INSIGNIA ATHENS to BARCELONA

[capegirl]

This has been our best cruise ever! We have sailed on P & O, Cunard, Princess & Fred Olsen and I can say hand on heart Oceania is the finest. I will not reiterate was other reviewers have already said but I will state that the food is scrumptious, the ship is pristine clean and the crew are very friendly and some of the entertainment was excellent -Hollie & Adriana exceptional! AND it is so refreshing not to have to line up to eat and embark/disembark at the ports. Any questions please feel free to ask me!

[travelteach326]

Hi Capegirl,

 

Thanks for your input on this cruise. We are looking to take this cruise next year.

 

Can you give any information about the ports and excursions?

 

Did you fly into Athens the day of the cruise or did you do a precruise tour? Did you use Oceania's transfers?

 

How about in Barcelona - did you do a post cruise tour?

 

How was the entertainment?

[capegirl]

Hopefully I can answer your queries.

 

We stayed overnight in Athens as we felt that it was taking a chance flying over on sailing day. Used t/a transfers. Santorini beautiful and even though there were 11 ships in dock because we went up cable car at noon no queues up or down. Malta, absolutely beautiful. Amalfi took public bus to Positano the best way to view the beautiful coast line. Did not go to Rome or Pisa (been before) toured the port areas, Livorno very pretty. Monte Carlo took public bus to Nice, once again to view the coast line. Marseilles tour on open top bus. Did not do ship tours. Entertainment not west end but excellent singers/comedians/magician/string quartet.

[capegirl]

We flew home on arrival in Barcelona but from previous visit it is worth seeing!

[Oslo Dutch]

Always great to read wonderful posts like this. I am booked on August 28th on Nautica to the Black Sea. Really look forward to experience the Oceania product. And I hope I can make a post like this after I return ;-))

 

How did you make your way to the port after having stayed overnight in Athens? What time did you board? Any recommendations what to do on board?

 

Reint

[capegirl]

We took a taxi costing E15 from Athens to port. Embarked without fuss and queues at 11 AM as we were A1 accommodation but I am sure others can board just as early. They did not query us as to what grade we were.

 

Because the ship is in port every day bar one, after lazy breakfast in the Terrace Cafe in the sun we went ashore. Back on board later in the day had a rest, read our books on our balcony in the sunshine as we sailed off to the next port. Martinis in the comfortable Martini Bar and then on to a delicious dinner and then to a show/casino further late night drink in Horizons and then to bed to face another wonderful day! Oh to be back on Insignia again!

[luvsmickey]

I can only reiterate everything capegirl has said. Except that we just returned last night after spending 4 nights in beautiful Barcelona. Well worth it too...We also arrived one day ahead of boarding. If you have never been to Athens, suggest arrive 2 days prior to see Acropolis and Plaka. We had A2 accomodations. Everything and everywhere was great!

[Long Reef]

I arrived home yesterday after doing this cruise - 4 days before in Athens, 3 days after in Barcelona and 4 days in London. We had the best time. We met up with luvsmickey and her group and another couple that we met on the roll call. We had arranged to meet in Horizons on the first day which was great and met up for dinner and drinks on various or just bumped in to each other on the ship and would you believe in Rome.

 

We loved everything about the cruise, even the blisters that were acquired on our many port visits. We will be looking up the books to go again next year. (Hi Jocelyn, Connie, Roxanne, Tom, Dick, Dale, Roz and Mike - we are looking up dates for Texas!)

[teacherite]

Oceania’s Insignia was a delight! The staff, food and camaraderie from the Cruise Critic roll call “gang” made our voyage perfect. Everyone sailing on any ship should consider going on Roll Call to meet fellow passengers. Also, it was wonderful to visit all the amazing ports (Amalfi, our favorite) and to have such good memories (Mamma Agata cooking school)! We have cruised a lot but the smaller ships are our choice from now on. Everything on Oceania was hassle free… departure was difficult realizing we needed to return to reality, NO BUTLER!!! I have already been looking for a sailing in 2010! However, I think a reunion is in order for our Insignia 6/24 sailing group! We have pictures to send… We’ll be in touch with our new friends from Australia & Texas. Cheers!

[ORV]

This is exciting to read as we will be on the Insignia hitting the same ports except in the opposite direction.

 

Thanks to all for the posts.

[Long Reef]

Hi Roz, I am so glad to see you have posted here as well. I have misplaced the contact numbers for everyone due to re-packing at the check-in desk when leaving Spain. Can you get in touch with me and give me your details again and those for Joslyn etc (debchoj@bigpond.net.au)

 

We would love to be on your reunion cruise - we had such a great time. It was great to bump into you in Barcelona as well. What were the chances of that happening?

 

The only thing I would change next time would be to spare some energy for late night dancing at Horizons! You were hard to keep up with.

[teacherite]

I will email you NOW with all the information!!!

[Long Reef]

Thanks Roz - message received! Getting bags ready for the trip to Ft Lauderdale. **All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go** (Great idea for a song don't you think!)