AIDAblu

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

The vessel (IMO number 9398888) is currently Italy-flagged (MMSI 247282500) and registered in Genova.

History - Construction and Ownership

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

The 2,200-passenger AIDAblu is a modern cruise ship built by the renowned Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. In 2011, she set a record for the fastest English Channel crossing, completing the route between Le Havre and Southampton in 6 hours and 45 minutes. AIDAblu was also the first cruise ship to feature an onboard brewery.

In addition to the ship’s staff and crew, AIDA passengers are assisted by Pepper robots—humanoid cyborgs introduced fleetwide in 2016. These robots welcome guests during embarkation and assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and recommendations on dining, entertainment, enrichment programs, the casino, shopping, and shore excursions. Pepper robots are mobile, speak English, German, and Italian, and can interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tone and facial expressions.

Decks and Cabins

Most AIDAblu staterooms (1,096 total across 24 categories) include 15 Suites, 505 Balcony, 391 Oceanview, and 374 Inside cabins. Balcony cabins range from 17–23 m² (185–250 ft²) with step-out balconies sized 3–6 m² (30–65 ft²). Oceanview cabins are 14–17 m² (150–185 ft²), and Interior cabins are 14 m² (150 ft²). There are 11 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest accommodations are the Sundeck Deluxe Suites, measuring 56–87 m² (605–935 ft²), each with a private sundeck (12–50 m² / 130–540 ft²).

The ship has 14 decks, including 12 passenger-accessible decks and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

AIDAblu features ten taprooms (including a beer fermentation plant) and a wide array of open-seating dining venues. The buffets allow guests to sample international cuisine. Quality wines are also available. The Markt Buffet Restaurant, located on Deck 9, is a self-service venue offering a rich and diverse selection. There are no formal dress codes or assigned dining times. Basic beverages, such as house wines and beer, are complimentary at buffet restaurants.

Below is the complete list of AIDAblu restaurants and food bars:

• Rossini – Specialty dinner-only restaurant (surcharge, reservations required); waiter service, 6-course à la carte menu
• Markt Restaurant – Main dining room (complimentary, self-service buffet, small terrace)
• Bella Donna – Italian cuisine (complimentary, buffet-style, open 24 hours)
• Buffalo Steakhouse – American à la carte restaurant (surcharge, reservations required)
• Sushi Bar – Japanese restaurant (surcharge, reservations required)
• California Grill – American cuisine (complimentary)
• East Restaurant – Asian buffet-style restaurant (complimentary)

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

AIDAblu features one of the largest wellness centers at sea, covering over 2,600 m². In addition to recreational areas, she offers a unique Theatrium (a combination of atrium and theatre) and a dedicated kids' zone.

Below is the full list of AIDAblu's lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for children, teens, and adults:

