Oceania Insignia Reviews of food lover!

Luxury Lovers and a Foodies heaven - Oceania's moto is to Deliver over and above the expected!

Monday 5th September there was two things for me to celebrate – Firstly my Dads birthday – So happy Birthday Popsicle, hope you liked your card? And Secondly I got a absolute treat and went to see the Oceania Insignia.

Insignia according to the dictionary means: a badge or distinguishing mark of office or honour: a military insignia. Alternatively its a distinguishing mark or sign of anything: an insignia of mourning

I think in the Case of Oceania – Insignia means a sign of excellence, a food lover’s haven, a luxury cruise liners epitome of taste sensations! Ill come back to that later!

The Oceania Insignia stands as a mid sized ship at 30,277 tons and has passenger capacity of 824 and a crew to passenger ratio of a staggering 1.7!! According to the Berlitz guide, the vessel is most suited to couples who enjoy good food and style, but want informality with no formal nights on board, interesting itineraries, all at a very reasonable price, well below what the luxury ships normally charge - Compfortably 4Stars plus. This is the kind of ship and company that genuinely appeals to aspirational travellers - 50 something to 75 with active mind and active bodies is the sort of people onboard.

The ship itself is quite understated with a 1920/1930 aura about the ship - There is a weird and wonderful art deco'esque type ceiling where its been made to appear like a conservatory roof that looks out to tropical gardens - Very interesting with a slight calming effect.

 Cabins for me let it down a little, I was hoping for more of a wow factor - none of the cabins have a bath with the exception of the Penthouse and owners suites, however 30% of the passengers who are regular luxury liner guests travel in Penthouse or above as they do prove great value for money compared to other companies. 96% of cabins have balconies on Marina and the new ship Rivieria (To be launched next year) On Insignia and Regatta it is 75% of cabins that have balconies. They have a rolling 12-18month refit programme, which keeps this looking fresh, however perhaps the balcony furniture is the concierge cabin I saw could do with being updated now as it was looking a little weathered!!

The owners suite was AMAZING!!! L Shaped sofa and lounge area  nearly 1000 square feet and taking up cloase to half the bredth of the ship. Have your own Jacuzzi, refridgerated mini bar - all soft drinks a free on board Oceania! 42inch plasma TV and complimentry laptop to use.


 Ill review the food later as quite frankly it does deserve a section all to itslef..... Mouthwatering thinking of the lunch!
 We currently have a whole heap of sailings that have upto $1000 on board credit!! Check out our website for itieraries - http://www.cruise.co.uk/

 For some Reason Blogger wont allow me to load the pictures, so if you look for me on facebook, Ive added them all there.  nadinel@cruise.co.uk

PARIS!! It’s electrifying.

I was looking at the Daily Mail and thought Id bring you the news that the Eiffel Tower was hit by lightening! The photograph that they have here shows quite vividly the electrifying scene! Brings a whole new meaning to the term City of Light! Read more: CLICK HERE

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas is doing some mini cruise over to Le Harve for Paris – One of which we are hosting a Zumba Dance cruise with the Famous zigzag dance factory with Warren Bullock on the 2nd May 2012 – This is a cruise.co.uk exclusive and Zumba is the amazing new dance craze and best way to keep fit doing the Zumba workout you can burn between 500-900 calories, just by dancing for one hour!! That will help work off some of the cruise food that is so fabulous.

Why not stroll along the Champs- Elysees, view the wonderful and exquisite works in the Louvre as you will have an over night in Paris, while away some time on the banks of the Seine or perhaps a romantic meal or dance the night away at one of their glorious hot spots, so vibrant and alive, Paris has something for everyone.

Don’t forget to try the Royal Caribbean special dish – Escargot – They do something wonderful with them and whilst in France it would be rude not too!

Call me for availability on this Zumba cruise – Or with out it – We can do both! Its selling fast!

Fred Olsen, Fantastic Fun and Frolics

Hello – It’s me Nadine, The cupcake Genius!! I’ve had loads of great comments on those and plenty of people wanting to try and make them for themselves!


