AIDAperla to Return to Middle East for 2027-28 Winter

AIDA Cruises has opened reservations for its Middle East and Arabian Gulf cruises scheduled for the 2027-28 winter season.

The announcement marks AIDA’s return to the region after a two-year absence, with the deployment to be operated by the AIDAperla.

Built in 2017, the ship will sail its first season in the Middle East, offering itineraries that depart from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Beginning on December 16, 2027, the program features a mix of seven- and 14-night cruises visiting destinations across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.

Alongside its two homeports, AIDAperla is set to call at Sir Bani Yas, Khalifa Bin Salman, Muscat and Doha.

The winter season is scheduled to conclude in early April 2028, when the 3,250-guest vessel will return to Europe. The 125,500-ton ship will also operate repositioning voyages via Africa, with itineraries that include the Vanilla Islands, South Africa and the Canary Islands.

AIDA last operated cruises in the Middle East during the 2024-25 winter season, when AIDAprima sailed from Dubai. Although the company initially planned to return in 2025-26, those itineraries were cancelled in mid-2025 due to security concerns in the region.

AIDA’s broader 2027-28 winter program includes more than 300 cruises to destinations worldwide. While a Middle East deployment was not originally confirmed, AIDA had already announced sailings to the Canary Islands, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa.

Key highlights of the season include AIDAprima’s debut in the Caribbean and a selection of longer warm-weather cruises sailing roundtrip from Germany. Departing from Hamburg, these itineraries are operated by AIDAmar and feature destinations such as the Azores, Morocco, South America and the Caribbean.