Insignia

Insignia at a Glance

Insignia is an Oceania Cruises ship launched in 1998, measuring 30,277 gross tons. She is a boutique vessel — intimate enough to call at ports that larger ships cannot reach, yet complete enough to carry eight dining venues, a dedicated culinary school, an art studio and a full spa. Her itineraries range from the Mediterranean and British Isles to Transatlantic crossings, South America, Norway and the Arctic — some of the broadest routing of any ship in the fleet.

Dining on Insignia

Insignia carries eight distinct dining venues, and the breadth of cooking styles available on a ship of her scale is genuinely unusual.

The Grand Dining Room is the heart of the ship — open every evening with daily-changing menus of continental classics, global dishes and the Executive Chef’s tasting menu, with at least ten starters and ten mains each night. It is included in your cruise fare. For something more specific, Polo Grill serves premium aged USDA Angus beef alongside seafood such as Maine lobster and grilled swordfish in classic steakhouse surroundings, while Jacques reimagines French cuisine — Coq au Vin, Confit de Canard, an extensive cheese board — under the creative direction of Master Chef Pépin. Toscana brings Tuscan family traditions to the table: think squid carpaccio with champagne vinaigrette and hand-rolled gnocchi, served on exclusive Versace porcelain amid Chianti leather and hand-blown Venetian glass. Red Ginger blends Thai, Korean, Japanese and Malaysian flavours — seven-spice lamb rack, spicy duck oil watermelon salad — with a drinks list of premium sake and lemongrass cocktails. Polo Grill, Jacques, Toscana and Red Ginger all operate à la carte, with a cover charge applying.

For relaxed eating, Terrace Café offers shaded outdoor seating with sea views, moving through fresh pastries at breakfast to grilled lobster, rotisserie meats and sushi in the evening. Aquamar Kitchen focuses on fresh, balanced Mediterranean-inspired dishes — Lebanese bowls, fish tacos, energising breakfast bowls — and is included in your fare. By the pool, Waves Grill serves made-to-order burgers, herb-marinated fish and hand-dipped milkshakes through the afternoon, also included. The exclusive Privée seats just eight guests per evening for a multi-course wine-pairing experience by La Reserve; à la carte pricing and a cover charge apply. Baristas rounds off the picture with complimentary Illy coffee and fresh pastries in a 270-degree sea-view setting.

Enrichment and Activities on Insignia

Insignia is built around the idea that a cruise should teach you something worth keeping.

The Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking classes led by onboard chefs, bringing regional cuisines of your destinations to life — classes are included in your fare, and optional chef-led food tours extend the experience ashore. In the Artist Loft, experienced artists guide you through painting, drawing, sculpture or photography, with large windows framing the sea; sessions vary by voyage and are included. The LYNC Digital Center runs complimentary photography and video workshops, from smartphone basics to travel photography technique. The Library is a quiet retreat panelled in warm wood with floor-to-ceiling glass walls — ideal for reading, destination research or simply watching the ocean.

For active time at sea, the Running Track and Sports Deck sits at the top of the ship with open ocean views, while the Fitness Center carries treadmills, strength equipment and a Kinesis® wall, with complimentary group classes in yoga and pilates. The Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center covers wellness comprehensively — the modern fitness facilities are complimentary; individual spa therapies and salon services carry their own charges. The pool deck is included in your fare, with shaded cabanas and waterside daybeds available at an additional charge. Rounding out the ship, the Casino is open for roulette, blackjack and other games with complimentary entry, and the Boutiques carry a curated range from everyday essentials to fine jewellery.

Cabins and Suites on Insignia

Insignia’s cabins and suites run from well-appointed inside rooms to the largest accommodation on board.

• Inside Cabin (Grade F) — 14 m², sleeping two. A Tranquility bed, complimentary minibar breakfast and 24-hour room service are included; the only trade-off is no sea view.
• Ocean-View Deluxe Cabin (Grade C1) — 15 m², sleeping two. A panoramic window frames an uninterrupted sea view, and expanded built-in wardrobes add practical comfort.
• Concierge Level Verandah (Grade A1) — 20 m², sleeping two. A private teak veranda adds your own outdoor space with panoramic views — something the inside and ocean-view grades cannot offer. Classified as suite level, giving access to the suite privileges described below.
• Owner’s Suite (Grade OS) — 92 m², sleeping up to four. The largest accommodation on board, giving suite guests the full range of exclusive amenities.

