Damen Shiprepair completes drydock with 2,000 passengers aboard AIDAmar in Rotterdam

Damen Shiprepair has completed an unusual drydock project for AIDA Cruises' AIDAmar, carrying out the vessel's annual bottom survey while ~2,000 passengers remained on board. The operation took place at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam's Botlek facility, transforming a routine technical inspection into a rare opportunity for guests to observe a cruise ship in drydock.

The 253-metre vessel departed the German port of Warnemünde on July 3rd for a 5-night voyage that featured a 24-hour call at Rotterdam. On July 5th, AIDAmar entered the yard's 275 x 40.3-metre Drydock No.6, where the dock was dewatered to allow inspection of the underwater hull in accordance with the vessel's scheduled survey requirements.

While the technical work itself followed standard procedures, Damen Shiprepair explained that the presence of passengers required extensive planning and coordination. The shipyard noted that, as an International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) facility, it implemented measures to ensure that all passenger movements were conducted safely and in a controlled manner throughout the operation. The company described the project as a logistical challenge that was successfully completed through careful preparation and close cooperation with AIDA Cruises.

To enhance the experience, the shipyard organised an exhibition highlighting the history of Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam and previous projects completed for AIDA Cruises and its parent company, Carnival Corporation. A temporary viewing platform allowed guests to observe and photograph the vessel in drydock, while covered, wheelchair-accessible access points connected passengers with buses for sightseeing excursions across the Netherlands. Visitors also received souvenir bags containing Dutch-themed gifts, including clog-shaped keyrings and Damen-branded stroopwafels.

Damen Shiprepair stated that accommodating passengers during a drydock visit was not part of its typical operations but that the company was pleased to support AIDA Cruises' request. Despite the additional logistical requirements, the shipyard considered the project a successful example of cooperation aimed at providing guests with an unusual insight into ship repair operations.