AIDAprima Launches Winter Sports Cruise: From Kiel to the Oslo Ski Festival

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On March 12, 2026, the AIDAprima departed on time from Kiel and is now on a five-day short cruise heading towards Norway. The destination of the journey is the famous ski festival at Holmenkollen in Oslo. Originally, the ship was scheduled to cruise the sunny Orient this winter season. However, due to the uncertain situation in the Middle East, AIDA Cruises strategically adjusted the itinerary. Out of this necessity, a new and highly sought-after concept emerged: winter cruises departing from German ports, allowing passengers a completely stress-free journey without the need for flights.

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The AIDAprima is perfectly equipped for this cooler cruising area. Thanks to spacious areas covered by foil domes, such as the Beach Club, the entertainment program on board remains entirely independent of the weather. The absolute highlight, however, is the "Winter Wonderland" concept. A real ice-skating rink has been installed on the top sports deck. Anyone gliding across the ice here and looking out to starboard or port side at the wintry sea will experience a unique alpine atmosphere. Fittingly, cozy winter cabins on deck tempt guests with mulled wine and hot chocolate.

Upon arriving in Oslo, the ship remains in port overnight, serving as a massive, floating hotel. This cleverly solves the usual shortage of hotel rooms in the Norwegian capital during the major sporting event. For the guests, however, it's not just about being regular spectators at the ski jumps and cross-country trails. Two true ski jumping legends, Martin Schmitt and Sven Hannawald, are accompanying the trip. They offer exclusive shore excursions and share their insider knowledge with passengers during exciting lectures right on board.

This special cruise is just the prelude to an eventful year in 2026. AIDA Cruises is celebrating its 30th anniversary with, among other things, a massive ship parade in the Port of Hamburg in June, as well as special festival cruises. At the same time, the existing fleet is being comprehensively modernized under the "AIDA Evolution" program. The course for the distant future has also already been set: the cruise line has ordered two new ships from Italy for the 2030s. These will be equipped with the most modern, climate-friendly propulsion systems, further driving the decarbonization of the cruise industry.