AIDAluna Enters Marseille Drydock for Seven-Week Evolution Refit

AIDA Cruises’ AIDAluna has arrived at the Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard in France for a seven-week drydock as part of the line’s AIDA Evolution refurbishment program.

The 2009-built, 2,030-guest ship is the second vessel to undergo the initiative, which is aimed at updating guest spaces and adding new onboard features. No official statement from AIDA Cruises or Chantier Naval de Marseille was included in available reports.

What’s changing during the AIDAluna refurbishment

AIDA Cruises’ plans for the yard period focus on a mix of new guest-facing additions and a broader refresh of accommodations and public spaces intended to modernize the ship’s look and functionality.

Reported updates include new suite accommodations, refreshed staterooms across other categories, and multiple changes in dining, wellness, and entertainment areas. Family-focused updates are also part of the scope, including the addition of a children’s fun park.

• New suite accommodations and updates to other stateroom categories as part of a wider cabin refresh.
• New dining and bar concepts, including the French Kiss restaurant concept and the Lanai outdoor bar.
• Expansion of the ship’s spa area to add upgraded wellness amenities.
• Modernization work in the ship’s signature Theatrium area, alongside refreshed public spaces.
• Updates aimed at younger guests, including the installation of a children’s fun park.

AIDAluna’s return-to-service timeline and winter 2025 deployment

AIDAluna is scheduled to resume service on December 10, 2025, following the shipyard period in Marseille. Its first program after the refit is set to focus on the Mediterranean.

The ship’s post-drydock deployment includes five- to 14-night Mediterranean cruises departing from Palma de Mallorca in Spain. In early 2026, AIDAluna is scheduled to reposition to the Canary Islands and Madeira for sailings from Puerto del Rosario and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

In early April 2026, the ship is expected to return to Northern Europe for departures out of Hamburg and Warnemünde as it transitions into its next seasonal program.

How AIDA Evolution expands across the fleet through 2028

AIDAluna’s drydock follows the first completed project in the AIDA Evolution program, which began with AIDAdiva returning to service with its updates earlier this year.

AIDA Cruises has said it plans to modernize five additional ships over the next three years, prioritizing its Sphinx Class vessels. AIDAbella is next in line and is scheduled to enter drydock in early 2026, with the modernization sequence continuing through 2028 for additional Sphinx Class ships including AIDAblu, AIDAsol, AIDAstella, and AIDAmar.

Winter 2027-28 bookings open with more than 300 itineraries

Alongside the refurbishment program, AIDA Cruises has opened bookings for its 2027-28 winter season, listing more than 300 itineraries worldwide. The schedule spans the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, South America, the Indian Ocean, and South Africa, as well as winter sailings from Hamburg covering Northern European and Western European destinations.

Selected deployments and highlights from the published schedule include:

• Caribbean cruises on AIDAluna, AIDAbella, and AIDAprima, offering 14- to 21-night itineraries departing from La Romana in the Dominican Republic and Bridgetown in Barbados.
• Longer itineraries on AIDAmar, including a 48-day itinerary to Brazil and South America and a 21-day voyage to Morocco and the Azores.
• Canary Islands and Madeira sailings featuring AIDAsol, AIDAstella, and AIDAcosma, continuing the line’s winter focus on Atlantic island itineraries.
• Indian Ocean and southern Africa routes on AIDAblu, with stops in Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and ports along South Africa and Namibia.
• Winter cruises from Hamburg on AIDAnova, with itineraries visiting Scandinavia and Western Europe.

Early-booking incentives and recent itinerary adjustments

AIDA Cruises is offering early-booking incentives for winter 2027-28 sailings, with discounts of up to 975 euros per person for bookings made by April 30, 2027. The early booking benefits also include free cabin selection, Rail&Fly train tickets valid throughout Germany, and daily onboard mineral water.

The line also confirmed earlier this year that all 2025-26 sailings scheduled in certain regions were canceled due to security concerns.

With AIDAluna due back in service on December 10, 2025, the ship’s first sailings after the yard period will provide an early look at the Evolution upgrades before AIDAbella enters drydock in early 2026 and the wider refurbishment sequence continues through 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will AIDAluna complete its refurbishment and return to service?

AIDAluna is scheduled to welcome guests back on December 10, 2025, after a seven-week drydock at Chantier Naval de Marseille in France.

What new venues and upgrades are planned for AIDAluna after the refit?

Planned additions and updates include new suite accommodations, the French Kiss restaurant concept, a new Lanai outdoor bar, an expanded spa area, modernization work in the Theatrium, refreshed cabins and public areas, and a children’s fun park.

What are the highlights of AIDA’s 2027-28 winter season?

AIDA Cruises has opened bookings for more than 300 itineraries worldwide, including 14- to 21-night Caribbean cruises from La Romana and Bridgetown, longer AIDAmar voyages such as a 48-day itinerary to Brazil and South America and a 21-day voyage to Morocco and the Azores, and winter programs covering the Canary Islands, the Indian Ocean, and southern Africa.

What early booking discounts are available for AIDA’s 2027-28 winter cruises?

For bookings made by April 30, 2027, AIDA Cruises is offering discounts of up to 975 euros per person, along with free cabin selection, Rail&Fly tickets valid throughout Germany, and daily onboard mineral water.

Which AIDA ship is scheduled next in the AIDA Evolution modernization sequence?

AIDAbella is scheduled to enter drydock in early 2026 as the AIDA Evolution program continues across the Sphinx Class fleet.