AIDA Cruises with National Geographic: New Excursions
AIDA Cruises, the market leader in the German cruise segment, has introduced new half-day and full-day excursions in selected regions for the summer of 2023 and winter 2023/2024. The National Geographic Day Tours, specially designed by National Geographic curators, focus on education and sustainable tourism.
“For many guests, unforgettable and responsible vacation experiences are essential for a successful cruise, and this idea is becoming increasingly widespread. Therefore, it is essential for us to be sustainable in all aspects of our product. In the area of shore excursions, we are continuously developing our offerings, diversifying them for different groups and ages, focusing on local immersion and environmental protection. We are delighted to expand our portfolio of sustainable excursions with the National Geographic Day Tours,” says Frank Bönsch, Vice President Guest Commerce at AIDA Cruises.
the white fleets
The new excursion offering represents a unique opportunity to explore selected destinations and their cultural treasures in depth. In intentionally small groups, accompanied by National Geographic-trained local guides, guests will discover new places beyond the traditional itineraries in France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the Canary Islands, and Madeira. In addition to the beauty of the region, the focus is on understanding the local people and their culture.
The new shore excursions include a guided tour by a geologist to the sacred mountain of Montserrat in Barcelona and a fascinating tour of Rome’s mysterious underground world with an archaeologist, offering a unique perspective on the architecture and archaeological heritage of the ancient city. In Ibiza, guests will have the opportunity to discover the island’s true nature with a herbalist explaining wild herbs and a beekeeper illustrating the life of bees and their important role in the ecosystem and food stability. In Kusadasi, the terraced houses of Ephesus come to life through special demonstrations, such as a ceramics showcase or a tile painting workshop. In Athens, guests will trace the footsteps of the birth of democracy with a special behind-the-scenes look through historical and educational narratives. In Santorini, an archaeologist will lead an in-depth exploration of the excavation site of Akrotiri, the “Greek Pompeii.”
Barcelona – Holy Mountain
Rome – undergrounds
The National Geographic Day Tours meet the criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, which focus on sustainable management, socio-economic impact, cultural impact, and environmental impact. Additionally, when guests book a National Geographic Day Tour, they support research and sustainability programs worldwide by donating a portion of the proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society.
Tenerife – Teno Alto d Stronghold
Currently, AIDA Cruises offers 5,750 shore excursions worldwide, of which approximately 780 have a particular focus on sustainable tourism. The selection is made according to uniform criteria developed in collaboration with the sustainability initiative Futouris e.V. All offers that meet social, ecological, and cultural standards are marked with a tree-shaped symbol. The four main criteria under which these excursions are certified relate to transportation services, the content or objective of the excursion (e.g., culture, nature, social engagement), regional culinary offerings, and the commitment to sustainability of the local partner agency. Additionally, numerous secondary elements are included in the evaluation. Regarding transportation, the focus is on reducing CO2 emissions. In the port of Bergen, AIDA even provides electric buses for one of its excursions.
The National Geographic Day Tours can be booked on all AIDA cruises in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and Madeira through myaida.de or directly on board at the excursion desk.
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