AIDA Cruises donated more than 4,400 pieces of furniture from the AIDAdiva to Der Hafen Hilft! after its drydock at the Chantier Naval shipyard in Marseille. The drydock took place between Feb. 3 and March 22 as part of AIDA’S Evolution program.

AIDA Cruises said in a press release that armchairs, chairs and stools from the AIDAdiva’s restaurants, lounges and theater were handed over for further use and were replaced with new furniture during the shipyard.

Der Hafen Hilft! is a charitable organization from Hamburg that distributes donations in kind to charitable organizations and people in need. AIDA has been working with the non-profit association since 2023 and supports the organization fleetwide.

“Together with the team from Der Hafen Hilft! and Daimler Truck AG, we loaded the donated furniture in three phases during the AIDAdiva’s shipyard period,” said Marc Spingler, director of hotel maintenance dry docks and refit at AIDA.

“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,” added Spingler.

“We are very much looking forward to continuing our cooperation with Der Hafen Hilft!, as we have many more great evolution projects in the pipeline and are constantly expanding our commitment to sustainability at AIDA Cruises.”

According to the press release, the furniture from the AIDAdiva was passed on via the organization to the Ukrainian Civil Defense, for example, where there is a lack of essential 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.

Furniture was also presented to the German Red Cross in Büchen and the SOS Children’s Villages.

AIDA said its cooperation with Der Hafen Hilft! will be expanded in upcoming evolution projects.