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December 11, 2025

After nearly seven weeks of work at the Marseille shipyards, AIDAluna has returned to operation. The refurbishment involved both public areas and hospitality spaces, further improving onboard comfort, functionality and the overall guest experience.

The project is part of the AIDA Evolution program, a multi-year plan through which AIDA Cruises is structurally upgrading the ships of its Selection fleet, focusing on technical modernization, spatial reorganization and solutions aimed at greater sustainability.

AIDAluna represents the second project completed under this initiative, which will continue through 2028 and will progressively involve other ships, starting with AIDAbella in 2026 and AIDAmar by the end of the same year.

The overall investment planned for AIDA Evolution is significant and reflects a clear strategic decision: to keep smaller-sized ships central to the group’s offering, adapting them to current standards both in terms of onboard experience and technological performance.

Within this context, AIDAluna becomes a testing ground for solutions that may be replicated across other ships in the series, helping to define a renewal model that goes beyond aesthetics and extends to functionality and the ship’s overall organization.

The shipyard period affected virtually every area of AIDAluna. The cabins have been completely redesigned, with updated materials, color palettes and furnishings, favoring practical solutions and a more contemporary approach.

New power outlets have been introduced, including USB and USB-C ports, low-impact night lights and renovated balcony furniture. Existing suites underwent a full refurbishment, while new, generously sized aft suites were created, featuring private sun decks, master bathrooms and capacity for up to five guests, thus expanding the offer for those seeking more private and spacious accommodations.

The dining areas also underwent a major revision. Aboard the ship there are now ten restaurants and dining venues, with the introduction of new concepts ranging from French cuisine to Asian-inspired fusion, as well as a tapas restaurant and the Yacht Club.

These are complemented by thirteen bars and cafés, including new venues such as the Lanai Bar, the French Kiss Bar & Bistro and the Panorama Bar, which offers a dedicated drink selection and afternoon tea service. The goal is to provide a wider variety of settings and dining moments throughout the day.

The heart of onboard entertainment, the Theatrium, has been completely renewed both aesthetically and technologically. The new design recalls the ship’s iconic colors and introduces more articulated seating areas, supported by upgraded lighting and audio systems.

For families, new dedicated spaces have been created, including a Fun Park with a climbing tower, a redesigned Kids Club and a Game Center. Near the Time Out Bar, a play corner designed for younger children has also been added, reflecting increased attention to the needs of families traveling together.

The wellness area was not excluded from the modernization process. Two new wellness suites expand the relaxation offer, alongside a renovated Nail Spa and a Hair Spa redesigned in both layout and style.

At the same time, new areas reserved for suite guests were created, such as a dedicated lounge near the Rossini restaurant and the Sky Deck—an outdoor space equipped with two whirlpools, lounge furnishings and cabanas, designed to offer a quieter and more secluded environment compared to the common areas.

Modernization also extended to the ship’s digital infrastructure. The introduction of interactive screens in public areas and the adoption of RFID boarding passes aim to streamline several aspects of the onboard experience, from access management to service information.

This upgrade was supported by an enhancement of the data network, with more than twelve kilometers of fiber optic cables and twenty-eight kilometers of copper wiring, improving the stability and capacity of the onboard IT systems.

Significant attention was also given to crew areas. During the shipyard stay, all crew cabins were redesigned with functional solutions, while the crew bar underwent a complete restyling.

The crew mess was transformed into a “Crew Market,” featuring more flexible layouts and snacks available throughout the day, improving the overall quality of life on board for staff.

Among the most notable interventions is the adoption of circular economy solutions. For the first time on an AIDA ship, carpet underlays made entirely from recycled materials—the Green Guard Underlay—were installed, produced from old carpets from AIDAdiva and AIDAluna.

The removed materials were compacted on site using mobile facilities and then transferred to processing centers to create new underlays. Part of the decommissioned mattresses was also recycled to produce components for future ships of the Selection fleet.

The volume of materials processed was considerable: tens of thousands of square meters of carpet and underlay, synthetic grass surfaces and over a thousand mattresses. For the first time, outdoor furnishings such as sun loungers, balcony chairs and tables were also recovered.

For new flooring in crew areas and at reception, a fully recyclable and hypoallergenic carpet was selected, made with ECONYL® yarn and designed to be dismantled and industrially reused at the end of its life cycle.

Some dismantled structural elements found new uses outside the ship as well: the steel bulkheads of the Pier 3 Bar were transformed by the brand Paul Hewitt into a line of maritime-inspired jewelry, available on board AIDA ships.

The refurbishment also included technological interventions aimed at energy efficiency. On the pool deck, a pilot project is underway featuring three types of transparent photovoltaic solar films, allowing solar energy to be harnessed without compromising guests’ views.

The AIDA Evolution project has received numerous industry accolades. In December 2025, at the Cruise Ship Interiors fair, the Green Guard Underlay was awarded Sustainable Product of the Year, the new East Fusion and French Kiss restaurants were named Best Refurbished Space, and the aft suites received the award for Best Cabin, highlighting the combination of design, functionality and sustainability.

The modernization required complex coordination: 2,200 specialists, including external technicians, crew members and staff from AIDA and Carnival Maritime, along with 140 external companies, worked in sync to meet deadlines and maintain project consistency.

The result is a thoroughly updated ship, ready to resume operations in line with current industry priorities, balancing renewed offerings, resource efficiency and the enhancement of existing vessels.

With its return to service, AIDAluna marks another step forward in the transformation of the Selection fleet, confirming a forward-looking approach without sacrificing operational continuity.

The program will continue in the coming years, extending the solutions tested on board to other ships through a gradual yet structured process.

Don’t miss all the updates and news about AIDA Cruises ships on our website, Cruising Journal.

Mara Di Dio

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