Application period for AIDA Innovation Hub begins
For the first time, AIDA is hosting an Innovation Hub and invites startups, universities, and established companies to apply with their innovative ideas. The event will take place on September 16, 2026, in Rostock. Applications are accepted in three categories: Decarbonization, Sustainability, and Artificial Intelligence & Smart Tools. The finalists will present their project ideas to a distinguished panel of experts, including Prof. Dr. Meike Jipp, Head of Energy & Transport at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and Dr. Anisa Rizvanolli, Team Leader Maritime Scientific Computing and Optimization at Fraunhofer CML, as well as Prof. Dr. Ali Arnaout, Head of the International Management program at Wismar University of Applied Sciences, will serve on the jury. The jury will be complemented by Dirk Inger and Dr. Christoph Schladör, Vice President of Decarbonization at Carnival Maritime.
The winners in each category will have the opportunity to further develop their concepts in collaboration with AIDA Cruises. "We look forward to innovations and new ideas, especially with regard to the transformation facing the maritime industry. We are very confident that the Innovation Hub will bring new perspectives and developments to the cruise sector," Inger added. Applications can be submitted on the website www.aida.de/unternehmen/innovation-hub, which went live today.
The winners in each category will have the opportunity to further develop their concepts in collaboration with AIDA Cruises.
AIDA Celebrates 30 Years in Port
Guests can expect many reasons to celebrate in three German ports: The festivities kick off on June 7, 2026, in Hamburg, where AIDAsol, AIDAperla, and AIDAprima will meet for a parade in front of the Landungsbrücken piers on the Elbe River. Kiel Week on June 20, 2026, is another highlight, where AIDAnova will be celebrated. For Warnemünde Week, AIDAdiva returns to its home port on July 4, 2026, where AIDA Cruises' success story began in 1996.
Birthday Moments on Board
AIDA will also be adding special touches on board: From April 18 to 25, 2026, the "Best of AIDA" event cruise will take place on AIDAdiva, featuring artists such as Otto Waalkes, Beatrice Egli, DJ Alle Farben, Stefanie Heinzmann, and Mickie Krause. In June, two special event cruises will take place along the Norwegian coast: On AIDAprima, the Hermes House Band and DJ Antoine will provide the party atmosphere from June 1st to 8th, 2026. An additional highlight of this cruise is participation in the birthday parade on June 7th in Hamburg. On AIDAperla's cruise from June 6th to 13th, 2026, the No Angels will perform exclusively at the start of the cruise and celebrate with the guests.
Hi AIDA, let's celebrate!
In its anniversary year, AIDA invites fans, friends, and partners to the community campaign "Hi AIDA, let's celebrate!" The campaign focuses on the most beautiful and emotional AIDA moments from the past 30 years – as told by guests, employees, and sales partners. Submitted photos will be part of the anniversary communication and some will also be used in brand communications. The campaign will be accompanied by prize draws. In this way, AIDA Cruises celebrates 30 years of AIDA together with the community.
Conclusion: This year, AIDA Cruises combines innovation, community, and celebration, looking ahead to the future. "30 years of AIDA is above all a collective success. Our company history would not have been possible without the tremendous commitment of our partners, employees, and companions. We are very grateful for this. Together, we create experiences that connect people—on board, in the ports, and far beyond," says Melanie Marra, Vice President Marketing & E-Commerce AIDA Cruises.
Tags: AIDA Cruises
