Karl WP Beyer The AIDAprima, which entered service in April 2016, is the first of two Japanese-built Hyperion-class cruise ships. AIDA Cruises, Germany's market leader in cruises, had the "AIDAprima" and its sister ship, the "AIDAperla," built by the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki.
The AIDAprima went into service one year late. Despite the originally unforeseeable delay, the shipyard delivered a very appealing cruise ship. It meets the Rostock shipping company's requirements for “more space, more variety, more individuality than ever”. With regard to ship technology, there are two major innovations to report. Firstly: AIDAprima is no longer operated with heavy oil, which is highly damaging to the environment, but with diesel oil. Second: the ship glides on an air carpet. This reduces the friction under the trunk and saves energy. The fuel requirement is to be reduced by seven percent.
AIDA prima in Rotterdam
At 125.572 gross tonnage, the AIDAprima is significantly larger than its predecessors in the Sphinx class, which only have approximately 72.000 gross tonnage. The additional tonnage translates to an additional 1.100 passengers per cruise.
AIDAprima and AIDAperla were designed as foul-weather ships for year-round use in the changeable Northern European climate. The ship itself has been upgraded with new "experience worlds" to become a year-round destination.
AIDAprima Beach Club
The cabin
A total of 1.643 cabins and suites offer space for approximately 3.300 passengers at double occupancy. The main cabin categories – of a total of 14 – are:
- Inside cabins (up to 4 people – 16 square meters)
- Outside cabins (“sea view cabins” for up to 4 people – 22 to 23 square meters)
- Veranda cabins (up to 4 people – 21 to 27 square meters; including veranda 4 to 13 square meters). Also available as Veranda Cabin Comfort and Veranda Cabin Deluxe.
- Junior Suites (up to 4 people – 44 to 53 square meters, including veranda 12 to 16 square meters)
- Suites (up to 4 people – 39 to 115 square meters; including private sun deck 11 to 72 square meters).
- Accessible cabins (22 cabins – up to 4 people – 22 to 33 square meters)
The cabins on the AIDAprima are characterized by a homey, Nordic-cool design. We felt at home right away; we only wished the bathrooms in the standard categories were larger. Suite guests are granted additional privileges. These include priority check-in, luggage service on the day of arrival, and unlimited access to the AIDA Lounge and the patio deck. Suite guests also have access to a concierge if needed. They also receive an evening turndown service. Guests in standard cabins, on the other hand, see their cabin steward only once a day.
The concierge of the suite guests
Food and drink on board
A cruise ship that can accommodate more than 3.000 guests typically offers a wide range of dining options. The deck plan of the AIDAprima features twelve restaurants, three snack bars, and fourteen cafés and bars. AIDAprima has made significant gains in this area. In our opinion, the restaurants of the Sphinx class are a weak point compared to the ships of its international competitors. In contrast, the concepts of the onboard restaurants on the AIDAprima are very different. Guests should discover the new variety of dining options. After all, it doesn't always have to be the popular market restaurant where you eat.
AIDAprima - Rossini Gourmet Restaurant
Buffet restaurants - a small selection of drinks included
Bella donna Restaurant - deck: 6
Italian specialties. The Bella Donna Restaurant is well known from the Sphinx class ships.
East Restaurant - Deck: 6
Asian cuisine. Clear lines; a pleasant restaurant that is also recommended for those guests who do not immediately melt away with Asian cuisine.
Fuego restaurant - Deck: 14
The station for burgers, pizza & Co.
Markt Restaurant - Deck: 6
The focus is on seasonal freshness; an institution on AIDA ships.
Weite Welt Restaurant - Deck: 7
Country themed evenings are offered, often adapted to the respective destination.
Specialty restaurants with full service - drinks are to be paid for
Brasserie French Kiss - Deck: 7
Fine French specialties. Also a visual benefit for the ship.
Brauhaus - Deck: 7
This offers the hearty delicacies that are already familiar from other AIDA ships.
Ristorante Casa Nova - Deck: 6
Italian goodies. The Venetian style borrowings used in the furnishings are remarkable.
A la carte restaurants
The following applies in all à la carte restaurants: The following is payable for food and drinks:
Gourmet restaurant Rossini - Deck: 8
A cornerstone of fine dining.
Buffalo Steakhouse - Deck: 8
No ship without a steakhouse. There are plenty of grill specialties.
AIDAprima - Gourmet Restaurant Rossini
AIDAprima - Buffalo Steak House
Sushi Bar - Deck: 8
For fans of Japanese cuisine.
Snack bars
Pier 3 Market – Decks: 3
Bistro & Shop.
Scharfe Ecke - Deck: 6
Meeting point for currywurst lovers.
Tapas & Bar - Deck: 6
Small Spanish specialties.
AIDAprima - Pier 3 Market
AIDAprima - Tapas & Bar
AIDAprima bars and lounges
The range of bars and lounges is no less interesting. From the "Pier 3 Market" to the all-white "Spray Bar by Moët & Chandon," ship guests can choose from a wide variety of bars. Not all of them appeal to us. But, as we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
AIDAprima Lanai Bar
AIDA bar – Deck 15
Up next to the Beach Club. The trademark of the bar is the star-shaped counter.
Cafe Mare – Deck 7
Casino Bar – Deck 6
discotheque D6 – Deck 6
Lanai Bar – Deck 7
AIDAprima - AIDA Bar
AIDAprima - Casino Bar
Nightfly night club - Deck: 6
Patio bar - Deck: 16
Spray Bar by Moët & Chandon - Deck: 7 (access via Nightfly Deck 6)
No frills, all in white. We would need a lot of the noble drink to get in the mood there.
