Aidaperla Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On July 19, 2023, the cruise ship 'AIDAperla' made an unexpected course alteration due to a medical emergency impacting one of its passengers. At approximately 10:00 a.m., while en route from Hamburg to Haugesund, the vessel diverted course a few nautical miles northwest of Esbjerg. A Danish Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter promptly responded, skillfully hoisting the patient aboard and facilitating a swift transfer to a local hospital. To ensure the patient’s safe disembarkation, access to certain guest areas on the 'AIDAperla' was temporarily restricted, specifically decks 16 to 18 and the Beach Club. Once the patient was safely off the ship, these decks were reopened, allowing guests to resume their activities. Despite the interruption, the 'AIDAperla' proceeded with its voyage toward Norway, albeit with a slight delay. However, the crew anticipated that this time would be regained by cruising at an increased speed. The ship is currently on a week-long journey through the stunning Norwegian fjords, having departed from and set to return to Hamburg.

AIDA Cruises has made the difficult decision to cancel the complete Orient season for the 2027/28 winter on the 'AIDAperla' due to ongoing instability in the Middle East. In their announcement, the cruise line emphasized, "Unfortunately, the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Consequently, we have opted not to operate cruises in the Orient for the winter of 2027/28. This cancellation also includes the related positioning voyages for the 'AIDAperla' that were set to take place around the Canary Islands and Africa in the autumn of 2027 and spring of 2028. We deeply regret this outcome; however, ensuring responsible and reliable long-term planning for both our guests and ourselves is of utmost importance." AIDA Cruises has been actively developing alternative winter itineraries for the 'AIDAperla,' which will feature voyages from Kiel to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. These new cruise options are anticipated to be available for booking by late July 2026. AIDA Cruises will proactively reach out to affected customers to guide them through the available options, allowing travelers to adjust their plans with confidence.

On April 5, the cruise ship 'AIDAperla' encountered a suspected bottom touch while docked at Tinde Quay in Åndalsnes. The incident occurred when strong gusts from Storm Dave caused the mooring ropes to snap as the vessel prepared to depart. The 'AIDAperla', which has an impressive maximum draft of 8.3 meters, was secured at a quay with depths ranging from 12 to 9.4 meters before rapidly decreasing to just 1.1 meters near the shore. Following the forespring failure, the vessel swiftly set off, aided by a harbor pilot, making its way toward the picturesque Romdalsfjord. Prior to this event, the cruise ship had experienced an extended stay in Ålesund due to daunting seven-meter waves, which delayed its planned departure initially set for April 4 at 6 p.m. The crew opted to remain overnight in port, hoping for milder sea conditions. On the morning of April 5, the 'AIDAperla' finally set sail around 5:40 a.m. as winds subsided, aiming for Åndalsnes. Despite efforts to maintain an expedited pace over the relatively short journey, the ship was unable to meet its anticipated arrival time of 8:00 a.m. Ultimately, it docked approximately three hours and 20 minutes later than scheduled at 11:20 a.m., maneuvering alongside the quay on its starboard side. The transit duration between Ålesund and Åndalsnes amounted to 5 hours and 40 minutes.

The 'AIDAperla' encountered an unexpected delay in Lisbon on March 19 when a mooring line became caught in its propeller while preparing for departure. Scheduled to leave the vibrant Portuguese capital at 8 p.m., the situation required the cruise ship to remain overnight. Captain Andreas Etzien communicated with passengers via the public address system and later addressed them on stage in the Theatrium, explaining that a diver would need to be deployed to resolve the issue. The diving operation was slated to begin no earlier than 7 a.m. on March 20; however, due to the requirement for calm river conditions, the actual operation was delayed until approximately 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., with a pilot also becoming available at 10 a.m. Once the propeller was freed from the entanglement, the 'AIDAperla' successfully set sail and reached its next destination, A Coruña, on March 21.

