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October 30, 2024

Starting in February 2025, AIDA Cruises will launch the most ambitious modernization program in its history, known as AIDA Evolution.

The first ship to benefit from this transformative program, which aims to upgrade the entire fleet, will be AIDAdiva. From February 3 to March 22, 2025, AIDAdiva will undergo a seven-week overhaul at the Chantier Naval shipyard in Marseille. This period will focus on enhancing the ship’s technology, optimizing the onboard experience, and increasing comfort for passengers.

With the renovation, AIDAdiva will offer an expanded selection of restaurants and bars, broadening the culinary choices available to guests. Food lovers will be able to explore eight restaurants and 15 bars and cafés, with both national and international specialties.

The new Yacht Club Restaurant will provide meals in a maritime atmosphere, with a menu ranging from seasonal light cuisine to international specialties. This restaurant, featuring an outdoor area, will house the new Lanai Bar, which will offer a diverse drink menu. AIDAdiva will also debut the French Kiss Restaurant on Deck 11, offering a delightful selection of French dishes, from steak tartare to curated cheeses and pâtisserie masterpieces.

Also on Deck 11, under blossoming cherry trees, guests can savor sushi and dim sum at the revamped Asian Restaurant, available for both lunch and dinner, as well as enjoy an Asian breakfast with specialties like Japanese okonomiyaki. The new Tokyo Bar will serve exclusive drinks. The French Kiss Bar & Bistro, located on Deck 10, will offer French specialties and snacks, while Deck 11’s Ice Bar will feature fresh creations and waffles. For those wanting to enjoy tapas, wines, sherry, and Spanish beers, the new Tapas & Bar in the Theatrium on Deck 9 will be the place to go.

The Panorama Lounge & Bar, located forward on Deck 10, will offer exclusive views and special drinks in a relaxed setting. The Ocean Club, on Deck 12, will be a hangout for teens by day and a nightlife venue where guests can enjoy music and dancing late into the night. Finally, classic restaurants like the Market Restaurant, Buffalo Steak House, Gourmet Restaurant Rossini, and Almhütte will all be upgraded.

Upon completing the modernization phase, AIDAdiva will set sail from Rome/Civitavecchia on March 23, 2025, with three itineraries reaching Italy’s and Malta’s most captivating destinations, including Valletta, Syracuse, Catania, Palermo, Naples, and Olbia. Later, the ship will head to the Baltic Sea and Norway, offering summer cruises departing from Rostock/Warnemünde. From November 10, 2025, to March 23, 2026, AIDAdiva will embark on her first world tour, the longest ever for the company, lasting 133 days. Starting from Hamburg, the ship will visit five continents and 27 countries, including the United States and Japan, with New Year’s Eve celebrated in Hawaii, visiting 55 ports in total.

Innovations in Ship Design

The Sphinx-class ships, introduced from 2007 to 2013, introduced an innovative open-space concept. Following AIDAdiva, both AIDAluna and AIDAbella will also be modernized in fall 2025 and spring 2026, respectively, continuing to set new standards in naval design. The AIDA Evolution program promises to redefine the cruising experience, offering top-tier services and greater comfort to passengers who can look forward to an exciting future filled with enhanced culinary experiences and extraordinary itineraries.

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Valentina Rigamonti

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