AIDAcosma Itineraries Changed Due to Drydock

AIDAcosma Itineraries Changed Due to Drydock

AIDA Cruises is adjusting two itineraries of the AIDAcosma due to changes to the ship’s scheduled drydock, according to a report by Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten.

The LNG-powered ship is scheduled to undergo its first routine drydock in the fall of 2026 following its delivery in 2021.

As part of the adjustment, AIDA reportedly pushed forward the departure dates of two sailings, which were originally scheduled to start on November 29, 2026, and December 5, 2026.

According to the German cruise news website, the sailings will now depart, respectively, on Nov. 26, 2026, and Dec. 3, 2026.

Cruising from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, the AIDAcosma is set to offer itineraries to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands during the timeframe.

The first cruise sails for six nights and features visits to destinations in Spain, France, and Italy, including Barcelona, Marseille, La Spezia, and Civitavecchia.

As part of the ship’s repositioning voyage to the Canaries, the second cruise sails between Palma de Mallorca and Las Palmas.

The seven-night itinerary features visits to Málaga, Cádiz, Puerto de Rosario and Arrecife before arriving in Las Palmas.

AIDA is currently informing guests of the changes, Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten’s report added, with further details expected to be released soon.

Passengers who booked pre- and post-cruise packages with the company will have their travel arrangements adjusted to meet the new departure and arrival dates.

Built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the AIDAcosma is part of Carnival Corporation’s Excel class and entered service in 2021.

As a sister to the 2018-built AIDAnova, the 180,000-ton vessel serves the German-speaking markets in itineraries to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Middle East and the Canaries.

Upon completing its scheduled drydock, the AIDAcosma is scheduled to offer winter cruises in the Atlantic, sailing to the Canary Islands and Madeira.

 

Virgin’s Scarlet Lady Returns to Europe

Virgin’s Scarlet Lady Returns to Europe

The Scarlet Lady recently returned to the Western Mediterranean as part of Virgin Voyages’ summer deployment in Europe.

After crossing the Atlantic earlier this month, the 2020-built vessel arrived in Barcelona for the season on May 18, 2025.

For its first voyage in Europe this year, the ship embarked on a seven-night itinerary to Spain and France.

Sailing round-trip from Barcelona, the cruise included visits to Cannes, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca and Ajaccio.

Over the next two months, the Scarlet Lady offers a series of seven- to 11-night itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, including Virgin’s “Spanish and Italian Hot Spots” voyage.

The seven-night cruise departs from Civitavecchia, a port near Italy’s capital city of Rome, and sails to five destinations in three countries.

Before arriving in Barcelona, the open-jaw itinerary is set to visit Naples, Palermo, Ajaccio and Marina di Carrara.

The Scarlet Lady is then set to reposition to Northern Europe in late July for cruises departing from Portsmouth, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Itineraries include visits to the British Isles, Scandinavia, Western Europe and the North Sea destinations.

Before repositioning back to North America for the winter, the Scarlet Lady returns to the Mediterranean in late September for a short fall season.

Concluding its European deployment, the 2,770-guest ship then kicks off a trans-Atlantic crossing to PortMiami in mid-October.

As part of its 2025-26 winter deployment, the Scarlet Lady offers four- and five-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Most of the sailings also feature a visit to Virgin’s exclusive beach club in Bimini.

In addition to the Scarlet Lady, a second Virgin Voyages ship, the Resilient Lady, is also offering cruises in Europe this year.

Sailing from Piraeus, Greece, the vessel offers itineraries to the Eastern Mediterranean that highlight the Greek Isles and the Adriatic.

AIDAdiva Wraps Up Final Cruise Ahead of Evolution Refit

AIDAdiva Wraps Up Final Cruise Ahead of Evolution Refit

Now set to undergo its AIDA Evolution, the AIDAdiva recently completed a final cruise in the Western Mediterranean.

Wrapping up its winter season in the region, the 2007-built vessel returned to Palma de Mallorca on Feb. 2, 2025.

