Oceania Insignia

The 1998-built (as "R One") Oceania Insignia cruise ship is the first/oldest of the R-(Renaissance)-Class liners, with sisterships Nautica,Regatta and Sirena (former Ocean Princess). Oceania ship Insignia was drydock-refurbished in 2018 (November-December) by the company's OceaniaNEXT fleet renovation project (2019-2020).

History - construction and ownership

Oceania Cruises is a US passenger shipping company and luxury travel brand owned by NCLH-Norwegian (shipowner), Between April 2007 and September 2014, the company (as part of "Prestige Cruise Holdings") was owned by Apollo Management LP - one of the world's largest private investment equity funds. Since September 2014, Oceania and the sister company RSSC-Regent are owned by NCLH - acquired at the total cost of USD 3 billion. Oceania ships offer luxury cruises with relatively shorter itineraries, as well as Around The World voyages up to 180 days in length.

The 700-passenger ship Insignia is currently back to Oceania Cruises. The concise history of ms Insignia includes the names of ms R One (1998-2003), ms Insignia (2004-2012) and ms Columbus 2 (2012-2014) as former names of a single passenger ship. Hapag-Lloyd decided not to renew MS Insignia's charter after 2014.

Decks and Cabins

Oceania Insignia staterooms (349 total, in 16 grades) include 62 Suites, 170 Balcony, 89 Oceanview and 28 Inside cabins. Most staterooms (66%) are Balcony and sized 175 ft2 / 16 m2. Most cabin balconies are smaller (sized 45 ft2 / 4 m2). The largest are the Owners Suites (620 ft / 58 m2 plus 345 ft2 / 32 m2 terrace).

The boat has 11 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Oceania guests take advantage of the flexibility of 4 open-seating dining venues. The Grand Dining Room serves Continental cuisine. it is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alternative, reservations-required options are Toscana, which offers gourmet Italian food, and the steak house Polo Grill. The buffet restaurant Terraces serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is transformed into "Tapas on the Terrace" at night for a relaxed atmosphere. All dining venues have bars, and there is no cover charge. In addition, a poolside grill offers hamburgers, sandwiches and salads at lunchtime. There is also a pizzeria in the buffet area. The observation lounge Horizons serves afternoon tea. Room service is available 24 hours.

Follows the complete list of Insignia restaurants and food bars.

• Grand Dining Room (complimentary 340-seat restaurant for open seating Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; offers French-inspired dishes, and menus change daily)
• Waves Grill (casual dining fast-food bar; serves the pool deck area with made-to-order daily specialities and gelato ice cream)
• Terrace Cafe & Bar (casual buffet restaurant, complimentary; open for breakfast and lunch; features indoor and outdoor sitting areas; the Terrace Bar serves as a small pizzeria as well; the Terrace Cafe transforms into “Tapas On The Terrace” at night serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine)
• Toscana (96-seat Italian fine dining restaurant, dinner-only, reservations-only, complimentary; offers traditional Italian cuisine)
• Polo Grill (96-seat Steakhouse restaurant, complimentary; reservations required).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Insignia welcomes her guest in an amazing country club atmosphere while her cruises offer an unforgettable adventure travel experience. The mid-size of ms Insignia and the fact that she is non-crowded allows her guest to relax completely.

Follows the complete list of Insignia lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Insignia Lounge (main showroom/theatre for live evening entertainment and themed dancing parties; hosts daily trivia quizzes, lectures and presentations)
• The Casino (operates with USD bets; served by the Casino Bar)
• Martinis (a piano bar serving a variety of Martinis)
• Two Boutiques (duty-free perfumes, jewelry, Oceania-logo merchandise, clothes, gifts, convenience goods)
• Upper Hall lounge area (with grand piano for live performances; served by the Martinis Bar)
• Grand Bar (wine bar; hosts wine tastings; served by Baristas making complimentary illy beverages)
• Insignia Wellness Center (includes a Spa Terrace, Spa Whirlpool, Steam Rooms, Treatment Rooms, Styling Salon, Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Fitness/Gym, and Boardroom (cards playing and board games; Canyon Ranch Spa Club treatments include: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Healing Energy, Body Wraps and Scrubs, Skin Care, Tanning, Massages and Exotic Treatments.)
• Oceania@Sea (24-hour Internet computers room; Private lessons/group classes are also provided)
• Pool area (with one swimming pool, two Whirlpools, sunbathing area and a Band Stand; served by the Waves Bar)
• The Patio (outdoor shaded lounge with chairs, daybeds, sofas)
• Horizons (Lounge & Bar served by the Horizons Bar; has floor-ceiling windows, live entertainment, full bar; also serves Afternoon Tea; becomes a nightclub at night)
• Fitness Track (Power Walking/Jogging Track); Promenade (Deck 5)
• The Library (1000+ books of which many port-destination guide books)
• Sun Deck (served by the Polo Bar; has sunloungers, showers, deck games - Shuffleboard, Golf Driving Net, 9-hole Mini-Golf putting greens).

