A school for Madagascar: On its 10th anniversary, AIDAblu donates 85,000 euros
On February 9, 2020, AIDAblu celebrated its 10th anniversary. Rather than cake and gifts, AIDAblu’s two captains, Peter Schade and Tönnies Kohrs, and their crew had a heartfelt wish: “With each visit, Madagascar has become more and more special to us.” The idea to collect donations for a school formed. “It was very important to us to give something lasting back to the people who live there, and to make a difference,” Kohrs explains.
A number of raffle events and auctions have taken place on board AIDAblu since its Madagascar season began in November 2019. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of AIDA guests and crew, the donation sum hoped for was quickly reached. In celebration of the ship’s 10th anniversary, a donation to the amount of 85,000 euros was presented to the AIDA Cruise & Help initiative. The donation will go entirely into the construction of a new elementary school in Madagascar with two buildings and six classrooms for around 350 pupils.
“We’re delighted to have achieved this ambitious donation goal within just three months. Especially in light of the impressions we have gained of Madagascar, it makes us happy that we will soon be making education possible for 350 children in Bemaneviky. I’m convinced that this is just the right investment in the country’s future,” said Captain Kohrs.
Since 2019, AIDA Cruises has united all of its charitable projects under the umbrella initiative AIDA Cruise & Help. Through a variety of events and donations, the cruise line has already financed the construction of twelve schools. The first school completely financed with donations from the AIDA Cruise & Help initiative was opened in May 2019 in Cebu, Philippines. Every donation helps: Guests can donate on board the AIDA fleet or in advance while booking the cruise on myAIDA. Those who’d like to support these projects with a sum of their own choice can also make donations on the initiative’s website www.aida.de/cruiseandhelp.
AIDAblu was christened on February 9, 2010, by Jette Joop in Hamburg. Since 2018, the ship has been sailing the Indian Ocean and taking thousands of guests to the beautiful wonders of the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
Rostock, February 11, 2020
20 years of smiling lips – That was AIDA’s anniversary year 2016
The cruise line AIDA Cruises is looking back at one of its most successful years in its 20-year-old corporate history. With AIDAprima, the flagship of the latest AIDA generation, the company has once again entered new territory and proven its innovative power. Its christening ... [more]
“Ship of the Year 2016”: AIDAprima was awarded twice
During the 6th Cruise Congress in Hamburg AIDA Cruises was presented not once but twice with a “Cruise Guide Award” on November 16, 2016. The 12-member panel of experts voted the cruise ship AIDAprima the winner in the categories “Sport and Spa Facilities” and “Family ... [more]
Hamburg’s highest ice rink opens on board AIDAprima
On November 12, 2016, AIDA Cruises opened Hamburg’s newest and highest ice rink on board AIDAprima. AIDA Cruises is thus offering sport-loving guests the opportunity to see what ice skates feel like on the high seas – a first in the German cruise market. The ice rink, around 40 ... [more]