AIDAprima: Technical Issues Force Itinerary Change – Geirangerfjord Visit Cancelled

Von Mussklprozz - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Today, Thursday, May 15, 2025, passengers aboard the AIDAprima, currently on its Norwegian cruise, were informed by an unexpected announcement from Captain Jörg Miklitza at 7 a.m. Instead of the usual commentary for entering the fjord, the captain delivered news that led to a significant alteration of the itinerary, likely causing surprise among the guests.

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Captain Miklitza announced that the planned call at Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site since July 14, 2005, could not proceed. Stricter environmental regulations have been in effect for this natural heritage site since 2025. Although the AIDAprima was recently retrofitted with appropriate systems to meet these new requirements, technical challenges arose today with the operation of this equipment. Consequently, Norwegian authorities denied the ship permission to enter the World Heritage-protected fjord. The captain expressed his regret over this development and informed passengers that the ship had already turned around and was leaving the fjord. Excursions booked for Geirangerfjord were cancelled by AIDA Cruises, and the costs were credited to the passengers' onboard accounts.

The ship's command immediately worked on a solution to offer guests an attractive alternative program despite the cancellation and in beautiful weather. Captain Miklitza announced plans to head to the port of Alesund earlier than scheduled. Alesund was already a destination on this voyage, so this measure would merely change the order of the ports visited, with the option to visit Geiranger later in the cruise.

A short time later, Captain Miklitza confirmed in another onboard announcement that the AIDAprima would call at Alesund today. The ship was scheduled to dock in Alesund at 8:15 a.m. Fortunately, it was possible to reschedule most of the excursions originally planned for a later date in Alesund to today. The AIDAprima will thus remain in Alesund until 7:00 p.m.

Whether Geirangerfjord can still be visited later in the cruise is currently unclear. Captain Miklitza assured passengers that he would inform them immediately as soon as new information becomes available.

Original Itinerary of AIDAprima (May 11, 2025 – May 22, 2025): Hamburg – Sea Day – Bergen – Nordfjordeid – Geiranger – Trondheim – Molde – Flam – Alesund – Eidfjord – Sea Day – Hamburg

Adjusted Itinerary of AIDAprima (as of May 15, 2025): Hamburg – Sea Day – Bergen – Nordfjordeid – Alesund – Trondheim – Molde – Flam – possibly Geiranger – Eidfjord – Sea Day – Hamburg