As part of the future initiative AIDA Evolution, AIDAdiva donated more than 4,400 pieces of furniture to the organization DER HAFEN HILFT! e.V. during its time at the Chantier Naval shipyard in Marseille from 3 February to 22 March 2025. For example, well-preserved armchairs, chairs and stools from AIDAdiva’s restaurants, lounges and theater were handed over for further use, where they were replaced with new furniture during the shipyard.

DER HAFEN HILT! e.V. is a charitable organization from Hamburg that distributes donations in kind to charitable organizations and people in need. The organization primarily distributes goods regionally in and around Hamburg, but furniture is also donated to people in need as far away as the Ahrtal and Ukraine. Passing on the donations provides a counterpoint to the throwaway mentality. AIDA Cruises and DER HAFEN HILFT! e.V. give well-preserved products a second life. AIDA Cruises has been working with the non-profit association since 2023 and supports the organization fleet-wide.

“Together with the team from DER HAFEN HILFT! e.V. and Daimler Truck AG, we loaded the donated furniture in three phases during the AIDAdiva’s shipyard period. Many helping hands were involved in handing over the donation in kind to the association, which then transported the furniture to Germany, Poland and Ukraine. It is a great feeling to know that we can help people in need with our well-preserved furniture. We are very much looking forward to continuing our cooperation with DER HAFEN HILFT! e.V., as we have many more great evolution projects in the pipeline and are constantly expanding our commitment to sustainability at AIDA Cruises,” says Marc Spingler, Director Hotel Maintenance Dry Docks & Refit at AIDA Cruises.

Through the great commitment of the AIDAdiva crew, the logistics for taking over the furniture could be seamlessly integrated into the tightly scheduled shipyard plans. The pieces of furniture from AIDAdiva were passed on via the organization to the Ukrainian Civil Defense, for example, where there is still a lack of the most basic furniture. Donations were also made to the Reso Center for disadvantaged animals in the municipality of Neu Wulmstorf in Lower Saxony. The seating furniture was used to open a donation café with a lounge area where future pet owners can get to know their new family members. Furniture was also presented to the German Red Cross in Büchen and the SOS Children’s Villages.

The cooperation between AIDA Cruises and DER HAFEN HILFT! e.V. will be further expanded in the future and intensified in planned evolution projects. AIDA Cruises is thus supporting a more sustainable life cycle for its products and expanding its social commitment.