AIDAdiva which is one of the generation Y or Z (I am not sure which considering it was built only last year) cruise liners, visited Muscat with more than 2000 guests on Sunday, Nov 30, 2008. I got an opportunity to take a tour of the vessel with some members of the Press. Frankly, I did expect it to be plush, jaw dropping, huge with 1000+ rooms, 7 resturants, a fantastic theatrium etc etc., and it turned out to be exactly that, so i will restrict my gushing about its classy interiors, range of facilities etc.
But what caught my interest was the eco friendly aspect. The ship treats 650 tonnes of waste water every day and throws back clean water into the sea (they say they can use it for use on the ship, its so clean, but psychologically it would put people off). It also has evaporators that can turn more than 1000 tonnes of sea water into potable water every day, for use on the ship. It almost works like a small town!! more like a 5 star deluxe hotel on the move – but once aboard you can hardly feel the pitch and roll. And Of course, a word about the luncheon we were served on board. A 6 course meal at a leisurely pace – aficianados of continental fare would have gone ooh-aah over it, but to my rustic vegetarian palate it was quite Greek!!
Uploading some pix for you – dont miss the incredulous look on our faces when we were reading the menu which was rolled up like a scroll!
The last pix is a beautiful painting depicting the AIDAdiva with its hallmark logo of the lips and the eyes integrated into it. I am not certain but I believe its been done by one of the designer/directors of the cruise line.
