AIDA – the crowds detracted from our cruise experience
The buffet restaurants and the ship’s layout were the main challenges for us.
Our experience with AIDA was quite different. The ship had a more self-service approach. That can be convenient if you like to handle everything yourself, but it didn’t always work so well for us in practice.
We ran into problems especially at mealtimes. The buffet restaurants were often very busy, and finding a free table could be quite frustrating. Sometimes we walked around several times without finding a suitable spot.
There were also times when we had already filled our plates but couldn’t find a table. Since we weren’t allowed to walk around the ship with food, we had to put it down somewhere while we kept looking. It really took the relaxation out of the experience for us.
We also didn’t always find the ship’s layout practical. One thing that stood out was that a major walkway ran along the side of a buffet restaurant. This made the passage feel awkward and uncomfortable, especially when it was busy.
Of course, we also visited some beautiful destinations on this cruise, but the crowds, buffet experience and ship’s layout influenced our rating.
Our verdict: AIDA is a less ideal fit for what we look for in a cruise. That’s why this cruise line is clearly at the bottom of our personal rankings.

Street Food MeileThe döner kebabs and currywurst at the Street Food Meile were a hit. Ideal for a quick, tasty bite between activities!

Service that goes the extra mile
The crew is proactive and makes sure everything runs smoothly, so you can relax and enjoy your cruise.

Culinary quality on board
The dishes are fresh, flavourful and varied, with attention to detail and presentation.

Calm and organisation
Queues are rare and everything is efficiently organised, creating a relaxing atmosphere on board.

