Karl WP Beyer In AIDAblu is a cruise ship from Rostock AIDA Cruises. It was built as the fourth of seven modified Sphinx-class cruise ships. The MEYER shipyard in Papenburg, Lower Saxony, was involved in the construction. According to the dpa, the construction costs were 352 million euros. The ship's christening took place in February 2010. The jewelry and fashion designer Jette Joop acted as godmother.
AIDAblu in the port of Palma de Mallorca
At first glance, the ships of the Sphinx class look like one egg to the next. The typical feature of the series is the amidships, circular “Theatrium”, a mixture of theater and event area. Based on a well-known coffee filter, the ships were nicknamed "Melitta class". Together with the kissable mouth, the theatrium gives the 252-meter-long cruise ship an unmistakable character.
AIDAblu - Theater
AIDAblu cabins
The choice of cabins on board the AIDAblu is extensive. From the inside cabin to suites, everything is offered.
Inside cabins
Inside cabins are 13,50 square meters. Cabins in categories IB and IC offer space for up to four beds.
Outside cabins
At 14 square meters, outside cabins are hardly larger than the inside cabins. The outside cabins of categories AA and AB are designed for up to four beds. The cabin size is 16,50 square meters.
AIDAblu - outside cabin
Balcony cabins
A distinction is made between two size categories for balcony cabins. The 17 square meter cabins in the categories BA, BB, BD and BE can be booked with two to four beds. The 14,50 square meter cabins are significantly smaller. They are intended for two people.
Spa balcony cabins
The appearance of the spa balcony cabins matches the design of the spa area. They offer direct access to the wellness area and are designed for two or three guests. The size, including the 4,50 square meter balcony with 21,50 square meters, is quite respectable. Guests in the spa cabins receive a spa package in addition to the connection to the wellness area. A spa butler takes care of the guests' personal needs.
Suites
AIDA guests can choose between nine individually designed junior suites, suites and premium suites. The palette ranges from a modest 23 square meters to a lush 87 square meters.
Barrier-free cabins
A total of eleven attractively designed barrier-free cabins of various sizes (18 to 27,50 square meters) and equipment are available for cruise passengers with handicaps.
Features of all cabins
All cabins are modern and comfortable. Satellite TV, telephone and air conditioning are indispensable and in line with the standard of modern cruise ships. In contrast to premium ships, the cabin service is only performed once a day.
Gastronomy AIDAblu - food and drink on board
The AIDA Cruises catalog promises full-bodied "holidays for discerning connoisseurs". This statement includes the on-board restaurants. A distinction is made between buffet restaurants and à la carte restaurants included in the tour price. These require surcharges.
Restaurants included in the tour price
Market restaurant
The restaurant (Deck9) is in high demand in the morning, at noon and in the evening. For organizational reasons, the guests take the dinner in two “sessions”. Between the two sequences, the restaurant is closed and prepared for the next meeting.
AIDAblu - Market Restaurant
The dishes from the buffet are varied, tasty and varied. Eat at tables for four to eight people. Drinks such as house wine, beer and soft drinks are served with main meals at no extra charge.
The highlight of the restaurant is the presentation of the food in the form of market stalls, at which the guests help themselves.
Bella Donna Restaurant
The Bella Donna buffet restaurant on the tenth deck is dedicated to Italian cuisine. Dishes from Tuscany compete with ham and cheeses from Ticino and South Tyrol. Sicilian specialties, pizza, pasta, fish and seafood alternate. Beverages such as house wine, beer and soft drinks are also included with main meals at Bella Donna.
East Restaurant
The East Restaurant (Deck 11) offers echoes of Asian cuisine. Specialties from another country are presented every day. The standard drinks are also standard in the "East".
California grill
The California Grill on deck 11 is a place to go for burger and wrap specialties as well as American cheese cake from noon to midnight.
California grill
The restaurants mentioned above all offer good and tasty cuisine. We find the service concept of AIDA Cruises to be disadvantageous. Basically, this is geared towards self-service. - Guests who value service are dependent on the restaurants, which are subject to a surcharge. That these are well frequented is probably not only due to the quality of the food.
Specialty restaurants subject to surcharge
Rossini gourmet restaurant
We quote the AIDA catalog advertisement: "The excellent cuisine, the perfect service and the cozy, elegant atmosphere make a visit to Rossini an unforgettable experience". We can see from our own experience: The ambience, the food and the service are exemplary. The extensive wine list is also satisfactory. The “Rossini” requires additional payments for food and drink. Table reservations are required. You can find the Rossini on the 11th deck.
AIDAblu - Rossini gourmet restaurant
Buffalo Steakhouse
The top address for meat lovers. American beef and bison meat are prepared according to the wishes of the guests. On deck 10, steak creations with names like Tomahawk Steak or Wagyu Skirt Steak are on offer. So much skill requires an extra charge!
AIDAblu - Buffalo Steak House
Sushi Bar
Friends of Japanese cuisine frequent the sushi bar. Appetizing rolls and bites are prepared with fresh vegetables, exotic marinades and spicy sauces. Guests with a weakness for exotic food like to pay for this fine cuisine.
Brauhaus
In the brewery on deck 10, brewed beer is served on board. The cooperation between AIDA Cruises and the Hövels brewery in Dortmund makes this possible. There are several light and dark beers on offer. The hearty dishes served with it are included in the tour price. There is a surcharge for specialties. The beer must generally be paid for. If you like, you can look over the shoulder of the master brewer at work or acquire a “brewing diploma”.
