Just off the Insignia

[tkt2cruz]

Hello friends!

I just returned from the Insignia....it was a lovely christening in Monte Carlo. Prince Albert was there. The ship is beautiful, and the service and food outstanding!!! I had dinner with Frank and his wife the last evening, what gracious hosts they were. I can't say enough good things.

One flaw may be the tours in Palma de Mallorca.. I took the Highlights tour, and was a bit disappointed in it. Other than that....it was great!

Deb

[Brahmama]

Oh please, tell us more! I loved what you said, but it was just a tease!

 

Tell us your favorite dining venue - your favorite meal, your favorite place to hang out, the best place to hear the music, etc etc!

 

Tell us about the embarkation and the debarkation and the drink specials (!)

 

And your cabin - what you liked, what you wished you had brought.

 

Ok, I'll stop for now and give you a chance!

 

Carol

 

Costa Riviera 6/91

Regent Sun 8/92

Neui Amsterdam 10/95- NCL Seaward 8/96

Royal Odyssey 10/96 & 4/97

NCL Crown 4/98

Commodore 9/00

NCL Wind 11/00

HAL Statendam 1/02 Rhapsody of the Sea 5/02

Princess Golden 8/02 Millenium 10/14/03

Constellation 8/26/04 Constellation 9/7/04

 

 

[Jancruz]

Carol, I love your enthusiasm!! It is catching and Stu and I leave June 12..I cant wait!!

 

Jan

*****

[tkt2cruz]

Okay, sorry! I was too quick! Here's more scoop!

My favorite dining venue was the Polo Grille, absolutely number one! I ate there 3 nights! I had some of the best filet mignons that I have ever had...with Bearnaise Sauce. Service outstanding! I never did make it over to the other restaurant, Tuscany-the Italian venue. However, Frank del Rio mentioned that restaurant is to be the BEST ever on any ship.

I ate one night in the Tapas restaurant, which was fine...the desserts there were wonderful! Sinfully rich!

The other nights I dined in the main dining room, and found that very nice, indeed. Again, service and food were absolutely outstanding.

 

I really enjoyed the Martini Bar on the ship, it seemed to be THE place to hang out before and after dinner. You MUST try the Green Apple Martini! Seemed to be the favorite on the ship.

This bar is attached to the small casino, which I did not partake in, because of the size. I like bigger ship casinos--no craps table onboard this ship. My favorite is Cesars At Sea on Crystal.

The piano player is wonderful, and I certainly enjoyed his music all over the ship. He reminds me of Jimmy Carter...love his smile!

I did go to the 2 entertainment shows they had, and they were not bad.

The disco was not a happening place at night..at least not those nights. I think the DJ wasn't too good, as there were lots of dead space between songs.

 

The embarkation was so strange to me, as I just walked onto the ship! Maybe it was different, because it was the inaugural, and only travel agents and guests were onboard. But, I was never stopped at all, to check my documents or anything. I just walked on!

Debarkation was very smooth, I was supposed to be in the Horizons Lounge by 11:00 am for my color to be called.....but, went ahead and left the ship around 10:00--they said no problem. Maybe again, because there were only around 300 of us onboard.

 

Drink specials were great selections...about 6 a day. All were wonderful!

 

I had a balcony on the 7th deck, I believe a category B or A. It was very nice, and I must say the BEDS! Wow! Such luxury! That made the whole room nice! I had a great room stewardess, as well. Always there if you needed anything!

 

Oh! And High Tea! What an experience! They overwhelmed me with desserts and small sandwiches. The scones were great, as well.

Very impressive!!!!

 

I think that is it for now...let me know if you want to know more! Thanks!

Deb

[Brahmama]

Thanks so much for the extended answers! You did a great job and I can't wait for our Oceania cruise and the green apple martini!

[ClaudiaF]

Ditto! We tried a few of the martinis but must have missed their apple!

 

Barcelona to Venice on Oceania - "Insignia"

Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"

 

 

 

[Gardyloo]

Our "guarantee" room has now been assigned as a balcony cabin fairly far forward. How were the seas and ship movement? We're not especially prone to mal de mer but would like to know if we should pack the nostrums. Thanks.

 

Until Oceania Insignia 4/23 Rome - Barcelona

[mando_cpa]

Where there hairdyers in the rooms???

 

Thanks!! We are packing and were curious.

 

Cannot wait for the April 13th Oceania Isgnia!!!!!!

