On October 28, 2026, AIDA Cruises celebrated the musical finale of its 30th-anniversary festivities at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, joined by Mark Forster, LEA, and the band Revolverheld. Beyond the music, the event highlighted the company’s commitment to AIDA Cruise & Help—an initiative dedicated to improving educational opportunities worldwide.
A special highlight of the evening occurred when Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, and Reiner Meutsch, founder of the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP, announced on stage that five new schools would be built around the globe.
Ticket proceeds alone will fund the construction of two schools, while Mark Forster, LEA, and Revolverheld have each pledged to support the construction of an additional school.
"This evening demonstrates what can be achieved when people come together to make a difference. Music brings us together here in Hamburg today, and through these new schools, it creates a connection that reaches far beyond," said Eichhorn in his address. "We are not just creating places for learning; we are building opportunities, prospects, and a future. I owe a great debt of gratitude to our guests, the artists, our partners, our loyal fans and friends for their support throughout our 30-year journey, and to everyone who contributes to AIDA Cruise & Help."
Established in 2019, AIDA Cruise & Help works to improve educational opportunities globally—focusing particularly on the home countries of many AIDA crew members and regions visited by the company’s ships. In collaboration with guests, crew, and partners, the initiative has funded more than 100 school projects to date, creating over 16,500 school places. The Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP serves as a long-standing partner in the implementation of these school construction projects. "Behind every new school are children whose prospects are lastingly transformed through education. The fact that this special concert evening will lead to the creation of further schools—with the artists themselves personally supporting this commitment—makes 'AIDA & Friends' much more than just a concert," says Reiner Meutsch.
Following numerous events held both on board its eleven ships and ashore, "AIDA & Friends" served as an emotional finale to the company’s 30th-anniversary celebrations. The AIDA story began in Rostock three decades ago. Today, AIDA stands for shared experiences, an open-minded global perspective, and bringing people together. The evening at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie brought all of this together in one place: magnificent music, long-standing companions, and a shared vision of transforming a zest for life into tangible opportunities.
As of 2025, AIDA Cruises is an official Classic Sponsor of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. As one of the world’s most renowned concert halls and a cultural landmark of the Hanseatic city, the Elbphilharmonie embodies values that align perfectly with the company: an open-minded global outlook, unique moments, and cultural diversity. The partnership centers on the "Around the World" concert series, which showcases musical and cultural variety from across the globe.
About AIDA Cruise & Help
Founded in 2019, the AIDA Cruise & Help initiative works worldwide to improve educational opportunities. By building schools—both in the home countries of many crew members and in regions visited by AIDA’s ships—the initiative creates sustainable prospects for children and their families. Learn more at: https://aida.de/unternehmen/cruise-and-help
Tags: Felix Eichhorn, AIDA Cruises Reiner Meutsch, Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP
