AIDAluna

The 2009-built AIDAluna cruise ship is the third SPHINX-class AIDA liner, with sisterships AIDAdiva and AIDAbella.

The vessel (IMO number 9334868) is currently Italy-flagged (MMSI 247255400) and registered in Genova.

History - construction and ownership

AIDA Cruises is a Rostock-headquartered subsidiary owned by Carnival Corporation. AIDA is Europe’s largest German cruise line (followed by TUI), targeting younger and more active travelers. Founded in 1960 as "Deutsche Seereederei", AIDA was acquired by P&O Princess Cruises in 2000, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. AIDA’s first World Cruise (with AIDAcara) was in 2017-2018 (October-February), featuring a 116-day roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg, Germany.

The 2100-passenger AIDAluna was the first in the fleet to feature a poolside/outdoor theater (measuring 8 x 4.5 m). Her godmother is German fashion model Franziska Knuppe. The christening ceremony took place in Palma de Mallorca on April 4, 2009, during the maiden voyage.

In addition to the ship's staff and crew, AIDA passengers are also assisted by Pepper robots—the latest cyborg technology introduced fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide guests during embarkation and assist throughout the cruise by offering information and tips on dining, entertainment, enrichment programs (workshops, scheduled events), casino and shopping deals, shore excursions, and more. Pepper robots are mobile and multilingual (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.

Decks and Cabins

AIDAluna staterooms (1025 total, in 18 grades) include 16 Suites, 480 Balcony, 186 Oceanview, and 359 Inside cabins. The largest accommodations are the Aft-Facing Deluxe Suites (400–470 ft² / 37–44 m²), with private sundecks/wraparound terraces sized 270–540 ft² / 25–50 m²).

The ship has 13 decks, of which 11 are accessible to passengers and 6 have cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

AIDAluna offers a wide variety of dining options, including Rossini, the Markt-Restaurant, Buffalo Steak Restaurant, Bella Vista (offering pizza and pasta 24/7), and a sushi bar. All AIDAluna restaurants feature open seating. Buffet-style venues provide international cuisine, with house wines and beers available at no extra charge. The Markt Buffet Restaurant, located on Deck 9, offers a diverse, self-service buffet. There are no strict dress codes or fixed dining times.

Below is the complete list of AIDAluna restaurants and food bars:

• Rossini (specialty, dinner-only restaurant; surcharge applies; reservations required; 6-course à la carte menu with waiter service)
• Markt Restaurant (complimentary main dining; buffet-style with food stations and a small terrace)
• Buffalo Steakhouse (American cuisine; à la carte menu; surcharge applies; reservations required)
• Tapas & Bar (serves hot and cold tapas paired with wines, sherries, and Spanish beers)
• French Kiss Restaurant (French cuisine including steak tartare and pastries)
• French Kiss Bar & Bistro (serving French specialties and desserts)
• Almhütte (Alpine Hut) Restaurant (regional Alpine cuisine and beer specialties)
• Yachtclub Restaurant (maritime-style dining with seasonal and international dishes)
• East Fusion Restaurant (Asian cuisine including sushi, dim sum, okonomiyaki)
• Best Pizza @ Sea (Italian pizza; complimentary, self-service)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

AIDAluna features eleven bars, excellent internet connectivity, and a Theatrium spanning 3,000 m² with a reconfigurable stage. The ship’s SPA & Sports area, located above the bridge, includes palm trees, hammocks, cabana-style beds, and a large Jacuzzi. Guests can enjoy volleyball, golf, squash, and a variety of other sports and recreational amenities.

Below is the complete list of AIDAluna lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for all age groups:

