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With Germany winning the match in extra time, the AIDADIVA more than anyhow sails into the night as a cruise ship full of happy (German) passengers. Only the singers, dancers and animators had a very calm workday today, all sun deck or other parties and activities onboard being overshadowed by the high demand for what many think Germans like most – football and beer. AIDADIVA remains in Stockholm overnight, giving her passengers the rare chance to experience the city until late in the evening and/or for another (half) day the next morning. We grasp the latter opportunity and return back to the ship in time to head straight to that unique spot forward above the bridge on deck 14 which gives an unobstructed view ahead on the ship’s course through the archipelago. Things are different with the “Almhütte“, a Bavarian/Alp-themed restaurant on deck 10 which due to its popularity on other Aida vessels has been incorporated on the older ship as recently as in spring 2022.
Travel Styles
During the cruise, I hear some Dutch voices here and there but apart from that, AIDADIVA is more or less completely in German hands. On an Adventures by Disney river cruise, families are the only passengers onboard. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, with a focus on stories rather than history, and activities designed to burn off energy and keep children engaged, such as tobogganing in the Black Forest. The ships also have small pools onboard, so kids can take a break from touring and just have fun (while their parents relax).
AIDA Cruises launches ambitious fleet modernization program with AIDA Evolution
By this project, the three vessels will be completely overhauled, refitted and upgraded with new technologies and equipment and systems. The Theatrium will be enhanced with new seating arrangements and a color scheme. Almost all beverages, food and gratuities are included in the cruise price.
Mein Schiff Review
The “Bella Vista“ is loosely Mediterranean-themed, and although it’s all buffet-style, don’t expect fast food or crossover kitchen. All dishes are marked with a sign that explains its ingredients and country of origin, so you can basically go on a culinary “world cruise“ onboard – Aida changes its culinary motto not only from day to day, but also from restaurant to restaurant. The selection of food options is large indeed, all of them are well seasoned, and unlike those strange months when strict anti-Covid rules applied, self-service has returned, salt and pepper are disposable at each table as is Aida’s famous “cutlery carousel“. Furthermore, Aida includes all non-alcoholic drinks as well as beer and table wine in the ticket price, so it’s basically ‘all you can eat/drink’ with the ”German branch of Costa Cruises“ if that is what you’ re looking for with your cruise. This very policy also leads to the complete and welcome absence of waitresses and waiters trying to sell you beverage packages at every possible or impossible opportunity.
Related Cruises
For the same reason, the AIDADIVA’s only real a la carte restaurant “Rossini“ remains closed for the whole duration of the cruise. In mid-July 2016, AIDA became one of the three cruise ship companies (together with Disney and Hapag-Lloyd) that banned Faroe Islands (a Danish territory) as a destination part of their North European itineraries. From February 2024, 3 “Winter in the far north” itineraries are included in the program.
Damaged Hurtigruten Cruise Ship Makes Slow Progress Toward Germany - The Maritime Executive
Damaged Hurtigruten Cruise Ship Makes Slow Progress Toward Germany.
Posted: Fri, 22 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
From Warnemünde, it’s a convenient drive to Berlin, Germany’s dynamic and glamorous capital city. As well as Warnemünde, these itineraries include historic ports like Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, and Copenhagen. In Warnemünde, stroll through the lively Alter Strom (Old Channel) district, lined with colorful restaurants, cafés, and boutiques, or wander along the extensive sandy beach. From Warnemünde, you are also a short drive from Rostock, a vibrant university town and important port, with pockets of medieval architecture in its center, as well as a lively market. See the best of Germany's north coast and capital on a luxury European cruise with Celebrity.
The cabin is amazingly spacious and features shelves without doors which makes unpacking easy. Coloured in cheerful orange and yellow colours, the decoration is a welcome break from today’s abundance of “nordic“ grey, black and brown tones. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages, per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings.
In Hamburg, stop at one of the country’s most cosmopolitan cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, explore ornate churches and hipster cafes. While visiting Berlin on a Germany cruise, enjoy a local pilsner and wurst, explore the city’s transition from the Weimer Republic to the Berlin Wall to capital of a unified Germany. Whether you bike, walk, ride or float, you'll be charmed and enchanted by Germany. But it's Tauck's fully-inclusive rates that really help make this line a great choice for luxury seekers.
Best Rhine River Cruise on a Budget: Gate 1 Travel
The Faroe Islands have a population of about 50,000 and kill each year over 1,000 pilot whales. You can see the cruise ship schedule of Torshavn - Faroes most visited port. All cruise lines with scheduled visits to the Faroes are accused of supporting the brutal whaling practices. Whaling is still officially approved and carried out by the "civilized" countries Japan, Norway, and Iceland, killing over 2000 whales each year and trading in whale products. All AIDA liners have on their top-deck Freikorperkultur (FKK Bereich) - a fore-located Nudist Deck.