Sunset Bar - Deck: 8
wine shop - Deck: 8
5. element - Deck: 14
Great bar (Theatrium Bar) - Deck: 6
AIDA lounge - Deck: 8
Exclusive retreat for suite guests
AIDAprima - Suite Guest Lounge
AIDAprima - Suite Guest Lounge
Hemingway lounge with library - Deck: 7
Teens Lounge Wave Club - Deck: 15
The meeting point for young guests on board the AIDAprima.
AIDAprima Teens Lounge
Sport and wellness
Body & Soul Sport
The gym is highly recommended. A variety of services are offered to gym users. Here's a small selection: fitness checks, fitness classes, cardiovascular training, muscle-building training, private coaching sessions, and more. Some classes and services are subject to a fee. The jogging track and volleyball/basketball court on the outdoor sports deck can be used free of charge.
AIDAprima - climbing garden
In winter, an ice rink opens on the outdoor sports deck, depending on the route. Skates of various sizes are available for rental. In rough seas, the ice rink is closed for safety reasons.
The enclosed area of the "Activity Deck Four Elements" on decks 14, 15, and 16 offers AIDAprima guests two water slides and a climbing garden. Further forward on deck 15 is the AIDA Beach Club. All this, along with a "guaranteed good weather," are the hallmarks of the AIDA Family and Vacation World. Even a nudist area has been included.
AIDAprima - water slide
AIDAprima - Beach Club
Body & Soul Organic Spa
The AIDAprima's spa area takes up around 3.100 square meters. It is located on deck 7 in the forward area of the ship. There are five different saunas, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis and two sun decks. The treatments offered are as varied as the day is long.
AIDAprima - Spa
Entertainment
The multi-story theatrium, which is indispensable on board AIDA ships, has been further developed. Now it extends from deck 5 to deck 8. Shops and bars are located on decks 6 and 7 of the two-story AIDA Plaza. The plaza is both a social meeting place and a stage for the "street performers". There is also a small on-board casino.
Entertainment on board the AIDAprima
Further highlights of the AIDAprima
The Lanaideck (deck 8), reminiscent of classic promenade decks, was laid out on both sides of the ship as a promenade. So-called infinity pools were placed directly on the railing.
AIDAprima - Lanai Deck
In the outer areas of the aft the glazed panoramic elevators catch the eye. In addition, two glass skywalks at a height of 15 meters were set up on deck 45 at the stern of the ship. These are small, glass viewing platforms. They cannot withstand a comparison with the Sky Walks of the Royal Class Cruise Ships of the sister brand Princess Cruises.
AIDAprima - Panorama elevator in the stern area
Like all AIDA ships, the AIDAprima is Family ship Experienced staff look after the well-being of children of different ages on Deck 14. Teenagers meet at the Wave Club on Deck 15.
AIDAprima - Kids' Club
AIDAprima - Kids' Club
Environmental protection and energy efficiency
Older-generation cruise ships are considered by environmental activists to be harmful to the environment. The burning of heavy fuel oil is known to cause serious environmental pollution. In this regard, the shipping company implemented constructive environmental protection and energy efficiency measures on AIDAprima. The ship's engines no longer burn heavy fuel oil, but diesel. Scrubbers filter out nitrogen and sulfur oxides, reducing them by up to 99 percent. AIDAprima is the world's first cruise ship with a dual-fuel engine, allowing the constantly running generators to be powered by liquefied gas while in port. The ship is also equipped for shore power. During holidays, the onboard systems are supplied with shore power, provided the destination ports offer such a service.
In terms of energy efficiency, AIDA Cruises is the first ship in the world to use MALS technology on both new ships. This allows the ship to glide on a carpet of air bubbles. This process saves fuel. The more efficient propulsion system, using two Azipods, and the new hull design also contribute to fuel reduction.
Design of the ship
The external appearance of the AIDAprima takes getting used to. At first glance, the novel ship's bow and the covered foredeck irritate the viewer. A second look reveals a consistently straightforward design. The interior of the ship was designed to be tasteful. The choice of colors and the materials used testify to the high stylistic and quality requirements of the shipping company.
The closed front deck of the AIDAprima
Information about the AIDAprima
| Commissioning | April 2016 |
| Size | Length 300 meters; Width 37,60 meters |
| measurement | 124.100 GT |
| Passenger decks | 15 decks |
| Machine | Diesel-electric, 2 Azipods |
| Electrical power | 46,8 MW |
| Speed | 21,5 knots |
| passengers | Approx. 3.500 maximum |
| The cabin | 1.643 |
| Manning | More than 900 persons |
| Flagge | Italy, home port Genoa |
| shipyard | Mitsubishi shipyard, Nagasaki/Japan |
| Baptismal certificate | Emma schweiger |
| Board language | German |
| Currency on board | Euro |
Current position AIDAprima
Review AIDAprima
In comparison to the two previous ship classes, for which the AIDAcara (retired from the fleet) and the AIDAstella The cruise line has achieved a great success with the AIDAprima. Passengers who can live with the limited cabin service typical of AIDA Cruises and the still dominant buffet restaurant offerings will like the AIDAprima.
With the AIDAprima, AIDA Cruises offers a cruise ship that has caught up with the ships of the dominant international competitors.
Note: Cruise Turtle tested the AIDAprima on a short cruise from Rotterdam to Hamburg.
Update July 2025