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar)
• Kids Club (free supervised activities for 3 age groups: Seahorses 3–6, Dolphins 7–9, Sharks 10–11; includes outdoor paddling pool)
• Internet stations with printers (Reception/Lobby area; Wi-Fi available shipwide, including cabins)
• Studio AIDA (TV studio producing itinerary-related films and radio programs)
• AIDA Luna Bar (cocktail bar with live music)
• Theatrium (948 seats, spans 3 decks; atrium-theater hybrid with dynamic stage and glass dome; features the futuristic show "Augenblick" with aerial acts and special effects)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; original artwork sales and auctions)
• AIDA Lounge (panoramic views with comfortable seating)
• The Library (Bibliothek; books, card and board games)
• AIDAluna Casino
• Café Mare (patisserie and specialty coffee)
• Vinotek (wine shop with sommelier service and tastings)
• AIDA Bar (large lounge with panoramic windows)
• Lanai Bar (serves AIDA Spritz and sundowners in an outdoor setting)
• Tokyo Bar (complements Asian dining with themed drinks)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (photo/video services, duty-free gear; features touchscreen kiosks with face recognition; Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shop added in 2019 for creative photo experiences)
• AIDA Shop (duty-free store for liquor, tobacco, jewelry, watches, perfumes, fashion, and logo items)
• Shopping World (added in 2019; 400 m² space with global brands; operated by Gebr. Heinemann)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; hairdresser, barber, manicure/pedicure)
• Body & Soul Sports Fitness Center (modern gym, class area)
• Zen Lounge (relaxation area for indoor classes)
• 4D Kino Cinemare (4D cinema)
• Time Out Bar (sports bar); Ocean Bar (outdoor cocktail bar)
• Eisbar by Langnese Happiness Station (ice cream bar)
• Sundeck area (served by the Beach Bar)
• Body & Soul SPA (Africa-themed complex with salon, reception, massage/treatment rooms, Wellness Suite, Wellness Oase, Aroma Sauna, Finnish Sauna, steam room, relaxation room)
• Wellness Oase (with large whirlpool, hammocks, live plants)
• Wellness Suite (private for up to 4 guests, with veranda, sauna, whirlpool, luxury amenities; rented for 4 hours)
• SPA Bar (complimentary fruits, tea, wellness drinks)
• Sundeck/sunbathing area (Freibereich above the pool, with loungers and Pool Bar; top deck features FKK Bereich—nudist area)
• Sun Deck games area (Sonnendeck – shuffleboard, giant chess, boccia, backgammon, darts, table tennis)
• Game Center (family-friendly games: air hockey, racing simulators)
• Videowand (outdoor LED screen theater, 8 x 4.5 m)
• Sports Deck (Sportaussendeck with volleyball/basketball court, golf cage, putting green, simulator)
• Sky Deck (exclusive retreat for Suite guests)
• Fun Park (features a 7.5-meter climbing tower, slide, and caves)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track

Itineraries

AIDAluna’s itinerary program includes Caribbean cruises from La Romana, Dominican Republic and Montego Bay, Jamaica, Northern Europe and Baltic Sea voyages from Kiel, Germany, and seasonal Transatlantic crossings between Europe and the Caribbean.

The vessel (Meyer Werft Papenburg yard/hull) has a volume of 69,203 GT, a DWT (deadweight tonnage) of 8,654 tons, and a maximum draught of 7.3 m. The powerplant is based on MAK Caterpillar marine diesel engines (model 9M43C) with a combined output of 36 MW. The propulsion system uses SIEMENS electric motors (model 1DM5650-8DS06-Z) with a total output of 25 MW. The registered shipowner is COSTA CROCIERE SPA, the registered manager is AIDA CRUISES, and the ISM manager is CARNIVAL MARITIME GMBH.

Luna is AIDA's third vessel (delivered by Meyer Werft Papenburg on March 16, 2009), and her maiden voyage began on March 22 from Hamburg. The 14-night one-way inaugural cruise (Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca) visited eight port cities in five countries—Le Havre (France), Santander and La Coruna (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Tangier (Morocco), and Valencia and Barcelona.

The christening ceremony was held on April 4 in Port Palma (Mallorca Island, Spain). The ship's godmother was Franziska Knuppe, a German fashion model and actress born in 1974.

After cruising the Mediterranean, the vessel relocated to Northern Europe for the summer Baltic season, followed by a repositioning to the Canary Islands for the winter 2009–2010 season.

Fun fact: she is also the godmother of AIDA's 14th fleet member, AIDAmira (formerly Costa neoRiviera, now Ambassador Ambition), which joined the fleet in 2019.

AIDAluna shares her name with several vessels: Norwegian Luna (2026), the Luna Seaways ferry, and the riverboats Arosa Luna and Emerald Luna.

The Theatrium is a 3-level entertainment complex that transforms the Atrium into a theater. There is also a 4D Cinema with moving chairs. A biking station offers bicycles for shore excursions. Ample indoor and outdoor space is dedicated to sports. The Pool Deck doubles as an outdoor entertainment venue. Dining options include three informal buffet restaurants, three specialty restaurants (extra charge), and casual spots for light snacks, pizza, and coffee/tea.

