Press statement on Ashdod (Israel)

For the rest of the season (up to October 2014), the cruise line AIDA Cruises has decided to discontinue stops at any ports in Israel. “We have taken immediate action and decided to not stop at any Israel ports in this season,” says Hansjörg Kunze, Vice President Communication & Sustainability AIDA Cruises. “The well being and safety of our guests has absolute priority.” Starting now, the ship will stop at the Greek island of Santorini in place of Ashdod.
All guests of AIDA Cruises who have booked one of the cruises in question will be informed immediately.

During the scheduled departure of AIDAdiva from the port of Ashdod on the evening of July 7, 2014, at 8:28 p.m., explosions occurred in Ashdod that were observed from the cruise ship AIDAdiva. All 2,700 guests and crew members of AIDAdiva are doing well. No one was injured and there was no damage to the ship. The guests on board AIDAdiva were immediately informed by the ship’s officers. The situation on board was calm. However, small particles that may have come from defense missiles according to first expert assessments were found on the open deck. They did not constitute a danger and were immediately secured by the ship’s officers.
AIDAdiva commenced its cruise without interruption.

“We regret that the guests of AIDAdiva became witnesses of this incident. We assure our guests that safety of guests and crew has the utmost priority for AIDA Cruises. The current security situation will be continuously observed,” said Hansjörg Kunze, Vice President Communication & Sustainability AIDA Cruises. Until noon 8 July, no travel warning had been issued for Ashdod by the Federal Foreign Office.

Rostock, July 11, 2014, last update 10 a.m.