Blue Dream Melody

Former names: AIDAvita, Avitak

Blue Dream Melody current position

Blue Dream Melody current location is at China Coast (coordinates 29.78398 N / 122.09630 E) cruising en route to ZOS TIAOZHOUMEN. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Blue Dream Melody

Year of build2002  /  Age: 22
Flag state Liberia
BuilderAker MTW Werft (Lloyd Werft Wismar, Germany)
Building costUSD 350 million
Engines (power)Wartsila (18.8 MW / 25211 hp)
Speed21 kn / 39 km/h / 24 mph
Length (LOA)203 m / 666 ft
Beam (width)28 m / 92 ft
Gross Tonnage42289 gt
Passengers1266 - 1582
Crew384
Passengers-to-space ratio33
Decks12
Cabins633
Decks with cabins5
Last Refurbishment2020
Sister-shipsAIDAaura
Former namesAIDAvita, Avitak
Christened byDoris Schroder-Kopf (AIDA)
OwnerSuzhou Taihu International Travel Ltd (China)
OperatorBlue Dream Cruises (via Fujian China Transport Investment Group Co Ltd)

Blue Dream Melody Review

Review of Blue Dream Melody

The 2002-built (as AIDAvita) cruise ship Blue Dream Melody was the second-oldest and smallest in AIDA's fleet - following the sistership AIDAaura/now Celestyal Discovery. For the Chinese travel brand Blue Dream Cruises, the ship's fleetmate is Blue Dream Star (2001-built).

Before the ownership change in January 2024, the AIDAvita vessel (IMO number 9221554) was Portugal Madeira-flagged (MMSI 255919000) and registered in Funchal. During its AIDA service (until February 2023), the vessel was Italy-flagged (MMSI 247114900), with port of registry Genova.

The vessel is currently Liberia-flagged (MMSI 636022869) and registered in Monrovia.

History - construction and ownership

On June 14, 2022, was announced that the 20-year-old AIDAvita will not resume operations as the ship is sold and leaves the fleet. There were speculations that AIDAvita is acquired by Cordellia Cruises India.

Vita's last AIDA schedule had listed a total of 30x voyages (departures between July 24, 2022, and February 26, 2024) all of which were canceled.

During the COVID crisis and up to July 2023, AIDAvita spent most of the time docked at Port Tallinn Estonia, being maintained by a skeleton crew.

Currently (since January 2024), the ship Blue Dream Melody is owned by Suzhou Taihu International Travel Ltd (China) via its subsidiary Fujian China Transport Investment Group Co Ltd (China/2016-founded) which owns the company/travel brand Blue Dream Cruises China.

The shipowner Fujian China Transport Investment Group also owns the Chinese travel brands "Diamond Cruise Line" and "National Cruise".

On January 12, 2023, the Chinese company acquired the vessel (temporarily named AVITAK) from the previous owner Beta Marine Ltd (1987-founded, Hardwicke England-based manufacturer of marine diesel engines and generator sets). The vessel left Tallinn on Jan 26th (at 16:23 UTC), en route to China.

AIDAvita cruise ship (Blue Dream Melody)

The 1300-passenger ship AIDAvita was designed as "club ship", ultra-casual like all vessels in AIDA's fleet. The five AIDAvita bars are also designed in a casual mood. The popularity of AIDA ship family made AIDA services appreciated and famous by the cruising community.

Before the start of revenue operations for the new Chinese owner, the ship was scheduled to enter drydock for extensive refit/modifications (technical overhaul, maintenance works, classification inspections, superstructure and hull cleaning/repainting). A major interior refurbishment (redesign/renovations of all public spaces and staterooms) was also planned to make the ship attractive to Chinese travelers.

Decks and Cabins

AIDAvita staterooms (633 total, in 9 grades) include 2 Suites, 62 Balconies, 357 Oceanviews, and 214 Inside cabins. The largest accommodations are the Forward-Facing Premium Suites (sized 355 ft2 / 33 m2 plus private sundeck terrace sized 270 ft2 / 25 m2).

The boat has 12 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

There are a couple of bigger restaurants onboard, the one of which is called the Calypso and the other - Markt Restaurant. Both offer open-seating, buffet meals. There are no strict dress codes or fixed dining times. Basic beverages, including house wines and beer, are free of charge during meals at the buffet restaurants. There are also several beverage packages that may be bought at reduced rates. The extra-tariff a la carte Rossini includes waiter service and near-gourmet food with good quality.

Follows the complete list of AIDAvita restaurants and food bars.