 

 

 

May 13, 2003 Tahitian Princess, RCCL VOS 2002, Destiny 1998, 1999 and 2001 all different destinations.

[goeurope]

The hairdryers are mounted on the bathroom wall (at least in the standard cabins). I don't have enough hair to worry about hairdryers these days, but when I was on the REGATTA last fall, I found the hairdryer's long hose very convenient for speeding up drip-drying of the clothes that I'd hung in the shower.

 

--

Durant Imboden

Europeforvisitors.com

[nancycoop1]

Thanks for all the info. We are leaving on an Insignia cruise on August 31 for the Greek islands and can hardly wait.

 

Anyone else on this cruise?

 

Nancy C

[narob]

Gardyloo, What Category of guarantee did you book? Did you get a cabin assigned in the same category you booked or were you upgraded, if so from what category? Thanks in advance, for your answer.

 

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gardyloo:

Our "guarantee" room has now been assigned as a balcony cabin fairly far forward. How were the seas and ship movement? We're not especially prone to _mal de mer_ but would like to know if we should pack the nostrums. Thanks.

 

Until Oceania Insignia 4/23 Rome - Barcelona

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2004;4;23;18;0;00&timezone=GMT+0100 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Gardyloo]

No it was in the category we ordered; we just booked a bit late. Twice before we got upgraded on X but only a little, so we rolled the dice with Oceania. Not unsatisfied.

 

Docs arrived today, BTW. Is the folio real leather or just a clever synthetic?

 

Until Oceania Insignia 4/23 Rome - Barcelona

[seabourndt]

has the dock at monaco been finished yet? iam going on sea dream in may

[jfb128]

My wife and I are on the Venice to Athens Insignia cruise departing August 31st. We were on Regatta last summer and had a delightful experience. Good to hear some of the Regatta crew will be on Insignia. Thanks for your post.

[mappa2]

how was the insignia in terms of size etc.

we have enjoyed larger ships and wonder how this one compares. looka like real nice ports

of call.

[ClaudiaF]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gardyloo:

No it was in the category we ordered; we just booked a bit late. Twice before we got upgraded on X but only a little, so we rolled the dice with Oceania. Not unsatisfied.

 

Docs arrived today, BTW. Is the folio real leather or just a clever synthetic?

 

Until Oceania Insignia 4/23 Rome - Barcelona

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2004;4;23;18;0;00&timezone=GMT+0100 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Synthehetic ..but nice.

 

Barcelona to Venice on Oceania - "Insignia"

Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"

 

 

 

[ClaudiaF]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by goeurope:

The hairdryers are mounted on the bathroom wall (at least in the standard cabins). I don't have enough hair to worry about hairdryers these days, but when I was on the REGATTA last fall, I found the hairdryer's long hose very convenient for speeding up drip-drying of the clothes that I'd hung in the shower.

 

--

Durant Imboden

Europeforvisitors.com<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

If you have thick or long hair that needs to be blow dried I would bring my own..that thing on the wall will take you all day

 

Barcelona to Venice on Oceania - "Insignia"

Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"

 

 

 

[mpslaw]

Will be taking laptop but not a printer. Does anyone know whether I can take my thumb drive to the Oceania At Sea room and print out what I save on the thumb drive?

 

Can we board Insignia on the 5th earlier than 3:00 PM?

[joan24]

I heard that Oceania was going to stop charging for soft drinks and bottled water. Has this happened yet?

Joan

[ClaudiaF]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mpslaw:

Will be taking laptop but not a printer. Does anyone know whether I can take my thumb drive to the Oceania At Sea room and print out what I save on the thumb drive?

 

Can we board Insignia on the 5th earlier than 3:00 PM?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Have no idea about printer but as far as boarding, you can board any time after 11:00am. Your cabin won't be ready until 2:30 or 3:00 but at least can dump off luggage have lunch and relax.

 

Barcelona to Venice on Oceania - "Insignia"

Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"

 

[waveriderB]

Anyone just off Insignia's inaugural sailing, Barcelona-Athens?

We're on the May 17 Venice-Lisbon and would love to hear how the first trip went.

 

WaveriderB

[drwong]

Hi Waverider - there are trip reports from the Insignia's inaugural cruise posted on this site. I didn't have the time (especially at the 95 cents per minute Oceania charges for Internet access) to post them to CC as well.

 

Richrad

 

Until the Insignia Inaugural sailing (4/3/2004)