AIDA Winter 2027/28: AIDAperla Returns to the Orient & New Africa Routes

Planning for a holiday at sea often begins years in advance. For the 2027/28 winter season, AIDA Cruises is prioritizing security and a clear strategic realignment. Following a phase of uncertainty in the Red Sea, the market leader is returning to the Orient with one of its largest ships, AIDAperla. In doing so, the logistical challenge of the transit journey is being transformed into a unique travel experience in itself.

A central aspect of the new schedules is the route the ships take to reach their destination. Due to continuing instability in the southern Red Sea and the associated risks of transiting the Suez Canal, AIDA Cruises is planning the safe route around the African continent.

What operationally implies a significantly higher expenditure of time and fuel is being offered to guests as an exclusive "Globetrotter" (Weltenbummler) voyage. The repositioning of AIDAperla from Hamburg to Dubai will now take over 40 days. On the way south, guests will have the African continent consistently on the port side (Backbord), while on the return journey in spring 2028, the coastline will be visible on the starboard side (Steuerbord). This routing opens up ports such as Walvis Bay in Namibia or Cape Town in South Africa, which are otherwise rarely visited on transit voyages.

For deployment in the Persian Gulf, the cruise line has consciously chosen AIDAperla from the Hyperion class. Even though the Orient is synonymous with winter sun, temperatures can drop in the evening hours or when it is windy.

This is where the ship utilizes its structural advantages: With the covered "Beach Club" and the "Four Elements" activity area, AIDAperla offers a kind of weather guarantee. Furthermore, the ship is equipped with dual-fuel engines, which allows for the use of lower-emission Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the modern ports of the Emirates, such as Dubai. This is an important step towards reducing the ecological footprint during port stays.

Once in the destination area, AIDA relies on a rotating system of two different 7-day routes, which can also be combined into a two-week voyage:

• Focus on Emirates: This route concentrates on Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas Island. Particularly notable here are the long layover times, often overnight stays. This allows guests to experience the metropolises at night as well.
• Focus on Oman & Qatar: The second route leads to Muscat in Oman and Doha in Qatar. Here, the focus is on the cultural contrast between the futuristic architecture of Doha and the traditional building styles in Oman.

In addition to AIDAperla, AIDA is also strengthening its presence in Southern Africa. AIDAblu will be stationed there for the entire season, offering intensive voyages around Cape Town, Namibia, and Mauritius. This complements the portfolio for guests specifically looking for this cruising ground without wanting to undertake the long journey by ship from Germany.

Parallel to this, the grand World Cruise of AIDAdiva will take place, which, with a duration of 144 days, represents the most extensive product and leads via South America and the Pacific.

With the program for 2027/28, AIDA Cruises is creating planning security. The decision to circumnavigate Africa instead of speculating on the situation at the Suez Canal calming down is a clear signal to the market. For travelers, this means a wider selection of extremely long voyages and the safe return of a popular winter destination. Through early bird offers, the cruise line is attempting to fill the cabins on these long journeys well in advance.