 Last weekend seemed to be filled with festivals, I went to my local annual Redditch festival and a great time was had by all despite the rain, and then the was V Festival & of course, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where according to The Daily Telegraph a guy called Nick Helm told the funniest joke:


‘''I needed a password eight characters long so I picked Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.''


This put in mind of the Fred Olsen Music and laughter program that they ran last year when I was on Black Watch – Click here to read that review, they had some great performances from the Rat Pack returns and Taffy the comedian – AWESOME!! This season – Winter 2011-2012 they are carrying it through with the well known Operababes, Bee Gees magic, The Phoenix Jazz band AND IT TAKES TWO – a Tina Turner & Rod Stewart tribute act, to name just a few, fantastic itineraries from Christmas Markets to Sunny Canaries and India and the Red Sea, there is so much on offer with Fred Olsen, get ion touch if you fancy a copy of the Music & Laughter program.




Fred Olsen, Fantastic Fun and Frolics for all!!!!

I'm a cupcake genius!

Yesterday was my day off and I really wanted to try out a new idea I’ve had for a cupcake! I love cupcakes and my sister Hayley holds the family badge as she enjoys making them too and has a naturally more artistic hand, so hers tend to be a lot prettier than mine! But I just love making them. I wanted to make a cupcake cone! Cupcake in an ice cream cone – It worked a absolute treat! Ive brought a few samples in to the cruise.co.uk office this morning and by ten am they were all gone with the official seal of approving from my close colleagues.


This is my cupcake cone!



Here is one of Hayley’s more prettier cakes.!





This just got me thinking about the Royal Caribbean – I’m taking a lot of enquiries about their cruise for September and October – You know once the kids are back at school!!! They actually feature a venue on Oasis, Allure, Independence and Liberty of the seas – The Cupcake Cupboard!



The cupcake cupboard hosts decorating classes, which I could probably do with! It’s a 30minute class conducted by the ships very own pastry chef – Based in The Royal Promenade the cupcake cupboard is always casual and there is something for all cake lovers, You do need to make reservations for the classes and there is a nominal fee of $22.00 per adult and $15.00 for kids.

I think I should treat myself when on board next!

Great Gates – Its Gareth.

Life on the open Seas is amazing, and any singer would be honoured to get that gig, but I must admit I was a little shocked at the newest crooner in town!

Its been advertised in the Daily Mail that the prestigious company P&O have invited Gareth Gates to sing on board the Oceana on 03rd September 2011 – Southampton to Bruges and back. Normally I would be encouraging all fans to ‘get on board’ however, bar three JB Grade balcony cabins at £460.00 per person – the sailing is full!! So he will be selling to a sold out venue!! That’s an accolade and a half!



So I’m asking if anyone is on board that sailing to do a review for me and maybe a photo or two

Drinking under 21?

As we all know Royal Caribbean are an American Cruise line there is a strict over 21 alcohol policy. I have a lady who is travelling with her grown up children aged 21, and 18. As they are travelling over Christmas, she really wanted her 18 year old to be able to enjoy the festive spirit with the rest of the family! I enquired about this with Royal Caribbean and ruling is as below:

Providing the 18 year old is travelling in Europe with their legal guardian or Parent and that parent or guardian is happy to do it, they can sign an authorisation form allowing the 18 year old to drink, under the responsibility of the said parent or guardian. This can be signed on the first day or board and DOES NOT stretch to friends of the family, unless their parents are also on board and can sign the declaration as well.



So this is good news for my client and thought it might be interesting to other family groups!

Signs of things to come

Following my blog, ive had a few sent to me at cruise.co.uk by email and thought Id share these too:

This one is from one of my family members in Cardiff, this is totally genuine!


This one is from a cruiser who alerted me to one they had seen: 7 Deadly donts!


I found this one on google images. Apparently means, no cutting in line!


Send yours to me - nadinel@cruise.co.uk