The cruise ship 'AIDAperla' made an early return to Hamburg on October 24 during its Norway cruise, originally scheduled from October 18 to 25. This decision was influenced by an impending storm that threatened to shut down the Elbe River for vessels of its size over the weekend. To ensure that the cruise concluded smoothly during the changeover on October 25, the planned stops in Ålesund and Haugesund were unfortunately canceled. The voyage, which commenced with a serene day at sea on the North Sea, included scheduled visits to Stavanger on October 20 and Olden on October 21. However, due to adverse weather forecasts, continuing further north to Ålesund was deemed unsafe. Instead, the ship diverted to Bergen, which was not part of the original itinerary. Following its stop in Bergen, the 'AIDAperla' set sail for Hamburg on the evening of October 22, necessitating the cancellation of the scheduled visit to Haugesund to ensure a safe passage into the port of Hamburg via the Elbe. The vessel reached the Elbe estuary near Cuxhaven overnight and arrived at the Cruise Center Steinwerder in Hamburg on the morning of October 24. Guests will have an extra day to explore Hamburg before the official end of the cruise on Saturday, with the ship docked in the bustling port city. The weather-related adjustments to the itinerary were beyond the control of AIDA Cruises, and as a result, significant changes to the shore excursion program will also occur. All previously booked excursions in Ålesund and Haugesund have been canceled, with full refunds provided by the cruise line. A limited selection of shore excursions for the added day in Hamburg will be organized on short notice for passengers.

On July 26, 2025, a medical emergency aboard the cruise ship 'Aida Perla', which was en route from Hamburg to Nordfjordeid, prompted an urgent rescue operation on the Elbe River, close to Stade. At approximately 6 p.m., multiple emergency response teams were mobilized after a female passenger sustained a leg injury that could not be properly treated with onboard medical resources. The Stade Fire Department, in collaboration with the German Rescue Service (DLRG), quickly approached the moving vessel. In coordination with the crew aboard the DLRG boat 'Kiek Ut', two emergency paramedics facilitated the transfer of the patient from the ship's medical team. Utilizing a specialized basket stretcher, the injured woman was transported to the fireboat 'Henry Köpcke'. Simultaneously, the DLRG Stade guided ambulance and emergency vehicle crews to the site on the Elbe River, near Lühesand. Upon docking, the ambulance crew took over the patient's care on 'Henry Köpcke.' Fortunately, the initially suspected leg fracture was later deemed unsubstantiated, and the emergency medical service intervention was not necessary.

On the morning of October 21, a tragic incident unfolded as a male crew member disappeared overboard from the cruise ship Aida Perla while it was en route from Hamburg to A Coruna. The incident reportedly took place in the English Channel, prompting urgent action from the British Coastguard, which launched a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time. Responding swiftly to the emergency, the authorities mobilized a helicopter, an aircraft, and several lifeboats to assist in the rescue effort. The Aida Perla took immediate action by halting its journey and returning to the vicinity where the crew member was believed to have fallen. Throughout the operation, the cruise ship closely coordinated its rescue efforts with the relevant local agencies. Despite the deployment of extensive resources and the challenging conditions—with the water temperature sitting at 17 degrees Celsius—the search concluded without success. The fate of the missing crew member remains uncertain, leaving a somber shadow over the cruise community and the vessel's crew.

On April 9, 2023, an urgent medical evacuation took place aboard the cruise ship 'AIDAperla', currently on its positioning journey from the Caribbean to Hamburg. The ship, which commenced its voyage from Bridgetown on April 6, was navigating through the Caribbean waters when it encountered a medical emergency. After departing St. John's, the vessel was a day into its six-day transatlantic journey when it was necessary to alter its course. In the morning, the 'AIDAperla' rerouted to ensure proximity to the nearby islands, allowing for a helicopter to reach the passenger in need of immediate medical attention. Following the successful evacuation, the cruise ship continued its journey towards Santa Cruz on La Palma. It remains uncertain whether the delay will affect the ship's ability to maintain its schedule, with plans to arrive in Santa Cruz punctually at 9 a.m. on April 15, 2023.

On December 18, 2022, the cruise ship AIDAperla faced an unexpected situation when inclement weather forced it to leave the port of Roseau in Dominica ahead of schedule. Strong winds and turbulent waves compromised the safety of the ship's gangway, preventing the majority of passengers from disembarking. Although the landing was initially granted approval around 8 a.m. local time, the decision was swiftly reversed just half an hour later due to escalating safety risks. At that point, some guests from organized AIDA excursions, along with approximately 100 individual passengers, had already made their way ashore. In a rapid response to the developing conditions, the captain orchestrated a quick return of those on excursions and reached out to the individual travelers still on land, urging them to return to the ship. By 11:15 a.m., the AIDAperla had to set sail from Roseau, adjusting its course towards Pointe-a-Pitre, located on the island of Guadeloupe. AIDA Cruises' local agency remained on-site in Dominica, awaiting the return of those guests who were not yet back on board by departure time. To facilitate their journey, these passengers were transported via ferry from Dominica to Guadeloupe. The AIDAperla eventually docked in Guadeloupe at around 4 p.m. on the same day, significantly ahead of schedule. The ship remained in port until 6 p.m. on December 19, before continuing its journey toward St. Johns as per the original itinerary.