As part of the seven-night itinerary, the AIDAdiva visited destinations in France, Spain and Italy, including Marseille, Barcelona, Civitavecchia and La Spezia.

The 2,030-guest ship is now set to undergo an extensive refurbishment at the Chantier Naval de Marseille in France.

As part of its seven-week drydock overhaul, the AIDAdiva is scheduled to get new public areas, in addition to refreshed staterooms.

AIDA is also updating the ship’s food and beverage offerings, which will include a greater variety of restaurants and lounges.

Other changes coming to the AIDAdiva include the addition of new suites and updated family features, as well as a complete redesign of the Theatrium.

AIDA’s unique combination of theatre and atrium will emerge with new seating, new bars and a fresh colour scheme.

After completing the project, the AIDAdiva is scheduled to welcome guests back onboard on Mar. 23, 2025.

Sailing from Civitavecchia, a port near Italy’s capital city, Rome, the ship kicks off a spring deployment in the Western Mediterranean.

The cruise program includes a series of seven-night itineraries to Italy and Malta that feature visits to destinations including Catania, Syracuse, Naples, Palermo, Valletta and Olbia.

In mid-April, the AIDAdiva starts a repositioning cruise to Germany for a summer season in Northern Europe.

Sailing to Scandinavia and the Baltic, the ship is scheduled to offer cruises departing from Warnemunde through early November.

As part of AIDA’s Evolution refit program, the AIDAluna is also scheduled to visit the Chantier Naval de Marseille in October 2025, followed by the AIDAbella in January 2026.

Málaga Welcomes Mein Schiff 2, First Cruise Ship Since Pandemic

Málaga has become the first port in Spain’s mainland to host a cruise ship upon the restart of operations after a 15-month pause.

According to a press release, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 2 arrived from the Canary Islands on June 16 at 6:15 a.m.

Carrying 1,275 passengers, she stayed in the port until 7 p.m. of the same day, when she departed for Palma de Mallorca to start domestic itineraries in Spain.

The Mein Schiff 2 will be visiting Málaga again on June 22 and July 6, according to the MedCruise Association.

To mark the special first sailing, representatives from the port and the destination have met with Tom Roth, the captain from Mein Schiff 2, and handed a commemorating plaque.

“Today is a very important day for Málaga, (which) proves how governmental bodies have worked together, and will keep working together, for Málaga, a cruiser-friendly destination,” said the President of the Port Authority of Malaga Carlos Rubio.

The Mayor of Malaga Francisco De la Torre said that cruise tourism will help reactivate tourism in Málaga, which is an “essential cruise destination for cruise lines.”

Roth highlighted that “this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

According to the press release, TUI Cruises developed a “bubble” cruise experience, allowing only organized excursions, which guarantees that the anti-COVID-19 safety measures are respected, thus benefiting both the passenger and the crew, as well as the population of the destinations visited.

In Málaga, cruise passengers visited the city and other towns nearby in small groups, having chosen emblematic places of the historical city centre of Málaga, as well as Ronda, Mijas or Marbella, among others, supporting the recovery of the economy.

The Mein Schiff 4 was also in the Málaga port on June 16, arriving at 3 p.m. for a technical stop with no passengers.

AIDAperla Set to Open Western Med Season in July

On July 10, AIDA Cruises will open its cruise season with the AIDAperla in the Western Mediterranean.

Two different seven-day round trips from/to Palma de Mallorca (Spain) will be offered, which can also be combined into a 14-day cruise. Deployment runs through October 30, according to a press release. Bookings are set to open on June 4.

Port calls include Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena and Barcelona on one itinerary, while the second voyage heads to Alicante, Ibiza, Valencia and Barcelona.

“We are very happy to offer our guests cruises from Palma de Mallorca again. We have been closely connected with the island for 25 years. AIDA is one of the most important cruise companies when it comes to sustainable local added value, even beyond the high tourist season. I would like to thank all our partners. Without their support this development would not have been possible,” said Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises.

