AIDAdiva

The 2007-built AIDAdiva cruise ship is the first SPHINX-class AIDA liner, with sister ships AIDAluna and AIDAbella.

The vessel (IMO number 9334856) is currently Italy-flagged (MMSI 247187700) and registered in Genova.

History - construction and ownership

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

The 2,050-passenger AIDAdiva debuted in Hamburg on April 20, 2007, with a fiery show and an opera-style naming ceremony. Renowned lighting designer Gert Hof created a spectacular light display for the occasion, accompanied by specially composed music. Maria Galleski was chosen as godmother through a casting event held in Hamburg.

In addition to her crew, AIDAdiva passengers are assisted by Pepper robots, cutting-edge cyborg technology introduced fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide guests during embarkation and provide information throughout the voyage on dining, entertainment, enrichment programs (workshops and scheduled events), casino and shopping deals, and shore excursions. The mobile robots communicate in English, German, and Italian, and can interpret human emotions through voice tone and facial expression analysis.

Decks and Cabins

AIDAdiva staterooms (1025 total, in 18 categories) include 16 Suites, 480 Balcony, 186 Oceanview, and 359 Inside cabins. The most spacious accommodations are the Aft-Facing Deluxe Suites (sized 400–470 ft² / 37–44 m²), each with a private sundeck or wraparound terrace (sized 270–540 ft² / 25–50 m²).

The ship has 13 decks, including 11 accessible to passengers and 6 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

AIDAdiva offers a wide variety of dining options for her guests, including the Buffalo Steak Restaurant, Rossini, the Markt Restaurant, a sushi bar, and Best Pizza @ Sea, which serves pizza and pasta 24 hours a day. All restaurants have open seating. The buffets allow guests to sample cuisine from different countries, and a selection of quality wines is available. The Markt Buffet Restaurant, located on Deck 9, is self-service with a diverse and abundant buffet. There are no formal dress codes or assigned dining times. Basic beverages, such as house wine and beer, are complimentary at buffet restaurants. Beverage packages are also available at discounted rates.

Below is the complete list of AIDAdiva's restaurants and food bars:

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

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

AIDAdiva features eleven bars and a casino. She is well known for her excellent internet connectivity and her unique Theatrium, which spans 3,000 m² and has a versatile stage for a variety of performances. The ship’s SPA and Sports facilities, located above the bridge, offer scenic views through a glass roof. This area includes palm trees, hammocks, cabana-style beds, and a large Jacuzzi. Guests can enjoy numerous recreational activities such as volleyball, golf, squash, and more.

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

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar serving the tendering/embarkation-disembarkation area on Deck 3)
• Kids Club (complimentary supervised program with age-appropriate activities for three groups: Seahorses 3–6 yrs, Dolphins 7–9 yrs, Sharks 10–11 yrs; features an outdoor area with a paddling pool)
• Internet stations with printers (in the Reception/Lobby area; shipwide Wi-Fi including in all staterooms)
• Studio AIDA (TV studio producing itinerary-related films and radio programming)
• AIDA Diva Bar (cocktail bar with live music)
• Theatrium (948-seat, 3-deck-high combination of atrium and theater; features glass walls, dynamic stage platforms, and a glass dome for major productions)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; sells original art from renowned German artists and schools; hosts auctions)
• AIDA Lounge (features panoramic 270-degree views and relaxed seating)
• The Library (Bibliotek; includes books, card, and board games)
• AIDAdiva Casino
• Cafe Mare (patisserie and specialty coffee bar)
• Vinotek (fine wine shop offering sommelier service and tastings)
• AIDA Bar (large-capacity lounge with panoramic views)
• Lanai Bar (outdoor bar serving drinks like AIDA Spritz and sundowners)
• Tokyo Bar (enhances the Asian dining experience with specialty drinks)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (offers professional photography/video, duty-free goods, and self-service photo kiosks with facial recognition)
• AIDA Shop (duty-free shopping arcade with liquor, tobacco, jewelry, watches, perfumes, fashion, and branded AIDA merchandise)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; offers barber, hairstyling, manicure, and pedicure services)
• Body & Soul Sports Fitness Center (modern gym with class space)
• Zen Lounge (relaxation room hosting indoor wellness classes)
• 4D Kino Cinemare (4D cinema theater)
• Time Out Bar (sports bar) and Ocean Bar (outdoor cocktail bar)
• Eisbar by Langnese Happiness Station (ice cream bar)
• Sundeck area (served by the Beach Bar)
• Body & Soul SPA complex (Africa-themed; includes Beauty Salon, Spa Reception, massage/treatment rooms, Wellness Suite, Wellness Oase, Aroma Sauna, Finnish Sauna, Steam Room, and relaxation areas)
• Wellness Oase (Oasis area with a large whirlpool, hammocks, relaxation beds, palm trees, and live plants)
• Wellness Suite (for up to 4 guests, rented for 4 hours; includes veranda, sauna, whirlpool, and luxury bath products)
• SPA Bar (offers complimentary fresh fruit, tea, and wellness drinks)
• Sundeck / sunbathing area (Freibereich, above the pool with loungers; served by the Pool Bar; Top Deck includes a Freikörperkultur / FKK Bereich nudist area)
• Sun Deck Games Area (Sonnendeck – Freibereich, featuring shuffleboard, giant chess, boccia, backgammon, darts, and table tennis)
• Game Center (family entertainment with air hockey, racing games, and more)
• Videowand (outdoor theater with large LED screen)
• Sports Deck Area (Sportaussendeck with a multi-sport court for volleyball and basketball, golf cage, putting green, and golf simulator)
• Sky Deck (exclusive retreat for suite guests)
• Fun Park (includes a 7.5-meter-high climbing tower, slide, and caves)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track

