Cruise Frog guide

AIDA Cruises

AIDA Cruises is a German cruise line based in Rostock that sells mainly to German-speaking travelers. Part of Carnival Corporation & plc and owned through its Costa group, it runs eleven Italian-registered ships, each painted with the brand's kissing mouth and large eyes on the bow, and designs them as casual club resorts for younger, active holidaymakers.

Official site

Style

Mainstream

big ships with lots to do and fares for most budgets

Best for

  • Couples
  • Families
  • First-time cruisers

Fleet rating

No ships rated yet.

About AIDA Cruises

The company traces its roots to East Germany's state shipping line, Deutsche Seereederei Rostock, which began running cruises in 1960. After reunification it introduced AIDA in 1996, a new ship that brought the club-holiday idea of Carnival's fun ships to the German market. P&O took control around 2000, and the brand passed to Carnival in the 2003 merger. Seven Sphinx-class ships from Meyer Werft followed between 2007 and 2013, then two larger ships from Mitsubishi in 2016 and 2017, and in 2018 AIDAnova, the first cruise ship able to run entirely on liquefied natural gas, joined in 2022 by its sister AIDAcosma. The smaller early ships were sold between 2021 and 2023, and two new ships are on order from Fincantieri for 2030 and 2031.

On most ships, life centers on the Theatrium, a multi-deck lounge and stage amidships, and the larger ships add covered pool areas such as AIDAprima's Beach Club. Cruises start from Hamburg, Kiel and Warnemünde, from Palma de Mallorca and the Canary Islands, and in winter from the Caribbean, with world voyages and Asia or Indian Ocean seasons in some years. Since 2025 the AIDA Evolution program has been rebuilding the older ships with new restaurants, bars and suites.

What AIDA Cruises is known for

AIDA describes itself as the market leader in German cruising, and it is closely identified with the informal club-ship style it introduced in 1996. It has also built a record of environmental investment: AIDAnova was the first cruise ship able to run fully on LNG and in 2019 the first to receive Germany's Blue Angel eco-label for its design, newer ships can plug into shore power and carry battery systems, and its LNG ships have ranked near the top of the German conservation group NABU's cruise rankings.

There has been criticism too. NABU complained in 2017 that no AIDA ship yet had a soot particle filter, and until 2015 restaurant assistants were paid 587 dollars a month, a fraction of what Die Zeit calculated they would earn under the German minimum wage; the company argued the pay compared well with wages in the Philippines. The pandemic stopped the fleet in 2020 and led AIDA to sell its smallest ships. For guests from outside the German-speaking world, the product's focus on that market is its main limitation.

Who it's for

AIDA is built for German-speaking travelers who want a relaxed, active cruise with plenty of choice on board. Couples and families from Germany, Austria and Switzerland can sail from Hamburg, Kiel or Warnemünde without flying, and first-time cruisers can try short Baltic trips of four or five days before committing to a week in Norway, the Mediterranean or the Canary Islands. Travelers who care about emissions will find two LNG-powered ships in the fleet.

Travelers who do not speak German should think carefully, because the line designs its product for the German-speaking market. Those looking for an intimate small ship or a luxury-level experience should also look elsewhere.

Couples
romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
Families
kids' clubs, family cabins, things for every age
First-time cruisers
easy to book, short itineraries, nothing intimidating

How it rates

Compare lines

None of AIDA Cruises's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.

