AIDAluna
Product brand
UnclaimedAIDAluna is a Sphinx-class cruise ship operated by AIDA Cruises and owned by Carnival Corporation & plc.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
AIDAluna is a Sphinx-class cruise ship built for the German cruise line AIDA Cruises by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. It is the third vessel in a six-ship Sphinx-class series that also includes AIDAdiva, AIDAbella, AIDAblu, AIDAsol and AIDAmar. The ship was delivered to its owners on 16 March 2009 and christened in Palma de Mallorca on 4 April 2009 by German model Franziska Knuppe. The vessel entered service with a 14-day maiden voyage from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca on 22 March 2009. Its initial itinerary included ports in France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the western Mediterranean. During the summer of 2009, AIDAluna operated Baltic Sea cruises, including calls at Kiel and Rostock-Warnemünde. For the winter season it moved to the Canary Islands. This seasonal deployment pattern reflected AIDA Cruises' approach of shifting ships between northern European and warmer-weather markets throughout the year. AIDAluna has a gross tonnage of approximately 69,203 GT, is 251.89 metres long and has a beam of 32.2 metres. It has 13 decks, 1,025 passenger cabins, seven restaurants and 11 bars. Public facilities include a 2,300-square-metre spa, a large sun deck, a three-level Theatrium entertainment complex and a 4-D cinema with motion seats. The ship can accommodate roughly 2,050 to 2,100 passengers and has a crew of about 607. Its diesel-electric propulsion system uses Caterpillar MaK engines and drives two propellers, giving the ship a maximum speed of about 22 knots. One of AIDAluna's distinguishing design features is an 8-by-4.5-metre poolside theatre, described as a first for AIDA Cruises when the ship was introduced. The Theatrium, which combines theatre, lounge and public-event functions, is another central element of the Sphinx-class passenger experience. Together, these spaces support AIDA's informal, entertainment-oriented cruise proposition rather than a highly formal luxury-cruise model. In 2011, AIDAluna was redeployed to the Caribbean, where it offered longer 14-day itineraries as well as shorter six- to eight-day voyages. Its transatlantic positioning included calls along the United States East Coast, including New York City. In September 2011, it became the first AIDA Cruises ship to visit Bermuda. In April 2014, the vessel received a scrubber system intended to reduce air emissions. AIDAluna was involved in the September 2018 search for German singer Daniel Küblböck, who went overboard while the ship was sailing in the Labrador Sea. The Canadian Coast Guard coordinated the search with assistance from AIDAluna and Holland America Line's Zuiderdam. The search was discontinued the next day because of the cold water and limited prospects of survival; Küblböck was subsequently declared dead. AIDA Cruises suspended its cruise operations in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIDAluna was the seventh and final ship in the AIDA fleet to resume operations, returning to service in September 2021 after receiving approval from relevant authorities. During the 2024–2025 winter season, it operated Caribbean voyages from Martinique, visiting destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Colombia. In October 2025, it was scheduled to enter dry dock for the Evolution refit, including interior renewal and new onboard features, with a planned return to service in December 2025.
History
AIDAluna was commissioned by AIDA Cruises as the third ship in the Sphinx class, a planned six-vessel series constructed by Meyer Werft in Papenburg. The series was initially ordered as two ships, but additional options expanded the program to six vessels delivered over successive years. AIDAluna floated out of dry dock on 10 February 2009. Its sea trials began on 21 February, when the vessel travelled down the River Ems from Papenburg to Emden. It then proceeded to Hamburg for final inspection at the Blohm + Voss yard. During the inspection period, an object was found entangled with the propellers, apparently associated with the short voyage, but the ship was cleared to continue its trials in the North Sea. Delivery took place on 16 March 2009. AIDAluna's maiden voyage began in Hamburg on 22 March and ended in Palma de Mallorca after 14 days. The itinerary covered Le Havre, Santander, A Coruña, Lisbon, Cádiz, Tangier, Valencia and Barcelona. The ship was christened in Palma on 4 April by German model Franziska Knuppe. The early operating plan followed AIDA's seasonal European deployment model. During the summer of 2009, AIDAluna completed Baltic Sea cruises, including calls at Kiel and Rostock-Warnemünde, and made ten Baltic round trips during that season. In winter, it moved to the Canary Islands. In 2011, the vessel transferred to the Caribbean for 14-day cruises supplemented by shorter six- to eight-day sailings. The repositioning route included the United States East Coast and a call at New York City. AIDAluna visited Bermuda in September 2011, the first such visit by an AIDA Cruises ship. The ship's design combines accommodation, dining, entertainment and wellness facilities in a resort-style layout. It is approximately 251.89 metres long, has a beam of 32.2 metres and is assessed at 69,203 gross tonnage. The vessel contains 1,025 cabins, 13 decks, seven restaurants and 11 bars. Its facilities include a 2,300-square-metre spa, a 6,400-square-metre sun deck, a three-level Theatrium and a 4-D cinema. AIDAluna also introduced an 8-by-4.5-metre poolside theatre described as a first for AIDA Cruises. In April 2014, the ship was fitted with a scrubber system to reduce emissions. A serious operational event occurred on 9 September 2018, when German singer Daniel Küblböck went overboard while AIDAluna was in open water approximately 185 kilometres north of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Canadian Coast Guard organized a search assisted by AIDAluna and Holland America Line's Zuiderdam. The search ended the following day because the sea temperature was approximately 10 degrees Celsius and the estimated survival window had passed. Küblböck was later officially declared dead. AIDA Cruises halted all cruises in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international passenger shipping. AIDAluna eventually resumed operations in September 2021, after local authorities approved the restart protocols, making it the final ship in the AIDA fleet to return to service. In the winter of 2024–2025, the ship operated Caribbean itineraries from Martinique, visiting Caribbean islands, Mexico, Central America and Santa Marta in Colombia. The vessel was scheduled for an Evolution refit in October 2025, involving interior renewal and additional features, with a planned return to service in December 2025.