  • Rossini (a specialty, dinner-only restaurant at surcharge, reservations required; offers waiter service and 6-course a-la-carte menu)
  • Markt Restaurant (complimentary main dining room; self-service buffet restaurant with a variety of food stations and a small terrace)
  • Calypso Restaurant (the second main dining room; complimentary buffet restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

AIDAvita entertainment facilities include the theatre (Das Theater) - the largest public room onboard, and the huge AIDA Bar & Anytime Disco. Onboard AIDAvita you can practice swimming (a pool is provided), volleyball, basketball, and golf. Try also the fitness center Fit & Fun. The SPA Body & Soul will really make you relax. The pool deck area is designed like a beach - with many palm trees, artificial rock formations, volleyball and basketball courts. AIDAvita guests may choose from several shore excursion options.

AIDAvita cruise ship (Blue Dream Melody)

Follows the complete list of AIDAvita lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

  • Kids Club (AIDA Cruises kids program is complimentary, with supervised, age-appropriate activities: the 3 age groups include Seahorses for 3-6 yo, Dolphins for 7-9 yo and Sharks 10-11 yo; the Kids Club has an outdoor area with a paddling pool)
  • Internet stations with printers (located in the Reception/Lobby area; Wi-Fi coverage is available shipwide, including in all guests rooms)
  • Ocean Bar (cocktail bar with outdoor seating)
  • The Theater (750-seat, 2-level main show venue for large-scale show productions; also hosts daily lectures, trivia games, Bingo)
  • Conference Room (45-seat Konferenzraum / Seminarraume; part of the venue is the AIDA TV Studio, producing video films related to AIDAaura itinerary and activities, and a daily radio program)
  • Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; sells original artworks of renowned art schools and German artists; hosts art auctions)
  • AIDA Bar (big-capacity lounge with panoramic windows)
  • Photo Gallery & Shop (professional photo & video services, duty-free accessories and equipment; new feature are the photo kiosks with touch-screens /face-recognition system)
  • AIDA Shop (duty-free merchandise at discount prices; the shopping arcade has a general store selling liquor and tobaccos, as well as small boutiques for jewelry, luxury watches, perfumes, brand fashion clothing, AIDA logo goods)
  • Nightfly Bar (adults-only cocktail bar & nightclub with panoramic windows and live music entertainment)
  • Beauty Salon (Friseur; provides hairdresser, barber services, professional manicure/pedicure)
  • Body & Soul Sports Fitness Centre (with a modern Gym and separate area for classes)
  • Mini Golf (indoor putting green area); Golf simulator (virtual golf courses)
  • Sunbathing area (Freibereich, served by the Pool Bar and the Pool Grill /American fast food fare)
  • The Hemingway Lounge (the Library /Bibliotek; offers card and board games)
  • Anytime Bar (Diskothek / disco nightclub with DJ program and themed dance parties; during the day hosts organized dance classes)
  • Time Tunnel (Video Games Arcade with Playstation consoles)
  • Waikiki Lounge (teens club with supervised activities in two age groups - Orcas for 12 -13 yo and Teens 14 -17 yo; complimentary)
  • Sports deck area (Sportaussendeck with a combined sports court for basketball/volleyball). The sports area itself is wheelchair accessible.
  • Pool deck (with one swimming pool, 3 whirlpools, Pool Shop for towels, deck games - Shuffleboard, Giant Chess, Table Tennis, Backgammon, sunbathing areas; a stage for live performances, bingo evenings, nightly pool parties, laser shows is also available)
  • Body & Soul SPA complex (with Beauty Salon & Spa Reception, massages /treatments rooms, indoor whirlpool, Aroma Sauna, Finish Sauna, Steam Room, relaxation room)
  • Sundeck / sunbathing area (Freibereich, located above the swimming pool; with loungers and 2 whirlpools; the ship's Top Deck is dedicated to Freikorperkultur / FKK Bereich nudist area with sun loungers)
  • Power Walking/Jogging Track

Itineraries

AIDAvita itinerary program was based on Northern European and Canaries voyages leaving roundtrip from Germany (homeports Hamburg and Warnemunde-Rostock). Itineraries visited ports in Norway (Norwegian Fjords), England UK, France (Honfleur), Holland (Rotterdam), Portugal's Madeira Island, Spain's Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote), Iberia (seaports in Spain and Portugal).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the AIDA ship Vita was paused for 3+ years (March 2020 through February 2023) but was scheduled to resume passenger shipping operations after 2 years (on March 31, 2022). However, the restart date was rescheduled several times and eventually canceled entirely (see the ship's Wiki section/page-bottom). The Russia-Ukraine crisis also played a role in the cancellations.