Itineraries

MS Insignia's itinerary program is based on luxury World Cruises roundtrip from Miami with various segments, Mediterranean itineraries, Asia cruises with departures from Singapore and Hong Kong, voyages in Australia and South Pacific, Panama Canal transits and Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

The ship's 2022 schedule included a 196-day world voyage visiting 6 continents (44 countries, 43 islands, 91 ports, 68 UNESCO sites), 19 overnights, navigation in 23 waterways (4 oceans, 19 seas), with 22 time-zone crossings, 2 equator crossings.

Oceania Cruises Insignia ship is the company's first and oldest vessel of the R-class (R stands for "Renaissance"), with sisterships the fleetates Nautica, Regatta, Sirena (Ocean Princess). Other vessels with this design are the Azamara fleetmates Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit, Azamara Quest, Azamara Onward (Pacific Princess).

MS Insignia was ordered and operated as "R One" by Renaissance Cruises in the period 1998-2003. After the line's bankruptcy, the ship was bought and renamed "Insignia" (2004-2012). Between 2012 and 2014 she was operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises as "Columbus 2".

On September 2, 2014, the NCL Norwegian company purchased the company "Prestige Cruise Holdings" (owner of Oceania and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas) for USD 3,025 billion, thus becoming the official owner of all vessels in both fleets.

In 2017, Insignia became the 3rd Oceania Cruises ship to visit Cuba - following the fleet mates Marina (2016) and Regatta (2017). In February 2017, the company announced the addition of 6 more (Insignia) cruises to Cuba from Miami Florida. Itineraries (ranging 6-13 days in length) were scheduled between November 14 and December 21 (2017). Four of those included Havana overnight stays. Oceania ships operated a variety of itineraries, including a circumnavigation of Cuba (with stops in ports Cienfuegos and Havana) and also visiting Cuba as part of some Panama Canal transition cruises.

The Apollo Group company provides all Oceania ships with the entire onboard hotel product and services. This includes administration, food staff (preparation and serving), housekeeping staff, also the vessel's provisioning and crewing. Other cruise lines served by Apollo are Thomson UK (Marella Cruises) and RSSC-Regent.

Oceania Insignia refurbishment 2018 review

Insignia ship's OceaniaNEXT refurbishment 2018 (November 18 - December 6, at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport Bahamas) resulted in the following changes.

• New public spaces include open-floor design Lobby with Reception Hall (lower level) and Upper Hall (2nd level). They are connected via Grand Staircase (decorated with railings and balustrades) and feature a large crystal chandelier (with hanging pieces of hand-painted glass).
• Grand Dining Room (aft on Deck 5) received new premium dining furniture (leather chairs with metallic bronze threading) and new crystal chandelier.
• Martinis (piano bar lounge on Deck 5) was redesigned, new silver-white marble bar top and walnut paneling were added.
• All staterooms were completely overhauled (redesigned and refurnished) and upgraded with custom-made furniture, polished wood, stone finishes, designer accessories, smart HDTVs (interactive / infotainment system with movies-on-demand and Internet), USB ports, LED lighting.
• All cabin bathrooms were overhauled and received new tiling, surfaces, fixtures, designer accessories, vanities, glass shower enclosures.
• Penthouse-Vista-Owner suite bathrooms were enlarged and upgraded with Carrara marble, onyx and polished granite tops.

Oceania's 2018-2022 refurbishment projects (ships Insignia, Nautica, Regatta, Sirena) cost the company ~USD 100 million.

