Great Itinerary & Nice Ship

Background Information:

I went to Canada to visit my Canadian friends. My German friend and I went on the cruise after I finished my visit to the Canadian friends.

Sorry no hotel information pre- or post cruise as I stayed at my Canadian friend´s house and went home the day of disembarkation.

Ship Information:

On-board language is German. Although all Crew members do speak English it might be difficult to get along without some German language knowledge. All the information sheets, entertainment, menus, anouncements are in German only (except safety anouncements which are also in English).

Passengers: 1200 mostly from Germany, Austria, Switzerland but also from other - mostly European - countries

AIDA offers freestyle cruising with no dress code (except that they ask for long pants in the evening and no swim outfit in the restaurants). There are no formal nights.

Gratuities are included in the cruise fare and service charge is included in your beverage purchases and spa treatments. GST is included in the prices for everythig you buy on board.

Activities & entertainment:

Broadway style shows in the theatre which I liked

Laser Show on the first evening is great

lots of parties with different mottos/themes both inside and on the pool deck (for example sailor´s Party, Bavarian Party, officers shaking cocktails and many more)

great live music bands

lots of sports including diving lessons, shuffleboard, workout in the gym, different gym classes (some of them you have to pay extra for), volleyball, yoga etc.

there is no casino on board (which is great for me as I don´t like casinos and in my opinion they only take space which can be used for other venues) but they offer bingo games

On our cruise there was a lecturer on board who was good. Not all AIDA cruises have a lecturer on board, it depends on the itinerary.

Various bars & Lounges - we expecially loved the nightfly bar

lots of workshops & cooking classes for an upcharge

great spa with relaxing treatments and ocean view sauna (note: sauna is German/Scandinavian style - nude with only a towel, no swimsuits allowed)

Service:

Crew is very friendly & helpful

self service laudry for a small fee is great if you travel for a longer time

port & shore excursions

see port Reviews

Please note that shore excursions booked with AIDA have German speaking guides normally. They don´t offer any other language.

travel to embarkation port:

We took the Montréal Airport bus from Airport to Lionel Groulx Metro Station and from there the Metro to Square Victoria which is near the port. You could easily walk from there to the port if you don´t have to manage luggage. A taxi from Square Victoria to the port was less than 10 CAD. The bus/Metro ticket is valid for 24 hrs and can be used for city sightseeing, too.

Cabin:

We had an inside cabin on deck 4 in the back of the ship. I liked the design. Enough storage and the bathroom was nice, too. AIDAs cabins are smaller than on most cruise lines (approx 13.5 square metres for an inside cabin, balcony cabins are bigger). AIDA provides shower gel, shampoo and hair dryer in the cabin.

Sometimes some noise from the engine but not too much. As the cabins in the back are sold for a lower price it is o.k.

Dining:

AIDA has buffet as their main dining. I absolutely love their buffets. The presentation/decoration is wunderful. You find fresh sliced fruit for every meal and a wide selection for soups, salads, entrees, desserts. The restaurants are styled almost like the main restaurants with service on other ships - there is no "buffet lunch at work" feeling which I experienced on other cruise lines.

Drinks with your meal are included in the cruise fare (except champagne, upscale whine etc).

Specialty dining with service at the table is available for an upcharge - we didn´t try it as we were very happy with the buffets.

Buffets tend to be crowded in the first 15 minutes or so after the restaurants open. We went later and had no issues.

Only a few tables for 2 or 4, mostly 6-10 to a table. AIDA wants their passengers to meet other passengers.

children´s Club:

is offered (in German) but as we didn´t travel with kids I can´t rate it

disembarkation:

As we disembarked in N.Y. we had to store our luggage outside the port until we went to the airport. This can be an issue. We booked storage separately and went there by taxi.

You don´t get a set disembarkation time Slot with AIDA. You just walk off any time you want. You must leave your cabin by 9 AM and the ship by 11 AM in the US (you may stay on board after 11 AM on disembarkation day for an upcharge in European ports).

Summary:

great itinerary, nice ship which only feels crowded if you want to dine at 6 PM

very friendly crew