Storm chaos at sea: AIDAprima changes route due to bad weather!

Storm chaos at sea: AIDAprima changes route due to bad weather!

Due to severe storms over the North Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay, the AIDAprima is forced to change its travel plan while returning to Germany. On January 26, 2026, the cruise ship, which is on its way back from a three-week “Canary Islands Great Winter Break,” had to make route changes. A planned port visit to Porto de Leixões, Portugal has been canceled and will instead head to La Coruña, Spain.

Originally a departure from Lisbon was planned for Sunday at 5 p.m., but this was brought forward to 12 p.m. AIDA spokeswoman assures that the safety of guests is always the top priority, and Captain Felix Rothe informed passengers about the changes via loudspeaker. The ship has 1,643 guest cabins, six pools, twelve restaurants and a 4,500 square meter sundeck and has been at sea since January 9th.

Changes and challenges

The AIDAprima has been in Lisbon since Friday morning and had to leave Lanzarote early due to a port closure. The return to Kiel, scheduled for February 1, 2026, could require additional port calls, depending on weather conditions. In addition, the Fleet Operation Center in Hamburg supports the ship's crew with current weather data to ensure safety and a comfortable journey.

The ship was specially equipped for cold regions and offers modern amenities such as the theatrium, which enables entertainment regardless of the weather, and a beach club concept for a year-round summer climate under a foil dome. The passage through the English Channel and the North Sea is particularly vulnerable to storms in winter, which often necessitates the need for route changes.

Passengers affected by this change should be aware that they may be entitled to a travel price reduction if the travel service owed is not provided. The law grants travelers claims in such cases, even if the changes are based on force majeure. This means that the economic risk lies with the provider.

Overall, it appears that cruise lines such as AIDA Cruises and TUI Cruises are often forced to change routes or ports for operational reasons or for reasons beyond their control. Such changes are regulated in the general terms and conditions of the organizers and must be taken into account by travelers in the event of changes.

Although the AIDAprima offers many modern facilities and amenities, safety at sea is one of the main aspects that is always at the forefront when planning trips. Passengers should stay informed on an ongoing basis in order to follow all developments and be able to react.

The AIDAprima is expected to arrive at the Ostseekai in Kiel on February 1, 2026, provided no further weather-related changes occur. The situation remains tense as the cruise ship faces current challenges.

For more detailed information on this, you can Picture and Cruise Ahoy be consulted.