Cruise ship AIDA Vita sailed in to the Port of Tyne today Monday (15 August).
Keen ship spotters will have immediately identified the ship because of the unique exterior ‘hull art’ with the AIDA stylised eyes and lips. The giant red lips and bright eyes on the hull are the work of the German artist Feliks Bu̎ttner who had the Egyptian Princess Aida of Verdi’s opera in mind when he created the AIDA face. AIDA says the art embodies the playful spirit of the firm and gives the ship a ‘welcome feeling’.
The visit of the 202.85 metre long AIDA Vita marks the first call to the Port of Tyne in North East England of AIDA Cruises, Germany’s largest cruise line.
AIDA’s emphasis is on an active, ultra-casual cruise experience. The informal ‘club’ ethos is reflected in every facet of the experience – for starters, unlike almost all other cruise ships, off-duty crew are allowed to mingle freely with passengers. By day there is a big emphasis on wellness and fitness activities in the large and popular AIDA Spa and Fit & Fun, and on the expansive open decks. At night there’s lively entertainment in the on board theatre, bars and lounges.
The cruise call will kick off the busiest day ever at the Port of Tyne’s International Passenger Terminal with five ships in one dayon Tuesday (16 August), including AIDA Vita, Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, Seven Seas Voyager, Cruise and Maritime Voyages Astor and the DFDS ferry, King Seaways.
Sven Richards, Port of Tyne Operations Manager Vessels, said: “It will be a busy day but we have been planning this for some time and have brought in additional staff resources to ensure a smooth operation.”
The AIDA Vita will stay overnight and sail at 8am on Tuesday morning, before four more passenger ships cruise in to the Port of Tyne.
Sailing in next and into the record books will be Holland America Lines’ Koningsdam at 297.2 metres long – the ship will be the biggest cruise ship to ever visit the Port of Tyne. And the record breaking day continues as the luxurious Seven Seas Voyager, then the DFDS King Seaways ferry, followed by Cruise and Maritime Voyages cruise ship Astor all sail in to the Port of Tyne.