 Celestyal Discovery at Quay in Port of Rhodes (August 2024) | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry | |
| Builder | Aker MTW (Germany) |
| Cost | $350 million |
| Yard number | 004 |
| Laid down | 11 January 2002 |
| Launched | 7 September 2002 |
| Christened | 12 April 2003 |
| Completed | 3 April 2003 |
| Maiden voyage | April 2003 |
| In service | 2003–present |
| Identification | |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cruise ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | |
| Beam | 28.1 m (92 ft 2 in) |
| Draft | 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power | 27,150 kW (36,410 hp) |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | 19.5knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph) |
| Capacity | 1,266 passengers |
| Crew | 389 |
Celestyal Discovery is a cruise ship, built in 2003 by theGerman shipyardAker MTW inWismar, and was operated byAIDA Cruises for twenty years as AidaAura, as was hersister shipAIDAvita. In November 2023 the ship was sold to the Greek cruise lineCelestyal Cruises and entered service in March 2024.
Celestyal Discovery is considered a mid-sizedcruise ship[1] measuring 202.85 m (665 ft 6 in)long overall and 179.74 m (589 ft 8 in)between perpendiculars with abeam of 28.1 m (92 ft 2 in) and adraft of 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in). The cruise ship has a 42,289 gross tonnage (GT) and measures 4,157 tonsdeadweight (DWT).[2] The vessel is powered by adiesel-electric system turning twoscrews rated at 27,150kilowatts (36,410 hp).[1][3] The ship has a maximum speed of 19.5knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph).[3]
The cruise ship has capacity for 1,266 passengers.Celestyal Discovery has 633 cabins, ranging from 13.5–32.0 square meters (145–344 sq ft) in size of which 60 are equipped with a balcony. The vessel is equipped with several amenities for the passengers including bars, lounges, a library and a two-storey theater.Celestyal Discovery has a crew of 389. The vessel has a swept-backfunnel and a wedge-shaped stern.[1]
The cruise ship waslaid down on 11 January 2002 at theAker MTW shipyard inWismar, Germany with theyard number 004. The vessel waslaunched on 14 September 2002 and completed on 3 April 2003.[3] The vessel cost $350 million.[4] The vessel was christenedAIDAaura by International model Heidi Klum on 12 April 2003 atWarnemünde.[5] The vessel made its maiden voyage in April 2003.[1] In 2003, the vessel was built forP&O Cruises, a subsidiary ofCarnival Corporation & plc, which took over ownership of the vessel andregistered the cruise ship inLondon, United Kingdom.[3][6] In 2004,AIDAaura was acquired byCosta Crociere and the registry moved toGenoa, Italy and the operator changed toAIDA Cruises, a subsidiary of the Carnival Corporation.[6][2]
On 8 October 2018,AIDAaura departed fromHamburg on a 117-day round-the-world cruise. The ship visited 41 ports in 20 countries on four continents.[7]AIDAaura, with about 1,200 people on board, was held on 3 March 2020 in the harbor ofHaugesund,Norway, while two asymptomatic German passengers were tested who had been in contact with a person who subsequently developedCOVID-19; their test results were negative.[8][9]
In January 2023 AIDA Cruises said that the ship would be decommissioned in autumn 2023.[10] Istanbul-basedMiray Cruises announced in June that they had acquired a ship, for delivery in September, reported to beAIDAaura, for theirLife at Sea Cruises intended 3-year world voyage, beginning in November 2023. Replacing the intendedGemini, the ship would be renamedLara and undergo renovations in Istanbul.[11][12] The last voyage of theAIDAaura ended inBremerhaven, Germany on 21 September 2023.[13] In November it was reported that Miray were no longer the buyer, with speculation that it would now beCelestyal Cruises.[13]
On 16 November 2023, Celestyal Cruises confirmed their purchase ofAIDAaura and that she will enter service in March 2024 asCelestyal Discovery after a winter refit, replacingCelestyal Olympia.[14][15] The ship entered service on 22 March 2024.[16][17] Celestyal plans to add 47 cabins.[18]
