AIDAcosma

The 2021-built/2022-inaugurated AIDAcosma cruise ship was constructed by Meyer Werft (in Papenburg Germany). This is the second of two HELIOS-class AIDA liners, with sistership AIDAnova (2018). Excellence/Helios-Class was preceded by Hyperion-Class (AIDAprima and AIDAperla).

The vessel (IMO number 9781877) is currently Italy-flagged (MMSI 247435300) and registered in Genova.

AIDAcosma is the fleet's 14th boat and AIDA's 9th vessel built in Papenburg. Other Excellence-Class liners (AIDAcosma sisterships) are P&O Iona (2020), P&O Arvia (2022), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023).

History - construction and ownership

AIDA Cruises is a Rostock-headquartered subsidiary company owned by Carnival Corporation. AIDA is Europe's largest German cruise line (followed by TUI) targeting younger and more active travelers. AIDA was founded in 1960 (as "Deutsche Seereederei") and in 2000 was acquired by P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation (shipowner) in 2003. AIDA's first World Cruise (AIDAcara) was in 2017-2018 (October-February) with 116-day roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg Germany.

The 5400-passenger ship AIDAcosma (IMO number 9781877) is Italy-flagged (MMSI 247435300) and among the world's largest passenger liners and the most technologically advanced vessels. Besides the ship's staff and crew, AIDA cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in 3 languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.

Decks and Cabins

AIDAcosma has a total of 2600 passenger staterooms in 21 categories and on 11 cabin decks. A new type is the Einzelkabine (Single Cabin), which is planned to be introduced fleetwide during AIDA's next scheduled drydock refurbishments. A new suite-type is the Duplex Suite (aft on Deck 12), which is a 2-deck accommodation sized 73 m2 (with 20-m2 private sundeck).

Suites' amenities include a private sundeck area (large outdoor terrace), separate bedroom, sofa bed, 2 bathrooms (bathrobes, slippers, luxury bath products), queen beds, pillow menu (5 different pillows) plus bonus perks (amenities and services).

Standard cabin balconies are equipped with padded deckchairs and coffee tables. Junior Suites are with separate "conservatory" (lounge room, sized 7 m2) plus a step-out balcony (4 m2). The lounge room's glass door can be opened to double the veranda's size. The conservatory is temperature-controlled (via suite's heater).

Deluxe Balconies have a large-sized veranda (5-13 m2). Comfort Balconies are the ship's main "family cabin" type. They are larger than the standard Balkonkabine and also have double sofabeds for quad occupancy. Category DL (Verandakabine Deluxe with Lounge) is for 5 passengers. Oceanview and Interior cabins are with lower twin beds (convertible to double / Queen-size).

The boat has 20 decks, of which 17 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

All staterooms offer as standard (complimentary) amenities electronic safe box (in the closet), spacious wardrobe (some with walk-in closet), low table with lounge chairs, double bed (most convertible to twins), Pullman beds (in most quads), bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, direct dial phone (baby monitoring option), smart HDTV (infotainment system - satellite reception, Internet, movies-on-demand, ship info channel, real-time camera views), LED lighting, mirrored dressing table (writing desk) with chair, en-suite bathroom (toilet, shower cabin, single-sink vanity, hairdryer), individually controlled air-conditioning.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The new AIDAcosma has a variety of dining options. Among its 17 dining venues are the specialty restaurants Casa Nova, French Kiss, and Brauhaus, as well as 5 buffet restaurants (including the family-themed Fuego), the classic Bella Donna and Markt Restaurant. Guests onboard can visit the AIDA cooking school and try interactive cooking classes.

The ship has a total of 23 bars and lounges and features an exclusive Spray Bar - spreading across 2 decks and operated via a partnership with Moet & Chandon (1869-established French champagne producer). At the ship's stern is the Lanai Bar (Deck 8). At Patio Bar (Deck 16 aft) passengers can enjoy the same view as the Captain. Other bars are the nightclub Nightfly, M Bar, Tapas & Bar, club D6.

