As part of its AIDA Evolution initiative the cruise ship AIDAdiva has donated more than 4,400 pieces of furniture to the German nonprofit DER HAFEN HILFT! eV, the company announced. The donation took place during the ship’s renovation at the Chantier Naval shipyard in Marseille from February 3 to March 22, 2025.

Among the donated items were well-preserved armchairs, chairs, and stools from AIDAdiva’s restaurants, lounges, and Theatrium. The furniture, replaced with new pieces during the ship’s refurbishment, will now find a second life in communities in need.

DER HAFEN HILFT! eV, a Hamburg-based charity, distributes in-kind donations to non-profits and individuals facing hardship. While most of its aid focuses on Hamburg and surrounding regions, the organization has also provided assistance as far as the Ahr Valley and Ukraine. AIDA Cruises, which has partnered with the group since 2023, now extends its support across the fleet.

"Together with DER HAFEN HILFT! eV and Daimler Truck AG, we carefully coordinated the furniture transfer in three phases while AIDAdiva was in dry dock," said Marc Spingler, Director of Hotel Maintenance Dry Docks & Refit at AIDA Cruises. "It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our well-preserved furniture is now helping people in need. We’re excited to continue this collaboration as we roll out more sustainability projects under AIDA Evolution."

Thanks to the efforts of the AIDAdiva crew, the donation was seamlessly integrated into the shipyard’s tight schedule. The furniture has since been distributed to various organizations, including the Ukrainian Civil Defense Force, where basic furnishings remain scarce. Other recipients include the Reso Center for Disadvantaged Animals in Lower Saxony, which used the seating to create a donation café and lounge area for potential pet adopters. Additional donations went to the German Red Cross in Büchen and SOS Children’s Villages.

AIDA Cruises plans to expand its partnership with DER HAFEN HILFT! eV as part of its broader commitment to sustainability, aiming to extend the life cycle of its products while making a tangible social impact.