The pool deck party, which comes along with a laser show, feels like an explosion of senses that transcends all boundaries – be it generation, origin or other. And to allow its guests to fully enjoy the party onboard, the following day, in the best cruise tradition, is a full day at sea. Up on the pool deck (deck 12), Aida celebrates embarkation day with the first (one of many a) open air party. Not that the pools themselves or the weather would encourage passengers to swim or bath until well past 10 p.m. But after more than two years full of Covid-19 restrictions, renunciations and lockdowns, the summer of 2022 at last feels like the first in a post-pandemic era – and onboard the Aida ships it’s going to be celebrated accordingly. The quality of the buffet food is better than much of what is served in other companies’ vessels a la carte restaurants, and the portion size of course is just as you want it to be.
While berthed, the ship was successfully provided with LNG at all the itinerary's ports of call (Hamburg, Rotterdam, Le Havre, Southampton, Zeebrugge). The new technology was first tested on AIDAstella where Pepper learned to engage with passengers and crew. The first set of robots were introduced on Costa Diadema and AIDAprima in April 2016. By the end of summer 2016, Pepper robots were added on all AIDA and Costa liners. In February 2024 was announced the company's largest fleet modernization) drydock upgrade and refurbishment program "AIDA Evolution".
Following the deliveries of the "Japanese" ships AIDAprima (2016) and AIDAperla (2017), for the first time in its history, the company had booked 2+ million Germans. Initially, as exceptions were announced the ships Perla (Aug 12, from Hamburg), Diva (Aug 15, from Warnemunde-Rostock) and Prima (Aug 15, from Kiel). However, these departures were canceled as the flag-state (Italy) delayed its approval for the restart. Eventually, AIDA extended its passenger shipping pause through August 2021 (fleetwide thru August).
The evening entertainment program in the theatre includes theatrical performances, opera, musicals, varietes, music shows like Beatles, Sketch Parade, flying acrobatic artists and magicians. Most passengers hailed from Europa's strong base -- Germany, Austria and Switzerland -- though we met some very pleasant folks from other places, ranging from Hong Kong to Brussels. Even if we didn't really connect with our fellow travelers, we did find them to be unfailingly gracious, and never did we pass folks in the corridor without being offered a courteous "Guten Morgen" (good morning), "Guten Tag" (good day) or "Guten Abend" (good evening). The biggest disappointment with Europa was that service was hit and miss -- and that had nothing to do with language issues. Standouts included the flawless team at the Dieter Muller restaurant, the maitre 'd at Venezia, who was absolutely charming, and our efficient and intuitive cabin stewardess. In the Beauty Salon and Ocean Spa, the pampering began before your treatment.
The lower-priced offshoot of Australian-owned all-inclusive line Scenic has contemporary ships that tend to attract a slightly younger crowd -- with good reason. For wallet-conscious cruisers used to deals on ocean-going lines, the price of a Rhine River cruise can come as a shock. For about $1,000 less than the closet competitor, Gate 1 Travel manages to be one of the best Rhine River cruises for those watching there budget. With its fairy-tale castles and picture-perfect scenery, the Rhine is arguably Europe's most romantic river. You can harness that dreamy atmosphere on Uniworld's one-of-a-kind boutique vessels, like the River Queen.
Enjoy Broadway-style shows at The Theatre, the serenity of The Spa, and tantalize your senses with a cool cocktail at Eden. Choose The Retreat, an unparalleled vacation experience that includes a suite and access to an exclusive lounge and fabulous restaurant, Luminae. The next stop on our Baltic cruise is Visby, the capital of the Swedish island of Gotland and world-famous for its medieval architecture or what remains of it. We share the berth with TUI Cruises’ MEIN SCHIFF 6, and although this means more than 4,000 cruise tourists ashore at once, the picturesque UNESCO world heritage town rarely feels overcrowded. Aida’s competitor even pays an acoustic farewell salute upon our departure which is again being watched by hundreds of passengers along the railings and on the outside decks. Meanwhile on the sun deck, Aida serves a barbeque by the pool, musically accompanied by the songs of Genesis and Pur, the latter again a band known to German guests only.
Passengers tired of the buffet meals can alternatively try the a-la-carte-priced restaurants pampering with high-quality gourmet cuisine and an elegant atmosphere. AIDA ships cater to German-speaking cruisers and are renowned for their casual service and youthful style. German is the language that is the primary spoken on all AIDA boats, because most pf the company's customers are German-speaking (germans, Swiss, Austrians). They tend to be young and active, as AIDA's seagoing "club resorts" offer many amenities and facilities attracting younger vacationers. When cruising to Germany, discover medieval and modern architecture, quaint towns and vibrant cities, and the seaside, canals and rural countryside.
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