• Pier 3 Bar (coffee bar)
• Kids Club (complimentary, supervised programs by age group: Seahorses 3–6, Dolphins 7–9, Sharks 10–11; features an outdoor area with a paddling pool)
• Internet stations with printers (Reception/Lobby area; shipwide Wi-Fi, including all staterooms)
• Studio AIDA (TV studio producing itinerary-related films and radio content)
• AIDA Blu Bar (cocktail bar with live music)
• Theatrium (948-seat, 3-deck-high venue with stage, dynamic platforms, glass dome, and walls)
• Art Gallery (Kunstgalerie; showcases and auctions original works by German and international artists)
• AIDA Lounge (panoramic views and relaxed seating)
• The Library (Bibliotek; offers books, card, and board games)
• AIDAblu Casino
• Cafe Mare (patisserie and specialty coffee bar)
• Vinotek (wine shop with sommelier service and tasting events)
• Brauhaus (onboard brewery using purified seawater; serves draft beers brewed on board)
• Destille (fruit spirits bar)
• AIDA Bar (large-capacity lounge with panoramic windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (photo/video services, duty-free goods, photo kiosks with touchscreen face recognition)
• AIDA Shop (duty-free shopping arcade offering liquor, tobacco, fashion, jewelry, watches, perfumes, branded goods)
• Beauty Salon (Friseur; hairdresser, barber, manicure/pedicure)
• Body & Soul Sports Fitness Center (modern gym and studio for classes)
• Zen Lounge (indoor relaxation and class space)
• 4D Kino Cinemare (4D cinema)
• Time Out Bar (sports bar), Ocean Bar (outdoor cocktail bar)
• Blutenmeer (flower shop)
• Sundeck area (served by the Beach Bar)
• Anytime Bar (disco and nightclub with DJ and themed parties; hosts daytime dance classes)
• HYPE (teen club with activities for ages 12–13 [Orcas] and 14–17 [Teens]; complimentary)
• Body & Soul SPA (Africa-themed, with Beauty Salon, Spa Reception, treatment rooms, saunas, steam room, relaxation spaces)
• Wellness Oase (tropical oasis with whirlpool, hammocks, beds, palm trees, live plants)
• Wellness Suite (max 4 guests, 4-hour rental; includes private veranda, sauna, whirlpool, luxury amenities)
• SPA Bar (offers complimentary fresh fruit, tea, wellness drinks)
• Sundeck (above the pool, with loungers and Pool Bar); Top Deck features a Freikorperkultur / FKK Bereich nudist area
• Sun Deck Games Area (shuffleboard, giant chess, boccia, backgammon, darts, table tennis)
• Videowand (outdoor theater with large LED screen)
• Sports Deck (multi-sport court for volleyball/basketball, golf cage, putting green, simulator)
• Power Walking/Jogging Track

Itineraries

AIDAblu’s itinerary program includes roundtrip cruises to the Canary Islands from Gran Canaria and Mediterranean voyages from Palma de Mallorca.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021 AIDA scheduled a special Eastern Mediterranean season for AIDAblu (May 23 through October 24), with roundtrips from Kerkyra (Corfu Island). The following table shows the B2B itinerary, combining two 7-day cruises.

The vessel (Meyer Werft Papenburg yard/hull) has a volume of 71,304 GT, a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 7,889 tons, and a maximum draught of 7.3 m. Her powerplant consists of MAK Caterpillar marine diesel engines (model 9M43C) with a combined output of 36 MW. The propulsion system features SIEMENS electric motors (model 1DM5650-8DS06-Z) with a total output of 25 MW. The registered shipowner is COSTA CROCIERE S.p.A., the registered manager is AIDA CRUISES, and the ISM Manager is CARNIVAL MARITIME GmbH.

AIDAblu is the seventh vessel of AIDA Kreuzfahrten. Between 2004 and 2007, her name was previously used by another AIDA liner, which was later renamed Ocean Village 2 (Pacific Jewel/Karnika). Meyer Werft delivered the current vessel on February 4, 2010. She was christened on February 9 in Port Hamburg, on the ice-covered Elbe River, by godmother Jette Joop (jewelry designer). The naming ceremony featured street performers, ice sculptors, and a traditional fireworks display.

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

AIDAblu also features one of the largest wellness centers at sea, spanning 2,600 m². The ship is equipped with a bike station, supplying bicycles used by guests for shore excursions at various ports of call. She is also home to the first brewery at sea, which continuously produces three types of draft beer. The beers are stored in three 1,000-liter service copper tanks (ZKG units) in an onboard storage cellar. Recycled seawater is used as brewing water. A major challenge during construction was meeting ship-specific requirements for fixtures, space-saving design, and compliance with USPH (United States Public Health) standards.

Another cruise ship previously bore the name "AIDAblu." P&O Australia's Pacific Jewel was formerly known as Crown Princess (Princess Cruises), A-Rosa Blu (A-Rosa Cruises), AIDAblu (2004–2007, for AIDA Kreuzfahrten), and Ocean Village 2 (under Carnival's Ocean Village brand).

German is the primary language spoken onboard, as the majority of AIDA's customers are Germans and German-speaking Europeans (including Austrians and Swiss). AIDA's clientele tends to be younger and more active, while older German travelers typically prefer more traditional cruise lines within the German-speaking market.