The Mirza family from Hesse, Germany will make history when they christen AIDAnova this August
By
Rebecca Gibson |
A family of four from Hanau in Hesse, Germany have won a competition to christen AIDA Cruises’ new AIDAnova at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany on 31 August 2018.
Parents Sonja and Asa and their young children Sophia and Adrian were chosen by a panel of judges after entering a competition AIDA held with German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. This marks the first time that AIDA has ever appointed a godparent family, rather than a single female godmother, to christen a new ship. Coincidentally, the naming ceremony will coincide with the Mirzas fifth wedding anniversary.
“It is an indescribably great honour for us to christen AIDAnova,” said Sonja Mirza. “We still cannot believe we are the winners of the ‘Christening Family Contest’. The christening of AIDAnova will be an unforgettable event for our whole family.”
AIDAnova, which will be the line’s first-ever LNG-powered ship and also offer several at-sea firsts, will be named outside Meyer Werft’s covered building dock in front of around 25,000 spectators. The ship’s captain, Boris Becker, will accompany the Mirzas as they christen the ship. Attendees will also be able to enjoy a firework display and a live concert by DJ David Guetta.
In mid-September, AIDAnova will embark on a voyage to Eemshaven in the Netherlands for her sea trials and then undergo final outfitting before being delivered to AIDA on 15 November in Bremerhaven, Germany. Following a series of preview cruises, the vessel will embark on her official inaugural cruise on 2 December from Hamburg, Germany to the Canary Islands, where she will spend the rest of her maiden season. The Mirzas will also be offered a complimentary seven-day cruise onboard the ship after she has started service.