By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Carnival Corporation’s AIDA brand has debuted one of the most anticipated new ships in some time.

It’s the new AIDAnova, and it’s the world’s first cruise ship to be powered both at sea and port by liquefied natural gas.

Carnival Corporation and its AIDA Cruises brand welcomed AIDAnova to their fleet last week during a ceremony held at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg.

“We are excited to introduce AIDAnova, the first ship of a new generation of vessels for AIDA Cruises that will help us further establish our position as a leader and pioneer in the cruise industry,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. “AIDAnova will provide our guests with among the best in culture, entertainment, sports, wellness and culinary delights, while helping maintain the popularity and growth of AIDA Cruises as the most popular cruise line in Germany.”

AIDAnova marks “an exciting new generation of ships” for AIDA Cruises, combining innovative design with state-of-the-art technology to provide onboard comfort and further enhance the guest experience, the company said.

Expected to officially launch in November 2018, AIDAnova will have more than 40 different restaurants and bars on board to provide guests with an opportunity to enjoy a new level of  dining experiences and culinary trends.

As the first cruise ship to be powered both in port and at sea by LNG, AIDAnova will have reduced exhaust emissions to help protect the environment and support Carnival Corporation’s sustainability goals.

It is the first of 11 next-generation cruise ships from Carnival between 2018 and 2025 able to generate their power at sea and in port from LNG, including three AIDA-branded ships powered by LNG.

— CJ