Guests in suite grades — including the Concierge Level Verandah — can access the private Executive Lounge and Concierge Lounge, both with keycard access, dedicated concierge teams and complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day. Full cabin specifications and deck-by-deck plans are on the Insignia cabins and deck plans page.

Where Insignia Sails

Insignia’s itinerary range is one of her defining characteristics. From late 2026, sailings depart from Southampton, Barcelona, Miami, Venice, Buenos Aires, Reykjavik, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Le Havre, covering routes across the Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, Transatlantic, South America, Norway, the Arctic and the British Isles. Voyage lengths reach up to 67 nights.

Sailings from Southampton suit British travellers particularly well — no flight is needed for these departures, and most of Britain can reach Southampton by road or rail. For itineraries departing from Barcelona, Miami or Buenos Aires, the cruise sits at the centre of a longer trip; Cruise1st can arrange flights, hotels and transfers as a single Cruise1st Package, so nothing is left to piece together separately.

Browse by where you want to go: Mediterranean cruise deals with Oceania, luxury British Isles cruises with Oceania, Norway cruises from Southampton, Northern Lights cruises from Southampton, Transatlantic cruises from Southampton or South America cruises from Southampton. If you prefer to start with a port, Venice departures and Reykjavik departures each have their own full sailing lists. Or browse the complete cruises from Southampton for a wider view.

Why Book Insignia with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, which means real cruise experts are on the phone before you book — not a general travel agent working from a brochure. We know Oceania Cruises’ cabin grades, fare inclusions and itinerary trade-offs in detail, and we help you make the choice that fits your circumstances rather than just confirming a booking. We put the whole holiday on one booking, cabin grade and all, and where a sailing requires a flight we can combine the cruise, flights, hotels and transfers into a single Cruise1st Package.

You might also be considering Oceania Vista, another ship in the Oceania fleet — our advisors can talk you through both.

Common Questions About Insignia

Is Insignia a Good Ship for Food-Focused Travellers?

Yes. Oceania Cruises built its reputation on food, and Insignia carries eight dining venues covering French, Italian, Pan-Asian, steakhouse, poolside grill and all-day Mediterranean wellness cuisine — alongside a hands-on Culinary Center where classes are included in your fare. It is a rare combination on a boutique ship.

Which Cabin Grade Should I Book on Insignia?

The Inside Cabin (Grade F) at 14 m² is the most accessible entry point, with a Tranquility bed and 24-hour room service included. Step up to the Ocean-View Deluxe (Grade C1) for a panoramic window and extra wardrobe space. The Concierge Level Verandah (Grade A1) adds a private teak balcony and unlocks suite-only lounge access. The Owner’s Suite at 92 m² is the ship’s largest accommodation. A Cruise1st expert can match you to the grade that fits your budget and priorities.

Can I Sail on Insignia Without Flying?

Yes — some sailings depart from Southampton, and for those, no flight is needed. Most of Britain can reach Southampton by road or rail, making this a genuinely practical no-fly option. Browse British Isles cruises from Southampton or Mediterranean cruises from Southampton to see what is available. For sailings beginning in Barcelona, Miami or Buenos Aires, you will need to fly to the departure port.

What Is the Longest Sailing Available on Insignia?

The longest itineraries currently on sale run to 67 nights. These grand voyages suit travellers who want to cover serious distance — Transatlantic crossings and South American itineraries tend to be among the longer options. Browse Transatlantic cruises for 2026 or the full South America sailing list for current options.

Does Insignia Sail to the Arctic and Norway?

Yes — current sailings include Arctic and Norway itineraries departing from Southampton, Reykjavik and Copenhagen. These are typically offered in the cooler months and suit travellers after dramatic scenery, fjords and the possibility of northern lights. See Northern Lights cruises from Southampton and Norway cruises from Southampton for live departures, or browse the full Norway and Arctic destination pages.