Oceania Insignia

Launched in 1998 as R One, Oceania Insignia cruise ship is the first (and oldest) in the fleet of R-class liners, with sisterships Nautica,Regatta and Sirena (former Ocean Princess). Oceania ship Insignia was last 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 company, and brand owned by NCL 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 Regent Seven Seas Cruises are owned by NCL, 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 30,277-ton, 698-passenger cruise 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 Insignia's charter after 2014.

Cruise itinerary program

Insignia itinerary program is based on luxury World Cruises round-trip 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 first half of 2017 and 2018, ms Insignia will sail her 5th 'Around the World in 180 Days' cruise. 8 segments are available, including 20 days from Miami to Reykjavik via Greenland and 28 days from Rome to Montréal.

A 180-day world cruise departed March 1, 2019. Oceania Insignia's world voyage covered 83,000+ km across 2 oceans, 16 seas and 5 continents, visiting 90 destinations in 36 countries. As embarkation ports were offered NYC-New York, Miami and Los Angeles. The voyage featured 14 overnights in port cities like Benoa (Bali Indonesia), Hong Kong, Yangon (Myanmar) and Luxor (Egypt). Shore excursion options included Tokyo (Japan), Jerusalem (from Port Ashdod, Israel) and Bordeaux (France).

For 2022, the ship has planned a 180-day world cruise visiting 6 continents (44 countries, 43 islands, 91 ports, 68 UNESCO sites), 19 overnights. The Insignia ship will navigate in 4 oceans and 19 seas, with 22 time-zone crossings and 2 equator crossings.

Cabins

Oceania Insignia has a total of 349 cabins (of which 49 Suite, 184 Balcony, 28 Inside rooms) in 16 grades. Most Insignia staterooms (66%) are 175-sq. foot Balcony rooms. The largest aboard Insignia is the Owner’s Suite (735 ft2).

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 unforgettable adventurous 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, jewellery, 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).