Itineraries

AIDAdiva's itinerary program includes Caribbean cruises departing from Bridgetown (Barbados) and Montego Bay (Jamaica), Northern Europe and Baltic Sea roundtrips from Warnemunde-Rostock (Germany), as well as seasonal Transatlantic repositioning voyages.

The vessel (Meyer Werft Papenburg yard/hull) has a volume of 69,203 GT, a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 8,811 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 S.p.A., while the registered Manager and ISM Manager is CARNIVAL MARITIME GmbH.

AIDAdiva is the fourth liner operated by AIDA Kreuzfahrten. Her construction involved 55 steel blocks (each weighing 450 tons). The hull alone weighs 25,000 tons. The four diesel engines generate 50,000 horsepower. She was christened in Port Hamburg on April 20, 2007. A distinctive design feature is the integration of the Atrium and main show venue into the three-deck-high, glass-enclosed Theatrium, spanning a total area of 3,000 m². The stage is reconfigurable for various performances.

AIDAdiva offers extensive space dedicated to sports, including a biking station and a fleet of bicycles for passenger use during shore excursions. The wellness area, located just above the bridge, features a glass roof, palm trees, hammocks, and cabana-style beds.

The majority of AIDA's passengers are Germans and other German-speaking Europeans (Austrians, Swiss), making German the primary language used onboard. The cruise line attracts younger and more active guests, as older German travelers tend to choose more traditional, small-ship cruise options.

AIDAdiva refurbishments review

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

Drydock refurbishment 2025

Beginning in 2025 with AIDAdiva, this drydocking initiative involves all three SPHINX-class ships (diva/2025, luna/2025, bella/2026). It included full renovations of public spaces, redesign and complete redecoration of all staterooms, an increased number of suites, machinery updates (technical systems), and the addition of exclusive venues (restaurants, bars, services) similar to those on newer ships.

Each seven-week project focused on technological improvements and upgrades to onboard services and guest comfort. The Theatrium (main show lounge) received new seating and a refreshed color scheme. Additional activity areas were introduced for families with children.

AIDAdiva's refurbishment was carried out in 2025 (February 3–March 22) at Chantier Naval de Marseille.

Drydock refurbishment 2022

The ship underwent drydocking in 2022 (April 25–May 12) at Lloyd Werft's shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany.

The project focused on technical upgrades and routine maintenance, as well as refurbishments of public areas. A new restaurant, Almhütte, was added, offering traditional German cuisine and beer.

The Body & Soul Spa was expanded with an outdoor sundeck for relaxation, and the gym received new equipment. Cyberobics classes, led by professional trainers, were introduced.

Drydock refurbishment 2015

The 2015 drydock (April 21 – May 4) at Blohm+Voss Hamburg included:

• Installation of a scrubber (filter) system for air pollution control, removing particulates and gases from the exhaust stream
• (Deck 11) Renovation of the Beach Bar and redesign of the golf course area
• (Deck 9) Addition of new retail shops
• Upgrades of the Body & Soul (spa and fitness) complex with new training equipment
• Photo Store (Deck 10) upgraded with 11 digital photo stations, reducing the use of chemicals and photo paper by 50%

More than 30 updates and cosmetic improvements were made, including the installation of 12,000 m2 of new carpeting.

AIDA World Cruise 2025–2026

In late February 2024, AIDA launched bookings for the company’s longest-ever World Voyage, aboard the newly refurbished AIDAdiva.

The 128-day roundtrip voyage departs from Hamburg, Germany on November 10, 2025, and returns on March 18, 2026. The itinerary includes 53 destinations (ports and islands) across 28 countries on 4 continents.

The voyage features visits to both coasts of the USA, Japan (an AIDA World Cruise first), New Year’s Eve in Hawaii, a Panama Canal transit, and major cities like San Francisco, Honolulu, Kyoto, Tokyo, Busan, Mumbai, Alexandria, Valletta, and Lisbon.

The World Voyage prices started at EUR 17,500 (~USD 19,000 / GBP 14,980) per person based on double occupancy.