Where AIDA Cruises sails

Ships in service

Ships

11 in service
AIDAbella in Kiel, 2022AIDAbella2008 · 69,203 GT · 2,050 guests · Northern Europe · CaribbeanAIDAbella is the second Sphinx-class ship, built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg and in service since 2008, with 1,025 cabins for about 2,050 guests. Its name was picked in a naming…AIDAblu in Corfu, 2017AIDAblu2010 · 71,304 GT · 2,192 guests · Mediterranean · Canary IslandsAIDAblu is a 71,304-ton ship delivered by Meyer Werft in February 2010, the first of a slightly enlarged group of Sphinx-class ships with an extra half deck and room for 2,192…AIDAcosma in Ajaccio, Corsica, 2022AIDAcosma2022 · 183,858 GT · 5,252 guests · Mediterranean · Canary IslandsAIDAcosma is AIDAnova's sister and the second of AIDA's two LNG-powered Excellence-class ships, delivered by Meyer Werft on 21 December 2021 after pandemic delays of more than…AIDAdiva in Kiel, 2007AIDAdiva2007 · 69,203 GT · 2,050 guests · Northern Europe · CaribbeanAIDAdiva is the first of AIDA's Sphinx-class ships, a 69,203-ton vessel built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg that entered service in 2007 with room for about 2,050 guests. Like its…AIDAluna anchored off Road Town, Tortola, 2024AIDAluna2009 · 69,203 GT · 2,050 guests · Northern Europe · CaribbeanAIDAluna is the third Sphinx-class ship, delivered by Meyer Werft in March 2009; its maiden voyage left Hamburg on 22 March 2009 for Palma de Mallorca. The 69,203-ton ship has…AIDAmar in Hamburg, 2015AIDAmar2012 · 71,304 GT · 2,192 guests · Northern Europe · MediterraneanAIDAmar is a 71,304-ton ship in AIDA's Sphinx series, delivered by Meyer Werft on 3 May 2012 and christened in Hamburg nine days later. It has 1,096 cabins for 2,192 guests, an…AIDAnova near Hook of Holland, 2024AIDAnova2018 · 183,858 GT · 5,252 guests · Northern Europe · Norwegian FjordsAIDAnova was the first cruise ship able to run entirely on liquefied natural gas when Meyer Werft delivered it in December 2018. The 183,858-ton Excellence-class ship, AIDA's…AIDAperla in Le Havre, 2018AIDAperla2017 · 125,572 GT · 3,286 guests · Northern Europe · Norwegian FjordsAIDAperla is AIDAprima's sister, a 125,572-ton Hyperion-class ship built by Mitsubishi in Nagasaki and delivered in spring 2017. It has 1,643 cabins for 3,286 guests at double…AIDAprima in Rotterdam, 2016AIDAprima2016 · 125,572 GT · 3,286 guests · Northern Europe · Norwegian FjordsAIDAprima is AIDA's flagship, a 125,572-ton Hyperion-class ship built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki, the first AIDA ship since 2003 not built by Meyer Werft…AIDAsol at anchor in Trondheim, 2018AIDAsol2011 · 71,304 GT · 2,192 guests · Northern Europe · World cruisesAIDAsol is a 71,304-ton Sphinx-class ship built by Meyer Werft and christened in Kiel on 9 April 2011, with room for 2,192 guests. Like AIDAblu it has an extra deck compared with…AIDAstella in Hamburg, 2013AIDAstella2013 · 71,304 GT · 2,192 guests · Mediterranean · AsiaAIDAstella is the seventh and last Sphinx-class ship, a 71,304-ton vessel delivered by Meyer Werft in March 2013 that began sailing on 17 March that year. It carries 2,192 guests…

Former ships

All retired ships
ShipLeft
AIDAauraSeptember 2023
AIDAvitaJune 2022
AIDAmiraJanuary 2022
AIDAcaraAugust 2021

Where to fly in

All ports

Quick answers

What is AIDA Cruises known for?

AIDA describes itself as the market leader in German cruising, and it is closely identified with the informal club-ship style it introduced in 1996. It has also built a record of environmental investment: AIDAnova was the first cruise ship able to run fully on LNG and in 2019 the first to receive Germany's Blue Angel eco-label for its design, newer ships can plug into shore power and carry battery systems, and its LNG ships have ranked near the top of the German conservation group NABU's cruise rankings.

Who is AIDA Cruises best for?

AIDA is built for German-speaking travelers who want a relaxed, active cruise with plenty of choice on board. Couples and families from Germany, Austria and Switzerland can sail from Hamburg, Kiel or Warnemünde without flying, and first-time cruisers can try short Baltic trips of four or five days before committing to a week in Norway, the Mediterranean or the Canary Islands. Travelers who care about emissions will find two LNG-powered ships in the fleet.

Where does AIDA Cruises sail?

AIDA Cruises's ships in service sail Northern Europe (8 ships), Norwegian Fjords (7 ships), Caribbean (5 ships), Mediterranean (4 ships), Canary Islands (4 ships), World cruises (2 ships), Canada and New England (1 ship), Transatlantic (1 ship) and Asia (1 ship).

How many ships does AIDA Cruises have?

AIDA Cruises has 11 ships in service on Cruise Frog: AIDAbella, AIDAblu, AIDAcosma, AIDAdiva, AIDAluna, AIDAmar, AIDAnova and AIDAperla, and 3 more.

Who owns AIDA Cruises?

AIDA Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Where is AIDA Cruises based?

AIDA Cruises is headquartered in Rostock, Germany. It has operated since 1960.

What is AIDA Cruises's loyalty program called?

AIDA Cruises's past-guest loyalty program is AIDA Club.

What is the largest AIDA Cruises ship?

AIDAcosma is AIDA Cruises's largest ship at 183,858 gross tons, carrying 5,252 guests.

Cruising with children

AIDA gives families several different ways to spend a sea day, but a toddler’s care options differ from a schoolchild’s club. Language and independence matter as much as age.

Read the AIDA Cruises family guide →