Some of AIDAvita's canceled voyages were assigned to AIDAbella.

Blue Dream Melody - user reviews and comments

Photos of Blue Dream Melody

Add Photo

Blue Dream Melody ship related cruise news

Other Blue Dream Cruises China cruise ships

    Blue Dream Melody Wiki

    AIDAvita was AIDA's second-oldest ship - after AIDAaura/now Celestyal Discovery. The christening ceremony was held in Warnemunde Germany on May 4, 2002. The ship's godmother was Doris Schroder-Kopf - the wife of Gerhard Schroder (1944-born, who was Germany's Chancellor in the period 1998-2005). Both vessels were designed as "ultra-casual club ships".

    Like all AIDA ships, Vita carried its own fleet of complimentary bicycles for passengers to use in call ports during the voyage. A significant amount of interior space is devoted to sports. The onboard language was German as most AIDA customers are German-speaking Europeans (Germans, Austrians, Swiss), the majority of whom are young and active.

    The vessel (Nordic Yards Wismar hull number A325283/Aker MTW yard hull number 005) has volume 42289 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight 4232, max width 35,5 m (including the Bridge wings), max draught 6,3 m. The propulsion is diesel-electric and the powerplant is based on Wartsila diesel generators powering two ABB electric motors (model AMZ 1600YX-14) with combined output 18,8 MW (25210 hp). When managed by AIDA CRUISES, the shipowner was COSTA CROCIERE SPA.

    In June 2023, Blue Dream Cruises signed a partnership deal with Starboard Cruise Services (1958-founded, Doral Florida-based company owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton/French holding specializing in luxury goods). The deal makes Blue Dream Melody the second Chinese-owned cruise vessel (after the fleetmate Blue Dream Star) providing Starboard's onboard retail shopping services. Among the premium brands now available at the ship's duty-free shops are Armani, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Prada, Ray-Ban, Love Moschino, premium Swiss watch brands (Longines, Tissot, Titoni), as well as international and Asian brands like Sisley (perfumes, clothing, accessories), Shiseido (makeup and cosmetics), Sulwhasoo (skincare and beauty products).

    AIDAvita refurbishment 2020 review

    The ship's last drydock by AIDA was in 2020 (March 25 - April 15, in Dubai UAE) was a USD 30 million project initially planned to be conducted at Sembawang Shipyard (in Singapore).

    Works included technical (machinery) maintenance and regular renovation of all staterooms and public spaces (including new carpeting, upholstery, curtains).

    AIDAvita refurbishment 2017 review

    The ship's drydock 2017 refurbishment (March 25 through April 4) was at Lloyd Werft (in Bremerhaven Germany) resulted in the following deckplan changes and upgrades:

    • (deck 10) The old Waikiki Lounge (teen club) was transformed into Beach Lounge (offering cruise itinerary-themed food and drinks). Seaside Lounges (the lounge's outdoor terrace) was equipped with windbreaks and heaters.
    • The outdoor areas of Anytime Bar (deck 10) and Ocean Bar (deck 7) were refurbished with new furniture.
    • (deck 10) The pool deck area was fully modernized and redesigned for more space.
    • (deck 10) Pool Grill bar's seating area was redesigned. The bar now offers typical American cuisine (burgers with wedges, bagels, wraps and other fast-food items).
    • (deck 8) The photoshop was expanded and the ship's onboard photo services were upgraded.
    • (deck 8) The Rossini restaurant was transformed into "Selection Restaurant" - offering regional (cruise itinerary-based) specialties and delicacies.
    • Public spaces (area sized approx 2500 m2 / 27,000 ft2) received new carpeting.

    A total of 9000 L of paint were used for the ship's exterior. Additionally, regular safety and general maintenance works were done.

    AIDAvita refurbishment 2014 review

    During drydock 2014 November (Naples Italy), the ship received new Seaside Lounges in the Anytime Bar (an outdoor area on deck 10). The machinery was also upgraded and new scrubbers were installed (exhaust gas treatment system).

    The public areas and Body & Soul's sports area were redesigned and enlarged. AIDA also expanded the range of training opportunities for travelers with limited walking ability, making the ship's sports area wheelchair-accessible.

    Also new are the digital photo kiosks at the Photo Shop.

    AIDAvita refurbishment 2011 review

    AIDAvita deckplan changes after drydock 2011 included adding Waikiki Lounge (new teen lounge, located forward-portside on Deck 10) and Art Gallery (Deck 8).

    The ship's fitness equipment was renewed.

