Karl WP Beyer The AIDAluna is one of twelve cruise ships currently operated by Rostock-based AIDA Cruises. AIDAluna was the third of seven "Sphinx-class" cruise ships to be built by the MEYER shipyard in Papenburg. The maiden voyage took place in March 2009. The kiss mouth ship was baptized in Palma. The godmother was Franziska Knuppe from Rostock.
The ships of the Sphinx class are defined by the amidships, circular theatrium. This element is the central theater and event area of the ships. The Theatrium earned the Sphinx class the nickname “Melitta class” based on a coffee filter. The theatrium and the AIDA kissable mouth give the class its typical appearance.
AIDAluna - Theater
Staterooms
The deck plans of the AIDAluna show 1.025 cabins according to the MEYER shipyard. AIDA advertising calls the guest rooms "your little kingdom for the most beautiful days of the year". The choice of cabins is extensive. From the inside cabin to the suite, passengers are offered all kinds of things. Guests who book the AIDA PREMIUM tariff can choose a cabin according to their wishes.
Inside cabins
Inside cabins are 13,50 square meters. Cabins in categories IB and IA are offered as 2-, 3- and 4-bed cabins.
Outside cabins
Outside cabins, known as disguised cabins with a sea view in the cruise industry, are barely larger than the inside cabins at 14 to 16,50 square meters. They are equipped with two, three or four beds as required.
AIDAluna - outside cabin
Balcony cabins
The balcony cabins are between 17,50 and 23 square meters. They are offered with two to four beds. The balconies account for three to six square meters of the area.
Suites
Guests who want more comfort and are willing to pay a substantial surcharge book a suite. Individually designed junior suites, suites and premium suites are available. The palette ranges 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 the AIDA Premium tariff are offered the following benefits:
- As a welcome on board, fruit, chocolates and champagne are served.
- On the welcome evening, a 3-course menu is offered in the Rossini gourmet restaurant.
- If you like, you can have breakfast in the à la carte restaurant.
- And on the day of departure, the wellness oasis can be used until you check out.
Most of the services otherwise intended for the suites (bathrobes, shoehorns, umbrellas, etc.) are part of the standard offer in all cabins on premium ships.
Barrier-free cabins
A total of eleven barrier-free cabins of various sizes (18 to 27,50 square meters) are available for cruisers with handicaps. Seven of the cabins are located inside the ship, four offer a sea view.
Features of all cabins
All cabins are modern and comfortable. Indispensable - and according to the standard of modern cruise ships - are satellite TV, telephone and air conditioning. In contrast to premium ships, 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 AIDAluna
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. As is usual on other cruise ships, surcharges have to be paid for these.
Restaurants included in the tour price
Market restaurant
The restaurant (deck 9) 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 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, at which the guests help themselves in passing.
Guests in the market restaurant
Weite Welt Restaurant
AIDA Cruises are locating the offer of this on-board restaurant between Orient and Occident, North Cape and South America. In other words, a bit of everything is offered at the buffet on the 10th deck of the AIDAluna. Including: international dishes such as Thai curry, churasco or Mexican burritos.
In this context, a recommendation for guests who suffer from food allergies or intolerances: In the Weite Welt restaurant, lactose and gluten-free dishes are offered. A diet cook is available to these guests 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 the following enthusiastic words: "High up on deck 11, lovers of Italian cuisine are on cloud nine". In Bella Vista, too, drinks such as house wine, beer and soft drinks are included with main meals.
Pizzeria Mare
Another buffet restaurant on deck 11 is the Pizzeria Mare. Simple Italian dishes, especially various pizza variations, are prepared there from noon to midnight.
The restaurants mentioned above all offer good and tasty cuisine. The AIDA Cruises service concept is geared towards self-service. - Guests who value service are dependent on the restaurants, which are subject to a surcharge. The fact that these are regularly 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. In the "Rossini", additional payments have to be made for food and drink. The 3-course “Chefs Menu” is currently paid for at 28,50 euros. Then there are the drinks. Table reservations are required. You can find the Rossini on the 11th deck.
Unmistakable - Gourmet Restaurant Rossini
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 such as Tomahawk Steak or Wagyu Skirt Steak are on offer. 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. Well get it!
Buffalo Steak House
Sushi Bar
Fans of Japanese cuisine should visit the Sushi Bar on Deck 9 next to the Theatrium. 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
Cafe Mare
Coffee connoisseurs, tea drinkers and cocoa lovers are spoiled in the Café Mare.
