By
Rebecca Gibson |
Finland-based turnkey interior outfitter MAKINEN has started refurbishment work on AIDAmar, which is one of six Selection-class ships being upgraded as part of AIDA Cruises’ AIDA Evolution programme.
Evolution is the brand’s largest-ever fleet modernisation project and is being carried out in two phases at the Chantier Naval shipyard in Marseille, France. During the first phase, AIDA upgraded the guest accommodation, public areas, dining venues and bars, family and leisure spaces, and technical systems onboard AIDAdiva, AIDAluna and AIDAbella.
MAKINEN worked on all three vessels, finishing with AIDAbella between January and March 2026. On AIDAbella, MAKINEN refurbished over 1,000 passenger staterooms and 18 suites, converted 12 cabins into six new family suites, completed selected works in passenger corridors, and remodelled coffee bar Pier 3 to create 12 cabins, a crew corridor and a lobby area.
Read more: MAKINEN makes its mark on AIDA Evolution
The same team will now carry out similar work on AIDAmar, AIDAblu, AIDAsol and AIDAstella in 2027 and 2028.
“The partnership with AIDA Cruises has been professional, transparent and, above all, enjoyable,” said Mikko Makinen, CEO of MAKINEN. “In refurbishment programmes like these, the customer benefits from continuity, cost-efficiency and consistency when the same experienced teams work from one vessel to the next. We value the long-term cooperation with AIDA Cruises and look forward to the next phase of the programme.”