ADPC welcomes ‘maiden caller’ AIDAaura at Zayed Port
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) welcomed the AIDAaura on Monday, 17 November, at Zayed Port. It was the cruise liner’s first visit to Abu Dhabi and the port’s second vessel call in the cruise season 2014/15 which will be the busiest to date, the company said in its press release.
The AIDAaura belongs to German tour operator AIDA Cruises which has committed extra capacity for the current season. Alongside the returning AIDAdiva, ‘maiden caller’ AIDAaura is the tour operator’s second cruise liner to call at Zayed Port on a rotational basis, confirming that demand for the region from the main European cruise markets is growing.
The introduction of the 14-day Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean cruise to the region’s regular seven-day rotational itineraries is a boon to the emirate’s ambition to be recognised as a leading winter sun cruise destination, according to Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
With a capacity for more than 1,700 passengers and crew members, the AIDAaura is renowned for its youthful style and casual service. As a seagoing “club resort”, the cruise liner has many on-board amenities and facilities that attract younger tourists, including bars and restaurants, as well as some of the most spacious spa, sports and fitness centres at sea.
The AIDAaura is one of thirteen cruise liners scheduled to visit Abu Dhabi in the current season. The ship will make eight calls to the capital as part of a 14-day cruise, with additional stops in Mumbai, New Mangalore, Mormuga (Goa), Muscat and Dubai. It is the only pan Gulf and Indian Ocean combination cruise in 2014/15.
