As the company reported on Friday, the program is now to begin on November 1st with a seven-day trip by the "Aidamar" around the Canary Islands. Six days later, the "Aidaperla" also followed in the Canary Islands.
The restart in the western Mediterranean with the "Aidastella" is planned for mid-December. At the same time, the "Aidaprima" should start its journey in the United Arab Emirates.
Aida wants to return to Northern Europe in 2021
Aida Cruises President Felix Eichhorn was confident of being able to offer the first trips to Northern Europe again from the beginning of 2021. Such trips are currently not possible, especially to countries in Northern Europe such as Norway, Denmark or the Baltic States.
Aida Cruises interrupted the travel season in mid-March due to the spread of the corona pandemic. Considered alternatives such as short trips without going ashore in the Baltic Sea could not be organized as planned. The entire cruise industry is currently on hold.
There is a strict hygiene concept for Aida cruises
According to the information, the Aida trips will take place in accordance with the company's hygiene concept. What specific requirements will be placed on the company in November, for example because of the number of passengers allowed, cannot yet be said. This depends on the rules that the Spanish and German authorities will make. "We are in the preparation of our restart in close coordination with the authorities," said an Aida spokeswoman.
In mid-May, short-time work was registered for the around 800 employees in the Rostock headquarters due to the corona-related standstill. It is valid until the end of this year. The crew members necessary for the safety and maintenance of the ships are on board. The total of 14 ships are moored at different locations.