Carnival Corp's German brand AIDA Cruises plans to return three ships into service next month before pulling up anchor on its 10 remaining vessels come September.
The 3,300-berth AIDAperla (built 2017) is set to relaunch on 5 August from Hamburg, while the 2,194-berth AIDAMar (built 2012) is scheduled to sail again on 12 August from Rostock-Warnemunde.
Its 2,050-berth AIDABlu (built 2010) is expected to resume voyages on 16 August from Kiel, the Michael Ungerer-led company announced on Thursday.
A week ago AIDA aired plans to return 10 ships to sailing on 1 September but said the AIDAPerla, the 2,050-berth AIDAdiva (built 2007) and the 3,300-berth AIDAprima (built 2016) would be held back without explaining why.
Thursday's announcement did not mention plans for the AIDADiva and AIDAPrima, but Carnival said AIDA Cruises is "taking a measured approach" to offering itineraries again.
"We have worked closely with health authorities and government officials in Germany to receive formal approval to restart cruise operations for our guests in Germany," spokesman Roger Frizzell told TradeWinds.
Those authorities include the World Health Organization, German Robert Koch Institute and independent testing company SGS Institut Fresenius.
German nationals only
Carnival said AIDA Cruises has started taking bookings on Thursday for the three ships but is allowing only German nationals aboard the vessels for now, according to sources close to the matter.
The brand has also set up health and hygiene protocols with health authorities for a safe phased return to cruising, Carnival said.
AIDA has dedicated a website to these measures, which range from pre-cruise digital health questionnaire to physical distancing guidelines to on-board capacity limits.
"The enhanced protocols are supplemented by additional hygiene and safety measures, such as increased cleaning and disinfection measures, which take place in all cabins and public areas according to a defined protocol, as well as additional disinfection dispensers at check-in and on board," Carnival said.
"The first cruises will take place with an adjusted passenger capacity and without calling at another port."
The ships will have round-the-clock medical care, Covid-19 diagnostic devices and medical staff trained on testing for the virus, Carnival added.
