AIDA Should Put a Number on AIDAperla and AIDAprima’s Extra Cabins

AIDAperla and AIDAprima are getting additional cabins as part of their Evolution refits, but AIDA has not said how many. I’d put that number ahead of the restaurant list. It is a consequential change to ships that already accommodate approximately 3,300 passengers each.

The announcement promises more dining options, redesigned public spaces and expanded family facilities. There is plenty of substance here. But a modernization presented around the guest experience should also tell us how many guests the redesigned ships will accommodate.

AIDA is extending Evolution to its newer Hyperion class while continuing work on seven Selection-class vessels through 2028. The program, which the company describes as its largest modernization effort, began in 2025. AIDAdiva, AIDAluna and AIDAbella have already been upgraded.

AIDAprima entered service in 2016 and AIDAperla in 2017. The roughly 125,000-gross-ton sisters currently have 1,643 cabins apiece. Reconfigured onboard spaces will create additional interior, oceanview and balcony cabins, but neither the added cabin count nor the resulting passenger capacity has been disclosed.

More venues and more seating are useful additions, but how they work alongside extra accommodation depends partly on the scale of the cabin increase.

More dining choice and useful everyday fixes

AIDA’s senior vice president of guest experience, Steffi Heinicke, said the Hyperion-class work would build on the ships’ existing offerings with additional dining venues and spaces for different generations.

On deck 7, East Fusion will serve Asian dishes and sushi, with hotpot and Korean barbecue available at the table. Teppanyaki Asia Grill will bring food prepared in front of diners, while Best Burger @ Sea will add a range of burgers.

The new bars will occupy two decks. Art Bar on deck 7 will combine a gallery with cocktails and barista coffee. Deck 8 will gain Panorama Lounge & Bar, offering signature cocktails and teatime service, and Chilli Out Bar, serving Mexican tacos, spicy snacks and fruit-based drinks.

The existing Spray Bar at the bow will receive a redesigned interior, a large interactive LED video wall and a new entrance through the D6 disco. The Theatrium will get new lounge furniture and seating, while AIDA Plaza will gain additional offerings and more places to sit.

Those seating additions deserve attention alongside the new venue names. A place to sit is a straightforward passenger benefit, even if it is less eye-catching than Korean barbecue.

Existing cabins will also receive updated designs, including new textiles and pillows in some accommodations. Bedside USB ports and bathroom mirrors with a night-light function are planned. I’m glad those practical details made the list. A refit should improve the ordinary parts of a cruise, too.

Family spaces are being reworked, not simply refreshed

At the Four Elements Activity Deck, a new net structure on the upper level will provide space for climbing, relaxing and exploring. Fun Park Air will replace the existing climbing garden and will be available to all ages. A minigolf course with obstacles will be installed on deck 16.

Younger children will gain an outdoor area at the Kids Club and a small play corner in the Beach Club. The Teens Lounge within the D6 disco will be expanded, as will the Game Center on deck 15.

The all-ages access to Fun Park Air is a particularly useful detail.

Refit dates and the first sailings back

AIDAperla is scheduled to enter drydock at Chantier Naval de Marseille in France from April 2 to May 2, 2027. Its first post-refit cruise will depart Mallorca on May 2, a 10-day “Mediterranean Highlights” roundtrip calling at Corsica, Sardinia, Naples, La Spezia, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Barcelona.

AIDAprima’s refit is scheduled for April 21 to May 21, 2028. Guest operations will resume on May 21 with the seven-day “Pearls of the Mediterranean” roundtrip from Mallorca, visiting Marseille, Civitavecchia, La Spezia and Barcelona.

The remaining Selection-class projects will run alongside that work. AIDAmar is scheduled for modernization from November 1 to December 20, 2026, followed by AIDAblu from January 24 to March 14, 2027. AIDAsol’s yard period runs from October 24 to December 12, 2027, and AIDAstella’s from January 23 to March 12, 2028.

AIDA has laid out the venues, activities and sailing dates in detail. It should apply the same precision to capacity. Until it publishes the added cabin count and resulting passenger total, one of the most consequential changes to these ships remains one of the least explained.