A German couple has filed a lawsuit against AIDA Cruises, seeking approximately €15,400 in compensation after claiming that a major redesign of the cruise ship AIDAdiva significantly altered the onboard experience they expected during their four-month world cruise.
According to German media outlet Bild, the case is now being heard before the Rostock Regional Court.
The couple, both 71, booked the voyage in February 2024 for a world cruise that sailed from November 2025 through March 2026. They argue that when they made their reservation, AIDA's published deck plans showed a spacious nudist (FKK) area featuring numerous sun loungers, shaded seating, showers, and whirlpools available to all guests.
However, before the cruise began, AIDAdiva underwent its AIDA Evolution modernization, completed in early 2025. As part of the refurbishment, the upper decks were redesigned with new guest spaces, including the addition of an exclusive Sky Deck reserved for suite guests. The former FKK area was relocated, and a smaller nudist section was created elsewhere on the ship.
The plaintiffs claim the replacement area fell far short of what they had expected. They describe it as a much smaller space with only a limited number of loungers, little shade, no whirlpool or shower facilities, and less privacy than the original area. They also argue that they were not clearly informed before departure that the original nudist deck would no longer be available to all passengers.
During the voyage, the husband, a former tax judge who now works as a lawyer, reportedly submitted a formal complaint to AIDA and requested that the company address what he considered significant travel deficiencies. The couple also raised the issue with the ship's hotel director, who they said acknowledged their concerns but explained that the suite-only Sky Deck could not be opened to all guests.
The couple paid approximately €70,000 for the world cruise and is seeking a 22% reduction in the fare, equivalent to about €15,400.
According to the plaintiff, the Rostock Regional Court indicated during oral proceedings that it may view a 5% reduction in the cruise fare as a more appropriate level of compensation if the claim succeeds. AIDA Cruises has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit and has declined to comment publicly while the legal proceedings remain ongoing.
The case follows changes introduced during AIDAdiva's extensive refurbishment, which included relocating the ship's FKK area as part of a broader redesign that added new family attractions and exclusive suite facilities. While AIDA has not stated that the nudist area was reduced in size, some guests have commented that the new space appears smaller than the previous layout.
