Holidays with Hot Lips - AidaDiva voyage report

[Mattsudds]

Booking this cruise had been a bit of an ordeal, requiring some perseverance. No British travel agents currently offer Aida and when our friendly agent made approaches to them they simply refused to take bookings from UK. The website also doesn’t accept bookings from UK. So time to get out the Deutsche phrasebook, remember that schoolboy German and phone head office. They were eventually persuaded to accept a booking after verifying that at least one person per cabin understood enough German to comprehend any safety critical announcements and making sure we war aware that nothing onboard would be in English.

 

So what are 2 English OLS members doing on a Germans only cruise ship? It was a question that we asked ourselves repeatedly in the run up to boarding the AIDAdiva in Palma, and a question that around 2098 passengers and 620 crew were probably also asking themselves when we encountered them onboard. But what we were doing is sailing on a truly different ship and most importantly having a superb fun time, on ships where the fun is quite simply built in.

 

A pleasant taxi ride from Palma airport brought us to the cruise terminal on the outer Palma breakwater, where our ship towers above us.

 

We arrived pierside a little nervous about what was ahead and about our first German test. Mr Mayes anticipation was perhaps reflected in his embarkation photo, and the fact that next to the gangway AIDA staff had placed a ghetto blaster, some artificial turf, a set of golf clubs and an AIDA bike. Oh dear this looks a bit ‘active’…

 

On most cruise ships, boarding from low piers can be into a non-descript corridor where the last staircase ends. Not so on the AIDAdiva, where embarkation, over a hurtigruten style gangway, is into the Ports of Call bar. This is set out for that first refreshment after returning from a hectic day being ‘active’ but also where you can purchase some last minute items before going ashore. The shop purchases are hidden away in rotating beach huts when the shop is closed. The floor is sea blue and the décor that of a tropical beach scene. On the side away from the quay there are small, closable balconies to look across the harbour, although these are unfortunately closed by the presence of an ancillary craft alongside.

 

The forward lobby area of the ship has 6 lifts, each accessed over a short (12 in) bridge, meaning that you can see down through the bottom 4 levels. The lifts themselves have glass doors and ever changing colours inside, something which is a theme of the ship.

 

One fundamental change from of the Diva ships over pretty much all recent cruise newbuilds is the complete reversal of the general arrangement. Rather than 2 decks of public rooms around lifeboat level, AIDA have placed all the public rooms high up in the ship. This means that apart from the reception (deck 5), all public rooms really begin on deck 9, whereas the cabins are on decks 3-8.

 

Our cabin is a standard inside 2 berth. It has some unusual features including an Arab tent style backdrop and ceiling cloth, some floor length pictures and a considerable amount of shelf space. There is a flat screen tv mounted in the dressing table mirror – totally obscuring any useful view, but the TV system itself takes interactive cruise ship functionality to a new level, with shopping and booking facilities – I’m beginning now to understand what the PIN we were issued with is for. One feature I love is the SeeKarte, a zoomable map showing where the ship is, down to a scale which shows individual quaysides. Zoom out and you can eventually see where the rest of the fleet are, including AIDAluna shown as Papenburg! Next time I want a balcony cabin – these have normal balcony furniture and a hammock strung across, how quirky.

 

So perhaps we should begin our date with a diva by touring the public decks. Deck 9 has the highest cabins forward and then the public areas begin at the forward stairwell. This is the lowest level of the stunning theatrium, with the greatest number of seats. From here the theatrium soars up through 3 decks, with seats through 270 degrees. The apex of the theatrium is a glass domed roof, which itself is the centre of a circular pool and bathing area uptop. We’ll come back to the shows themselves later. Off to port is Studio AIDA, from where the onboard live TV broadcasts are controlled – including live broadcasts of things happening in the theatrium to some other parts of the ship and onto channel 1 on cabin TV. There are also 2 excursion counters, which are manned most evenings. These are interactive touch-screen info points which enable you to book excursions at any time. As an aside, we did try to book an excursion, using Harley trikes in Alicante, but unfortunately it was sold out upon departure and the AIDA website wouldn’t allow passengers from UK to pre-book (part of the no non-Germans filter!). Also on the port side is an egg shaped (with closing lid) bar counter, which opens during busy periods in the theatrium.

