Karl WP Beyer The AIDAdiva was built by the MEYER shipyard in Papenburg on behalf of Rostock AIDA Cruises as the first of seven seemingly identical cruise ships of the "Sphinx class". In April 2007, AIDA Cruises took over the new building.
AIDAdiva - The Theatrium
Sphinx-class ships are now very familiar to cruise passengers. In 2007, however, the AIDAdiva's circular “theatrium” located amidships attracted a lot of attention. The artificial word Theatrium defines the innovative, central theater and event area of the kiss mouthships. Based on a well-known coffee filter, he earned these cruise ships the nickname “Melitta class”.
Staterooms
The deck plan shows 1.025 cabins for the AIDAdiva: The cabin selection is diverse. The offer ranges from the inside cabin to the suite. Of the outside cabins and suites, 439 have a balcony. Guests who book the AIDA PREMIUM tariff can choose their dream cabin.
Inside cabins
Inside cabins are 13,50 square meters and they are offered as 2, 3 and 4-bed cabins.
Outside cabins
Outside cabins, euphemistically called “cabins with a sea view” in the cruise industry, are barely larger than the inside cabins with an area of 14 to 16,50 square meters. Depending on requirements, they are equipped with two, three or four beds.
Outside cabin
Balcony cabins
The balcony cabins measure between 17,50 and 23 square meters. Depending on individual needs, they are offered with two to four beds. As everywhere on the ship, modern design, beautiful colors and well thought-out equipment details are convincing. The balconies take up three to six square meters of the designated area. The larger balcony even has a hammock.
Suites
Like the sister ships, the AIDAdiva also offers individually designed junior suites, suites and premium suites. The sizes range from a modest 34 square meters to a lush 87 square meters.
In addition to increased living comfort, guests who book the AIDA VARIO or AIDA Premium tariff in the suite area are offered some additional goodies.
Barrier-free cabins
Crusaders with disabilities have a total of eleven barrier-free cabins of various sizes (18 to 27,50 square meters). Seven of the cabins are inward, four offer sea views.
Features of all cabins
All cabins are modern and comfortable. Equipping them with satellite TV, telephone and air conditioning corresponds to the standard of modern cruise ships. In contrast to the competitor TUI Cruises, the cabin service is only performed once a day. An additional turn-down service is only offered in the evening in the suite area.
Eating & drinking on board the AIDAdiva
The AIDA Cruises catalog promises "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.
Buffet restaurants included in the tour price
Market restaurant
It is the on-board restaurant with the richest range of dishes (deck 9 aft): it is very busy at all times. For organizational reasons, the guests take the dinner in two sessions. Between the two sequences, the restaurant is closed for half an hour and prepared for the next meeting.
Markt Restaurant
The dishes from the buffet are varied, tasty and varied. Eat at tables with 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 dishes in the form of market stalls. The guest should feel like they are in a market hall. Lush fruit baskets are already at the entrance to the restaurant. The dinners revolve around specific topics. These are, for example, “World Tour”, “Portugal” or “Spain”.
Stalls in the market restaurant
Weite Welt Restaurant
The Weite Welt restaurant is located aft on deck 10. An outdoor area follows. AIDA Cruises locate this on-board restaurant between Orient and Occident, North Cape and South America. In other words, the guests are offered something at the buffet from many regions of the world. This includes Thai curry, as well as churasco or Mexican burritos.
Guests who suffer from food allergies or intolerances are offered lactose- and gluten-free dishes in the Weite Welt restaurant. A diet cook is available to you as a permanent contact. On the day of arrival, passengers with intolerances should make an appointment with the chef at reception.
Bella Vista Restaurant
The Bella Vista buffet restaurant is specially dedicated to Italian cuisine. AIDA Cruises recommend the restaurant with enthusiastic words: "High up on deck 11, lovers of Italian cuisine are on cloud nine".
