AIDA Cruises is expanding its fleet with two new cruise ships, which will be built at the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. These ships will be smaller than the previous newbuilds, the Aidanova and Aidacosma, and will be equipped with modern propulsion systems. They are scheduled to enter service in spring 2030 and winter 2031/2032, respectively.
The new ships will have 2.100 guest cabins, making them more compact than their predecessors. Felix Eichhorn, President of Aida Cruises, emphasized the versatility of the propulsion systems: "The engines can be powered by LNG and will also be prepared for future biofuels and e-fuels." This flexibility makes it possible to utilize various fuel options and accommodate technological developments.
Significance for sales
The announcement of the newbuilds was received positively by sales partners. Oliver Wulf, Managing Partner of the Travel & Cruises Company, told Reise vor9: "From a sales perspective, the newbuilds are an important and significant signal for the market. We greatly appreciate Aida's efforts in securing these newbuilds for the German market within the Carnival Group at the earliest possible date. From a product perspective, the size of the ships (positioned between Prima and Nova) is a very good strategic decision, in line with the market."
Pascal Wepner, owner of the travel agency Kreuzfahrtlounge, also sees the new ships as a positive sign: "After the capacity reduction with the loss of the small Aida ships, it is important to place new capacity on the market and thus also specifically appeal to non-cruise travelers." He expects Aida Cruises to place a strong focus on families with this ship class in order to attract new customers from family resorts, family hotels, and well-known holiday parks. "It will certainly be a Gen Z ship, innovative, fresh, new – because that is the target group of the new ship class for the next 30 years."
Strategic partnership with Fincantieri
The decision to have the new ships built by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri marks a departure from the previous collaboration with Meyer Werft in Papenburg, which was responsible for the construction of Aidanova and Aidacosma. This strategic partnership with Fincantieri underscores Aida Cruises' efforts to advance innovative ship technologies and designs.
By expanding its fleet with these two new ships, AIDA Cruises will further strengthen its position in the cruise market. The combination of modern propulsion technology and a family-oriented approach could help it tap into new customer segments and expand its existing customer base. The coming years will show how these strategic decisions impact the company's success.