AIDAnova

The 2018-built AIDAnova cruise ship was constructed by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. She is the first of two Helios-class AIDA liners, with sistership AIDAcosma (2021). The Excellence/Helios-Class was preceded by the Hyperion-Class (AIDAprima and AIDAperla).

The vessel (IMO number 9781865) is currently Italy-flagged (MMSI 247389200) and registered in Genoa.

AIDAnova is the company's eighth vessel built in Papenburg.

Other Excellence-Class liners (AIDAnova’s sisterships) include P&O Iona (2020), P&O Arvia (2022), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023), Carnival Festivale (2027), and Carnival Tropicale (2028).

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, more active travelers. Founded in 1960 as "Deutsche Seereederei", the company was acquired in 2000 by P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. AIDA’s first World Cruise (with AIDAcara) took place from October 2017 to February 2018, with a 116-day roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg, Germany.

The 5,400-passenger AIDAnova (IMO number 9781865) is one of the world’s most technologically advanced cruise ships. She was officially handed over in autumn 2018.

In addition to the ship's staff and crew, AIDA passengers are served by Pepper robots—humanoid robots introduced fleetwide in 2016. These robots greet guests during embarkation and assist them throughout the cruise, offering information and tips about onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment programs, casino and shopping promotions, and shore excursions. Pepper robots are mobile, multilingual (English, German, Italian), and capable of interpreting human emotions through voice tone and facial expressions.

Decks and Cabins

AIDAnova has a total of 2,600 passenger staterooms in 21 categories, spread across 11 cabin decks. A new category, Einzelkabine (Single Cabin), is set to be introduced fleetwide during AIDA’s next scheduled drydock refurbishments. Another new addition is the Duplex Suite (aft on Deck 12), a two-deck accommodation measuring 73 m², including a 20 m² private sundeck.

Suite amenities include private sundeck areas, separate bedrooms, sofabeds, two bathrooms (with bathrobes, slippers, and luxury bath products), queen beds, a pillow menu (with five pillow types), and a range of premium services and perks.

Standard cabin balconies feature padded deckchairs and coffee tables. Junior Suites include a separate "conservatory" lounge room (7 m²) and a 4 m² step-out balcony. The glass door in the lounge can be opened to double the balcony space, and the area is temperature-controlled.

Deluxe Balcony Cabins offer verandas between 5–13 m². Comfort Balcony Cabins are designed for families and include a double sofabed for up to four occupants. Category DL (Verandakabine Deluxe with Lounge) accommodates up to five guests. Oceanview and Interior Cabins feature twin beds that convert to a double or queen-size bed.

All staterooms are equipped with complimentary amenities including an electronic safe, spacious wardrobe (some with walk-in closet), low table with lounge chairs, convertible double/twin beds, Pullman beds (in most quads), bedside tables, reading lamps, direct-dial phone (with baby monitoring option), smart HDTV (with infotainment system), LED lighting, mirrored dressing table with chair, en-suite bathroom (toilet, shower cabin, single-sink vanity, hairdryer), and individually controlled air-conditioning.

The ship has 20 decks, with 17 accessible to passengers and 11 featuring cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

AIDAnova offers 17 dining venues, including specialty restaurants like Casa Nova, French Kiss, and Brauhaus, five buffet restaurants (including the family-themed Fuego), and the classic Bella Donna and Markt Restaurant. Guests can also join interactive cooking classes at the onboard AIDA cooking school.

The ship features the exclusive Spray Bar, spanning two decks and operated in partnership with Moët & Chandon. The Lanai Bar (Deck 8) is located at the stern, while the Patio Bar (Deck 16 aft) offers panoramic views. Additional venues include the Nightfly nightclub, M Bar, Tapas & Bar, and Club D6.

Below is a complete list of AIDAnova’s restaurants and food bars:

• Scharfe Ecke (complimentary fast-food venue)
• Rossini (specialty dinner-only restaurant with a 6-course à la carte menu; surcharge and reservations required)
• Markt Restaurant (main self-service buffet with a small terrace; complimentary)
• Bella Donna (Italian buffet-style venue; complimentary, open 24 hours)
• Ristorante Casa Nova (Mediterranean cuisine; surcharge)
• Brasserie French Kiss (French cuisine; surcharge, reservations required)
• Brauhaus (specialty restaurant with house-brewed beer; surcharge, reservations required)
• Weite Welt Restaurant (international buffet; complimentary)
• Buffalo Steakhouse (American à la carte restaurant; surcharge, reservations required)
• Sushi Bar (Japanese cuisine; surcharge, reservations required)
• Fuego Restaurant (family restaurant with kids buffet; complimentary)
• East Restaurant (Asian buffet-style venue; complimentary)

The Time Machine Restaurant is a fantasy-themed, dinner-only venue offering immersive entertainment.

