On May 3, 2014, at 2 p.m. local time, the dry-dock gates opened for AIDAprima for the first time at the Tategami Plant of Nagasaki Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) in Nagasaki, Japan. The cruise ship has touched water and has successfully demonstrated its stability and buoyancy.

Then AIDAprima was hauled during an about one-hour journey from the MHI Tategami shipyard to the Kojagi Dock on the outskirts of Nagasaki. Before the ship docks there for further fittings, diverse technical systems will be extensively tested in the next days.

The highlights of the ship of a totally new AIDA generation include the Beach Club housed beneath a weather-independent transparent dome, the "Four Elements" with water slide, climbing walls, and the brand new AIDA Mini Club providing childcare for young children 6 months and older.

A completely new kind of hull design increases energy efficiency considerably. On AIDAprima, a comprehensive filter system for reducing emissions will be used for the first time. With this yet unrivaled exhaust treatment technology all three significant emissions, namely soot particles, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide will be reduced by between 90 and 99 percent.

With 124,500 GRT, a length of 300 meters, and a width of 37.60 meters, AIDAprima can accommodate around 3,300 passengers and will depart on its maiden voyage from Yokohama on October 1, 2015.

Rostock/Nagasaki, May 3, 2014