With our comprehensive quality concept, we assume a leading role in commitment to the environment and community and also contribute to increasing the value added to the related economy. We continued to grow in 2012, employing new personnel and adding to our fleet.
AIDA Cruises is one of the strongest-growing and most economically successful tourist companies in Germany. In 2012, we employed a staff of 6,000 from 25 nations – 5,200 on board and 800 ashore in Rostock and Hamburg. As a shipping company and tour operator, AIDA Cruises operates and markets one of the most modern fleets in the world (March 2013). AIDA Cruises’ ten cruise ships are operated according to superior international quality, environmental and safety standards. By 2016, the AIDA fleet will have increased to a total of twelve ships. AIDA Cruises is headed by Michael Ungerer (President) and Paul Soulsby (Senior Vice President und CFO). Management are remunerated according to their responsibilities and performance.
AIDA Cruises has been part of the Carnival group since 2004. Costa Crociere, the continental European Carnival subsidiary headquartered in Genoa is responsible for AIDA Cruises. As the subsidiary of a listed company, AIDA Cruises does not provide information on effectiveness, operating results or special corporate developments. Information on the performance of the Carnival group as a whole can be found in the Carnival Corporation Annual Reports.
The pillars of AIDA Cruises’ economic success are trust-based business relationships and strict ethical standards. The company has committed to this in its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The binding principles laid down in the code include: Our special promise of quality to our guests, a corporate culture based on respect and appreciation, fair business practices with our partners, suppliers and competitors, and a high degree of precision and integrity in business dealings. To prevent corruption, we sensitize employees to this issue in training sessions and familiarize them with the Carnival Corporation’s anti-corruption guidelines. The guidelines stipulate that all business relations with port authorities, suppliers and other third parties must be developed in accordance with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). In the 2012 reporting period, there were no infringements of any legal regulations.
Our employees and numerous partners have an important share in the economic success of AIDA Cruises: Our cruise sales are supported by 11,400 partners in the tourist industry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Around 250 suppliers work for our hotel, wellness and excursions business, 176 suppliers work for the food & beverage business and 1,700 suppliers and service providers work for technology, new builds and shipyards. Furthermore, we cooperate with 229 port and tour operators in 260 ports in 73 countries. We work with more than 15,300 partners worldwide. Together we made it possible for 652,805 guests last year to enjoy the best time of the year on board our ships: Their holiday.
AIDA Cruises is headquartered in the Hanseatic city of Rostock – a merchant town steeped in history, marked by a climate of openness and internationalism thanks to the influence of the shipping industry. We carry on this tradition and contribute to the strength of the region as a whole thanks to the value added by our economic success.
In 2012, around 700 employees were working in the modern buildings at the historic city port. By 2014, up to 400 more employees will have taken up their new jobs in the new AIDA Home office complex currently under construction. The building is designed to meet top ecological standards. Geothermal energy, for example, is used for heating and air-conditioning.
We see AIDA Home as a commitment to our HQ in Rostock. As our company grows, so too does our need for qualified employees. We want to offer them an appealing working environment here in Rostock. And this benefits the whole region. That’s because we’re not only creating jobs, we’re also stimulating social, cultural and economic life in the area.
In addition, we also have around 100 employees working in Hamburg in our subsidiary, AIDA Entertainment GmbH. The entire entertainment program for the club ship fleet is developed here.