Pizzeria Mare
Do you fancy a pizza? The Mare pizzeria is on deck 11. From noon to midnight, simple Italian dishes, but above all various pizza variations, are prepared there.
The general rule is: The range and quality of the food is right on board AIDA cruise ships. A light food is available for allergy sufferers. Free drinks such as various juices, water, tea, beer, as well as white and red wine are served at the table.
Specialty restaurants subject to surcharge
As described, the service concept of AIDA Cruises is geared towards self-service. If guests value service, they are dependent on the ship's restaurants, which are subject to a surcharge. The fact that these are regularly well frequented is probably not solely due to the quality of the food
Rossini gourmet restaurant
Especially the noble restaurant Rossini is recommended. The ambience, the food and the service offered are praiseworthy. The extensive wine list also satisfies the wine connoisseurs among the guests. Additional payments are made for food and drink at the Rossini.
Gourmet restaurant Rossini
The 3-course “Chefs Menu” is currently paid for at EUR 28,50. Then there are the drinks. The "Dinner for Two" hits the on-board account with 100 euros without much effort. Table reservations are necessary. The Rossini is on the 11th deck.
Buffalo Steakhouse
The top address for meat lovers on deck 10. American beef and bison meat are prepared in front of the guests in a show kitchen. Ten steak creations with names such as Tomahawk Steak or Wagyu Skirt Steak are on offer. The quality and so much skill requires an extra charge! The drinks menu is interesting. It offers beer lovers delightful "brewing creations", for example the "Clan - Scotch Ale". 0,75 liters of the brew cost an impressive 15,50 euros.
Buffalo Steakhouse
Sushi Bar
Fans of Japanese cuisine visit the sushi bar on deck 9. It is adjacent to the theatrium. Sushi chefs prove their skills there. Appetizing rolls and bites are prepared with fresh vegetables, exotic marinades and spicy sauces. The mixed platter for two with cold and warm sushi is currently available for 24,50 euros.
Sushi Bar
Cafes, bars and lounges
We like the location and presentation of most of the bars. On AIDA cruise ships, the drinks served in the cafes, bars and lounges are chargeable. A selection of notable bars:
Pier 3 bar
A funny facility: on port days, a hatch is opened near the gangway. The guests of the bar follow what is happening on the quay and on the gangway up close.
Pier 3 bar
wine shop
The wine bar on deck 10 behind the theatrium presents good wines from all over the world. Wine seminars are also held in the vinotheque.
AIDA bar
This star-shaped bar can be found on deck 10 in the forward part of the ship. Those who don't like to sit at the bar can choose one of the many armchairs. The music plays on a small stage; there is dancing in front of the stage.
AIDA lounge
In front of the AIDA Bar, the quiet and dignified AIDA Lounge invites you to daydream. A small on-board library has been integrated on the edge of the lounge.
AIDA lounge
Cafe Mare
The Starbucks Café provides good coffee, tea or cocoa in between. You can find it behind the Buffalo Steak House on deck 10.
Anytime bar
The discotheque located aft on deck 12 is worth seeing. The guest enters the bar through a barrel-shaped corridor. Illuminated, colored tables give it a special atmosphere. From time to time the bar and its outdoor area are used for events.
Anytime bar
With so many bars, it's hard to choose. We especially liked the star-shaped AIDA Bar. And we didn't despise the AIDA Lounge either. The price level in the bars is reasonable. The service is dedicated and always good.
Sport, relaxation & wellness
The sports offer
The Body & Soul Sport on deck 11 is well equipped with modern equipment, weight benches and other training facilities. Exercises take place individually or in a group.
gym
At the Landtag, bike tours with "normal" bikes or e-bikes, Segway excursions, dives and more are organized for a fee.
Ball athletes can play basketball, handball or squash on the outside sports deck (deck 14). A short jogging course invites you to run. In our opinion, the pool landscape is only designed in a minimalist manner.