Cafes, bars and lounges
There is enough of everything. More than ten bars and lounges have been carefully distributed across the ship. In contrast to the buffet restaurants, in which a selection of table drinks such as soft drinks, beer and table wine are standard, the drinks served in the cafes, bars and lounges on AIDA Cruises ships are subject to a charge.
Cafe Mare
Apart from that, every passenger (s) will find a favorite spot. Our favorites are:
Luna bar
The Luna bar on deck 9. It is on the edge of the theatrium. A board trio ensures quieter tones. The performance is interrupted when Showtime is announced in the on-board theater.
AIDA bar
The star-shaped AIDA bar on deck 10. It is not only visually appealing; it is also always well attended. And it is the perfect place for a date or for an evening dance.
wine shop
The wine shop good wines from all over the world are available on deck 10.
In the vinotheque
ocean bar
The is on deck 12 ocean bar. In southern regions, it is a good place to review the day while looking at the stern water and to look forward to the next day.
Outside area on deck 12
Sport, relaxation & wellness
Like its sister ships, the AIDAluna 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 a sporty approach.
The sports offer
This includes a short jogging course, a golf simulator, two small pools and whirlpools. The guests also play volleyball and basketball. Cyclists and cyclists are offered interesting group excursions with the ship's bicycles at the destinations.
The Body & Soul Sport-Studio on deck 11 you will find the latest fitness equipment, power plate, courses and private coaching lessons. Fitness tests and nutritional advice are also part of the AIDA Cruises offer. Training on the equipment is only permitted from the age of 16. Special courses are offered for children and teenagers.
Activities in the gym
Wellness:
The Body & Soul Spa
AIDAblu cruises the seas with a large wellness area. The wellness oasis called Body & Soul Spa is spread over decks 12 and 14.
The wellness area includes saunas and a solarium. Paid massages and various applications increase personal well-being. A glass, retractable roof on the top deck is also important for feeling good. Entry to the wellness oasis costs 20,00 euros. Guests in the spa cabins and wellness suites can use the wide range of options on a daily basis at no extra charge. Other additional services debit the on-board account.
The wellness oases on board the AIDAbella, AIDAdiva and AIDAluna are dedicated to specific regions. On the AIDAluna, India was chosen. Yoga masters and Ayurveda therapists from India ensure personal well-being.
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, we think of the on-board theater first on cruise ships. On the AIDAluna it says Theatrium. This extends over decks 9 to 12. The AIDA shows are varied and well staged. One can argue about the theatrium itself. In terms of concept, it is inferior to conventional theaters on board cruise ships. Reason: There are not enough seats, the seats are often uncomfortable and some of the view is restricted. In addition, the theatrium is designed as a passage area. Disturbances emanate from the strollers.
In the theatrium
The AIDAluna offers film lovers a special treat with the 4D cinema Cinemare.
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.
In the Bordasino
The small on-board library is on the 10th deck next to the AIDA Lounge. Guests can find artistic ideas in the art gallery on deck 9. A visit to the on-board shops on the deck above can also be entertaining.
AIDAluna is a family ship, especially 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 AIDAluna
|
Commissioning |
2009 |
|
Ship class |
Sphinx |
|
Dimensions |
252 meters long, 32 meters wide, 7,20 meters draft |
|
measurement |
69.203 GT |
|
Machine & speed |
Four diesel engines; Drive: diesel-electric; 36.0000 KW power, 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 |
Franziska Knuppe |
Current position AIDAluna
Summary
The AIDAluna is a medium-sized cruise ship specially designed for the German-speaking market.
The ship catering is based mainly on self-service. The rich food offer is taken in buffet restaurants.
In special restaurants, however, excellent à la carte dishes or menus are offered for a fee.
Show kitchen of the Buffalo Steak House
The cafes, bars & lounges are completely sufficient. We feel comfortable in most of the localities.
The entertainment is varied and the daily shows are top notch.
However, we do not see the AIDAluna on a par with the premium ships from Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line or TUI Cruises. With these cruise brands, we get higher quality services on board the ships for comparable money.
AIDA passengers who want to consume more than just buffet food and standard table drinks pay a lot on board. An all-inclusive offer, as practiced by the competitors Norwegian Cruise Line or TUI Cruises, looks different. And yet: the shipping company offered 1.042.000 passengers a special attitude to life last year. This success is really amazing.
