AIDA Cruises Orders Two New Mid-Sized Ships for 2030s

AIDA Cruises, the German cruise brand under Carnival Corporation, has confirmed plans to add two new mid-sized vessels to its fleet through a fresh agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The ships are scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2032 and will introduce a brand-new class to the AIDA lineup.

With around 2,100 cabins each, the new ships will bridge the gap between AIDA’s Hyperion Class (approximately 1,600 cabins) and the larger Helios Class (over 2,600 cabins). According to AIDA, these vessels will offer entirely new onboard features and guest experiences, which will be revealed progressively as their launch dates approach.

“These remarkable new ships give our guests a completely new class of ship,” said Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises. “Their innovative technology with multi-fuel propulsion systems will future-proof our operations into the coming decades.”

Upon delivery of the second vessel, AIDA’s fleet will grow to 13 ships. This expansion aligns with the AIDA Evolution program, which is also focused on upgrading the existing fleet with modern design, enhanced amenities, and cutting-edge technology.

Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein emphasized the strategic intent behind the newbuild order. "We're maintaining a disciplined approach to growth and strategically directing new capacity to the highest-performing brands in our world-class portfolio like AIDA Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line," he stated. Of the eight new ships currently on order for Carnival, seven are set to join its top-performing brands.

The final contract is still subject to financing, which is expected to be finalized later this year. Nonetheless, the announcement reflects Carnival Corporation’s long-term focus on innovation and brand-driven growth.