 

On the starboard side is the Diva bar, perfect place for pre-theatre drinks. Like all Aida bars, it has an extensive menu (some 14 pages) of cocktails and drinks, although the cocktail descriptions aren’t in some cases about the contents, but rather how the drink will make you feel!

 

The theatrium is part of the ships obvious Meyer DNA, with the windows to either side being enlarged versions of those on the RCCL Radiance class built by the same line. On the Diva sisters, there are no glass lifts going up thorugh it, but a wide staircase, thus affording stunning views out to sea.

 

Aft of the theatrium on the starboard side is a Sushi bar, port side is a small art gallery. Continuing aft one enters the shopping complex with 2 main shops. AIDA should be congratulated for the most comprehensive range of souvenirs I’ve seen (and purchased…) on a cruise line for years. Everything from logo apparel, puzzles, models, superb photo souvenir books, rucksacks, DVDs of past shows, music CDs. They had pretty much everything I’ve ever seen. You could even buy AIDA engraved IPOD nanos.

 

At the aft end of the shopping complex, is the rear stairwell and the 1st of 3 of her buffet style restaurants. This is the Markt restaurant – themed around, you guessed it, a market. There are stalls for the butchers, cheese stored, bread shop, fruit stand. There is a vast range of dishes on offer at each of the restaurants, and wine, beer and soft drinks are already included, with wine already in carafes on the table when you sit down. There is a neat little cutlery stand on each table and glassware, you simply help yourself to the meal. Aida have done a wonderful job with their buffet restaurants and managed to create 3 substantial, differently themed buffets, each serving a different menu each night.

 

Up above the Markt restaurant is the Weltweit, a collection of different national counters like ‘Caribbean fruits’, Austrian and Asian deserts, the Mexico – California salad counters, a latin meat counter and so forth. Again a different selection each night.

 

Further forward on deck 10 is again the theatrium with Vinothek winde bar just alongside to port. All black wood, stone floors and barrels, this conveys well the wine bar in modern hotel look. To starboard is Café Mare, the coffee shop, and Buffalo Steak House, the first of 2 alternative, extra tariff restaurants. Forward of the theatrium is the foto gallery to port, casino to starboard, and then the AIDA bar. This is a superb space with the bar counter designed as a star, resulting in the longest bar counter at sea, and meaning its easy to get to the counter and be served. There are a variety of seating options here and a stage and substantial dance floor where a band called Imagine play a huge repertoire and range each evening. Forward of the bar is the AIDA lounge, an observation lounge an library with some of the quirkiest furniture you may see at sea. Large velvet upholstered bed cushions make up much of the furniture and there is almost full height glass looking forward.

 

Deck 11 has the bridge right forward, but between that and the theatrium is the first of 3 levels of sports and spa facilities. There are plenty of torture machines and 2 different stages for instructors. There is a formation squadron of exercise bikes for classes. There is also a sweet wooden bridge through to the rest of the public areas, where there are even more activity spaces. There is the Time out bar, complete with the self levelling pool table, excursion counters for the specialist diving and biking excursions. And over to starboard an indoor golf putting green and simulator.

 

All around the top level of the theatrium are more seats including some round 2 seater chaise-loungue type seats which are on a slow swivel mechanism and can be set to look out through the panoramic window or into the theatrium itself. There is also a flower shop up here, which opens each evening.

 

After of the theatrium is some open deck space. This has been very cleverly arranved so that the internal roof of the theatrium provides a seating. Sunbathing area and pool section which look onto an outdoor stage for outdoor theatre shows (like the first night’s welcome aboard show and pool party). This level has the only smokers bar, and also the Bella Vista restaurant with adjoining Pizzeria Mare, The gourmet Rossini restaurant is also here.

 

Up again is the Anytime disco – very busy on this ship, complete with an adjoining Ocean bar and an extensive balcony looking out over the stern. There is even more public accommodation forward with the upper level of the Wellness Oase – part of the Body and Soul Spa. The top deck is also the discreetly, but not completely, screened FKK area (nudists) which was in constant use on our trip, from breakfast til dinner. The very forward end of the upper outer deck has slightly lowered screenings making it an ideal place to take photos and see the ship come into or leave port.