Oceania Insignia refurbishment 2016 review

The list of deckplan changes after the ship's 2016 drydock refurbishment (April 24-May 8, at CNM-Chantier Naval de Marseille in Marseille France) included:

• All passenger cabins received new decors, new furnishings and luxury fabrics.
• All cabin bathrooms were upgraded with oversized showers. Owner and Vista suite bathrooms received new vanities (made of onyx and granite).
• Penthouse Suites were remodeled like on Marina-Riviera ships.
• "Horizons" bar lounge (Deck 10) received new colors and furnishings.
• All lounges were renovated with new carpeting, chairs, premium fabrics and upholstery.
• "Martinis" bar lounge (Deck 5) and Lido Pool area (Deck 9) received new furnishings.
• Ship's Spa complex (Deck 9) was remodeled with 2 new steam rooms, while locker rooms were redecorated with new custom-made tiles and mosaics.
• Terrace Cafe (buffet on Deck 9 aft) was redecorated, and Terrace Grill station was added (similar to Marina-Riviera ships).
• Grand Bar (Deck 5) received Barista coffee machines and the amenities were upgraded with complimentary illy coffees and gourmet desserts.
• New deck games (Deck 11) include Shuffleboard and 9-hole Mini-Golf putting green.

Oceania ships refurbishment 2016 project (for Insignia, Nautica, Regatta) cost the company ~USD 50 million.

Oceania World Cruise 2023 itinerary

In mid-January 2021 Oceania introduced its "2023 Around The World in 180 Days" voyage. General public bookings opened on January 27. The company's "ultimate B2B" (back-to-back) was the 217-day itinerary from Miami to NYC.

The 180-day roundtrip from San Francisco CA (January 15, 2023) visits 96 ports/destinations in 33 countries across 4 continents, 60+ UNESCO sites, 20 port overnights, cruising in Antarctica. The Antarctic experience features 3 full days scenic cruising in the South Shetland Islands - including Half Moon Island and Admiralty Bay (King George Island) and Paradise Harbor (Graham Land).

Next table shows the 217-day B2B leaving in 2022 (Dec 28).

All bookings on Oceania's World Cruise 2023 receive either 64 free shore excursions or a free USD 6400 per person OBC (shipboard credit) or a free beverage package. In addition to those inclusions, all bookings also receive Oceania's "Exclusive Prestige Package" with free perks like first-class roundtrip flights from various North American airports, pre-paid gratuities (up to USD 8200 pp), onboard medical care, unlimited WiFi Internet, laundry services, shoreside events, visa package, luggage delivery (Canadian and USA passengers), 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel (in the embarkation port), roundtrip bus transfers (within 80 km / 50 mi from the embarkation port).

Oceania also offers the option for extending the Around The World cruise 2023 up to 218 days by adding the following segments:

• December 28, 2022 - 198-day from Miami to San Francisco
• December 28, 2022 - 214-day roundtrip from Miami
• December 28, 2022 - 218-day from Miami to NYC New York
• January 15, 2023 - 180-day roundtrip from San Francisco
• January 15, 2023 - 200-day from San Francisco to NYC

Oceania World Cruise 2022 itinerary

The 196-day "World Cruise 2022" itinerary (Dec 21, 2021, thru July 5, 2022) covers 6 continents (44 countries, 43 islands, 91 ports, 68 UNESCO sites), and features 18 port overnights, navigation in 23 waterways (4 oceans and 19 seas), 22 time-zone crossings and 2 equator crossings.

The voyage was also offered in smaller itinerary segments, including the "180 Days Around The World" itinerary leaving from Los Angeles.

Insignia's World Voyage 2022 prices started from EUR 37540 pp (double-occupancy cabin rates).

Oceania World Cruise 2021 itinerary (CANCELLED)

For 2021, Oceania Cruises planned for the Insignia ship a 181-day World Voyage roundrip from the USA (Miami to NYC). Eventually, in early-October 2020, NCLH (shipowner and Oceania's parent company) cancelled the sailing due to the ongoing Coronavirus-related international travel restrictions.

181-day from Miami to NYC New York - prices from USD 87000 pp

Note: Oceania Insignia World Cruise 2020 (194-day itinerary "Grand Expedition" roundtrip from Miami) was INTERRUPTED due to the Coronavirus crisis.