Luxury Liner AIDAstella makes maiden call at Hambantota

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Hambantota International Port (HIP) celebrated a significant milestone in its cruise tourism journey with the arrival of the luxury cruise liner AIDAstella, the first vessel from AIDA Cruises to call at the port. 

The AIDAstella, a Sphinx-class vessel sailing under the flag of Genova, Italy, arrived from Malaysia carrying 2,000 passengers and 620 crew members. 

Measuring 253.26 meters in length, the ship is the seventh in AIDA’s Sphinx-class fleet and is currently en route to the Maldives as part of its international itinerary.

Passengers had the opportunity to explore some of Southern Sri Lanka’s most iconic attractions, including Yala National Park, the historic Galle Fort, and the popular Bird Park in Hambantota—offering a rich blend of wildlife, culture, and eco-tourism experiences.