 

A feature of the ship is the ‘industrial chic’ of the design. With a space like the theatrium, supporting pillars are inevitable, and AIDA have made them a feature, blended into the design. This is also the case on the forward staircase which looks rather like its held up on a giant piston. There are other design touches which show the really great quality of this ship, including the finish on bar spaces (the boat shape of the Diva bar for instance), the little touches on stairwells and doors, it just all works and is so well done.

 

A description of the ship would be incomplete without mentioning two further things, colours and toilets. Colours because everywhere is colourful and indeed many of the spaces have a constantly, slowly changing colour. And the toilets – well they made every one uniquely designed such that I couldn’t resist photographing them (when they were empty please note!).

 

So that is the ship what of the experience? Well think fun, informal and great quality and you’re about there. Informal in the sense of no structure, no formal evenings, noone being really very dressed up. Fun, with the music, entertainment and fellow passengers (boy those Germans know how to let their hair down).

 

Mealtimes are relatively brief and the buffets are closed outside this time. 12:30- 14:00 and 18:30 – 21:00, with only the Pizzeria opening 12:30 – 24:00.

 

Showtime in the theatrium is a great time when passing traffic, and avid showgoers meet to see specially designed shows which make used of the design of the space, and recognise the informality by being brief and different. Each show begins on the hour, every hour from 20:00 to 23:00 and lasts about 30 minutes. There are 4 different shows per evening and none are repeated. There were singers, dancers, acrobats and a Komedie. We saw Kaleido, which was one of the best shows seen ashore ever. We went to ‘Dancing Queen’, the Abba show, when everyone clapped along, we enjoyed soloist singers. In short the evening theatrium entertainment was just perfect. The space cleverly lets people come and go, and other noise generating distractions are far enough away so that they can’t be heard. Almost all seats have good views and the cast use the full round effect properly to face everyone, so side seats aren’t necessarily side views.

 

Outside the pooldeck has the second theatre like space and its here that the 1st and last night parties take place. These include an Aida laser show, which spectacularly beams onto the wall and into a clear night, causing no doubt jealousy from nearby ships and those ashore.

 

Each time you leave port, the 3 toots is the signal to play the AIDA double sailing anthems ‘Orinocco flow’ and Sailaway. From the Diva’s giant speakers, the effect on a still night is really quite stirring. The ‘Sailaway’ music is particularly rousing the the effect as it booms out against a backdrop of Palma cathedral is quite something.

 

Anyone who has been on a Scandinavian ferry will know how to deal with smorgasbord buffets and we should really have taken onboard our own knowledge. These spaces can feel crowded whilst you wait for the door to open, and on the Diva this is no different. However wait 15 mins and not only have the crowds dissipated but you can also get to the counters more easily. One quirk of das Clubschiff is that most of the tables are quite large, so it means you get to make new friends each evening.

 

Naturally being gourmets (I once saw this translated as greedy people…) we ate in the extra tariff restaurants. In Buffalo steak house, we enjoyed a meal so good and large that we couldn’t manage desert. One quirk of the additional tariff restaurants is that they DON’T include any drinks – which the buffets do. To balance this the wine list is very reasonably priced, but it did feel a bit of that cruise thing pay more get less. Still a lovely Filet Mignon and chunk of bison were enjoyed, along with many of the normal steakhouse sides.

 

The Rossini restaurant is the gourmet dining experience onboard and serves really very nice food indeed. We had the 6 course inclusive menu (24.50) which was worth every penny. With a Duck liver starter, Mustard pumpkin soup, Swordfish with apple chutney, peach and lemongrass sorbet, Beef fillet on foie gras with potato mousse, and a Rum Baba with pineapple carpaccio desert, together with amuse bouche, it was lovely. But then there was the service, which was glacial. 3hr45 mins for dinner is a bit much in my book, even one as good as this. I think it was prolonged by the employment of Manuel (Fawlty towers), who had the knack, along with some of the other staff, of emerging from the kitchen with dishes, making several circuits of a central island unit, followed by a couple of rounds of part of the restaurant before returning to the kitchen with said dishes. Good job we were in an ‘isn’t this fun’ sort of mood. Oh and I think the other passengers found my habit of photographing the food quite funny too – so there was amusement all around.