- 2025
Evolution refit
[1]The ship was scheduled for a dry-dock refit with interior changes and new features.
- 2021
Return to service
[1]AIDAluna resumed cruises in September after the COVID-19-related suspension of AIDA operations.
- 2014
Scrubber installation
[1]A scrubber system was installed to support lower-emission operation.
- 2011
Caribbean redeployment
[1]The ship moved to Caribbean itineraries, including longer cruises and calls on the United States East Coast.
- 2009
Float-out and sea trials
[1]AIDAluna floated out at Meyer Werft in February 2009 and completed sea trials between the River Ems, Emden, Hamburg and the North Sea.
- 2009
Delivery and christening
[1]The ship was delivered on 16 March and christened in Palma de Mallorca on 4 April.
- 2009
Maiden voyage
[1]AIDAluna began its first commercial voyage from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca on 22 March.
Products and positioning
AIDAluna is positioned as a large, resort-style AIDA Cruises vessel combining casual German-oriented cruising with varied entertainment, dining, wellness and seasonal international itineraries. Its design emphasizes open public spaces, theatrical programming and accessible vacation experiences rather than formal luxury.
Cruise ship · 2009
AIDAluna cruise vessel
A 69,203-GT Sphinx-class passenger ship operated by AIDA Cruises. It offers seasonal international voyages, passenger cabins, multiple restaurants and bars, a spa, sun decks, theatre facilities and other resort-style amenities. The ship can carry approximately 2,050 to 2,100 passengers and has a crew of about 607.
Brand decisions
2025
Evolution refitGeneration changeBackground
AIDAluna was scheduled for a major maintenance and product-refresh period after years of service.
Action taken
The ship was scheduled to enter dry dock for new features and an interior overhaul.
Aftermath
The planned return to service was set for December 2025.
2020
Temporary suspension during COVID-19StrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international cruise operations and led AIDA Cruises to suspend its sailings.
Action taken
AIDA Cruises halted cruises in March 2020 and kept AIDAluna out of service until the restart process was authorized.
Aftermath
AIDAluna returned to service in September 2021, the last AIDA fleet ship to resume operations.
2014
Installation of emissions scrubberOtherBackground
Cruise operators were adopting onboard exhaust-treatment systems in response to tighter expectations and requirements concerning marine emissions.
Action taken
AIDAluna received a scrubber system intended to reduce emissions.
Aftermath
The vessel continued operating with the emissions-control equipment as part of its technical systems.
2011
Redeployment to the CaribbeanStrategyBackground
After its initial European deployment, AIDAluna was assigned to warmer-weather markets during the northern winter and to longer-distance international cruising.
Action taken
The ship was redeployed to the Caribbean and offered 14-day cruises alongside shorter six- to eight-day sailings.
Aftermath
The deployment expanded the vessel's itinerary range to the Caribbean, Bermuda and the United States East Coast.
2009
Launch of AIDAlunaProduct launchBackground
AIDA Cruises was expanding its Sphinx-class fleet with a sequence of new ships intended for seasonal European and international deployment.
Action taken
The company accepted delivery of AIDAluna, completed its christening and introduced it through a maiden voyage from Hamburg.
Aftermath
The ship entered Baltic Sea and Canary Islands service during its first year.
Recent events
- 2025
AIDAluna scheduled for Evolution refit[1]
Other
The ship was scheduled to enter dry dock in October 2025 for an Evolution program involving new features and an interior overhaul, followed by a planned December return to service.
- 2021
AIDAluna resumes operations after pandemic suspension[1]
Regulation · Other
AIDA Cruises suspended sailings in March 2020. AIDAluna resumed cruising in September 2021 after the necessary governmental clearances and became the last AIDA fleet ship to return to service.
- 2018
Overboard incident involving Daniel Küblböck[1]
Other
Daniel Küblböck went overboard from AIDAluna in the Labrador Sea. A Canadian-led search involved the ship and another cruise vessel, but was abandoned the following day because of the cold-water conditions.
- 2014
Emission-reduction scrubber installed[1]
Regulation
AIDAluna received a scrubber system intended to reduce emissions from ship operations.
- 2011
AIDAluna makes first AIDA Cruises call at Bermuda[1]
Other
During its Caribbean deployment, AIDAluna became the first AIDA Cruises ship recorded as visiting Bermuda.
- 2009
AIDAluna enters service after delivery and christening[1]
Product launch
Meyer Werft delivered AIDAluna to its owners in March 2009. The ship began its maiden voyage from Hamburg later that month and was christened in Palma de Mallorca in April.
- 2009
AIDAluna begins Baltic and Canary Islands seasonal deployment[1]
Other
Following its introduction, AIDAluna operated Baltic Sea round trips during the summer and moved to the Canary Islands for winter cruising.
Sources1 sources
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