AIDAbella in Dry Dock: Kick-off for AIDA Evolution in Marseille

Bild von sriemer auf Pixabay
The last suitcase is packed, the last guest has disembarked: For AIDAbella, yesterday, January 21, 2026, in Palma de Mallorca marked not just the end of a voyage, but the end of an era. While vacationers headed for their flights home, the crew rolled up their sleeves. Right on schedule this morning, January 22, 2026, the ship arrived at the port of Marseille. But instead of docking at the cruise terminal, she headed straight for the industrial harbor. The destination: The Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNM) shipyard.

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The call in Palma was purely logistical this time. The ship moored as early as 05:00 AM to disembark over 2,000 guests and strip the vessel down to the basics. Provisions out, construction materials in. There was no time for breaks, as the shipyard slot is tightly scheduled.

The crossing to Marseille was short but intense. Anyone standing on the bridge would have seen the coastline passing on the port side (Backbord), while the open Mediterranean stretched out to the starboard side (Steuerbord). This morning, the ship with the famous kissing lips steered into "Forme 10," the largest dry dock in the Mediterranean. This marks the beginning of the "AIDA Evolution" program.

Following AIDAdiva and AIDAluna, AIDAbella is the third Sphinx-class ship to undergo this comprehensive modernization. Until March 11, 2026, there will be sawing, hammering, and painting on board. The measures are massive and serve not only visual updates but also technical and environmental improvements:

  • New Look: The design is getting refreshed. The bright colors of the 2000s are giving way to a modern, Nordic style, similar to that of AIDAcosma. All cabins are receiving an update, including new carpets and smart TVs.
  • More Luxury: Six brand-new suites are being constructed at the stern. This involves removing old steel structures and welding on new modules—a real feat of naval engineering.
  • Tech for the Environment: The underwater hull is receiving a special silicone coating. This reduces friction resistance in the water, thereby saving fuel. The exhaust gas technology is also being upgraded to the latest standards.

When the water floods back into the dock on March 11, 2026, AIDAbella will be almost unrecognizable. She will then return to Palma as a modern ship of the "AIDAselection" fleet. Her first voyage under the motto "Fall in Love Again" will take her to the pearls of the Mediterranean. Until then, however, plenty of work lies ahead for the shipyard crew in Marseille.