From left: Michael Ungerer, COO, Carnival Asia; Felix Eichhorn, president, AIDA Cruises; Michael Thamm, CEO, Costa Group; Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line; and Buhdy Bok, president, Costa Group Asia President, at the Aida launch in China
COSTA Asia has begun a marketing offensive in China in anticipation of the launch of its Aida Cruises brand there come April 2017.
The AidaBella will be deployed year-round in China after a dockyard refit of the cruise ship in spring next year. According to a statement by Costa, the ship will be customised to the needs of Chinese guests while at the same time feature authentic German hospitality.
For instance, a spicy hot pot restaurant and Oktoberfest beer festival will both be introduced on the ship. New on board as well are German retail brands Rimowa, Fissler and Hugo Boss.
“With our Costa Asia brand, we have pioneered the way into China since 2006 and were the first international shipping company to develop the cruise market there,” said Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group.
“The expansion of our product portfolio to include an Aida Cruises ship in the fastest-growing market in the world is a strategic step for the further successful development of Costa and Aida.”
