With the birthday the AIDAcara taking place on June 7, 2015, AIDA Cruises is noting the 20th year of its company history. On Sunday evening, more than 20,000 guests will toasted together aboard the 10 AIDA ships, opening the anniversary celebrations.

“AIDA – an inspiring smile. The original turns 20” is the slogan of the anniversary campaign, which will provide inspiration until the end of 2016 with exciting insights into the history of the modern cruise along with a variety of promotions and events.

“With the commissioning of AIDAcara, we triggered a revolution in the cruise market, and for the first time we also generated a great deal of enthusiasm for this type of vacation among young and lifestyle-oriented people. Since that day, more than 5 million guests have put their trust in us. Today AIDA is synonymous with the most desirable vacation form in Germany. We built 9 out of 10 AIDA ships in Germany and invested a total of 2.5 billion euros,” said AIDA President Michael Ungerer.

On June 7, 1996, the first AIDA (today AIDAcara) was christened by Christiane Herzog in Rostock. The christening captain was Volker Zausch. Back in 1999, two additional newbuildings were commissioned at Aker MTW in Wismar. In 2002 AIDAcara got her first sister ship: AIDAvita was christened by Doris Schröder-Kopf on May 4. A year later supermodel Heidi Klum assumed sponsorship for AIDAaura on April 12, 2003.

In 2004 the first new shipbuilding contract went to the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg. In a unique series, seven newbuildings of the second AIDA ship generation were put into service between 2007 and 2013.

With AIDAprima, the first of two newbuildings of the new AIDA ship generation, AIDA will again be opening a new chapter starting in October 2015.