“The Government of the Balearic Islands welcomes the restart of safe cruises in its ports. We are very satisfied with the results of the talks between the Balearic Islands and the Costa Group over the past few weeks so that we can start safely. We warmly welcome AIDA and its guests,” added Rosana Morillo, Directora General de Turismo Illes Balears Conselleria de Model Econòmic, Turisme I Treball.

FTI Cruises To Shut Down

As part of a restructuring, FTI Group has announced it will shut down its one-ship cruise brand.

The German tour operator will cease operating the FTI Berlin, which had sailed under the FTI banner since 2012 as was originally delivered in 1980.

The ship had global routes and carried 420 guests. Of note, the vessel was stretched in the mid-1980s.

Prior to the news, FTI had only published cruises through October 2020 and the Berlin was slated to sail in Northern Europe during the summer, before moving to the Mediterranean in the fall and the Caribbean for the winter, including Cuba.

The last cruise of the Mediterranean season was scheduled roundtrip from Nice to Palamos, Sant Charles de Rapita, Ibiza, Formentera, Palma de Mallorca and Mahon, Menorca.

Anthem of the Seas to return to Southampton in 2021

Anthem of the Seas to return to Southampton in 2021

Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas will return to Southampton in 2021 as part of the line’s new European programme.

The Quantum-class ship will offer ex-UK itineraries to a range of destinations including Norway, the Canaries and the Western Mediterranean.

Prices for the nine-night sailing, departing from Southampton on June 11, 2021, calling at Stavanger, Kristiansand and Geiranger, all Norway, lead-in from £1,187.

Oasis-class ship Harmony of the Seas will sail seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona alongside Vision of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas.

The lead-in price for Harmony’s seven-night Western Mediterranean sailing departing from Barcelona on July 11, 2021, is £1,000. Ports of call include Palma de Mallorca, Marseille and Naples.

Sickness Virus hits the AIDA Prima for six

Hundreds of cruise passengers quarantined in their cabins after bug sweeps the decks and leaves them vomiting and suffering diarrhoea

AIDAprima

Hundreds of passengers on a luxury Mediterranean cruise were reportedly struck down with a sickness bug that left them quarantined in their cabins.

Around 300 people on board the Aida Cruises ship the Aida Prima were left suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea after a virus is thought to have swept the vessel following its departure from Palma in Majorca on September 22.

The cruise liner had been bound for destinations including Corsica, Rome, Florence and Barcelona.

But it reportedly had to turn back for Majorca after passengers started feeling ill with gastroenteritis, leaving on-board doctors completely overwhelmed and ordering those that were sick to stay in their cabins.

According to German newspaper Bild, several passengers first started feeling unwell following a planned bus excursion.

Then when all those on board the cruise returned to the ship, the bug quickly spread with some passengers having to wait up to five hours to see the doctor.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that infected passengers were then told to stay in their cabins while they were brought bread and water by staff.

After turning back to Palma earlier than planned, all guests that had been on board were reportedly taken to a farm on the outskirts of the city and told to wait for flights back to Germany.

But it is believed that many refused to stay and took the first flights they could find back home.

The Aida Prima boasts 12 restaurants, 14 bars and cafes and a casino and can carry over 3,000 passengers.

A wave of illness also spread over one of the Prima's sister ships, the Perla, recently. 

Last month dozens of passengers on it fell ill and they were quarantined on board after it moored in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.

The ship's German operator Aida Cruises said in a statement that crew increased hygiene measures after 'gastro intestinal infections occurred among passengers'.

Local emergency services said in a statement that 70 passengers reported feeling sick and received treatment on-board.

Marella Cruises christens new Marella Explorer in Palma

Marella Cruises christens new Marella Explorer in Palma

Marella Explorer is the largest ship in Marella Cruises' fleet (Image: Marella Cruises)

Marella Cruises has officially welcomed Marella Explorer to its fleet during a christening ceremony at the Port of Palma in Majorca, Spain on 17 May.

