The sixth ship of the AIDA fleet will be christened on 4 April 2009 with a dazzling event held against the backdrop of the harbour at Palma de Mallorca. The inside of the “heavenly” AIDAluna incorporates a large number of innovations and individual designs. The interior interprets maritime elements in a modern style: classic shades of blue contrast with warm teak and rich orange. Chrome ornaments remind us of the silvery shine of the moon on the sea. Highlights include the giant LED screen, a highly modern laser show system and the world’s largest floating wellness area in Indian style.
Like its sister ships AIDAdiva and AIDAbella, the third of a total of 6 new AIDA vessels in the Sphinx class will be 252 metres long, with a beam of 32.2 metres. The 69,200-ton ship is presently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg at a cost of € 315 million.
The giant LED screen on the sun deck ensures new dimensions in entertainment. The format chosen is quite unique on a cruise ship, with the 8 x 4.5 metre video screen able to show films and shows in an authentic 16:9 cinema format. The screen turns the viewers’ arena on sun decks 11 und 12 into a cinema under a starry sky, offering movies, soccer matches and show effects in previously unequalled quality. But that’s not enough: the AIDAluna’s powerful laser show system, also used on a cruise ship for the first time, projects fascinating, weightless worlds onto the heavens, enthralling everyone with their boundless variety.
In the 4D Cinemare movie theatre on Deck 11, films become an unforgettable experience. Moving easy chairs, jets for water spray and air movement, as well as the ingenious sound system give the audience the impression of being right at the centre of the movie and being part of the action. The computer-animated films provide fantastic enjoyment for every taste and the entire family.
The glass Theatrium covering an area of more than 3,000 square metres is the heart of entertainment at its best. The design is characterised by fine gold leaf, teak applications on the walls and luxurious parquet designs with blue stone inlays. The show ensemble offers 20 different shows: professional singers, dancers and acrobats perform on the moving stage and the trapeze under the huge glass dome. As on its sister ships, there is one exclusive show on the AIDAluna: entitled “Somnambul”, it carries the audience away into fantastic dreamy worlds inspired by the moon.
The 2,300 square metre wellness area provides everything to care for your body and mind. The Body & Soul Spa transports its visitors to the world of a gloriously colourful Indian temple. Enchanted by the romantic ambiance, seductive scents and stylish pleasures of the spa, the guest feels like an Indian maharajah. Sensuously rich colours, floral patterns and inlay in the four treatment booths, as well as Indian sculptures and fine fabric on the walls characterise the informally elegant design. A Spa Suite with its own sauna, large heated water-bed, special wellness bath and separate balcony invites couples to appreciate an individual wellness experience with a view of the ocean, while savouring sparkling champagne and canapés.
The view of the horizon can also be enjoyed by visitors to the sauna, which opens out onto the sea through large panoramic windows. Right next door is the Massage Suite, where guests are cared for by an Indian therapist with Ayurvedic herbal oil. The palm landscape of the Wellness Oasis designed as an Indian jungle is the centre point of the spa area. With its huge Jacuzzi, cosy rest islands and a tingling shower experience, the Oasis, decorated with elephant sculptures, provides for pure relaxation. Special highlight: the roof with the glass patio spanning the Oasis can be opened in fine weather.
The extremely varied delicacies and dishes offered by the seven restaurants cover just about everyone’s wishes. In the Markt Restaurant, the guests feel like they are at a Mediterranean market, experiencing the preparation of the specialities close up. The modern Bella Vista Restaurant serves Italian cuisine. The Pizzeria Mare offers its guests classic pizza creations and light snacks, while the à-la-carte restaurants Rossini, Buffalo Steak House and Sushi Bar satisfy the highest gourmet demands.
Eleven bars on the AIDAluna serve refreshing drinks from the cocktail of the day to classic thirst-quenchers of all types. The trademark of all AIDA ships, the star-shaped AIDA Bar, is designed in blue crash glass and glowing orange. Silver balls remind guests of the moon and the night sea. The design of the longest bar of the seven seas, at which the guests sit opposite each other in a communicative way, is rounded off on the walls with fine teak wood, carpets in a mild shade of orange and the “dancing columns” typical for AIDA in the centre of the room. On the stage, live bands play late into the night.
The generously fashioned Pier 3 Bar welcomes guests at every port. With its balconies that can be folded out towards the harbour pier in the style of the South of France, the bar reproduces the atmosphere of the chic harbour backdrop in Nice. Here the guests can savour a refreshing drink on board when arriving at the port and enjoy the view of the promenade on shore.
The ship has a total of 1,025 cabins, including 439 with balcony and 18 suites. Sunny shades of yellow, fine olive wood, light fabrics and high-quality carpets in a ship’s deck design create a friendly, harmonious atmosphere. The walls are decorated with romantically fresh photographs of summery flower meadows and large-format pictures of brightly coloured abstract paintings. The iTV interactive entertainment system can be used to book wellness applications and tours from the guest’s cabin or get German-language television programmes and up-to-date travel information.
As a “mysterious beauty”, the AIDAluna has many fascinating works of art by well-known artists on board. One of the highlights features the three life-size figures by the Chemnitz artist, Florian Merkel, which fit into the backdrop of the pool landscape like real people. Visitors have to look twice to see that the aesthetic silhouettes in colourful casual wear are really sculptures.