All onboard documents, signage, and announcements are in German, as most AIDA passengers are German-speaking Europeans (Germans, Austrians, Swiss). The crew is international, and many members speak English well.

AIDAluna refurbishments review

In May 2024, the fleet modernization program "AIDA Evolution" was announced.

Drydock refurbishment 2025

Starting in 2025 with AIDAdiva, drydock projects were scheduled for AIDA’s three SPHINX-class ships (diva/2025, luna/2025, bella/2026), including extensive renovations to all public areas, a complete redesign and redecoration of all passenger staterooms, increased suite numbers, machinery upgrades (technical systems), and the addition of exclusive areas and signature venues (restaurants, bars, services) featured on newer ships.

AIDAluna’s refurbishment is scheduled for 2025 (October 22–December 10) at Chantier Naval de Marseille, France. The overhaul includes ~300 major projects, involving thousands of shipyard workers, specialists from over 170 fit-out companies, and the ship’s crew.

• The Theatrium (main show lounge) received redesigned seating (with backrests around the stage on Deck 9), a new color scheme, and advanced sound, lighting, and stage control systems.
• All cruise cabins were updated with new canopies, carpets, curtains, and color schemes. Balcony cabins were fitted with new chairs and sofas. Some cabins were reconfigured to quads to accommodate families. Six new family suites were added at the stern, each with private sundecks, separate living/sleeping areas (with double beds), and additional beds in the living room. Some suites now accommodate up to five guests plus a baby cot. Suite guests have access to exclusive retreats—the Sky Deck and Rossini Lounge.
• Public areas on Decks 9, 10, and 11 were extensively redesigned.
• New dining and beverage venues were introduced: French Kiss (restaurant and bar), East Fusion (Asian cuisine), Tapas Bar (Spanish snacks), Yachtclub Restaurant (maritime cuisine), Panorama Bar, Ice Bar, Tokyo Bar, and Lanai Bar.
• The wellness complex was completely renovated, with the addition of two Thermal Suites equipped with private whirlpools, saunas, and waterbeds. The Hair Spa was redesigned and now includes a Nail Spa.
• A new Fun Park was installed on Deck 14, featuring a 7.5-m / 27-ft-high climbing tower, a slide, and interactive caves.
• The Kids Club was redesigned.
• Over 45,700 m² of old carpeting (in guest and crew areas) was replaced with recyclable materials.
• Approximately 6.5 km / 4 mi of wooden handrails were renewed. Large glass and window panels were replaced. About 8,500 liters of paint were used throughout the ship for refurbishment.

Technical upgrades included a new reverse osmosis system (for seawater-to-freshwater conversion), a solid waste processor (reducing waste volume by up to 95%), and shipwide energy-efficient LED lighting.

The underwater hull was cleaned and repainted using ~17,500 liters of biocide-free paint.

IT infrastructure upgrades involved installing 50 km / 31 mi of new cables and replacing 22 tons of electronics.

Wetdock refurbishment 2019

A wetdock refurbishment was conducted from April 3–16, 2019, at Blohm+Voss Shipyard (Hamburg, Germany) and included the following upgrades:

A new lounge-style venue, Almhutte, offers traditional Alpine dishes and live music. The restaurant features a gourmet menu with complimentary items like pork knuckle and cheese spaetzle noodles, light snacks, and draft beers. All beverages are available for an extra charge.

AIDA Shopping World was introduced through a partnership with the 1879-founded Hamburg-based company Gebr. Heinemann SE & Co KG. The 400 m² (4,300 ft²) retail area offers top global brands and an innovative store layout.

Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shop was added, providing an interactive photo experience.

All staterooms and several public areas were modernized and renovated. All restaurants, bars, and the SPA complex were refurbished.

Technical upgrades included enhancements for shoreside power capabilities, routine maintenance (stabilizers, propulsion units, bow and stern thrusters), Navigation Bridge upgrades, diesel-electric plant modernization, exhaust system and ballast tank cleaning, and hull coating.

Drydock refurbishment 2014

During the April 26–May 5, 2014 drydock at Blohm+Voss Hamburg, standard maintenance work was completed (stabilizers, steering, machinery), and a new exhaust system (scrubber) was installed. Renovation work included flooring, cabins, public areas, carpeting, and new deck surfaces.

A face recognition system was added at the AIDA Photo Shop, helping to reduce printing chemicals and paper usage by 50%.