Formerly sailing as Mein Schiff 1 for Marella Cruises’ sister brand TUI Cruises, Marella Explorer was named by two godmothers – Susan Stewart, the line’s hotel operations manager, and Mandy Galloway, a travel agent at one of TUI Group’s retail stores in Edinburgh, Scotland. They were joined on stage by Marella Explorer’s master Captain Peter Harris and 10 crew members, who each represented a different part of the ship and held a beam of light that released the champagne bottle to christen the ship.

“I will remember this special moment forever,” said Galloway.

During the ceremony, invited guests, Marella Cruises employees, suppliers, travel agents and media also enjoyed a performance by a Take That tribute band, a fireworks display and an hour-long live DJ set from multi-platinum selling and award-winning recording artist, songwriter and rapper Craig David. The DJ set was accompanied by a show of mappable versatube lights, floating pool lights and lasers that was masterminded by Black Skull Creative’s Dan Shipton, Ross Nicholson and Jay Revell. Guests also wore LED wristbands that changed colour to the beat of the music.

“It was great celebrating the launch and performing on Marella Explorer in Palma,” said David. “I loved surprising the crowd, the atmosphere was electric.”

Marella Explorer was inaugurated following a four-week, multi-million-pound dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, which involved a team of 1,600 partners, contractors and Marella Cruises’ employees. Together they transformed the 1,924-guest ship by adding Marella Cruises branding, multiple new onboard venues and amenities, 45 square kilometres of carpet, more than 60 kilometres of data cabling and 650 wi-fi access points. A total of 35 public spaces were renovated by UK-based marine interior outfitter Trimline, while Northern Ireland-based company MJM Group revitalised the shopping area and Finnish company Makinen worked on the cabins.

Many of the public spaces were developed in cooperation with UK-based design consultancy 20.20, including a new flagship bar, club and casino named Indigo, several restaurants, the Hideout children's area, the shimmer wall and the 962 cabins, nearly 40% of which have balconies. Other public spaces include the Broad Street Shops area and the first-ever Champneys Spa at sea. The spa will offer a full-service thermal suite, treatment suites with their own showers and mini saunas, a Finnish sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, and spa cabanas on the adults-only Veranda Deck.

Guests will also be able to choose from 10 bars and 10 onboard restaurants. New venues include The Mediterranean, which has a retractable glass roof; The Dining Club, which offers French cuisine; Scoops vintage-style ice cream parlour; Umi Sushi; The Market Place buffet; Surf & Turf Steakhouse; pan-Asian restaurant Kora La; and Latitude 53 & Vista restaurants that serve Italian dishes.

“The launch of Marella Explorer marks an exciting time for us as she is the first ship to officially launch under the Marella Cruises name,” said Chris Hackney, managing director of Marella Cruises. “Marella Explorer marks the next step in the continued modernisation and growth of the Marella Cruises fleet. We pride ourselves on continuing to offer more ships, new destinations and fantastic service and the futuristic feel of this evening have given a real glimpse of how we are continuing to look to the ahead.”

Marella Explorer will embark on her first customer sailing around the Mediterranean, leaving from Palma on 19 May. The ship will then sail in the west Mediterranean this summer before moving to Barbados for winter.

Costa Cruise's Latest New Addition.

Costa Cruise's Latest New Addition. 

Costa Cruises has received its newest cruise ship the Costa Diadema from the Italian ship builder Fincantieri.

The ship was built at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard which is a popular choice for Carnival owned cruise ships. The large vessel will also be the new flagship of the Costa fleet. Costa Cruises has invested a total of around 550 million euro in the construction of the Italian based cruise lines most advanced ship.

The project has involved approximately 1,000 shipyard workers plus another 2,500 subcontractors and about 400 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms, engaged for the fitting-out of the interiors of the cruise ship. Costa Diadema is the 12th cruise ship built-in Italy by Fincantieri for Costa, with a total investment worth more than 5 billion euro.