    Anytime Disco (Deck 10) was completely redesigned.

    AIDAvita itineraries 2022-2023-2024 (canceled/Europe, South Africa)

    The next tables show the AIDAvita's canceled in June 2022 voyages as themes and destinations/homeports.

    (maiden voyage since the COVID crisis) 8-day "Inseln Der Ostsee 2" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    24 Jul 18:00Departing from Warnemunde-Rostock, Germany
    25 Jul 08:00 - 18:00Sassnitz-Rugen, Rugen Island, Germany
    26 Jul 08:00 - 18:00Karlskrona, Sweden
    28 Jul 06:30 - 29 Jul 14:00Stockholm, Sweden
    30 Jul 08:00 - 18:00Visby, Gotland Island Sweden
    31 Jul 09:00 - 18:00Ronne, Bornholm Island Denmark
    01 Aug 08:00Arriving in Warnemunde-Rostock

    (Baltic 2022) 12-day "Scharengarten Der Ostsee Mit Hansesail 1" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    01 Aug 18:00Departing from Warnemunde-Rostock
    02 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Ronne, Bornholm Island Denmark
    04 Aug 08:00 - 05 Aug 14:00Stockholm, Sweden
    06 Aug 08:00 - 19:30Sundsvall, Sweden
    08 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Karlskrona, Sweden
    09 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Copenhagen, Denmark
    10 Aug 14:00 - 21:00Aalborg, Denmark
    11 Aug 10:00 - 19:00Fredericia, Denmark
    13 AugArriving in Warnemunde-Rostock

    (Baltic 2022) 13-day "Scharengarten Der Ostsee Mit Hansesail 2" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    13 AugDeparting from Warnemunde-Rostock
    16 Aug 07:00 - 17:00Visby, Gotland Island Sweden
    17 Aug 09:00 - 18 Aug 14:00Stockholm, Sweden
    19 Aug 08:00 - 19:30Sundsvall, Sweden
    21 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Karlskrona, Sweden
    22 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Sassnitz-Rugen, Rugen Island, Germany
    23 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Copenhagen, Denmark
    24 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Aalborg, Denmark
    25 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Fredericia, Denmark
    26 Aug 08:00Arriving in Warnemunde-Rostock

    (Scandinavia 2022) 14-day "Skandinavien-Rundreise" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    26 Aug 18:00Departing from Warnemunde-Rostock
    27 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Fredericia, Denmark
    29 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Oslo, Norway
    30 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Goteborg, Sweden
    31 Aug 08:00 - 16:00Aalborg, Denmark
    01 Sep 09:00 - 18:00Ronne, Bornholm Island Denmark
    02 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Karlskrona, Sweden
    04 Sep 08:00 - 16:00Sundsvall, Sweden
    05 Sep 13:00 - 20:00Visby, Gotland Island, Sweden
    06 Sep 11:00 - 07 Sep 14:00Stockholm, Sweden
    09 Sep 08:00Arriving in Warnemunde-Rostock

    (Scandinavia) 12-day "Scharengarten Der Ostsee" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    09 Sep 18:00Departing from Warnemunde-Rostock
    11 Sep 07:00 - 17:00Visby, Gotland Island, Sweden
    12 Sep 09:00 - 13 Sep 14:00Stockholm, Sweden
    14 Sep 08:00 - 19:30Sundsvall, Sweden
    16 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Karlskrona, Sweden
    17 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Ronne, Bornholm Island Denmark
    18 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Copenhagen, Denmark
    19 Sep 08:00 - 16:00Aalborg, Denmark
    20 Sep 08:00 - 17:00Fredericia, Denmark
    21 Sep 08:00Arriving in Warnemunde-Rostock

    (Norwegian Fjords 2022) 14-day "Herbstliche Nordlichter Ab Hamburg" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    01 Oct 18:00Departing from Hamburg, Germany
    03 Oct 07:00 - 16:00Eidfjord
    05 Oct 09:00 - 18:00Bodo
    06 Oct 07:00 - 16:00Narvik
    07 Oct 19:00 - 08 Oct 18:00Tromso
    09 Oct 08:00 - 10 Oct 08:00Alta
    11 Oct 06:00 - 15:00Leknes-Gravdal, Vestvagoy Island, Lofoten
    12 Oct 11:00 - 18:00Trondheim
    13 Oct 07:00 - 13:00Alesund
    15 Oct 08:00Arriving in Hamburg