Follows the complete list of AIDAcosma restaurants and food bars.

• Scharfe Ecke (Sharp Corner, complimentary fast-food dining venue)
• Rossini (a specialty, dinner-only restaurant at surcharge, reservations required; offers waiter service and 6-course a-la-carte menu)
• Markt Restaurant (complimentary main dining room; self-service buffet restaurant with a variety of food stations and a small terrace)
• Mamma Mia (Italian cuisine restaurant, complimentary, buffet-style dining, open 24 hours)
• Ristorante Casa Nova (Mediterranean cuisine restaurant at a surcharge)
• Brasserie French Kiss (French cuisine restaurant, reservations-only, at a surcharge)
• Brauhaus (specialty restaurant, reservations-only, at a surcharge)
• Weite Welt Restaurant (Wide World complimentary buffet-style restaurant)
• Buffalo Steakhouse (American fare restaurant with a la carte menu; reservations required; at a surcharge)
• Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant at surcharge, reservations are required)
• Fuego Restaurant (new family restaurant, complimentary, with a kids buffet)
• East Restaurant (Asian cuisine, buffet-style complimentary restaurant)
• Time Machine Restaurant is a new dinner-only restaurant with fantasy-themed entertainment
• Kochstudio (Cooking Studio for culinary classes, workshops, master chefs presentations; reservations are required)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Deck 16 features an activity deck with an aquapark (Fun Park) with water slides (a dual waterslide plus a single Water Slide), High Rope Garden (Ropes Course), Mini-Golf Course, Bouldering Wall. The beach club (introduced with the Hyperion-class) is also available on the Helios-class ships. The aft-located Pool Deck is covered by a sliding glass roof (lightweight mobile construction) extending across the boat's entire width.

Passengers can unwind by Beach Club's swimming pool. At night, this area turns into a deck party zone. The Cube dance club and the Casino also offer nighttime live entertainment. The Beach Club is beneath the expandable membrane roof. It features a dedicated family activities area "Four Elements" (based on water, air, fire, and earth). Four Elements is an outdoor playground on Sports Deck fitted with 2 waterslides (3-decks high), rock climbing walls, rope course. This deck also has a giant LED screen for movies and other outdoor video entertainment. In addition to the Teens and Kids Clubs on board, for the first time, there is a Mini Club for infants from 6 months.

The panoramic glass elevators which connect the outdoor areas, as well as the glass 45-meter above water level skywalk are among the other highlights. Organic treatments pamper at the Body & Soul Organic Spa. AIDA Plaza offers a wealth of bars and shops and functions as a meeting place and a stage for street performers.

AIDAcosma offers different and innovative entertainment experiences for all ages in a total of thirteen venues. Apart from popular shows of the cruise line, such as "Wer wird Millionär" (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?), "The Voice of the Ocean" and "AIDA Stars" vacationers benefit from new entertainment formats which are exclusively available onboard AIDAcosma. The enhanced Theatrium is the heart of onboard entertainment - its round stage is the trademark of AIDA Cruises. The Theatrium is great to enjoy entertainment as well as relax during the day. However, in the evenings it's the spot for shows on the 360-degree stage, with technical highlights like 11 LED walls, 7 laser shows and LED Tube inclusive of "artistes" elevator.

Some of the shows premiered on AIDAcosma include:

• "AIDA LOVE" is an adventure-packed show celebrating birthdays, weddings, honeymoons. The audience may become part of the show via a special phone app.
• "Avona Dia" is a family show with imaginative choreography created by Cirque du Soleil star Benjamin Pring.
• "Nashville - Just Good Music: It rocks!" is a live concert with American rock's greatest hits.
• "Show me! YELLO!" combines music and videos of Swiss electronic duo band YELLO with a pyrotechnical display, acrobatics, dance, and extravagant scenery.
• "Steampunk Circus" show is fantasy-themed (magical world), featuring special effects, original costumes, specially created music by Stefan Richter.

