By
Michele Witthaus |
The inauguration of the latest cruise ship in the AIDA fleet, the AIDAmar, coincided with the Port of Hamburg’s 823rd anniversary celebrations on 12 May, drawing record crowds.
The new ship was accompanied by her three sister ships AIDAluna, AIDAblu and AIDAsol, at the event, which attracted a crowd of 1.4 million people. It is the sixth vessel in the line’s Project Sphinx series.
“The Port of Hamburg’s anniversary celebrations have set new standards with the world’s largest ship’s inauguration ceremony for AIDAmar,” commented Dietrich von Albedyll, chairman of the board at Hamburg Tourism. “Thanks to the spectacular ceremony for AIDAmar, Saturday was also, in terms of visitor numbers, one of the busiest days ever in the history of the Port of Hamburg anniversary celebrations.”
Michael Thamm, CEO-designate of the Costa Group, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people watching the inauguration of AIDAmar in Hamburg have experienced how fascinating and attractive cruise holidays can be. The huge public interest underlines the excellent prospects for the future of our growth sector.”
More than 10,000 passengers reserved cabins on board the four AIDA ships to experience the event live on the River Elbe. Festivities included a spectacular firework display over the Port of Hamburg.