Giant AIDA Cruise Ship Arrives In Dubai for Maiden Call

The AIDAcosma, owned by the German line AIDA Cruises, was greeted with much fanfare when it arrived for the first time at the new Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal on November 17.

A light show illuminating the 800-foot-tall Ain Dubai Ferris wheel, plus dance and music performances featuring German DJ Alle Farben heralded the ship’s maiden call to the Middle Eastern port.

AIDAcosma Launches Winter Series of Orient Cruises

Officials from the cruise line, the Dubai Port Authority, the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, and ship’s Captain Tommy Möller and General Manager Nicolas Goelen held a plaque ceremony to mark the occasion of the ship’s arrival in Dubai and kick off AIDA Cruises’ Orient winter cruise schedule.

The region is one of the most popular cruise destinations for German vacationers during winter months, said Carnival Corp., the cruise line’s parent company.

Carnival Corp. played a key role in the development of the new Dubai terminal. In 2018, Carnival entered into a strategic partnership with Shamal Holding to turn Dubai into the region’s premier maritime tourism hub.

Part of the agreement included the construction of the Dubai Cruise Terminal, which opened in December 2021 and serves as the main hub for Carnival Corp.’s passenger transfer and transit operations in the region.

The 6,654-guest ship, built in 2021, set sail on her first voyage from Dubai on November 20, launching a series of 7-day Middle East cruises between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

On cruises from Dubai, the ship calls at Doha, Qatar, Muscat, Oman, and Abu Dhabi. Select voyages also feature a port call in Bahrain, and at Sir Ban Yas Island, in the UAE, where guests can visit the Arabian Wildlife Park and several archaeological sites.

Guests can embark on the ship at Dubai or Abu Dhabi for 7-day cruises, or combine two sailings into a 14-day vacation at sea. The series of cruises is scheduled to continue to mid-April, when the AIDAcosma repositions to the Western Mediterranean for 7-day spring and summer sailings between Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

Fun Park, Virtual Reality Onboard AIDAcosma.

The 16-deck AIDAcosma features an Ocean Deck that spans four decks and offers panoramic ocean views and an infinity pool at the stern of the ship.

For children, the Fun Park with a large indoor playground and the Boulder Wall will keep youngsters entertained. Also, new onboard AIDAcosma is the virtual reality attraction at sea, YULLBE GO, where guests choose from four virtual game worlds.

The ship has 17 restaurants and 23 bars and cafes. The AIDAcosma, the cruise line’s second vessel to be powered by liquified natural gas, was christened in Hamburg in April 2022.