On June 24, 2023, AIDAnova, AIDAperla, and AIDAprima introduced the Soulkitchen specialty restaurant. This à la carte venue features a 3-course vegan menu with plant-based meat and seafood alternatives, organic beverages (coffee, tea, juices), and non-alcoholic wines and spirits.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Deck 16 features an activity deck with a water park, slides, high ropes course, and mini golf. The Beach Club, introduced with the Hyperion-class, is also available on Helios-class ships. The pool deck is covered by a lightweight retractable roof.

Guests can relax at the Beach Club’s swimming pool, which transforms into a deck party venue at night. The Cube dance club and the Casino offer evening live entertainment. Located beneath the expandable membrane roof, the Beach Club includes the “Four Elements” family activity area, themed around water, air, fire, and earth. This outdoor playground on the Sports Deck features two three-deck-high waterslides, rock climbing walls, and a rope course. The deck is also equipped with a giant LED screen for movies and other outdoor video entertainment. In addition to the Teens and Kids Clubs, AIDAnova offers a “Mini Club” for infants from six months of age.

Highlights include panoramic glass elevators that connect the outdoor areas, and a glass skywalk positioned 45 meters above sea level. Guests can enjoy organic treatments at the Body & Soul Organic Spa. AIDA Plaza serves as a central hub with numerous bars and shops, and doubles as a performance space for street artists.

AIDAnova provides diverse and innovative entertainment for all ages across thirteen dedicated venues. Alongside popular shows like "Wer wird Millionär" (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), "The Voice of the Ocean," and "AIDA Stars," the ship introduces exclusive entertainment formats. The enhanced Theatrium is the heart of the entertainment experience—a circular stage that is a signature of AIDA Cruises. It serves as a relaxing spot during the day and hosts spectacular evening shows on its 360-degree stage, featuring 11 LED walls, 7 laser shows, and an LED Tube with a performer elevator.

Featured shows premiered on AIDAnova include:

• "AIDA LOVE" – a lively show celebrating birthdays, weddings, and honeymoons. Audience members can participate using a dedicated mobile app.
• "Avona Dia" – a family-friendly show featuring imaginative choreography by Cirque du Soleil star Benjamin Pring.
• "Nashville - Just Good Music: It rocks!" – a live concert of American rock’s biggest hits.
• "Show me! YELLO!" – a multimedia production combining music and visuals from Swiss electronic duo YELLO with pyrotechnics, dance, and acrobatics.
• "Steampunk Circus" – a fantasy-themed show with special effects, original costumes, and music by Stefan Richter.

Innovative facilities introduced first on AIDAnova include:

• Studio X – the fleet’s first onboard TV studio, broadcasting “Prime Time One.” Passengers can watch live AIDA Cruises TV shows being produced, and kids can join the interactive show “1, 2 or 3.”
• "The Pyramid" – a kids’ entertainment program offering new games and quizzes. “Keep Your Light On,” a modern twist on hangman, is played in teams wearing LED suits. Workshops for kids and teens include interactive games, video creation, and editing.
• "The Mystery Room" – an escape-room style attraction where guests search for the Holy Grail.
• "The Rock Box" – a music lounge and karaoke bar with a jukebox and live performances.
• Time Machine Restaurant – accessible via a mysterious elevator, this immersive dining venue is hosted by Professor Tempus and features a 3-course meal and a time-travel adventure.

Below is the complete list of AIDAnova’s lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults:

