AIDAblu

AIDAblu has a claim to fame: when she entered service in 2010, she became the first cruise ship with its own brewery on board, and the Brauhaus remains one of her most popular venues. She is the fourth Sphinx-class ship and the first of the larger second group, with an extra deck of cabins compared with AIDAdiva, AIDAbella and AIDAluna. The style is classic AIDA: casual and sociable, designed for German-speaking guests, with buffet restaurants included and several à la carte options. The Theatrium, a three-deck atrium stage, is where most evenings end, with shows, music and dancing.

Best for: German-speaking couples and families, especially beer lovers, who want a relaxed, mid-sized club ship.

AIDA Cruises is Germany’s largest cruise line and a German-language product from top to bottom: announcements, entertainment, menus and service are designed for guests from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It runs casual, buffet-centered “club ships,” recognizable by the red lips painted on every bow. North Americans who don’t speak German will feel like outsiders, so this line suits German speakers and adventurous travelers who want an immersive European experience.