The list of new facilities introduced first on AIDAcosma includes:

• Studio X makes AIDAcosma the fleet's second ship with a TV studio at sea and its own station (Prime Time One). Passengers can observe live AIDA Cruises TV shows, how are produced, and also to experience the new AIDA TV guessing show for kids "1, 2 or 3".
• "The Pyramid Kids" entertainment program offers new games and quizzes. "Keep Your Light On" (modern version of hangman) is played in teams wearing LED suits. Kids and Teens Workshops offer interactive games and video making and editing.
• "The Mystery Room" serves treasure hunt players searching for the Holy Grail.
• "The Rock Box" music room/karaoke bar has a jukebox and also hosts live performances.
• Mysterious elevator access the new "Time Machine Restaurant" - the realm of Professor Tempus who welcomes passengers for a 3-course dinner and takes them on a voyage through time.

Follows the complete list of AIDAcosma lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar)
• Spray Bar (adults-only 2-level luxury lounge & Champagne bar via a partnership with French winery "Moet & Chandon")
• Diskothek (The Cube) is a nightclub with DJ program, light shows, themed dance parties.
• Nachtclub Nightfly (adult-only nightclub lounge with grand piano, live band music, and its own bar)
• Tapas & Bar
• AIDA Plaza (2-deck high, open-floor Atrium lounge with bars and live entertainment; luxury boutique shopping arcade)
• Jewelry Shop; Travel Shop; PhotoShop; Sports Shop; Parfumerie; Kids Shop; Treasure Chest Shop
• Kids Club (AIDA Cruises kids program is complimentary, with supervised, age-appropriate activities: the 3 age groups include Seahorses for 3-6 yo, Dolphins for 7-9 yo and Sharks 10-11 yo; the Kids Club has an outdoor area with a paddling pool)
• AIDA Bar (cocktail bar with live music)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; sells original artworks of renowned art schools and German artists; hosts art auctions)
• AIDA Lounge (with 270-degree panoramic views and comfortable seating)
• The Library (Bibliotek; offers card and board games)
• Casino (served by Casino Bar)
• Theatrium is a 3-deck high, big-capacity show lounge with large round-shaped central stage with a dynamic platform and 11x LED screen covered walls. This is a combined Atrium-Theater-Lounge for daily entertainment, large-scale evening productions, cabaret, and magician shows. Here are presented 7 differently themed laser shows. The theater lounge is served by Theatrium Bar.
• Eiscafe (ice cream parlor Ice cafe Erste Sahne)
• Cafe Mare (patisserie & specialty coffee bar)
• Vinotek (fine wines shop; offers sommelier service and wine tasting events)
• Brauhaus (beerhouse; onboard brewery, purified seawater is used for brewing beer; the Beer House sells its own draft beers)
• Destille (Distillery; fruit spirits bar)
• AIDA Bar (big-capacity lounge with panoramic windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (professional photo and video services, duty-free accessories and equipment; new feature are the photo kiosks with touch-screens /face-recognition system)
• AIDA Shop (duty-free merchandise at discount prices; the shopping arcade has a general store selling liquor and tobaccos, as well as small boutiques for jewelry, luxury watches, perfumes, brand fashion clothing, AIDA logo goods)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; provides hairdresser, barber services, professional manicure/pedicure Nail Spa)
• Body & Soul Sports Fitness Centre (with a modern Gym and separate area for classes)
• Zen Lounge (relaxation room; hosts indoor classes)
• Blutenmeer (Blooming Sea flower shop)
• "The Mystery Room" is a new venue dedicated to onboard treasure hunt games.
• "Rock Box" is a music room/karaoke bar with a jukebox and also hosting live performances.
• "Studio X" is the ship's TV Room producing live AIDA-themed shows.
• Lanai Bar (with outdoor seating area)
• Aft Sundeck area (with 4 infinity pools)
• Wave Club (water playground and teens club with supervised activities in two age groups - Orcas for 12 -13 yo and Teens 14 -17 yo; complimentary)
• Body & Soul Organic SPA complex (3100 m2, with indoor/outdoor pools, big whirlpools and retractable glass roof; offers Japanese Tea Ceremony, body scrubs, and wraps; facilities include 5 saunas, treatment rooms, Rasul bath, relaxation room, shower room, conservatory, luxury Spa Suites, SPA Bar)
• AIDA Lounge (with 270-degree panorama views, comfortable couches, and tables); Sunset Bar
• Mini Club (childcare/babysitting services for toddlers and little kids 6 months to 3yo)
• "Four Elements" (Water Park with rock climbing walls, pools and whirlpools, splash pool and fountains for children, a stage for live shows, huge LED screen, 2 water slides, rope course. This activity/sports deck is covered with a sliding glass roof. In the evenings, Four Elements transforms into a deck party/dancing zone with live music.
• Bar 5 Elements (serving the Aqua Park complex)
• AIDA Beach Club (2-deck high relaxation oasis, covered with a glass dome for tropical beach-like experience with live plants and palm trees; in the evenings, the club is transformed into a party zone)
• Sundeck / sunbathing area (Freibereich, located above the swimming pool; with loungers, served by the Pool Bar); Top Deck is dedicated to Freikorperkultur / FKK Bereich nudist area with sun loungers)
• Sun Deck games area (Sonnendeck - Freibereich, with shuffleboard, giant chess, Boccia, backgammon, darts, table tennis)
• Patio deck (exclusive, covered deck area for Panorama cabin guests only, adult-only)
• Sports Deck area (Sportaussendeck with a combined sports court volleyball/basketball, Golf Cage, putting green area, golf simulator)
• Rock Climbing Walls; High Ropes Course; Power Walking/Jogging Track.

