longer require testing for vaccinated guests on short cruises.