AIDAblu - brewery
Ice bar & Starbucks coffee
Only two AIDA ships have the "Eisbar by Langnese Happiness Station". Behind the long name there is a shop of the cooperation partner Langnese. Another cooperation partner presents itself under the awkward name “Café Mare Proud to Serve Starbucks Coffee”. He pampers everyone: coffee lovers, tea drinkers and cocoa lovers.
Cafe Mare
The surcharges required in the specialty restaurants are comparable to the prices of good restaurants on land. For example, in 2017 the “Surf & Turf” in the Buffalo cost 29,90 euros. The additional starters, desserts and drinks can quickly increase the on-board account by 100 euros. Surcharges are also payable for ice cream and coffee creations.
Cafes, bars and lounges
There is enough of everything. Twelve bars and lounges have been carefully distributed across the ship. Every passenger will find a favorite spot. Here is a selection:
The star-shaped AIDA bar (Deck 10) is not only visually appealing; it is also always well attended.
AIDAblu - AIDA Bar
The distillery (Deck 10) there is what the name implies: fruit and beer brandies.
In wine shop good wines from all over the world are available on deck 9.
wine shop
Sport, relaxation & wellness
The AIDAblu lacks spectacular sports facilities such as a climbing garden or large water slides. The big sister offers it, for example AIDAperla. But even without such attractions, passengers can take it easy.
The sports offer
There is a wide range of options on offer. This includes a short jogging course, a golf simulator, 2 small pools and whirlpools. Guests can also play volleyball, basketball and street soccer. And if you want to practice and perfect yourself in yoga and meditation, an Indian yoga master is waiting for you. Cyclists and cyclists are offered interesting group excursions with the ship's own bicycles at the destinations.
Group excursion for cyclists
The Body & Soul Sport-Studio offers the most modern fitness equipment, courses and private trainer lessons. Fitness tests and nutritional advice are also part of the AIDA Cruises offer. Training on the equipment is only possible here from the age of 16. Special courses are offered for children and teenagers.
The Body & Soul Spa
According to its own admission, AIDAblu is sailing the seas with what is currently the largest wellness area of all cruise ships. The 2.602 square meter, Body & Soul Spa called wellness oasis, spread over decks 12, 14 and 15.
AIDAblu - Spa reception
There are various saunas and a steam bath as well as an inviting relaxation room on board. The sauna guests look out over the sea: what could be nicer? Sauna-goers experience pure relaxation in the wellness oasis.
Paid massages and various treatments increase personal well-being. The spa area includes a large whirlpool, an outdoor area and a winter garden. Those guests who have booked spa cabins and wellness suites can take advantage of the wide range of options on a daily basis at no extra charge.
Entertainment
The entertainment program is as varied as the day is long. The AIDA club team organizes bingo tournaments, dance courses, painting meetings, parties and sports competitions (darts, shuffleboard, volleyball).
When it comes to entertainment, however, we think of the on-board theater first on cruise ships. On the AIDAblu it says Theatrium. The AIDA shows are varied and well staged. One can argue about the theatrium itself. In terms of its concept, it is inferior to conventional theaters on board cruise ships: it offers too few seats, the seats are often uncomfortable and some of the views are restricted. In addition, the theatrium is designed as a passage area. Disturbances emanate from the strollers.
AIDAblu - Theater
It's on deck 11 4D cinema Cinemare. In this paid cinema, the viewer sees, hears and feels the film.
Entertainment often includes a visit to the casino on deck 10. The dimensions of the casino do not correspond to those of the American cruise ships; Nevertheless, ship guests can indulge their passion. As soon as the ship leaves port, the doors to gambling with slot machines, roulette and blackjack open.
Guests receive artistic suggestions in the art gallery. And a visit to the on-board shops can also be entertaining.
AIDAblu - art gallery
AIDAblu is a family ship, at least during the holiday season. Children ages three to eleven and teens ages twelve to seventeen have their own clubs. Expert childcare according to German standards is provided to the family. The kids & teens programs offer a wide range of entertainment.
Information about the AIDAblu
|
Commissioning |
2010 |
|
Ship class |
Sphinx (modified) |
|
Dimensions |
252 meters long, 32 meters wide, 7,20 meters draft |
|
measurement |
71.304 GT |
|
Machine & speed |
Four diesel engines; Drive: diesel-electric; 25.000 KW power, 20 knots |
|
Decks |
12 passenger decks |
|
Shipyard |
MEYER Werft GmbH, Papenburg |
|
building-costs |
approx. 352 million euros |
|
Staterooms |
1.097 |
|
passengers |
Permitted number of passengers: approx. 2.500 |
|
Crew |
approx. 600 employees |
|
Flag & home port |
Italy, Genoa |
|
Board language |
German |
|
Currency on board |
Euro |
|
Godmother |
Jette Joop |
Current position AIDAblu
Summary and evaluation of AIDAblu
The AIDAblu is a medium-sized cruise ship specially designed for the German-speaking market.
The ship catering is based on self-service. The wide range of dishes is mainly taken in buffet restaurants. In special restaurants, excellent à la carte dishes or menus are offered for a good fee.
The range of cafes, bars & lounges is completely sufficient. We feel comfortable in most of the localities.
The entertainment is varied and the daily shows are first class.
The ship, which was put into service in 2010, is in excellent condition.
However, we do not see the AIDAblu on a par with the premium ships from Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line or TUI Cruises. The AIDAblu is a no-frills cruise ship for the German-speaking cruise market. Passengers who want to consume more than buffet food and the standard table drinks have to pay properly on board. An all-inclusive offer, as practiced by the competitors Norwegian Cruise Line or TUI Cruises, looks different.