Itineraries

AIDAcosma cruise itinerary program was originally based on homeporting in Kiel Germany (Saturday departures) for roundtrips to Baltic Sea ports - in Norway (Norwegian Fjords), Estonia, Finland, Russia. For the period May thru October (2021) were planned two alternating 7-day Baltic itineraries. Depending on the date, the liner had planned overnights in St Petersburg (Russia), Tallinn (Estonia), Helsinki (Finland).

For winter 2021-2022 season, the boat was scheduled for homeporting in the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) with 7-day roundtrips to Doha Qatar and Mina Salman-Manama Bahrain. However, in May 2021, AIDA replaced the program with 7-day Canary Islands itineraries leaving roundtrip from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (homeport). AIDAcosma's original schedule for 2021 (October 23 thru December 21) was canceled, and the Dubai program was allocated to AIDAnova.

Eventually, the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for February 26, 2022 (5-day Hamburg to Rotterdam, with call ports Southampton England, Cherbourg France, Zeebrugge Belgium). The 7-day Mediterranean itinerary program (maiden voyage April 22nd) was based on alternating roundtrips from two homeports (Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca/Majorca Island, Balearic Spain) and call ports La Spezia, Civitavecchia-Rome, Ajaccio, Corsica France. The Arabian/Red Sea deployment (homeporting in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) was also rescheduled for 2022-2023 (November thru April).

Serving mainly the German-speaking market, the AIDA ship Cosma also offers fly-cruise deals from Germany and also from the UK.

In July 2015, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding agreement with Meyer Werft for the construction of all 4 new-class (Excellence, aka Helios) vessels. Of these, 2 liners were for Costa Cruises (Smeralda /2019 and Toscana /2021) and the other 2 for AIDA (AIDAnova /2018 and AIDAcosma /2021). On February 27, 2018, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding contract for a 3rd AIDA ship (delivery in 2023) but in June 2021 decided the liner (Carnival Jubilee) to be assigned to CCL-Carnival. This was the 98th ship order for the cruise industry's global fleet (vessels in the order book 2018-2026).