Field for ball games
The Body & Soul Spa
AIDA ships are known for their large wellness areas. The AIDAdiva does not lag behind its sister ships either. The Body & Soul Spa called wellness zone, is distributed over decks 12 and 14. On the AIDAdiva, wellness is all about the Caribbean.
AIDA wellness includes saunas and a solarium. Paid massages and various treatments increase well-being. Entry to the wellness oasis costs 20,00 euros. Guests in the spa cabins and wellness suites can use the offer daily at no extra charge. Individual applications charge the on-board account.
Spa
Those who pass the Body & Soul reception in the front part of the ship on deck 12 have access to well-being. On the 14th deck, the wellness oasis offers its visitors a whirlpool, an adventure shower and a relaxation room. The highlight of the oasis is a glass, retractable roof.
Entertainment
All sorts of things are offered to entertain the almost 2.000 passengers. The AIDA club team organizes, for example, bingo tournaments, dance courses, painting meetings, parties and sporting competitions (darts, shuffleboard, volleyball).
That is the focus of on-board entertainment Theatrium. It extends over decks 9 to 11. The 30-minute AIDA shows are legendary.
Theatrium
One can argue about the theatrium itself. In terms of concept, it is inferior to conventional theaters on board cruise ships. There is not enough space, the seats are often uncomfortable and some of the views are restricted. In addition, the theatrium is designed as a passage area. We feel that the strollers cause disturbances.
Not only entertainment shows are presented on the round, versatile stage. The moderators of the on-board television report from the theatrium. The room is also used for information events or for the regular art auctions.
Musical entertainment is also provided in other areas of the ship. The stage on the pool deck is just one example of many. Well-established events on the pool deck are the Welcome Laser Show, the Sail Away Show or the Farewell Laser Show.
Sundeck
The casino on the 10th deck offers further entertainment and diversion. The game is played on machines or tables. Roulette, poker and blackjack are on offer. But bingo and similar amusements also find grateful participants. The art gallery is located on deck 9. AIDA Cruises recommend booking gallery tours before starting the cruise.
AIDAdiva is a family ship, especially during the holiday season. Children aged three to eleven and teenagers aged 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.
General information about the AIDAdiva
|
Commissioning |
2007 |
|
Ship class |
Sphinx class |
|
Dimensions |
252 meters long, 32 meters wide, 7,30 meters draft |
|
measurement |
69.203 GT |
|
Machine, power & speed |
Four diesel engines; Drive: diesel-electric; 36.0000 KW; approx. 22 knots |
|
Decks |
11 passenger decks |
|
Shipyard |
MEYER Werft GmbH, Papenburg |
|
building-costs |
approx. 315 million euros |
|
Staterooms |
1.025 |
|
passengers |
Number of passengers with double occupancy 2.050 |
|
Crew |
approx. 600 employees |
|
Flag & home port |
Italy, Genoa |
|
Board language |
German |
|
Currency on board |
Euro |
|
Godmother (determined by lot) |
Maria Galleski |
Current position AIDAdiva
Summary
The AIDAdiva is number four in the order of the AIDA ships. The ship meets the expectations of German vacationers for casual and unconventional cruise vacations. In other words: there is no binding dress code, there are no annoying receptions on board, but good food from the buffet and lots of entertainment are offered. That fits. In 2017, more than a million travelers were welcomed on board all AIDA ships.
Pooldeck
Who occasionally value service and À la carte- Lays dishes, takes excellent meals in three restaurants for a fee.
We liked the café, bars & lounges. We feel comfortable in most of the localities.
Pool Bar
The entertainment on board is varied and the daily shows are first class.
However, we have to note one thing: We do not see the AIDAdiva on a par with the premium ships from Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line or TUI Cruises. These cruise brands offer higher quality services for comparable money.
However, it is undisputed that AIDA Cruises offers its guests a special lifestyle on board the twelve ships. After all, in 2017 almost 50 percent of all German cruisers traveled with ships from the AIDA fleet. This success is by no means astonishing.
