AIDAcara (November 10, 2009)

The German's are coming! In a further show of Carnival Corporaion's ever increasing global muscle, AIDA Cruises makes its foray into Asia by following in the well established foot hold developed by Princess and Costa Cruises. Below, the unmistakable giant ruby red lips and bright eyes of the AIDAcara make their maiden gaze upon Singapore.

History

At a little over 38,000 tons, the AIDAcara is the smallest and oldest ship in the AIDA fleet. The AIDAcara was built by Masa-Yards in Finland for Deutsche Seereederei Touristik/Arkona Reisen. The AIDAcara (called AIDA) was sold in 1997 to Norwegian Cruise Line but continued to operate on charter to Deutsche Seetouristik. In 1999, the AIDA was sold back to Arkona Reisen and late in 1999, P&O took a stake in Arkona Reisen and subsequently absorbed the brand. In 2001, in line with a newbuilding program initiated by P&O, the AIDA was renamed to AIDAcara.

After the merger between P&O Cruises and Carnival Corporation in 2003, a renewed focus was brought to AIDA. This building spree has brought ever larger and more innovative ships to AIDA and allowed for the experimentation of new routes to be pioneered by the oldest sibling in the family, the AIDAcara and resulted in her maiden port call to Singapore in November of 2009.

Like most other cruise lines venturing into Asia, the ships allocated tend to be older, smaller vessels in the fleet. There seems to be only two exceptions to this rule; a) the massive 113,000 ton Diamond Princess from Princess Cruises that runs a flutter of cruises up from Australia to Bangkok and b) the myriad of roving ships on grand cruises like the Queen Victoria or Seabourn Odyssey that make port calls in Asia only once or twice a year as they cross from one end of the earth to the other.

The AIDAcara is here to stay - at least for a while. Initially having the home port of Dubai, the AIDAcara is venturing east and forging ahead a new market for the well healed German traveler. Similar to Princess, AIDA will be using Bangkok as the advance and terminus for their new series of Asia cruises.

Design

Delivered in 1996 as the AIDA, the external design of the ship was heavily influence by the Sally Albatross (now Louis Cristal with Louis Cruise Line) which was also built (and subsequently rebuilt) in Finland.

From her drawing board inception, the AIDAcara was built with the German passengers in mind. Her design was focused on the concept of Das Clubschiff. The ship packs in passengers and is light on service with no in room dining and only once a day room cleaning. However Spartan this might sound to luxury travelers, this lean cruising concept has proved very popular with her core cliental and hence the explosive growth in the AIDA fleet over the last decade.

The AIDAcara underwent an overhaul in 2005 at Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany. During the refit, the AIDAcara gained 44 additional balconies thanks to a thin rim of steel overhang that was married to Deck 7. In the photograph above, the new balcony ledge can be seen just above the AIDAcara name. Additionally, on the bridge wings, the ship has extendable 1.8 meter "planks" on either side which now extend past the new balcony ledge below so that the captain and pilot have a better view during docking. Below, the AIDAcara gracefully enters Singapore Cruise Bay soon to be berthed.

Vital Statistics

Above, the simple but effective AIDA logo proudly displayed on the funnel. The influence of the Sally Albatross can be seen most apparent in the stern design. In the photograph below, the AIDAcara's transom reclines gently to expose her two rudders.

Current & Future

How long does the AIDAcara have to live on with AIDA Cruises? The Costa Allegra, rebuilt only a few years before the AIDAcara has now being reassigned to the French market after successfully building up a path for Costa Cruises expansion in Asia. The success of her work can be seen in not one but two replacement ships: the Costa Classica and Costa Romantica. These additions will quadruple Costa's capacity in Asia. Not a bad feat to be accomplished by a one-time containership. But what plans are there for the AIDAcara?

AIDAcara's future is the frontier exploration vessel actively setting up new itineraries in lesser traveled parts of the world. As Germans continue to embrace cruising as a vacation alternative, many new paths await the AIDAcara. Her future and the hopes of continued expansion surely rest upon her waiting lips.