AIDAblu voyages around the world with AIDA Cruises, measuring 253 metres in length and 32 metres in width. We delivered one ship in this class every year between 2010 and 2013. AIDAblu’s sister ships are called AIDAstella, AIDAmar and AIDAsol – they belong to the modified Sphinx Class. Half a deck was added to the modified liners to make their spa area more spacious than on the original Sphinx Class.
The designers at MEYER WERFT placed great emphasis on ensuring maximum comfort and energy efficiency: Fuel consumption is reduced with the addition of flow-optimized propellers and a low-friction underwater coating. Its rudder blades are asymmetrically twisted to give the ship additional propulsion. Intelligent technology helps to save water, and new energy is obtained from the waste heat generated during onboard operations.
A glass chute extends along the middle of AIDAblu, housing a magnificent venue known as the “Theatrium”. Its side walls are made of safety glass to withstand heavy loads during voyages. The venue is spread across the entire length of the ship – it’s the heart and soul of onboard life. AIDAblu is home to the world’s first-ever floating brewery. The water required for brewing is supplied by the onboard seawater desalination system.
AIDAblu cruise ship deck plan shows a total of 1096 cabins for 2192 passengers (max occupancy is 2500)served by 610 crew-staff. The boat has 14 decks (12 passenger-accessible, 7 with cabins), 6 restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, 2 swimming pools, 4 Jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpool hot tubs), 10 elevators.
Main deck areas include:
- dining facilities (43000 ft2 / 3988 m2)
- wellness area (21000 ft2 / 1956 m2) – one of the largest at sea
- outside deck spaces (87000 ft2 / 8120 m2)
- Theatrium/Theater (32000 ft2 / 3000 m2)
Complimentary dining options (included in AIDAblu cruise prices) are Markt, California Grill, East, and Bella Donna. At additional charge are Rossini, Buffalo, Sushi Bar, and the Brauhaus. In the 3 buffet restaurants on the AIDAblu ship (Markt, East, Bella Donna), soft drinks, and also beer and house wines are complimentary during Lunch/Dinner times.
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.
Throughout the cruise, they also assist them 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.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
| Name | AIDAblu |
| Owner | Costa Crociere S.p.A.[1] |
| Operator | AIDA Cruises |
| Port of registry | Genoa, Italy |
| Ordered | July 1, 2006[2] |
| Builder | Meyer Werft (Germany) |
| Cost | $420 million |
| Yard number | S. 680[2] |
| Launched | July 11, 2009 |
| Christened | February 9, 2010[3] |
| Maiden voyage | February 9, 2010 to Palma, Majorca |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Class and type | Sphinx-class[4] cruise ship |
| Tonnage | 71,304 GT[1] |
| Length | 253.33 m (831.14 ft)[1] |
| Beam | 32.2 m (105.64 ft)[1] |
| Draught | 7.3 m (23.95 ft)[1] |
| Decks | 15 decks |
| Installed power | Diesel-electric (about 36,000kW)[2] |
| Propulsion | 4 Caterpillar MaK engines[2][4] |
| Capacity | 2,192 passengers |
| Crew | 607 crew |