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar)
• Spray Bar (adults-only, 2-level Champagne lounge operated with Moët & Chandon)
• The Cube (nightclub with DJ sets, themed dance parties, and light shows)
• Nightfly (adults-only nightclub with grand piano, live band, and bar)
• Tapas & Bar
• AIDA Plaza (2-deck atrium lounge with live entertainment and boutique shopping)
• Jewelry Shop, Travel Shop, PhotoShop, Sports Shop, Parfumerie, Kids Shop, Treasure Chest Shop
• Kids Club (supervised complimentary activities for 3 age groups: Seahorses 3-6, Dolphins 7-9, Sharks 10-11; includes outdoor paddling pool)
• AIDA Bar (cocktail lounge with live music)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; sells artwork from renowned German artists and hosts auctions)
• AIDA Lounge (270-degree panoramic views with lounge seating)
• The Library (offering card and board games)
• Casino (with dedicated Casino Bar)
• Theatrium (3-deck venue with round central stage, dynamic platform, 11 LED-covered walls; serves as a multi-purpose theater-lounge for shows and cabaret; includes 7 themed laser shows and is served by Theatrium Bar)
• Eiscafe (Ice Café Erste Sahne – ice cream parlor)
• Café Mare (patisserie and specialty coffee bar)
• Vinotek (wine shop with sommelier service and tastings)
• Brauhaus (onboard brewery using purified seawater; serves house-brewed draft beers)
• Destille (fruit spirits bar)
• AIDA Bar (large lounge with panoramic windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (photo/video services, duty-free items, interactive kiosks with facial recognition)
• AIDA Shop (duty-free retail including liquor, tobacco, luxury goods, AIDA merchandise)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; hairdresser, barber, nail spa services)
• Body & Soul Sports (modern fitness center with group class area)
• Zen Lounge (indoor relaxation space for classes)
• Blütenmeer (flower shop)
• Kochstudio (cooking studio for classes and chef demos; reservations required)
• "The Mystery Room" (treasure hunt attraction)
• "Rock Box" (karaoke and music lounge with jukebox and live shows)
• "Studio X" (TV production studio for AIDA-themed shows)
• Lanai Bar (with outdoor seating)
• Sundeck (featuring four infinity pools)
• Wave Club (water playground and teen lounge with activities for Orcas 12-13 and Teens 14-17; complimentary)
• Body & Soul Organic Spa (3100 m² with indoor/outdoor pools, large whirlpools, retractable roof; amenities include saunas, treatment rooms, Rasul bath, conservatory, Spa Suites, Japanese tea ceremony, and spa bar)
• AIDA Lounge (panoramic views with comfortable seating); Sunset Bar
• Mini Club (childcare for children aged 6 months to 3 years)
• "Four Elements" (water park with pools, splash zone, slides, rope course, LED screen, rock walls; transforms into a nighttime party area)
• Bar 5 Elements (serves the Aqua Park)
• AIDA Beach Club (2-deck tropical-themed area with plants and palm trees, transforms into party venue at night)
• Sundeck (above the pool with loungers, served by Pool Bar; includes FKK Bereich – nudist area)
• Sun Deck Games Area (with shuffleboard, giant chess, Boccia, backgammon, darts, table tennis)
• Patio Deck (exclusive covered area for Panorama Cabin guests; adults-only)
• Sports Deck (multi-use sports court for volleyball/basketball, golf cage, putting green, golf simulator)
• Rock Climbing Walls; High Ropes Course; Power Walking/Jogging Track

Itineraries

AIDAnova’s itinerary program is centered on 7-night roundtrip Canary Islands cruises including Madeira (Portugal). Her “Inaugural Cruise” from Tenerife departed on December 12, 2018. The roundtrip itinerary includes calls at Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), Arrecife (Lanzarote), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), and Funchal (Madeira Island).

For winter 2021–2022, AIDAnova was originally scheduled to homeport in Kiel, Germany, for two alternating 7-day roundtrip Norwegian Fjord cruises. However, in May 2021, this program was canceled and replaced with AIDAcosma’s Red Sea deployment based in the UAE, with 7-day roundtrips from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Doha (Qatar) and Mina Salman-Manama (Bahrain).

AIDA serves primarily the German-speaking market and operates AIDAnova with fly-cruise packages from both Germany and the UK.

In July 2015, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding agreement with Meyer Werft for the construction of four new-class (Excellence/Helios-class) vessels. Two of these ships were designated for Costa Cruises (Costa Smeralda / 2019 and Costa Toscana / 2021), and the other two for AIDA Cruises (AIDAnova / 2018 and AIDAcosma / 2021). On February 27, 2018, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding contract for a third AIDA vessel (delivery in 2023), but in June 2021, the vessel—Carnival Jubilee—was reassigned to Carnival Cruise Line. This marked the 98th new ship order for the global cruise fleet (2018–2026).

The steel-cutting ceremony for AIDAnova was held on February 21, 2017, at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, officially launching her construction. On September 6, 2017, the keel-laying ceremony took place for the first hull block. This steel block—one of 90—measured 5 m wide, 8 m high, and 21 m long, weighing 120 tons. A traditional lucky coin was placed beneath the first block. The ship’s powerplant was built at NEPTUN WERFT in Warnemünde, Germany, and consists of four low-emission LNG engines that provide all power for both propulsion and onboard hotel operations.

Like most largenewbuilds, AIDAnova is LNG-powered, equipped with four Caterpillar Marine LNG engines (MaK 16M-46DF) generating a total output of 57.2 MW. The propulsion system uses two azimuth thrusters with a combined output of 37 MW. The ship has three cryogenic LNG tanks with a total capacity of ~3,200 m³. Two of the tanks are 35 m long with a diameter of 8 m and a capacity of 1,525 m³ each, while the third tank measures 28 m in length, 5 m in diameter, and holds 520 m³.

