Formerly known as the R One, Insignia is a luxury, mid-sized ship aimed largely at couples. Comprising of 9 passenger decks, it can carry between 684 to 824 passengers and 386 crew. It caters for travellers who appreciate good food and style, however there are no formal nights on board. Please note that with no specific child friendly entertainment or supervision onboard this cruise is largely geared towards adult passengers.
There are varied itineraries around the Mediterranean, Caribbean and The Americas. Or why not step back in time and take a cruise aboard one of the transatlantic routes available?
Interior furnishings reflect décor styles of the 1920’s and 30’s and there is a definite country club ambience indoors. All public areas are finished to a high standard with marble fireplaces in some bars and a Regency style design in the library.
The ship first entered service (as R One) in 1998, joining the Oceania fleet as Insignia in October 2003. It was built in France for £75 million. Weighing in at 30k tons it measures 181m long and is 25 .5m wide. The ship retains 2 lifeboats, 4 tenders and 2 rescue boats. The currency used onboard is the US dollar.
There are a total of 342 cabins, ranging from 13.5 sq. m to 90 sq.m in size. A choice of 6 cabin categories is on offer along with 10 price grades. 317 cabins have an outside view, 25 are interior cabins, while only 3 have wheelchair access. There are also 4 lifts onboard. 232 cabins have a private balcony, however none are single occupancy.
The four lowest grades of accommodation are a tight fit for 2 people sharing. All cabins feature a TV, bathrobes, towels, slippers, vanity desk and personal safe. Some cabins (Concierge level) also qualify for extras including a bottle of champagne on arrival, and priority booking for services such as embarkation and reservations in onboard restaurants.
Owner’s Suites offer the largest and most luxurious cabin space (89.3sq.m), benefiting from superb views of the sea from your bed through the floor-to-ceiling glass door. Each cabin features a CD player/Jacuzzi/entrance hall/living room and completely private balcony.
Vista Suites: Features as above, only smaller cabin space. (73 sq.m)
| What are the cuisine/dining options? |
All restaurants adhere to an open-seating dining policy. This gives passengers greater flexibility and they can also choose from 4 main restaurants.
The Grand Dining Room has a capacity to seat 340 diners and enjoys ocean views on three sides. Lunch and dinner menus change daily, but please note that due to the low ceiling level it can get extremely noisy at busy times. (Reservations required.)
Toscana Italian Restaurant: Choose from the set menu or chef’s specials. (Seats 96, Reservations required.
Polo Grill: Prime steaks and seafood. (seats 98)
Terrace Café: Tapas /Mediterranean/ self service buffet/pizzeria & grill/ cheeses & salad. (154 indoor seats – 186 outside)
Tides Café: smaller, more informal. Snacks & beverages.
Inside: The Regatta Lounge is geared up to offer lectures and guest speakers, therefore limited traditional entertainment is available at this venue. Passengers can also try dancing, arts and crafts or sit in on cooking demonstrations. Drinks can be enjoyed in a range of 8 bars, or in the showroom and observation lounges.
Take a gamble in the casino, card room or slot machines. For a less risky time try the library, complete with trompe l’ oeil ceiling, wide selection of books and deep wing-backed chairs. High tea, wine tasting and art auctions are also on offer.
Pamper yourself in the spa, beauty salon, or steam and treatment rooms. (No sauna)
Outside: The ship only has one swimming pool, (on lido deck.) complete with thalassotherapy tub. If you prefer to run there is a fitness track that wraps itself around the pool deck. Or why not have a go at golf or a game of shuffleboard?
Your cruise fare does include all normal onboard services and facilities. The company suggests a gratuity charge of £6 a day per guest in recognition of restaurant service and stateroom attendance. This amount will be automatically charged to your account. For guests staying in the Penthouse/Vista & Owners Suites an additional charge of £1.75 per guest per day will be added to their account for butler services. All beverage purchases and services in the salon and spa are subject to an 18% gratuity charge. Currency exchange is available onboard at a fee of 5%.
All staterooms, verandas and suites are non –smoking. Passengers are only allowed to smoke in Designated Smoking Areas; they are situated in the port corner of Horizons, on Deck 9 and the forward starboard corner of Deck 10. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted forward starboard of the pool deck
Technology: Passengers can use mobiles and blackberries to make and receive calls and texts. Charges will appear as “roaming charges” by your home provider and in line with international maritime roaming charges. (Calls cost £1 - £4 per minute depending on area / Texts cost 20p per minute.) You can also use the C-Band satellite phone from the stateroom to dial direct. This will be added directly to your account and charged at £4.75 a minute.
The cruise fare does not include transfers, shore excursions, sightseeing, meals and activities ashore, gratuities, alcohol, laundry or beauty treatments and products in the salon and spa. All cappuccinos and expresso drinks cost extra from the Poolside Grill bar. The purchasing of alcohol and its consumption is restricted to over 21’s. (Staff may also retain alcohol bought ashore.) There is a self -service launderette on Deck 7.
Passengers can purchase ground transfers from Oceania to enjoy all-inclusive transfers between airport and ship on both embarkation and disembarkation day. Transfers are also available, if you order a pre/post hotel package stay, from your hotel to ship.
