AIDAbella thus follows her sister ships AIDAdiva and AIDAluna. AIDAmar will also head to Marseille this fall. By 2028, all seven ships of the Selection Generation, representing approximately half of the total fleet capacity, will have undergone the Evolution program. With Evolution, AIDA has launched the largest fleet renewal program in its history. This program prepares all of the smaller ships, which are very popular with AIDA guests, for the second half of their lifespan. Evolution is therefore also a clear commitment to smaller ships – with a focus on the travel experience, technological innovations, and sustainability.
In concrete terms, Evolution includes: new and additional restaurants, bars with enhanced service offerings, fresh, redesigned guest cabins, new activity areas for families, and a fresh look for the public areas. In addition, there are new and extra suites as well as exclusive areas such as the Sky Deck and the Rossini Lounge. The Theatrium also boasts a new look – with inviting seating areas and a harmonious color scheme that creates an even more inviting atmosphere. A unique feature: Each ship has its own individual color concept for the Theatrium. Furthermore, technical upgrades reduce energy consumption and support efficient ship operation. The high level of guest satisfaction on the already modernized AIDAdiva and AIDAluna demonstrates that the investment of around €100 million per ship is worthwhile.
Social Responsibility: 5,100 Pieces of Furniture for a Good Cause
With this modernization project, AIDA Cruises is donating approximately 5,100 pieces of furniture from AIDAbella to social organizations. This initiative is taking place for the third time in cooperation with DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V., Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), and Daimler Truck Holding AG. More than 50 aid projects benefit, including children's and youth facilities, homeless shelters, refugee housing projects, a women's shelter in Hamburg, and organizations as far away as the Ahr Valley and social projects in Ukraine.
Circular projects and innovative materials
AIDA Cruises is also setting standards for resource-efficient interior design on AIDAbella. During the shipyard period, in cooperation with the Hamburg-based partner company OceancircleRessourcen GmbH, a total of approximately 45,000 m² of carpets, 10,000 m² of carpet underlay, 2,500 m² of artificial turf, and over 1,000 mattresses from AIDAbella were refurbished and given a new life cycle. In the crew area and reception, a fully recyclable, allergy-friendly carpet made from ECONYL® yarn was installed, produced from recycled carpets from AIDAdiva and AIDAluna. Aluminum from sun loungers and chairs was also recycled. A total of 18 tons of this valuable metal were recycled. With these innovative concepts, AIDA Cruises demonstrates how the circular economy can be successfully implemented in practice.
Technical innovations for greater efficiency and resource conservation
Greater efficiency in drinking water production: Thanks to a new reverse osmosis system, AIDAbella can produce more fresh water from seawater using less energy. The consistent use of LED lighting, further optimization of demand-based climate control, and the use of state-of-the-art catering technology, such as dishwashers in restaurants and bars, further contribute to reducing energy and water consumption on board. In the underwater area, a special biocide-free coating significantly reduces fouling on the hull and thus drag. This also further reduces fuel consumption.
Shipyard Time in Numbers
Around 2,600 specialists were involved in the modernization of AIDAbella – including 1,433 external technicians, 648 crew members, and 188 specialists from AIDA Cruises and Carnival Maritime. A total of 148 external companies worked on the project. 12.5 km of fiber optic cable and 28 km of copper data cable were laid to bring the IT infrastructure up to date.
Inaugural Cruise: Back at Sea in Style and Sound
The first voyage after the modernization departs today, March 11, 2026, from Palma de Mallorca. The 7-day itinerary includes stops in Civitavecchia (Rome), La Spezia, Marseille – with a special overnight stay – and Barcelona before returning to Palma. Guests can expect a diverse program: The "Falling in Love Again" ceremony in the Theatrium provides an emotional start to the cruise. The band Glasperlenspiel will provide musical highlights with their modern sound, while Matze Knop will offer top-notch entertainment with his comedy program. A special highlight is the participation of Eva.
Tags: Palma de Mallorca, AIDA Cruises
