Summer Highlight 2017: New Flagship AIDAperla Sets Sail in Western Mediterranean Already From July

Bookings now open: additional cruises in July & August from Palma de Mallorca & Barcelona

AIDAperla, the latest offshoot of the Rostock-based cruise company, AIDA Cruises, will already be arriving in the Western Mediterranean in July 2017, two months earlier than planned. Following AIDAprima's successful launch, AIDA Cruises will be welcoming her sister ship AIDAperla as the twelfth member of the fleet in 2017.

The 300-meter-long and 37.6-meter-wide ship will be cruising the Western Mediterranean as early as July 1, 2017. Palma de Mallorca – the capital of the Germans' favorite island – and Barcelona are the start and destination ports for AIDAperlas' seven-day cruises (Pearls of the Mediterranean 1) to Rome (Civitavecchia), Corsica and Florence (Livorno).

AIDAperla will be taking over the cruises sailed by AIDAbella. The latter ship will then be making additional cruises in Northern Europe. The precise routes will be announced shortly.

AIDA is thus extending its travel program, offering even more diversity for summer 2017 vacations. Guests who have booked a cruise with AIDAbella between June 30 and August 26, 2017 will be among the first to experience the latest member of the AIDA fleet, and will benefit from an expanded choice of staterooms.

Guests onboard AIDAperla will be able to choose from 14 different types of stateroom including the ship's spacious Veranda staterooms and her Panorama staterooms on the exclusive Patiodeck.

Additional onboard highlights include the Beach Club, housed beneath a weatherproof and UV-permeable foil dome or the Four Elements with its water slides and climbing garden. The exclusive Body & Soul Organic Spa offers a vast range of facilities for complete relaxation with various saunas, several indoor and outdoor pools, a tepidarium and a fireside room. The Lanai Deck with its Infinity pools, glass elevators, two skywalks, cutting-edge LED technology and aerial performance equipment for unique acrobatic shows as well as an interactive floating ball for the entertainment program complement the versatile offer. In addition to the Kids and Teens Club offerings, there will be a Mini Club providing childcare for children as young as 6 months.

These are just a few of the new recreational options on board the new AIDA generation, which have only recently been recognized with the prestigious Cruise Guide Awards 2016 for family-friendliness and sport &wellness.

The gastronomic options similarly leave nothing to be desired: 12 restaurants, 3 snack bars and 14 bars invite guests on a culinary voyage around the world.

From September 1, 2017 AIDAperla will then be setting sail as planned on four different routes for the metropolises of the Western Mediterranean (Pearls of the Mediterranean 1, 2, 3 & 4). From March 2018 AIDAperla will make her first appearance in Germany. The Hanseatic City of Hamburg will be the start and end port for seven-day round trips to the most beautiful metropolises in Western Europe such as London (Southampton), Paris (Le Havre), Brussels (Zeebrugge) or Rotterdam.

Go to YouTube to see impressive drone-captured videos of the new AIDA generation (https://youtu.be/nC8Q0unTriI), cycling races (https://youtu.be/tw6aAF0HHPE) and the unique christening show against the Hamburg skyline (https://youtu.be/Ng6Vl5fKq3k).

The additional cruises of AIDAperla can now be booked at travel agencies, by calling the AIDA Customer Center on +49 (0)381/202 707 07 or online at www.aida.de.

Details about AIDAperlas' christening will be announced at a later date.

Rostock, December 29, 2016

CAPTION: AIDAperla against the Palma de Mallorca skyline. Source: AIDA Cruises

Sample prices for editors:

Pearls of the Mediterranean 1 with AIDAperla

July to October 2017

7 days from/to Majorca and Barcelona from € 930* p. p.

Arrival and departure package incl. AIDA Rail&Fly Ticket from € 340** p.p.

* AIDA PREMIUM rate for double occupancy (Interior stateroom IB) incl. 150 Early Booker Plus discount for bookings up to January 31, 2017, limited availability.

** limited allotment.