AIDAblu

The 2010-built AIDAblu cruise ship is the first Sphinx-class AIDA liner, with sisterships AIDAmar, AIDAstella, AIDAsol.

History - construction and ownership

AIDA Cruises is a Rostock-headquartered subsidiary company owned by Carnival Corporation. AIDA is Europe's largest German cruise line (followed by TUI) targeting younger and more active travellers. AIDA was founded in 1960 (as "Deutsche Seereederei") and in 2000 was acquired by P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation (shipowner) in 2003. AIDA's first World Cruise (AIDAcara) was in 2017-2018 (October-February) with 116-day roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg Germany.

The 2200-passenger ship AIDAblu is a modernly equipped cruise vessel created in the famous shipbuilding yard of Meyer Werft, Germany. The record for a fast crossing of the English channel was set by AIDAblu in 2011 with time, between Le Havre and Southampton, of 6 h and 45 min. AIDAblu pioneered the first cruise ship brewery.

Besides the ship's staff and crew, AIDA cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in 3 languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.

Decks and Cabins

Most AIDAblu staterooms (1096 total, in 24 grades) include 15 Suites, 505 Balconies, 391 Oceanview, 374 Inside cabins. Balcony cabins are sized 17-23 m2 (185-250 ft2) with 3-6 m2 (30-65 ft2) step-out balconies. The Oceanviews are sized 14-17 m2 (150-185 ft2), the Interior cabins are 14 m2 (150 ft2). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 11. The largest accommodations are the Sundeck Deluxe Suites (56-87 m2 / 605-935 ft2) with private sundeck (12-50 m2 / 130-540 ft2).

The boat has 14 decks, of which 12 are passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

AIDAblu was built with ten taprooms (plus beer fermentation plant) and a wealth of dining options, all of which open seating. The buffets give passengers the chance to try food from several countries. Good wines are available to try. The Markt buffet Restaurant is located on deck 9. It is self-service and has a diverse and rich buffet. There are no strict dress codes or fixed dining times. Basic beverages, including house wines and beer, are free of charge at the buffet restaurants.

Follows the complete list of AIDAblu restaurants and food bars.

• Rossini (speciality, 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)
• Bella Donna (Italian cuisine restaurant, complimentary, buffet-style dining, open 24 hours)
• Buffalo Steakhouse (American fare restaurant with a la carte menu; reservations required; at a surcharge)
• Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant at surcharge, reservations are required)
• California Grill (complimentary, American cuisine restaurant)
• East Restaurant (Asian cuisine, buffet-style complimentary restaurant).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

AIDAblu has one of the largest cruise ship wellness centers, spreading on over 2,600 sqm. Apart from the recreational areas, the ship also boasts a modern Theatrium, unique in this class, and a special kids’ zone.