On September 21, 2017, Neptun Werft completed the first of two three-deck-high engine room blocks (120 m long, 42 m wide), which housed AIDAnova’s four dual-fuel engines. This module was transported by cargo barge via the Kiel Canal from Rostock to Papenburg. The second identical block was completed on December 1 and shipped the next day. Over 500 shipyard employees, 500 contractors, and 120 Caterpillar specialists were involved in the engine room's construction.

On December 11, 2017, the vessel’s stern section (the first of two prefabricated aft modules) was delivered to Meyer Werft. It measured 120 m in length, 42 m in width, and spanned 19 decks in height.

The float-out ceremony took place at 7 p.m. on August 21, 2018, when the ship was moved out of Meyer Werft’s covered drydock (Dock 2) and berthed at the shipyard’s pier for outfitting. Sea trials began on November 16, 2018, with a passage along the Ems River to the North Sea. Due to construction delays, the vessel’s delivery was postponed, and the inaugural cruise was rescheduled from December 2 to December 19.

The ship was originally scheduled for delivery on November 15, 2018, but was officially handed over on December 12 in Bremerhaven. Interestingly, to make room for AIDAnova at the shipyard pier, the floating section of Spectrum of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) had to be relocated within the harbor.

The christening ceremony took place on August 31, 2018, at the Papenburg shipyard. It featured a live open-air concert by DJ David Guetta. Tickets for the “AIDA Open Air” event went on sale on March 9, 2018, priced at EUR 35 per person.

This christening was notable as the first shipyard naming ceremony held in over two decades. It served as a tribute to the workers who built the ship. Approximately 25,000 spectators attended. The event featured a laser and light show produced by 20 laser projectors, over 300 strobe lights, and 100+ floodlights, along with a duo of acrobats performing over the water. Instead of a traditional Godmother, AIDAnova was named by a “god family” from Hanau, Hesse—Asad (33), Sonja (31), and their children Adrian (3) and Sophia (2).

The tug-assisted conveyance of AIDAnova along the Ems River from Papenburg to Eemshaven, Netherlands, occurred on October 8–9, 2018. The schedule included:

October 8: Departure from Papenburg (~7 a.m.), passing the sea lock (~8 a.m.), Friesen Bridge in Weener (~2:30 p.m.), Jann Berghaus Bridge in Leer (~7 p.m.), arrival at the Ems barrier in Gandersum (~11:15 p.m.).

October 9: Passing the Ems barrier (~1 a.m.), passing Emden (~2:30 a.m.), arriving in Eemshaven (~9 a.m.).

This was followed by sea trials. At 183,900 GT, AIDAnova is the largest cruise ship ever built in Germany and the largest vessel to navigate such a narrow inland waterway. The ship’s master is Captain Boris Becker.

Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH (Germany) supplied more than 1,000 trolleys for AIDAnova’s housekeeping and room service. Of these, 150 were customized Mundus chambermaid trolleys featuring a fold-out push handle, locking brake, three flexible shelves, an upper drawer, enclosed container for dirty laundry, washable side bags, storage tray, waste baskets, and RFID lock system.

AIDAnova shares her name with the 2023-built Silver Nova from Silversea Cruises.

In 2022, her powerplant was retrofitted to accommodate electricity generated by a methanol-powered fuel cell system developed by Freudenberg e-Power Systems GmbH, part of the Weinheim-based Freudenberg Group (established in 1849).

In August 2024, AIDAnova became AIDA’s first ship equipped with fully autonomous cleaning robots. Developed by Kärcher Deutschland, one robot handles exterior deck cleaning, while the other vacuum-cleans interior areas.

Inaugural itineraries 2018

In February 2018, AIDA announced new "premiere cruise" itineraries scheduled ahead of AIDAnova’s maiden voyage on December 2.

All premiere mini-cruises were available for booking from February 1, 2018.

The first 4-day itinerary was set to depart on November 15, immediately following the ship’s delivery, sailing from Oslo to Hamburg and arriving on November 19.

Additional short cruises were offered from Hamburg to either Oslo, Norway, or Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The following table shows the “Inaugural Cruise” (maiden voyage 2018) 7-day "Kanaren und Madeira" itinerary.

Prices started at USD 625 per person (double occupancy, inside cabin).

The following tables show the updated inaugural cruises as of November 2018 (after the delivery delay).

10-day repositioning cruise from Germany to the Canary Islands

7-day repositioning cruise from Portugal to the Canary Islands

7-day inaugural Canaries itinerary "Kanaren und Madeira 4" from Tenerife

7-day inaugural Canaries itinerary "Kanaren und Madeira 3" from Gran Canaria

Godspeed!