Aida Cruises – Red-bellied lemur Matti becomes the face of the summer campaign

Rostock's cruise giant is launching into the main booking phase with a fresh advertising concept and presenting summer routes for 2026 starting from 835 euros.

Aida Cruises is kicking off the most important booking period of the year with an unusual marketing offensive.

Since last week, a fluffy red-bellied lemur named Matti has been adorning all of the cruise provider's advertising channels.

The animal with the characteristic large eyes will represent the brand as a mascot in the future.

Emotional appeal instead of classic cruise advertising

The campaign tells the story of a friendship between the curious little monkey and a child on board.

This approach differs significantly from the usual visual language of the industry, which mostly relies on ship shots and destinations.

“Matti represents the joy of discovery that our guests experience on every journey,” explains Melanie Marra, Head of Marketing at Aida Cruises.

The new mascot is over TV, cinema and all social media channels are present.

Video: Aida Cruises – Red-bellied lemur Matti becomes the face of the summer campaign

Summer timetable 2026: From Northern Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean

For the 2026 summer season, Aida has launched a wide-ranging route network. The fleet serves destinations between Ålesund in Norway and the Greek island of Zakynthos.

Selected routes at a glance:

◉ Mediterranean treasures with Sardinia or Corsica from Mallorca: 7 days with Aidacosma from 835 euros per person.

◉ Metropolitan areas from Hamburg: 7 days with Aidaperla from 895 euros per person.

◉ Scandinavian highlights from Kiel: 7 days with Aidanova from 935 euros per person.

◉ Greece from Corfu: 7 days with Aidablu from 1.030 euros per person.

Pricing is based on the early booking model – those who book early secure preferred cabins and dates.

On board, passengers can expect the familiar concept with a range of dining options, a wellness and sports area, and an entertainment program.

Competition starting mid-January 2026

In parallel with the advertising campaign, the provider is planning an interactive campaign on its own website.

The "Great Maki Challenge" starts on January 15, 2026, and awards a travel voucher worth €1.500 every week, as well as other prize packages. Participants have another chance to win each week.

With the timing of the campaign, Aida is targeting the traditionally busiest booking weeks after the holidays, when many people are planning their next summer vacation.

Sierks Media / © Photo: AIDA Cruises / Video: YouTube