IT WAS smiles all round as Portland Port welcomed cruise ship AIDAura with her cheerfully painted bow.

But there's more than first meets the eye - because as well as the usual staff, passengers' every need is attended to by a team of ROBOTS. 
The AIDA fleet rolled out 'Pepper robots' - the latest humanoid cyborg technology - in 2016. 
According to AIDA's website, the robots are mobile and communicate in three languages - English, German and Italian. 
They can also interpret human emotions by analysing voice tones and facial expressions.
The robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation, assisting them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment programs (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. 
The ship boasts three restaurants, entertainment facilities including a theatre, disco, spa and fitness centre and pool. 
It even has its own 'beach' - with many palm trees, artificial rock formations, volleyball and basketball courts. 
AIDAaura guests may choose from several shore excursion options. For example, on Grand Cayman island cruisers could try snorkelling, scuba diving, parasailing, horseback riding, or there is an option to spend spare time on shopping trips or visit the island's pristine beaches.

Besides the ship's staff and crew, AIDA cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in 3 languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.
Launched in 2003 AIDAura is one of the smallest of the AIDA cruise vessels, the 42,289-ton, 1300 -passenger cruise ship AIDAura was the third vessel to join the AIDA fleet.
Portland Port has a total of eight AIDA cruise ships scheduled to visit in 2019.
A spokesman for the port said: "This marks an exciting point in the development of the port’s cruise business and shows the great support Portland Port is being given by AIDA."