AIDAprima in Dry Dock: Refit, New Routes & Mega Festivals 2026

Bild von Vossy auf etwasmeerzeit.de © etwas *zeit
AIDAprima is celebrating its tenth birthday on May 7, 2026, not on the ocean, but exceptionally in the dry dock of the Damen Shiprepair yard in Rotterdam. The routine ten-year class renewal is on the agenda. The hull will be cleaned and given a new silicone coating, which, together with the special air lubrication system (MALS), reduces water resistance and fuel consumption. The azipod propulsion systems and valves will also undergo intensive maintenance during this time.

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Parallel to the technical updates, the ship's interior is getting a significant makeover as part of the "AIDA Evolution" program. Passengers can look forward to fresh carpets, modernized cabins, and upgraded public areas like the Theatrium and the Beach Club. These updates are especially important because, due to the tense security situation in the Red Sea, AIDAprima will not be sailing in the Orient next winter, but rather in cooler climates departing from Kiel and around the Canary Islands.

When it comes to environmental protection, the ship remains a true role model. Back in 2016, AIDAprima was the first cruise ship to use LNG in port, followed later by a massive battery storage system and successful tests with 100 percent biofuel. Equipped with this state-of-the-art and freshly maintained technology, it will set sail again from Hamburg in mid-May 2026, heading straight for the Norwegian fjords, where extremely strict environmental regulations now apply.

Things will get truly spectacular in the summer of 2026 as AIDA Cruises celebrates its 30th anniversary. Following a massive ship parade in the port of Hamburg on June 7, AIDAprima will temporarily transform into a floating festival ground. During special "FESTIVAL Cruises" and a "90s Super Cruise," top acts and DJs will create a fantastic atmosphere on board, aiming to attract a younger crowd to holidays at sea.