Total Immersion

When in Rome Germany … Porthole cruises as the locals do on AIDAperla.

- Sharon Kenny

Those smiling red lips and exotic Cleopatra eyes on the bow make AIDA’s cruise ships the most strikingly dramatic-looking ships in any cruise port, from China to Miami to the Mediterranean. Yet outside of Germany, AIDA is almost unknown, even amongst cruise-lovers.

I was the only American, and the only non-German speaker on my week long cruise on AIDA’s newest ship AIDAperla … and it was one of my best and most unique cruises ever.

“Aren’t you worried that no one will speak English?” a friend asked me before I left.

“Well, not speaking German wouldn’t stop me from visiting Germany,” I explained. “So what’s the difference?”

More than 95 percent of AIDA guests are German speakers, but all of the crew speaks English, and very well too. In fact, it’s the official language the crew uses to communicate since they are from all nationalities. All of the major announcements are made in German, but most are repeated in English. If you are an experienced cruiser, you won’t have any difficulties.