New Captain on the AIDAluna: Kristina Steinle Takes Command

Bild von Bernd Schray auf Pixabay
Bild von Bernd Schray auf Pixabay
On March 22, 2026, a historic handover took place on the bridge of the AIDAluna: Kristina Steinle took command as Captain. At 37 years old, the Bavarian native is only the second German woman to hold this position and belongs to an exclusive group of about ten female cruise ship captains worldwide. Exactly 17 years after the commissioning of the nearly 252-meter-long Sphinx-class ship, she now leads a crew of around 600 and is responsible for the well-being of up to 2,500 guests on board.

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Steinle's path to the coveted seat in the center of the bridge began through family influences on the river Rhine. Before moving to passenger shipping, she learned her trade in the rough and demanding container shipping industry. In 2013, she started her career with AIDA Cruises—fascinatingly, exactly on the AIDAluna as Third Officer. Over the years, she proved herself on various ships in the fleet, most recently as Staff Captain, where she comprehensively demonstrated her nautical and interpersonal leadership skills.

The AIDAluna, powered by a 25,000-kilowatt diesel-electric system, is currently on a route through the Canary Islands and Macaronesia. Steinle is currently navigating the ship from Gran Canaria towards Funchal, Madeira. Due to strong trade winds and local funneling effects, this sailing area requires the highest level of nautical precision when maneuvering. Whether the passengers are enjoying the view on the starboard or port side, the safety of the ship, crew, and vacationers is always the absolute priority for the new command.

This personnel decision is part of a broader, positive trend in the maritime industry. Competitors such as TUI Cruises also recently appointed female leaders to the bridge, with Kira Schikorr taking command. For AIDA Cruises, the promotion of Kristina Steinle is a strong signal of internal talent development. It impressively shows that in modern seafaring, performance, nautical expertise, and leadership qualities determine the course.