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

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar)
• 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)
• Studio AIDA (TV studio, producing films related to ship's itinerary and activities, plus a radio program)
• AIDA Blu Bar (cocktail bar with live music)
• Theatrium (948-seat, 3-deck high; a combination of an Atrium and a theatre, with glass walls, a stage with dynamic platforms, and glass dome; hosts large-scale productions)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; sells original artworks of renowned art schools and German artists; hosts art auctions)
• AIDA Lounge (with 270-degree panoramic views and comfortable seating)
• The Library (Bibliotek; offers card and board games)
• AIDAblu casino
• Cafe Mare (patisserie & speciality coffee bar)
• Vinotek (fine wines shop; offers sommelier service and wine tasting events)
• Brauhaus (beerhouse; onboard brewery, purified seawater is used for brewing beer; the Beer House sells its own draft beers)
• Destille (Distillery; fruit spirits bar)
• 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)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; provides hairdresser, barber services, professional manicure/pedicure)
• Body & Soul Sports Fitness Centre (with a modern Gym and separate area for classes)
• Zen Lounge (relaxation room; hosts indoor classes)
• 4D Kino Cinemare (4D Cinema room)
• Time Out Bar (sports bar); Ocean Bar (outdoor cocktail bar)
• Blutenmeer (Blooming Sea flower shop)
• Sundeck area (served by the Beach Bar)
• Anytime Bar (Diskothek; ship’s disco & nightclub with DJ program and themed dance parties; during the day hosts organized dance classes)
• HYPE (teens club with supervised activities in two age groups – Orcas for 12 -13 yo and Teens 14 -17 yo; complimentary)
• Body & Soul SPA complex (Africa-themed, with Beauty Salon & Spa Reception, massages /treatments rooms, Wellness Suite, Wellness Oase, Aroma Sauna, Finish Sauna, Steam Room, relaxation room)
• Wellness Oase (Oasis, with a large whirlpool, hammocks, relaxation beds, decorated with palm trees and live plants)
• Wellness Suite (max 4 guests, rented for 4 hours; with its own veranda, Sauna, Whirlpool, luxury bath amenities)
• SPA Bar (complimentary fresh fruits, tea, wellness drinks)
• Sundeck / sunbathing area (Freibereich, located above the swimming pool; with loungers, served by the Pool Bar); the ship’s Top Deck is dedicated to Freikorperkultur / FKK Bereich nudist area with sun loungers)
• Sun Deck games area (Sonnendeck – Freibereich, with shuffleboard, giant chess, Boccia, backgammon, darts, table tennis)
• Videowand (outdoor theatre, with a big-size LED screen)
• Sports Deck area (Sportaussendeck with a combined sports court volleyball/basketball, Golf Cage, putting green area, golf simulator)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track.

Itineraries

AIDAblu itinerary program is based on round-trip Canary Islands cruises from Gran Canaria, as well as the Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 AIDA scheduled for AIDAblu a unique Eastern Mediterranean cruise season (May 23 through October 24) in the Adriatic-Aegean region, with roundtrips from homeport Kerkyra (Corfu Island). Next table shows the B2B that combines two 7-day itineraries.

AIDAblu is AIDA Kreutzfahrten's 7th liner. Between 2004-2007, vessel's name was used for a former AIDA liner - later renamed Ocean Village 2 (Pacific Jewel / MS Karnika). Ship's Godmother was Jette Joop (jewelry designer). The vessel was christened on February 9, 2010, in the Port of Hamburg on the ice-covered Elbe River. The naming ceremony was accompanied by numerous street artists, ice carvers, and there was a traditional fireworks display.

AIDAblu (Sphinx-class vessel) is half a deck bigger than the sister-ships AIDAluna, AIDAdiva and AIDAbella, and was followed by AIDAmar and AIDAsol. AIDAblu holds the record for fastest English Channel crossing by cruise vessel with time, between Le Havre (Paris) and Southampton, of 6 hours and 45 minutes (2011).

AIDA Blu also has one of the largest cruise ship wellness centers - sized 2600 m2. The ship provides a biking station and the supply of bicycles are used by passengers on shore excursions in ports of call. AIDAblu has the first brewery at sea, which permanently produces 3 kinds of draft beer stored in three 1000-L service copper tanks (ZKGs units) in the onboard storage cellar. Recycled seawater is used as brewing water. A special challenge was the requirements for ship-specific fixings, space-saving construction, compliance with the USPH standard (standards of the American public health authority).

There was another cruise ship named "AidaBlu". P&O Australia's Pacific Jewel was formerly known as Crown Princess (Princess Cruises), A-Rosa Blu (A-Rosa Cruises), AIDAblu (from 2004 to 2007, for AIDA Kreutzfahrten) and Ocean Village 2 (for the Carnival's Ocean Village brand).

German is the language that is largely used on board, as the majority of AIDA cruise ship passengers are Germans and German-speaking Europeans (Austrians, Swiss). AIDA customers tend to be quite active, so older Germans usually prefer more traditional lines on the German-speaking market.