Sphinx class · AIDA · In service since 2013
AIDAstella
AIDAstella is a Sphinx class cruise ship operated by AIDA, in service since 2013. At about 71,304 gross tons, it carries roughly 2,194 guests and ranks #5 by size in the 11-ship AIDA fleet we cover.
- 71,304 gross tons
- 2,194 guests
- 830 ft long
Photo: Rainer Lippert, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ship facts
- Cruise line
- AIDA Cruises
- Ship class
- Sphinx class
- Entered service
- 2013 (13 years ago)
- Gross tonnage
- 71,304
- Guests
- 2,194
- Length
- 830 ft (253 m)
- Builder
- Meyer Werft
- Flag
- Italy
- IMO number
- 9601132
About AIDAstella
AIDAstella completed AIDA’s seven-ship Sphinx class in 2013 and is the most refined of the series, benefiting from a decade of tweaks to the design. She belongs to the slightly larger second group of Sphinx ships, with an extra deck of cabins compared with the first three. The Theatrium, a three-deck atrium stage, sits at her heart, and she offers a strong mix of free buffet restaurants and extra-cost à la carte venues, plus her own onboard brewery. Like all AIDA ships, she is built for German-speaking guests, with German announcements, shows and menus, and a casual, no-dress-code club-ship style.
Best for: German-speaking couples and families who want the youngest and most polished of AIDA’s mid-sized Sphinx ships.
AIDAstella highlights
- Theatrium, a three-deck atrium stage for nightly shows
- Brauhaus with beer brewed on board
- Rossini, an intimate fine-dining restaurant
- Buffalo Steakhouse for grilled steaks
- Body & Soul spa with an FKK sun deck
How AIDAstella compares in size
Sphinx class sister ships
Sailing with AIDA
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.
Read our full AIDA guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →
AIDAstella FAQs
How big is AIDAstella?
AIDAstella measures about 71,304 gross tons and is about 830 feet (253 m) long. That makes it #5 of 11 AIDA ships we cover by tonnage, and #177 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.
How many passengers does AIDAstella carry?
About 2,194 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.
When was AIDAstella built?
AIDAstella entered service in 2013 and was built by Meyer Werft.
What class of ship is AIDAstella?
AIDAstella belongs to AIDA's Sphinx class, alongside AIDAmar, AIDAsol, AIDAblu, AIDAluna, AIDAbella, AIDAdiva. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.
Is AIDAstella good for families?
AIDA is very family friendly, with free kids and teen clubs grouped by age, often busy during German school holidays. Programs are in German, which matters for children who don’t speak it. Facilities vary by ship, so check what AIDAstella offers for your kids' ages.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, AIDA official site.