“Costa Diadema is our new flagship, she will set new standards in the European cruise industry and further strengthen Costa’s leadership in Europe. She is the best expression of our new brand positioning: Italy’s finest. It`s passion and modern Italian lifestyle, hospitality and elegance” commented Costa Crociere S.p.A CEO, Michael Thamm.

At 132,500 gross tons, more than 300 meters long and 37 meters wide, Costa Diadema has 1,862 guest cabins and will be an Ambassador of Italy’s finest offering the best of Italian lifestyle, entertainment, gastronomy and hospitality. The new flagship’s interiors are even cozier, roomier and more modern in terms of facilities and layout of her public areas. She is a cutting-edge vessel which offers large, split-level rooms directly overlooking the sea and conveniently interconnected, thus evoking the atmosphere of a buzzing Italian seaside resort.

The perfect example is the outside promenade on deck five – a real “terrazza all’italiana”, extending over 500 meters, where guests can go for a stroll and enjoy the spectacular view over the sea, or, even better, relaxing in one of the several bars and restaurants, drinking a cocktail or having a romantic dinner.

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri S.p.A. said:“Costa Diadema is the 44th cruise ship we have built since 2002, the 12th cruise ship we have built for our friends from Costa Crociere. This is thus a very special occasion to us and we are very proud to present the latest result of the Italian excellence, which confirms our leading position in ship design and construction for cruise sector, a sector without parallel in terms of technological complexity and competitiveness.” Bono concluded: “Today, during this day of celebration, I express my wish that this fruitful cooperation between two main national companies may continue and bring good luck to the whole country.”

After the delivery, Costa Diadema will set sail from Venice on October 30 and will reach Trieste, from which her “vernissage cruise” will start on November 1, then will call at Dubrovnik, Corfù, Malta, Naples, to then end in Genoa on November 7, for the Christening event. After the vernissage, from November 8, she will depart for three 7-day inaugural cruises.

As “Regina del Mediterraneo”, Costa Diadema will be deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. From November 8 until the end of 2015 Summer season, the new flagship will leave from Savona on 7-day cruises in the western Mediterranean Sea, calling every week at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Naples and La Spezia. They will offer the chance to visit during a single cruise Florence and Naples, two of the most popular Italian cities, and beautiful Mediterranean cities like Barcelona and Marseille.

Allure's full European season a response to strong UK demand

The world's largest cruise ship will spend a full season in Europe for the first time in 2015, with strong UK demand to thank.

Following a year in which many cruise companies reduced their European activities, the news that Royal Caribbean will sail Allure of the Seas from in Florida - where it sails alongside its sister ship Oasis of the Seas on primarily Caribbean focused voyages - to Europe is welcome indeed.

Having carried more than two million passengers on Caribbean cruises since its introduction in 2010, the vessel will return for the first time to the continent where it was constructed and will sail from the Spanish port of Barcelona between May and October 2015.

This will follow on the rudder of Oasis of the Seas' mini-Mediterranean season, which is scheduled for autumn of this year.

Once it has arrived in Barcelona, Allure of the Seas will offer UK and European passengers a chance to enjoy seven-night cruises calling at Palma de Mallorca, Marseilles, La Spezia (for Florence and Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Naples.

According to Dominic Paul, head of Royal Caribbean International sales outside of North America, bringing Allure of the Seas to Europe is a "bold move", but the cruise line is confident of success.

Speaking to Seatrade Insider, he explained that this confidence comes not only from the merit of its Oasis-class ships, but also in the strength of the UK cruise market and prospects for growth here.

Next year is looking exciting indeed, with Royal Caribbean also planning to home port its new vessel Anthem of the Seas in Southampton once construction has been completed.

Stuart Leven, the Royal Caribbean's managing director for UK and Ireland, added: "The company is showing a big commitment to the UK market in 2015.

He added: "I believe the combination of an Oasis-class ship with all its on-board options and the great cruise destination of the Mediterranean will be a very compelling argument for both those who haven't cruised before and also cruisers who have never experienced Oasis."