Reviewed by:  Stephy Cole

Date: 18/05/2025

Cruise line and ship: Oceania Insignia

Size of ship: Tonnage 30,277 Length 180 meters ( 592 ft)

Passenger capacity: 670 ( double occupancy- often sails with 600 guests) 

Crew: 400

Year built: 1999 

Refurbed: In 2018 Insignia underwent a USD$100 million refurbishment, under the OceaniNEXT program, where she was updated with the same style, furnishings and feel of the future vessels that were in the pipeline at the time. 

Note: Insignia will be retired in December 2026.

Currency onboard: US dollar

Where the ship cruises: Worldwide- Canada and New England, Caribbean, South America, Baltic, Scandinavia, Northern Europe, Mediterranean

Most suited to: A more mature and well-traveled clientele on the longer itineraries; For the shorter 7-12 day itineraries, 45-65 year old professionals still working, who are interested in port intensive journeys and appreciate luxurious surroundings and service.

Atmosphere: Modern, elegant, glamorous, inviting, and intimate.

Staterooms: Something for everyone, from spacious owner’s, vista and penthouse suits, to verandas, oceanviews and inside staterooms. They also offer solo occupancy oceanview staterooms. All in luxurious furnishings and decor. Simple yet elegant. Comfortable queen-size beds to dream in.

Dining Options & Service: 4 gourmet dining options, all with open seating. The Grand Dining Room, Polo Grill ( a traditional steak and seafood menu), Toscana ( a traditional Italian menu), and Terrace Cafe ( an informal environment, offering an array of international cuisines). 

Waves Grill offers casual dining poolside, with a menu of “all American favourites” and desserts.

Baristas for delicious sweet treats and finger sandwiches. 

They also serve an exquisite Afternoon Tea, daily, in Horizon’s ( a relaxing observational lounge at the front of the vessel, with floor to ceiling windows and comfortable lounges and chairs)

In room dining experiences ( room service) are also available.

** Note: All dining experiences and venues are included in the cruise fare.**

Entertainment: Cabaret-style performers and shows, including local guest entertainers; an onboard cast of professional singers and musicians, from classical to jazz, from modern to Broadway.

Onboard Activities: A well-stocked library of books and puzzles, guest speakers presenting informative talks on the cultures and the people of the region travelling; running/walking track and sports deck with shuttle board and a golf putting green; Aquamar Spa and Vitality centre, shopping boutiques of fine jewellery and resort wear; and a good sized Casino with numerous and various slots and tables.

Complimentary Self-Service Laundry and paid laundry services are both available.

A review of my day aboard the Oceania Insignia:

Having visited Oceania’s “big sisters”, Marina and Riviera (double the tonnage and with 1250 passengers), I was keen to experience and visit one of the  “little sisters”. Insignia.

She is very popular among Oceania guests- so much so that she has hosted the 180 day Oceania World Cruise for 6 years. ( And yes, I will be referring to Insignia as a she. 

As soon as I boarded, I understood why. The feeling was modern and glamorous, relaxed and friendly, spacious yet intimate, with gorgeous furnishings in modern art deco style. It was peaceful and inviting. And I loved having all the venues and spaces in easy walking distance. 

We were hosted by Martine, the lovely Oceania rep for NSW, who welcomed us warmly and kindly- just like the crew on board Insignia. As the crew would pass by my group of fellow cruise and travel experts, they would greet us and say “Welcome aboard!”. They knew we weren’t permanent guests ( if only!), as they pride themselves on knowing all their guests.

We explored the vessel, visiting the various dining venues and public spaces. The layout flowed well, as we passed several bars, lounges and relaxation spaces.

We were fortunate enough to be able to inspect 2 room types- a Penthouse suite and a Concierge Veranda.

The Penthouse suite is lovely and spacious, with a really good-sized balcony and a generous bathroom with a full shower recess. If new to Oceania and coming from small-ship luxury cruise brands like Silversea, Windstar and Regent, I would recommend this category, due to the similar size and space/layout. 

