AIDAnova Cruise Ship Passing Altona

It was one of those surprisingly calm evenings on the bridge. No phone calls, barely any radio chatter, and the weather was decent—except for the 7°C cold that still feels brutal for someone used to Philippine temperatures. For me, that’s already close to “extreme winter mode.” 😅

Our ship was safely docked at Hamburg Altona Cruise Terminal, and I was on my usual bridge watch. Even though I’m already on a cruise ship myself, watching other ships pass by is still something I really enjoy—it just hits differently.

Then out of nowhere, this beauty showed up.

Gliding past the terminal was the AIDAnova, one of AIDA Cruises’ largest and most modern ships. With its bright, colorful lights reflecting on the water, it instantly grabbed my attention.

Couldn’t help it—I had to snap some photos.

Here are a few cool things about the AIDAnova:
• She’s a LNG-powered cruise ship, one of the first in the world.
• Can carry over 6,600 passengers, basically a floating mini-city.
• Features endless entertainment—water slides, theatres, restaurants, lounges, and a huge LED-lit atrium.
• Belongs to AIDA’s Helios-class, famous for the iconic kissing lips painted on the bow.

Seeing her sail out of Hamburg at night felt almost cinematic—soft reflections on the water, glowing windows, and that signature AIDA smile passing right in front of me.

Moments Like These
Bridge watch can be quiet and routine, but moments like this break the silence in the best way. Even in the cold, even far from home, scenes like this remind me why life at sea always has surprises waiting.

Even when you’re already working on a cruise ship, watching another one glide by is still something special.