AIDAluna has arrived at Chantier Naval de Marseille in France to begin a comprehensive seven-week dry dock as part of AIDA Cruises’ AIDA Evolution modernisation programme, the largest fleet upgrade in the company’s history.
The project marks a major investment in the long-term renewal of the line’s Sphinx Class ships, aiming to bring them in line with the latest standards in design, comfort, and environmental performance.
Built in 2009, the 2,030-passenger AIDAluna is the second ship to undergo refurbishment under AIDA Evolution, following the completion of AIDAdiva’s upgrade earlier this year. She entered dry dock on October 22nd and is scheduled to return to service on December 10th, ahead of a winter season of Mediterranean cruises.
AIDAluna
During the seven-week refit, AIDAluna will receive a complete overhaul of her public areas and staterooms, as well as a range of technical upgrades to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The works include the creation of new suites and redesigned guest accommodation featuring refreshed décor, improved materials, and modern amenities.
The project will also see the introduction of new dining concepts, including the French Kiss restaurant and the Lanai outdoor bar on deck.
Existing venues such as the Colours Bar and Bella Donna restaurant will be refreshed, while the ship’s popular Theatrium, a signature space that blends the functions of a theatre and atrium, is being redesigned with new seating, lighting and a contemporary colour palette.
The spa and wellness area will also be expanded, and a new fun park for children is being added to enhance family facilities.
Among the upgrades, AIDAluna’s spa will be redeveloped to bring it up to par with newer ships such as AIDAnova
Technical work includes the renewal of propulsion and hotel systems, as well as upgrades to waste treatment and energy efficiency equipment. These improvements are designed to align the ship more closely with the sustainability standards of newer AIDA vessels such as AIDAnova and AIDAcosma, which run on liquefied natural gas and feature advanced emissions-reduction technologies.
Following the refurbishment, AIDAluna will resume passenger operations with five- to 14-night Mediterranean itineraries from Palma de Mallorca before repositioning to the Canary Islands and Madeira in early 2026. The ship will then return to Northern Europe in April for cruises from Hamburg and Warnemünde.
AIDAluna’s sister ship AIDAbella is next in line for the AIDA Evolution programme, with her dry dock scheduled for January to March 2026. By that time, three of AIDA’s six Sphinx Class vessels will have been fully modernised, with AIDAblu, AIDAsol, AIDAstella and AIDAmar set to follow through to 2028.
At 15 to 17 years old, the Sphinx Class ships are entering mid-life, but the scale of the AIDA Evolution refits will extend their operational lifespan by another decade or more.
The upgrades are part of a long-term renewal strategy that blends modernisation with sustainability, ensuring AIDA’s core fleet remains competitive and aligned with the brand’s newer generation of ships well into the 2030s.
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Appeared first on: Cruisearabiaonline.com