The Concierge Veranda is smaller, but still offers the same opulent and comfortable furnishings as those found in the Penthouse. Two friends traveling might find it a tight squeeze, whereas a couple may find it cosy. The bathroom is noticeably smaller, ( there will be no swinging of cats inside this bathroom) with only a half shower recess- though I did appreciate the solid shower cubicle with a swinging open door. 

The Concierge Veranda’s layout is identical to the Veranda Staterooms- the differences remain in the extra benefits and position in the vessel. 

We were treated to a delicious 4 course lunch in the Grand Dining Room. ( Which,  by the way, will offer unique menus with no repeats of any kind for approx 30 days.)

I had intentions of eating half of each plate that came out. Well, that wasn’t what happened. I enjoyed and savoured each dish with true delight. The food was fresh, excellent quality, tasty, small portioned ( allowing me to enjoy all the flavours on offer across the 4 courses) and a true culinary experience. I loved every morsel. 

My crab cake was smooth and tasted like the sea. My porcini risotto was earthy and velvety. My beef was soft and buttery, with the regular knife gliding as I sliced through it. ( Fun fact- I always select the beef option when going on ship inspections and visits, so that I can compare the quality and taste of the dish across all the different cruise lines. I can confirm that this beef was one of the best.) 

And me oh my, the triple choc brownie left my mouth watering. I did demonstrate some restraint on that course, eating only half of it as I thought it prudent to keep room for the petit fours. Our amazing meal was finished off with a double shot espresso. Perfetto.

I would like to share a little anecdote regarding lunch- a member of our group was tossing up between the miso-glazed sea bass and the buddha bowl ( the vegetarian option). The warm, yet very professional, waiter made a suggestion. “We could add a piece of sea bass to the buddha bowl if you like? This way, you don’t have to choose.”. This is what attentive and luxurious service looks like. Providing a solution to perhaps a dilemma.

Another example of how Oceania strives to provide solutions for their guests and focus on their comfort whilst sailing.

Insignia had to change her itinerary last minute in an attempt to avoid the ugly storms and weather conditions that were presenting themselves down the southern parts of Australia. Knowing that they were crossing over to NZ and were likely to face challenging seas for extended periods of time ( causing discomfort to the guests on board), they decided to head north up to QLD first, where they will cross from there. It should be a more comfortable sailing for all.

Due to their changes in arriving into Sydney early, and change in departure times, some of their tours were no longer available. They were able to put together new options and ideas, and even arranged for private tours of the Opera House ( whereas originally that tour had been a group experience- the Opera House had no availability for groups on Sunday, only the Monday. Oceania found a solution for their guests.) I think this is what true luxury means. It’s not just about the food and beverage, the velvet and crystal. It’s about how they focus on the guest satisfaction, comfort and happiness with what they do on and off board.

A point of difference to note between Oceania and most other luxury cruise lines is that alcoholic beverages are not included in their fares. Guests can purchase packages, and it is not necessary for all guests in the one stateroom to purchase said package. This is great for people traveling with others where their drinking habits differ. At time of writing this review, May 19th 2025, there was a special promotion where the House Select was included in the fare.

• House Select package (USD39.95 per day) – Wine, beer, and champagne by the glass during meals
• Prestige Select package (USD69.95 per day) – Unlimited premium spirits, cocktails, wine, and beer
• House Select Upgrade (USD30.00 per day) – Upgrade from pre-purchased House Select
• Wine By The Bottle package (from USD332.50) – Seven or more bottles at USD47.50 each

The House Select and Prestige Select offerings focus on by-the-glass service, while wine enthusiasts may prefer the bottle collection program for a more curated experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Insignia. One day is better than no day, I say. I left understanding why her guests are happy to cruise around the world for 180 days aboard. I can’t wait for the next time I have the privilege of experiencing Oceania.