Carnival Corporation Boosts AIDA Fleet with €2 Billion Contract from Fincantieri

Carnival Corporation has initiated a significant expansion of its AIDA Cruises fleet by placing an order for two new cruise ships with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, valued at over €2 billion (approximately $2.2 billion). This order marks a strategic shift for Carnival, which aims to focus on expanding its international brands after recent years of concentrating on its flagship line, Carnival Cruise Line.

During a media briefing on April 6th, CEO Josh Weinstein highlighted the company’s plans for brand-specific fleet expansions in response to regional market needs. He pointed to a remarkable financial recovery, with a reported 40% increase in EBITDA for FY 2024, amounting to $6.1 billion, alongside a significant operating income that nearly doubled in the first quarter.

As part of its long-term strategy, Carnival Corporation has previously announced intentions to introduce roughly one new ship each year for its various subsidiaries, with the latest AIDA ships being pivotal to these plans. Earlier this year, the corporation had already ordered seven vessels for Carnival Cruise Line, set for delivery between 2027 and 2033.

The new ships for AIDA will be mid-sized, bridging the gap between the Helios Class and Hyperion Class. While specific design details have not yet been revealed, it has been confirmed that each ship will feature approximately 2,100 passenger cabins and utilize multi-fuel propulsion systems designed to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as other sustainable marine fuels. AIDA has been at the forefront of environmental innovation within Carnival Corporation, having launched the first LNG-capable vessel in 2018.

With these additions, AIDA’s fleet will grow to 13 ships. AIDA President Felix Eichhorn remarked that the new vessels would enhance guest experiences with updated features, though no further details were provided. Additionally, AIDA is modernizing its existing fleet, starting with significant upgrades to the 2007-built AIDAdiva, which will see improvements to technology and public spaces, as well as new dining options. Similar refurbishments are planned for sister ships AIDAluna and AIDAbella in the coming years.

AIDA Cruises continues to be a strong brand within Carnival Corporation, focusing on the German-speaking cruise market and looking forward to boosting its presence with this new order.

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