AIDA Cruises adds four more vessels to extensive AIDA Evolution refit programme

AIDA Cruises has confirmed it will expand its fleet-wide modernisation drive with the addition of four more vessels to its AIDA Evolution programme, the largest fleet renewal initiative in the cruise line’s history.

The announcement follows the recent refit and refurbishment of AIDAdiva, which was the first ship to undergo extensive upgrades at the Chantier Naval shipyard in Marseille, France. 

In the coming years, AIDAblu, AIDAsol, AIDAmar, and AIDAstella will also be fully modernised. Dry dock periods for the four ships are scheduled for spring and autumn across various phases until 2028.

The AIDA Evolution programme began in February 2025 with a focus on both passenger experience and technical enhancements. 

“We are investing a high three-digit million euro amount in this ship class. This reaffirms our long-term commitment to our popular smaller ships,” said Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises. “With the modernisation, we are updating both guest comfort and technology and ensuring that this generation of ships will be fit for the next 20 years.”

Two additional ships — AIDAluna and AIDAbella — had already been earmarked for dry dock upgrades. AIDAluna is scheduled for refurbishment from October 22nd to December 10th, 2025, while AIDAbella will follow from January 21st to March 11th, 2026.

As part of the AIDA Evolution initiative, all ships in the same class will be rebranded under the name AIDAselection, reflecting a unified ship family concept. 

The redesign focuses on fostering family connections and onboard community, while retaining the line’s hallmark features such as the central theatrium, expansive outdoor spaces, and open-air pool decks. 

With around 1,100 cabins per vessel, this generation of ships also offers a more intimate experience and access to smaller ports not feasible for larger cruise ships.

AIDAselection ships will continue to serve a variety of itineraries ranging from short cruises to extended voyages, including World Cruises and specialty routes such as cherry blossom season in Japan, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, and Northern Lights voyages in the Arctic.

The AIDA Evolution programme forms part of a broader long-term strategy, which also includes the construction of two new-generation ships. 

Currently under development by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the identical vessels are set to join the fleet in spring 2030 and winter 2031/32 respectively. Once delivered, they will expand the AIDA fleet to a total of 13 ships.