AIDA Cruises, the German cruise line and a part of Carnival Corporation, has signed a significant contract with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct two new multi-fuel cruise ships.
The contract, which exceeds €2 billion, was officially announced on April 7 and marks the introduction of a new class of mid-sized vessels for the fleet.
These ships will be designed to run on a variety of fuel types, including LNG, as well as low- and zero-carbon bio and synthetic fuels as they become more widely available. The first of these ships is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2030, with the second arriving in 2032.
Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, shared that the new vessels will feature around 2,100 cabins each and will provide guests with a unique experience, perfectly bridging the gap between the company’s Hyperion Class ships, which have 1,600 cabins, and the larger Helios Class ships, with over 2,600 cabins. Eichhorn also highlighted that the ships will incorporate cutting-edge technology, including multi-fuel propulsion systems, ensuring AIDA’s long-term operational sustainability.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, expressed pride in the partnership, noting that this is the first time AIDA Cruises has ordered ships from Fincantieri. He emphasized that the newbuilds will feature the latest advancements in sustainability and efficiency, reinforcing both Fincantieri’s and Carnival Corporation’s positions as leaders in cruise industry innovation.
With the addition of these two new ships, AIDA Cruises will expand its fleet to 13 vessels. This order also contributes to Carnival Corporation’s ongoing shipbuilding plans, with eight new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2033, including the launch of Star Princess this year and one new ship annually from 2027 through 2033.