Aida has to pay: cruise passengers receive compensation!

Aida has to pay: cruise passengers receive compensation!

The Rostock Higher Regional Court recently made clear statements: Anyone who was looking forward to a cruise with the Aida shipping company and was stuck in the drawer due to cancellations has the right to compensation. As the Baltic Sea newspaper reports, passengers who did not expect any further holiday fun from the shipping company now have reason to celebrate. You will be awarded compensation of 50 percent of the travel price, which usually amounts to a mid-four-digit sum.

The plaintiffs joined forces after their cruises could not take place due to cancellations. Aida justified the cancellations with the tense security situation in the Red Sea due to the current Middle East conflict. Particularly embarrassing: Affected trips, such as the “Mauritius, Seychelles & Madagascar 2” with the Aidablu, should not even lead through corresponding risk areas.

Permanent damage remains

The Higher Regional Court followed the argument that the cancellations were illegal. The pressure on Aida was great: It was also discovered that in many cases the cancellations were made from a business perspective and the shipping company could not rely on exceptional circumstances. Attorney Mirko Göpfert made this clear and gave the plaintiffs courageous support.

The decision of the Higher Regional Court of May 2025 confirmed the judgments of the lower courts, the Rostock District Court and Regional Court. They had already made positive judgments in favor of travelers at the end of 2024. Aida then not only withdrew her appeals, but also accepted the full extent of the legal demands. This paved the way for other affected passengers to assert their claims promptly before the statute of limitations runs out.

Limitation periods and options

It is important that the deadline for enforcing claims is two years, starting from the scheduled end of the respective cruise. Affected travelers should not take too long. Those responsible for Aida could not be reached in the evening to provide a statement. But one thing remains clear: Passengers affected by the cancellations have the right to be compensated for the lost holiday joy.

Overall, this case impressively shows that legal clarifications and claims also have consequences in the travel industry and that Aida cannot simply shirk responsibility. Passengers should not just be left alone with a “We’re sorry.” Clear signals are set here that emphasize the rights of travelers.