Your journey at AIDA so far: What has your career path been like? What opportunities have you had to grow personally and professionally or to explore new avenues?
My journey with AIDA began in 1996 with my first internship on the entertainment team - right after the old AIDAcara was commissioned, back when it was still known as “AIDA - The Club Ship.” It was “THE” time of my life - young, full of curiosity and drive, free and “carefree.” Three months in the Mediterranean and three months in the Caribbean. And during that time, I actually fell head over heels in love with life on board. After finishing my studies, I lived and worked abroad for 16 years. This period was crucial for my personal and professional development and has had a lasting impact on my perspective on people, cultures and organizations. In 2018 - at over 40 - it grabbed me all over again - I returned to AIDA as HR Manager. Since then, there have certainly been ups and downs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But one thing is certain: I have never regretted this decision and am very happy to be part of the AIDA fleet again. By now, I’ve worked on all ship classes. Each class has its own unique charm - and I like each one in its own way. An absolute highlight was the world cruise I had the privilege of accompanying in 2023–2024 - an experience for which I will be grateful for the rest of my life. Currently, I’m primarily working on the Evolution projects and as HR Manager, overseeing the 7-week renovations of the Selection ships. Instead of “seeing the world,” that means a lot of everyday shipyard life in Marseille. Even with the construction noise, the feeling of creating something new together as a team remains priceless.
A glimpse into your job: What are your responsibilities and what makes your role at AIDA particularly exciting or unique to you?
As HR manager on board, I’m responsible for between 600 and 1,500 crew members, depending on the size of the ship. My responsibilities include, among other things, employee support, contract and document management, onboarding new crew members and working closely with department heads and management. A large part of my work also has a social component: I’m the go-to person for personal concerns, conflicts or difficult life situations - part HR, part confidant. And of course, there are many wonderful moments when I get to guide, support and help crew members grow. What I find particularly exciting and unique is the diversity of nationalities, cultures and individual personalities on board. This international atmosphere makes the job incredibly varied. No two days are alike - because when you work with people, things happen every day that weren’t planned or turn out completely differently than expected. That’s exactly what makes my role at AIDA so dynamic, challenging and fulfilling.
What has been your best experience in your job so far?
There have been so many special moments that it’s hard for me to single out just one. In my line of work, people come first. That’s why it’s the special encounters with people that stay with me the longest and leave the deepest impression. Often, it’s the small gestures like a handwritten thank-you card or the moment when employees still remember me years later. It’s especially touching to learn that you’ve served as a mentor of sorts to someone or were able to offer support during difficult times - even when you weren’t fully aware of the role you played in that person’s life.
It’s exactly these kinds of experiences that make my job so rewarding to me.
My personal highlight at AIDA was…
There are actually far too many to single out just one. But one moment that certainly stands out is when we sailed past the Cape of Good Hope during our 2023/2024 world cruise - and Mother Nature treated us to a double rainbow in perfect weather. That indescribable feeling of freedom and happiness - and then being able to share that joy on our little floating home with around 3,500 other people, whether crew or guests - that’s something truly special - because on a journey like this, you naturally grow even closer together. But of course, it’s also a very emotional experience to return to a company after more than 20 years and suddenly meet people again with whom you worked when you were young and created countless memories. Meeting them again on board after all these years simply feels like a real ‘coming home.’
What are you particularly proud of in your work or on your team?
I’m especially proud of the strong sense of team spirit in our crew. Since we’re often separated from our families at home for months at a time, it’s all the more important for us to build a kind of surrogate family on board. We celebrate birthdays and other special occasions together and make a point of creating little moments of togetherness. This unique combination of work and leisure helps us feel at home in our own little world on board. It’s precisely these small moments - a shared laugh, a brief conversation or a spontaneous get-together - that make our daily work special and remind me time and again just how valuable our team is.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying at AIDA?
Be aware: You’re not coming on board to go on vacation - it’s about embracing something completely new. Life on the ship challenges you. You give up some control, your daily routine is often dictated by others and the days are intense. At first, everything seems huge, loud and overwhelming - and at some point, even this massive ship can feel pretty small. But that’s exactly where the magic lies. If you embrace it. If you stay flexible. If you learn to see the positive even on tough days. Then you’ll realize: This time changes you. It takes away your comfort, but gives you strength. It challenges you, but rewards you with moments you’ll never forget. You’ll laugh, doubt, grow - and rise above yourself. And in the end, you’ll leave not only with experiences, but with friendships for life, memories that last forever and a heart full of stories. Those who stay open-minded, navigate life on board with a positive mindset and are ready to embrace the ups and downs will get back more than they ever expected. Memories for life - guaranteed.
