AIDAdiva first of seven ships to undergo refit as part of Evolution programme

AIDA Cruises has completed the first of seven ship refurbishments as part of its Evolution programme, with AIDAdiva emerging from a seven-week dry dock overhaul at the Chantier Naval Shipyard in Marseille, France.

The refit, which took place from February 3rd to March 21st, 2025, included technology upgrades, enhanced staterooms, new restaurants, and expanded entertainment offerings, significantly expanding the 19-year-old ship’s service life.

“As part of our AIDA Evolution initiative for the future, we have launched the largest fleet modernisation programme in our company’s history,” said Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises. 

“For the first three dry dock overhauls alone, we are investing hundreds of millions of euros to make our ships fit for the future – both in terms of the travel experience and the technology,” he added. 

In the course of the modernisation refit, around 300 main projects and other measures were planned and coordinated among several thousand shipyard workers and specialists, including more than 170 different fit-out companies and the crew of the ship. 

One of the biggest projects was the renovation of all guest cabins: canopies, carpets and curtains were redesigned and the colour concept was adapted to bright, modern tones. New chairs and sofas were also added to balcony cabins. 

Some cabins have also been expanded from a 3-person to a 4-person occupancy to create further options for families. At the stern, six new, spacious family-friendly suites with their own sun deck were built. 

These suites have separate living and sleeping areas with double beds, with the pull-out couch in the living room allowing for additional sleeping places. In some suites, 5-bed occupancy plus a baby cot is now possible. 

Suite guests also now have access to the new Sky Deck and the Rossini Lounge exclusive retreats.

Public areas on Decks 9, 10, and 11 underwent an extensive redesign. New restaurant and bar concepts provide expanded culinary offerings, with French specialities in the new French Kiss restaurant and the French Kiss Bar & Bistro, as well as Asian cuisine in East Fusion, Spanish snacks at the Tapas Bar, and maritime delicacies in the Yachtclub Restaurant.

Alongside the Panorama Bar, the Ice Bar, Tokyo Bar, and Lanai Bar, further new outlets have also been added. 

The Theatrium now features more inviting seating, as well as a revised, more harmonious colour concept. State-of-the-art technology for sound, lighting, and stage control has also been installed.

The spa area has been completely renovated and adapted, with two additional wellness suites equipped with a private whirlpool tub, private sauna, and waterbed. The hair spa has also been given a new design and and a nail spa has been added.

A new highlight for kids is the fun park that has been created on Deck 14 near the outdoor sports deck, with an impressive 7.50-metre-high climbing tower, a slide, and a series of caves. The Kids Club has also been redesigned for the youngest guests.

In addition to the upgraded guest areas and amenities, numerous technical and sustainability measures have been implemented. For the first time, more than 45,700 square meters of carpet were recycled, while new, already recyclable carpet was laid in guest and crew areas. 

A new reverse osmosis system optimises the in-house production of fresh water from seawater, and an innovative Solid Waste Processor shreds waste and reduces its volume by up to 95 percent. 

The ship’s 9,000-square-meter underwater hull was coated with 17,500 liters of biocide-free paint, which significantly reduces frictional resistance, while a modern, energy-efficient LED lighting system further reduces energy requirements. 

The entire IT infrastructure was redesigned with 50 kilometers of new cables laid and 22 tons of electronics replaced. In the outdoor area, 6.5 kilometres of wooden handrails were also renewed, and large areas of glass and window panes were replaced.

AIDAluna will follow with her refurbishment later this year, while AIDAbella will go into dry dock at the beginning of 2026.

AIDAdiva will spend the rest of the summer in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, before emarking on her World Cruise on November 10th, 2025.