Carnival Corporation's new liners all use LNG powerplants (with four Caterpillar-MaK marine engines) that fully comply with IMO's latest regulations. The vessel's design, architecture and machinery features include weight-optimized materials, optimized paints (reducing underwater resistance), innovative electric pod motors, modern heat recovery, navigation and automation systems.

Like most large-sized newbuilds, the AIDA ship Cosma is LNG-powered, with 4x Caterpillar Marine LNG engines (model MaK 16M-46DF) generating combined output 57,2 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters (combined power output 37 MW). The ship has 3x LNG tanks (cryogenic steel) with total capacity ~3200 m3. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m, diameter 8 m, LNG capacity 1525 m3), while the 3rd tank has length 28 m, diameter 5 m and capacity 520 m3.

The vessel's steel-cutting ceremony at Meyer Werft was held on August 15, 2019, with which officially started its construction. On October 15, 2019, was held the keel-laying ceremony during which the first hull block for AIDAcosma (yard/hull number 709) was put in place at Neptun Werft Shipyard in Rostock, Germany. The traditional coin ceremony's godmothers were Charleen Hoffmann (AIDA employee) and Kenny Schaft (Meyer Werft employee) who placed the specially minted coins under the vessel's first (of all 90) construction blocks. The special event was attended by Tim Meyer (Meyer Werft Shipyard's Managing Director), Manfred Ossevorth (Neptun Werft Shipyard's Director), Felix Eichhorn (AIDA's President), Birgit Hesse (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's President), Claus Ruhe Madsen (Rostock City's Mayor).

During the keel-laying ceremony was officially announced the name (AIDAcosma), homeport (Kiel Germany) and inaugural season (2021 summer itineraries/canceled in June 2021).

The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) at Papenburg Shipyard on July 10, 2021. The Ems River conveyance voyage (from Papenburg to Eemshaven Holland) started on October 23rd. Two tugboats assisted the liner to leave Meyer Werft's dock lock. Followed the passing through Leer's two bridges (Friesenbrucke and Jann-Berghaus-Brucke/Leer) and the arrival in Eemshaven (at 4:30 UTC) for the Baltic Sea trials.

The ship was officially delivered on December 21, 2021, in Port Bremerhaven. The first Master was Captain Vincent Cofalka.

Christening Voyage (2022)

The vessel's official christening/naming ceremony was held on April 9, 2022, in Port Hamburg/Hamburger Hafen, led by godmother Kristina Vogel who was accompanied by the ship's Master - Captain Vincent Cofalka.

Kristina Vogel (1990-born German track cyclist/bicycle racer) is paralyzed since 2018 when she crashed at the Cottbus velodrome. During her active career, she won two gold medals (Olympic Cycling Champions 2012 & 2016) and finished first at the UCI World Championships in 2014-15-16-17-18.

Next table shows the 14-day itinerary's ports of call and times.

The exclusive naming ceremony featured a special light show by ~300 drones and beam lighting making the entire liner shine. The 20-min show was held outdoor (on Sundeck/Pool Deck) and online-streamed. In addition to the ~3300 paying passengers, AIDAcosma's Christening Voyage was also attended by ~350 special guests and celebrity performers, including DJ Quads, DJ Alle Farben (1985-born house music producer/performing at the Pool Deck's Beach Club stage), DJ Mokabi (at Beach Club), Marc Jendrollik (singer from the party music band Gletscher Fezzzer), Reiner Meutsch (hosting on Radio RPR1 the show Mein Abenteuer), Joja Wendt (pianist), Wayne Morris (painter), Niko Formanek (stand-up comedian).

After the show, in the ship's Theatrium, Alle Farben performed a 1-hour concert, while at the Beach Club (Pool Deck), guests were entertained by Ingo Appelt (stand-up comedian) and DJ Mokabi (best known for his 2020-released hit song "The Passenger (LaLaLa)").