    (UK and Norway 2023) 11-day "Nordische Inseln Mit Norwegen" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    14 Apr 18:00Departing from Hamburg
    16 Apr 09:00 - 19:30Invergordon, Scotland
    17 Apr 08:00 - 18:00Kirkwall, Orkney Island, Scotland
    18 Apr 08:00 - 19:30Lerwick, Mainland Shetland, Scotland
    20 Apr 08:00 - 18:00Alesund, Norway
    21 Apr 09:00 - 19:00Bergen, Norway
    22 Apr 08:00 - 18:00Eidfjord, Norway Hardangerfjord
    23 Apr 08:00 - 19:30Stavanger, Norway
    25 Apr 08:00Arriving in Hamburg

    (Baltic 2023) 7-day "Inseln Der Ostsee" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    25 May 18:00Departing from Warnemunde-Rostock
    27 May 08:00 - 19:30Visby, Gotland Island, Sweden
    28 May 08:00 - 20:00Mariehamn Aland, Finland
    29 May 07:30 - 30 May 07:00Stockholm, Sweden
    31 May 09:00 - 18:00Ronne, Bornholm Island Denmark
    01 Jun 08:00Arriving in Warnemunde-Rostock

    (UK 2023) 7-day "Schottische Highlights 1" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    28 Oct 18:00Departing from Hamburg
    30 Oct 08:00 - 19:30Newcastle upon Tyne, England
    31 Oct 08:00 - 18:00Leith-Edinburgh, Scotland
    01 Nov 10:00 - 20:00Kirkwall, Orkney Island, Scotland
    02 Nov 07:00 - 17:00Invergordon, Scotland
    04 Nov 08:00Arriving in Hamburg

    (Atlantic relocation from Europe to South Africa 2023) 21-day from Lisbon to Cape Town

    Date / TimePort
    13 Nov 22:00Departing from Lisbon, Portugal
    15 Nov 11:00 - 20:00Funchal, Madeira Island Portugal
    16 Nov 12:00 - 21:00Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands
    17 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
    20 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island, Cape Verde
    21 Nov 08:00 - 18:00Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde
    30 Nov 07:00 - 17:00Walvis Bay, Namibia
    01 Dec 10:00 - 20:00Luderitz, Namibia
    04 DecArriving in Cape Town, South Africa

    (last AIDA cruise planned) 14-day "Sudafrika und Namibia" itinerary

    Date / TimePort
    26 Feb 21:00Departing from Cape Town
    28 Feb 08:00 - 21:00Port Elizabeth, South Africa
    01 Mar 08:00 - 20:00Richards Bay, South Africa
    02 Mar 07:00 - 17:00Durban, South Africa
    03 Mar 10:00 - 17:30East London, South Africa
    06 Mar 06:00 - 16:00Luderitz, Namibia
    07 Mar 09:00 - 21:30Walvis Bay, Namibia
    11 MarArriving in Cape Town

    Next are listed all canceled voyages, some of which were assigned to AIDAbella.

    • (2022 Jul 24) 8 days "Inseln Der Ostsee 2"
    • (Aug 1) 12 days "Scharengarten Der Ostsee Mit Hansesail 1"
    • (Aug 13) 13 days "Scharengarten Der Ostsee Mit Hansesail 2"
    • (Aug 26) 14 days "Skandinavien-Rundreise"
    • (Sep 9) 12 days "Scharengarten Der Ostsee"
    • (Sep 21) 10 days Rostock to Hamburg
    • (Oct 1, Oct 15, Oct 29) 14 days "Herbstliche Nordlichter Ab Hamburg"
    • (2023 Apr 14, Apr 25) 11 days "Nordische Inseln Mit Norwegen"
    • (May 6) 5 days from Hamburg to Rostock
    • (May 25) 7 days "Inseln Der Ostsee"
    • (Jun 29) 10 days "Baltische Schatze"
    • (Jul 9) 12 days "Scharengarten Der Ostsee 2"
    • (Jul 21) 9 days "Skandinavien Ab Warnemunde"
    • (Jul 30) 10 days "Baltische Schatze"
    • (Sep 2) 7 days "Inseln Der Ostsee"
    • (Sep 9) 12 days "Scharengarten Der Ostsee 2"
    • (Sep 21) 9 days Rostock to Hamburg
    • (Oct 28) 7 days "Schottische Highlights 1"
    • (Nov 4) 9 days Hamburg to Lisbon
    • (Nov 13) 21 days Lisbon to Cape Town
    • (Dec 4, Dec 18) 14 days "Sudafrika und Namibia"
    • (2024 Jan 1, Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb 26) 12 days "Sudafrika und Mosambik"
    • (Jan 13) 16 days "Grose Sudafrika- Namibiareise"