 

Aida deserve praise for some other parts of their operation too. The ports of call are longer than most – no need to sail in time for dinner. The information passengers are given at each port is extensive with nary a sponsored tat merchant in sight. They include a decent map and the sites and history (memo to Cunard, HAL, RCCL etc…). And just in case you didn’t get it that they want you to enjoy the port, the main excursion desk sells guidebooks for the ports. What a good idea.

 

The AIDAdiva has a platform built over the very tip of the bow for photography purposes, on the forward deck. Normally this is crew only, but once per trip the photographers will escort you down there for portrait am bug. Being shiplovers we decided to go along and hopefully join a big group and peel off discreetly. But it turns out there were only a few passengers who wanted this, so off we went, 7 people and 2 photographers. It was great to go there but we had to go any buy some photos then (well we didn’t have to but felt we ought to) and then we ended up spending rather a lot in the photo shop. I particularly enjoyed the well to do german lady commenting in hushed but disapproving tones at how much we had spent – assuming that as we were English speaking we didn’t understand. I also enjoyed her face when I smiled and said Auf Wiedersehen! It was slightly disconcerting later that same evening to find other people discussing and buying our photos – had they asked we would have signed them for a small fee!

 

Aida also know people are interested in the ships, that’s shown in the extensive range of souvenirs but also the behaviour. The AIDAcara (unser mutterschiff) was also in port in Palma and it was arranged that we sailed in tandem after leaving the port – how many other lines do that these days? Further we were onboard on the day of AIDAbella’s naming ceremony, and it was broadcast live aboard the ship. Can’t imagine Carnival or NCL doing that can you?

 

Was language a problem – absolutely not. As long as you can deal with a daily programme in German, all the staff speak English if you need to. And in buffet dining, who needs menus!

 

The AIDAdiva was in my view a superb ship and a superb, informal and fun product. I’m glad I plucked up courage to phone the AIDA HQ and see if I could pass their German language booking test, and glad that Mr Mayes, OLS chairman and author, was there to share the fun with me.

 

Oh and we didn’t see any lederhosen. Sorry – couldn’t resist that one!.

[MMDown Under]

Thanks for your entertaining review.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think our conversational tourist level German would pass muster.

[Goldryder]

Sounds like an amazing experience. I have been looking at trying to book myself on Diva for her April 2010 repositioning from Dubai to Crete. The ships look excellent and they are not too big either. Your review has certainly whetted my appetite to try Aida :)

[LauraS]

Whenever I see the "Hot Lips" ships, I just have to smile

 

Thanks for sharing your review; have you submitted it to us for publication?

 

Submit Your AIDA Member Review

[Kruizefan]

@ Mattsudds

 

Thank you for your great review!

 

AIDAcruises´ fleet is growing very fast and they will probably cater for more international guests in the near future.

 

Here is another review of AIDAcara from outside Germany.

 

Cruiseaddicted Dutchman Bart de Boer pointed out some characteristic details you will find on AIDA cruiseships.

His reviews are published in English language. Just go to CruiseReviews/AIDAcara

 

http://www.shipparade.com/indx.htm

 

We are looking forward embarking AIDAdiva´s new sistership AIDAbella in August.

 

Peter

[Kruizefan]

We are looking forward embarking AIDAdiva´s new sistership AIDAbella in August.

Peter

 

Hi,

 

we really had a great time on AIDAbella!

 

AIDA offers the best buffet food on the seven seas, they are still impeccable on that.

 

But they have some great service restaurants (Rossini, Steakhouse, Sushi Bar) with surcharge too.

 

P.

[sheeper370]

With the demise of Ocean Village in 2010 and the resulting vacuum in casual cruising in the UK market, I sincerely hope that AIDA will reconsider their policy with regard to customers from the UK.

 

They could fill at least one extra ship all the year round...

[CruiseAdict218]

I really want to take a tour of AIDA.your information really enhance my craze of AIDA.

 

Mine too :)