Inaugural itineraries 2022

In late-December 2021, AIDA announced that prior to her regular schedule, Cosma will operate mini-cruises (roundtrips from Hamburg and Rotterdam Holland) starting on February 26, 2022.

• INAUGURAL CRUISE (February 26) 5-days Hamburg to Rotterdam (March 3) visiting Southampton, Cherbourg, Zeebrugge
• (Feb 26) 7-days roundtrip from Hamburg Southampton, Cherbourg, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam (overnight)
• (March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31) 7-days roundtrip from Rotterdam to Hamburg, Southampton, Cherbourg, Zeebrugge
• (March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2) 7-days roundtrip from Hamburg to Southampton, Cherbourg, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam (overnight)
• (April 7/repositioning) 15-days from Rotterdam to Barcelona (Apr 22), visiting Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Southampton, La Coruna, Lisbon, Cadiz-Sevilla, Malaga, Barcelona
• (April 9/repositioning) 14-days from Hamburg to Palma de Majorca (Apr 23), visiting Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Southampton, La Coruna, Lisbon, Cadiz-Sevilla, Malaga, Barcelona, Palma de Majorca
• (April 9/repositioning) 14-days from Hamburg to Barcelona (Apr 22) visiting Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Southampton, La Coruna, Lisbon, Cadiz-Sevilla, Malaga, Barcelona
• (April 11/repositioning) 12-days from Rotterdam to Palma de Majorca (Apr 23) visiting Zeebrugge, Southampton, La Coruna, Lisbon, Cadiz-Sevilla, Malaga, Barcelona, Palma de Majorca

Next tables show the ship's inaugural itineraries (by destination) scheduled for 2022. The originally planned for 2021 program was eventually canceled (in June 2021) due to the Coronavirus crisis.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE) 7-day "Mediterrane Schatze Ab Barcelona" itinerary

(inaugural Suez Canal repositioning) 20-day from Palma de Mallorca to Dubai

(inaugural Red Sea cruise) 7-day "Orient Ab Dubai 1" itinerary

(first departure from Abu Dhabi) 7-day "Orient Ab Abu Dhabi" itinerary

Inaugural itineraries 2021 (canceled)

The ship's inaugural cruise season (2021) was originally based on 7-day Baltic Sea roundtrips from Kiel Germany (Saturday departures). The itineraries were also combinable into 14-day B2Bs (back-to-back cruises).

The maiden voyage was initially scheduled for May 8th but was eventually postponed through October 23. A total of 46x itineraries (Kiel roundtrips) were canceled. Next are listed the itinerary themes of the canceled voyages.

(Maiden Voyage) 7-day "Norwegen Ab Kiel" itinerary

7-day "Ostsee Ab Kiel" itinerary

14-day (B2B) "Norwegen und Ostsee" itinerary

(new Maiden Voyage/canceled) 13-day Baltic-Mediterranean relocation from Kiel to Palma de Mallorca Kiel

(inaugural Suez Canal transit/canceled) 20-day from Palma de Mallorca to Dubai

(inaugural Red Sea cruise/canceled) 7-day "Orient Ab Dubai 1" itinerary

For winter 2021-2022, the boat was scheduled for homeporting in the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) with 7-day roundtrips to Doha Qatar and Mina Salman-Manama Bahrain. However, in May 2021 AIDA replaced the program with 7-day Canary Islands itineraries leaving roundtrip from Gran Canaria.

• Cosma's original schedule for 2021 (October 23 thru December 21) was canceled, and the Red Sea/Dubai program was allocated to AIDAnova.
• Cosma's new Canaries program (January 5 through April 9, 2022) started with a Christmas and New Year's Eve cruise (December 22, 2021), which was also the ship's positioning voyage from Hamburg Germany to the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (homeport).
• Following the Canary Islands deployment, AIDAcosma had to relocate (April 13, 2022) to the Mediterranean for 7-day roundtrips from Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona.

Godspeed!