Pressekontakt
Hansjörg Kunze
Vice President Communication & Sustainability
E-Mail: presse@aida.de
Main content
First guide dog goes on an AIDA cruise
AIDA expands barrier-free travel options
Rostock, 19. June 2014
Barrier-free accessibility is a high priority with AIDA Cruises. In May 2014, a certified guide dog accompanied a couple on an AIDA Cruise for the first time. Nine-year-old Alfa helped her blind owner, Frank Kähms, make his way around the ship. This was a first for him and also for his wife Annelore and their Labrador Retriever Alfa. "Except for a ferry ride, we had never experienced traveling on a ship. Thanks to the competent advice provided by the AIDA barrier-free team in advance and their helpful support throughout the trip, we always felt right at home with AIDA," said Annelore Kähms.
The fact that Frank Kähms' faithful companion Alfa was also able to be by his side every day on board was a great help for the couple. Pets are not normally allowed on AIDA ships. However, in order to ensure that guests with limited vision can navigate without any barriers even when they are vacationing at sea, the cruise line has allowed guests to bring certified guide dogs on board.
AIDA Cruises has been offering guests with physical or health-related restrictions a comprehensive overview of barrier-free travel matters on its website since 2013. In addition to information for guests with limited mobility, vision, or hearing, there is a special area of AIDA's website that has a frequently asked questions section about barrier-free accessibility. The website also provides information for guests with allergies as well as onboard medical treatment information.
In advance of the booking, specially trained AIDA staff members are more than happy to provide travel consultation over the phone or via email with guests who have any disability concerns.
Nearly all public areas on AIDA ships, such as bars, restaurants, elevators, outdoor decks, public restrooms, and staterooms have barrier-free accessibility and are equipped with signage in raised lettering and braille. A barrier-free meeting that is held on the first day of travel helps guests navigate the ship without any issues. AIDA's shore excursion options also include excursions that are particularly suited for guests with limited mobility.
Rostock, June 19, 2014
01. February 2013
AIDA Cruises wins sales prize
AIDA Cruises has won the Globus Award sales prize in the “Cruise” category. At the prize-giving ceremony held at the Maritim Hotel in Frankfurt on January 31, 2013, the tourism magazine “touristik aktuell” honored the cruise company for the best service provided to travel ... [more]
31. January 2013
AIDA Cruises to christen AIDAstella in Rostock
AIDAstella, the 10th member of AIDA Cruises’ fleet, will be christened in Rostock-Warnemünde on March 16, 2013. On the evening of the christening, however, Captain Nico Berg (38) will lead not one, but as many as 10 godmothers onto the stage for the ceremony. The company has ... [more]
29. January 2013
“Build-A-Bear Workshop” now on AIDA cruises
The companies AIDA Cruises and Bärenmacher GmbH now ensure soft and cuddly holiday memories with an exclusive cooperation arrangement: as from now, teddy bear fans can create their own AIDA bears on all AIDA ships using the Build-A-Bear Workshop model set. The AIDA teddy bears ... [more]
21. January 2013
Ship’s propellers for AIDAstella
With 5 blades and a diameter of 5.2 meters – one propeller alone weights 12,800 kilograms. Today, the final work was completed on the two brass propellers for the latest club ship, AIDAstella, at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg.The 35 meter long drive shafts are operated ... [more]