Carnival Corporation to Expand German Cruise Market in 2008

Carnival Corporation & PLC has ordered a 68,500-ton cruise ship for its AIDA Cruises brand, which caters exclusively to the German-speaking market, marking the third new ship order placed for its German cruise line in the past nine months.

The 2,030-passenger vessel, which will be constructed by Germany´s Meyer Werft shipyard at an all-in cost of €315 million, is scheduled to enter service in April 2008.

It will be a sister ship to AIDA´s two previously announced 68,500-ton cruise ships which will be built at Meyer Werft and are expected to enter service in April 2007 and April 2009.

Like its sister ships, the new vessel will operate under AIDA´s informal “club resort” cruise concept which is aimed at younger, more active vacationers and offers a host of on-board amenities and facilities.

AIDA Cruises revolutionized the German cruise market with the introduction of its first club ships in 1996. By 2009, a total of seven club ships will be in service, operating voyages to the Mediterranean, the Canaries, North Sea, the Baltic, the Caribbean and Central America.