AIDA-Luna

# *IDAluna*

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***AIDAluna*** is a Sphinx class cruise ship, owned by US based Carnival Corp and operated by AIDA Cruises.[8] Built by Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg, Germany. She is the third ship of the class, preceded by *AIDAdiva* and *AIDAbella*, and is followed by *AIDAblu*, *AIDAsol*, and *AIDAmar*. The ship has a capacity of 2,100 passengers and has a gross tonnage of 69,203. *AIDAluna*was initially deployed in the Baltic Sea for the 2009 Summer season. In Winter 2009, she was redeployed in Canary Islands.[8]*AIDAluna* has an 8 × 4.5-m poolside theater, which is a first for AIDA Cruises.[9]

## Contents

* 1Concept and Construction
* 2Amenities
* 3Operational history
* 4References
* 5External links

## Concept and Construction[edit]

*AIDAluna* during construction.

*AIDAluna* is the third ship, out of a series of six ships, ordered by AIDA Cruises at Meyer Werft, with expected delivery of one ship each year from 2007 to 2012. She is a sister ship of *AIDAdiva*, *AIDAbella*, *AIDAblu*, *AIDAsol*, and *AIDAmar*. The first order was only for two ships, but the option extended to six ships.[10][11] She floated out of drydock on 10 February 2009.[12] *AIDAluna* started her sea trials with her passage on the River Ems on 21 February 2009, departing Papenburg. The voyage culminated in Emdem the next day. On 23 February, departing Emdem to continue sea trials, she ventured to Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg for final inspection at dock Elbe 17. During the inspection, an object was seen, being tangled on *AIDAluna*'s propellers, which was supposedly caused by the ship's short trip. After a few days, *AIDAluna* was cleared and continued her sea trials in the North Sea.[13] *AIDAluna* was delivered to its owners on 16 March 2009.[3] She was christened on April 4, 2009 at Palma de Mallorca by the German supermodel, Franziska Knuppe.

## Amenities[edit]

The ship has 1,025 passenger cabins.[3][8] *AIDAluna* has a 2,300-m2 (25,000-ft2) spa facility.[8] The ship has 7 restaurants and 11 bars.[8]

The focal point in the ship is the Theatrium, a three-level[3] complex, which could be transformed into a Theater.[3] An onboard 4-D Cinema[3] is fitted with moving chairs.[3]

*AIDAluna* Theatrium

## Operational history[edit]

At Hamburg Cruise Center HafenCity

*AIDAluna* started her maiden voyage on 22 March 2009, departing Hamburg. This 14-day voyage culminated in Palma de Mallorca, with stops at Le Havre, Santander, A Coruña, Lisbon, Cadiz, Tangier, Valencia, and Barcelona.[3] In Summer 2009, she was deployed in Baltic Sea and in Winter, she was redeployed in Canary Islands.[8] *AIDAluna*made her first call in Kiel on 22 April and in Rostock-Warnemünde on 8 May, departing from Palma de Mallorca. She made 10 roundtrip cruises in the Baltic during the 2009 Summer season.[14] In 2011, *AIDAluna* was redeployed in the Caribbean and offered 14-day cruises, with additional 6 to 8-day sailings. On her way to the Caribbean, *AIDAluna* sailed the East Coast, calling in New York City.[15]

## References[edit]

1. **^**
2. **^**
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4. **^**
5. **^**
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8. ^ Jump up to:***a*** ***b*** ***c*** ***d*** ***e*** ***f***
9. **^** Countdown to AIDAluna: still 12 weeks to the maiden voyage. Press Release. *AIDA Cruises*. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2010
10. **^** AIDA Cruises orders two new club ships *Meyerwerft website. 19 October 2004. Retrieved 8 May 2010*
11. **^** AIDAluna *Meyerwerft website*. Retrieved 8 May 2010
12. **^** Undocking of third AIDA club ship *Meyerwerft website*. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2010
13. **^** AIDAluna leaves for Hamburg Archived August 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine *Meyerwerft website*. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2010
14. **^** Cruise Industry News accessed 27 May 2009
15. **^** AIDA's eight ships calling at 160 ports in 2011/2012 *Cruise Industry News*. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010

At Hamburg Cruise Center HafenCity

## External links[edit]

* Official website of AIDAluna (in German)
* Photos
* YouTube video clip during the launch of AIDAluna