AIDA president Felix Eichhorn pushed the button to trigger the cutting of the first plate. The 183,900gt ship is scheduled for delivery in fall 2018.
'Energy efficiency was the key focus of the entire engineering work. The planning and design activities gave absolute priority to heat recovery, innovative electric motors, LED lighting, ship automation geared to energy efficiency, optimized underwater paintwork to reduce resistance, weight-optimized material selection and many other topics,' Eichhorn said.
The LNG engines are being supplied by Caterpillar/MaK.
'We are very pleased that we can break completely new technological ground with AIDA in this way. AIDA and Carnival now lead the way for establishing LNG as the fuel of the future,' said Meyer Werft managing partner Tim Meyer.
For his part, Meyer Werft managing partner Bernard Meyer expressed pride in driving a 'quantum leap in environmental protection together with AIDA Cruises.'
The successful development of this new and sophisticated ship class for AIDA, he added, shows 'what a good team spirit, the consistent pursuit of a common goal and committed people can bring about.'
On-board features including signature AIDA concepts like the brewery, Theatrium, Beach Club and Four Elements have been further developed for the new Helios class. And a new cabin concept will provide roomier accommodations, from the penthouse suite to the extra-large family cabin to rooms for single travelers.
Culinary trends and beverages from around the world will be featured in the 15 restaurants and 23 bars.
The first seven-day cruise for this 13th member of the AIDA fleet is scheduled for December 2018, to the Canary Islands.
The second LNG ship is due in spring 2021.
With this new project, AIDA is continuing its long-standing partnership with Meyer Werft. From 2007 to 2013, the Papenburg shipyard produced seven Diva-class ships.
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