Oceania Insignia Cruise Ship Review
We’ve just taken a cruise that we weren’t sure if we’d enjoy – and at our advanced ages it was for an unusual reason. For years we’ve wanted to incorporate a cruise into our regular visits to New York, and this cruise, combined with Michael’s love of photography during the autumn foliage seasons, seemed to fit the bill.
We loved the look of the port heavy itinerary, with six ports in Canada and four in the USA, ending in New York. And the time of year was perfect for us.
But we also knew that Oceania tends to have an older set of passengers, and while we aren’t spring chickens ourselves, we wondered if we would feel too young.
10 things NOT TO PACK for a cruise – what to bring instead
Did you know that many items are banned on cruise ships? And they might not be what you expected! Did you also know that the cruise ship will have some essentials, so you won’t need to bring them? I’m going to tell you about 10 items you should NOT bring on a cruise, but to make up for it, at the end I’ll give you six items that will become YOUR cruise essentials! Iron or clothes steamer What? I can’t take an iron or steamer onboard? But my clothes are wrinkled! Cruise lines don’t like things that heat up being taken onboard, for fire and safety reasons. So don’t pack that travel iron or steamer. Some ships have a passenger laundry with an iron you can use, some offer ironing services (at a cost!) or you can use a wrinkle release spray – I’ll link one in the description. But I reduce my travel load by not bringing a spray and just hanging clothes in the bathroom while we shower. The steam usually helps all the wrinkles drop out! Coffee maker or kettle I can’t imagine that anyone would do this but according to stories online, people do sometimes stash their Nespresso machine in their luggage! But like the irons and steamers, coffee machines and kettles are also forbidden! I know, I love my tea, so it’s a bit of a bummer but there are options. Sometimes the room steward can provide a kettle although a coffee machine is unlikely to be available. Or you can get tea and coffee from the buffet. And on some ships, you get complimentary breakfast room service so you can order your early morning hot drink, and have it brought to you – I can’t say this is my preferred option because the tea arrives too strong and stewed but I can always send Michael out to the buffet! Beach towels Hang on! What’s wrong with beach towels? Surely they aren’t banned? No, of course not but when it comes to beach towels it’s unnecessary to fill your luggage with them because the ship will provide them! Sometimes you need to check them out with your cruise card and if you don’t return them, you’ll be charged. Or sometimes you can just grab them from a pile for free. In beach ports you’re allowed to take them off the ship too – just make sure you return them! Clothes hangers Clothes hangers aren’t banned either but again you can save your luggage space by requesting them from your room steward. We don’t go overboard on the clothes we bring so I never have to do this, but maybe for a longer cruise you might find it necessary. Of course, you can buy folding travel hangers but why waste the space and lug extra weight? Spirits Most cruise lines permit passengers to bring wine and soft drinks onboard, subject to certain limits. But spirits, such as whiskey, gin, vodka and tequila, are a no no. There’s lots of information online about smuggling them aboard but why risk it? You can be fined, refused embarkation and even banned for life! Toiletries This is a bit of an iffy one. The ship will have toiletries onboard for you to use. However, depending on the cruise line and your cabin type they may not be the best quality. I don’t mind using liquid soap and body lotion from the cruise line, but I’d never use the shampoo! If there’s a separate conditioner, I’d use that but mostly they have a combination shampoo and conditioner that does a really poor job of both tasks! Make sure you read online reviews or even contact the cruise line directly to find out what they provide and only bring what you need. Candles or incense By now you can probably see that the cruise lines don’t like fire or safety risks, so I probably don’t need to tell you that candles and incense are also banned! Remember that your luggage will be scanned before it’s brought onboard, and anything banned will be taken from you. There should be an opportunity to get it back when the cruise ends but don’t bet on it! Snacks Snacks are another one that’s in the “why bother” category. One thing you’ll never be on a cruise ship is hungry! And if you like to have some snacks in your room you can always take a zip lock bag or two to the buffet and save some for later! Expensive jewellery In my video on travel safety for women I said that flashy clothing and expensive jewellery shouldn’t be taken and that applies to cruising too. Not only do you run the risk of having items lost or stolen; by wearing them you can attract unwanted attention. Thieves or pickpockets in port may think you’re likely to be carrying lots of cash and target you. Or they may just go for the jewellery you’re wearing. And putting it in the cruise cabin safe isn’t necessarily going to work – there are heaps of videos online showing how to get into those safes without the passcode – how do you think hotels or cruise lines open them when travellers leave them locked? Too many clothes This isn’t something I’m guilty of – I have a fairly simple wardrobe – just a few dresses and layering pieces and accessories for different climates and situations. But some people think they need a different outfit for dinner every night, something different to wear each day, and a tonne of shoes to go with it all! Just remember, people don’t really notice what other people wear! And unless you’re in a particularly hot and sweaty climate you can re-wear your clothes. I don’t wash clothes (not including underwear of course!) unless they are dirty, or they smell. It’s actually hard on your clothes being washed so by not washing them you give them a longer life! I’ve seen stories of people
Cruise lines – things they don’t want you to know
I don’t know about you, but I love learning hidden secrets about cruise ships, airlines and the like. They’re fascinating! I bet there’ll be at least one thing here that you didn’t know before you read this. Let me know in the comments what you think is the most interesting secret. Get a better price Have you ever bought something only to discover later that it was on sale? Here’s some good news – sometimes, you can get a discounted price on your cruise even after you’ve booked! When you book a cruise, you pay a deposit, with the balance usually due 90 days before it sets sail. If you spot the same cruise at a lower price after paying that deposit, don’t hesitate to reach out to your travel agent or the cruise line. You might just get that discount applied to your booking, saving you a nice bit of cash. Even if you see a price drop after you’ve made your final payment, it’s still worth a shot to ask. Sometimes, you can score onboard credit. In fact, I did both of these for an upcoming trip and saved nearly $6,000 Aussie dollars! Some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, frequently have sales on drink packages. If you see a price drop after you’ve booked a package, cancel and rebuy it to take advantage of those savings. Have you ever noticed how cruise lines almost always seem to be having a sale? Norwegian Cruise Line cycles between 35% off for two passengers and 70% off the second guest. That’s the same discount expressed in two different ways. So, don’t feel rushed to book your cruise before a sale ends; there’s almost always a comparable one right around the corner. Another way of saving money is to book the same cruise on an older ship. The newer ships typically have higher prices. Older ships might not have all the bells and whistles, but you can score the same itinerary and inclusions whilst paying less. Some cruisers prefer the older girls! Cruise Contract Let’s talk about that cruise contract you get when you book. Who actually reads those things? Let’s be honest; it’s hard to keep your eyes from glazing over. But when you buy a ticket, you’re agreeing to that contract. This contract is essential; but it includes clauses that might raise your eyebrows. For instance, it might allow the cruise line to search you and your cabin. It can state that the cruise line holds no liability for onboard contractors like retail shops and medical services. And their photographers can use your pictures for marketing, but you might find yourself restricted from sharing your own photos online! And don’t forget about the legal jurisdiction designated in the contract—it’s typically the one that benefits the cruise line the most. Maybe it’s time we all start reading those contracts a little more closely! They want your money! Cruise lines expect you to spend about 50% of the amount you paid for your fare while you’re onboard and they include this in their budgeting, so there are incentives for the crew to part you with your hard-earned dollars. Your cruise fare probably wasn’t cheap so how do you avoid breaking the bank while living it up at sea? You can definitely go on a cruise and not spend one cent extra, except for those sneaky cruise lines that hit your onboard account up with daily gratuities. But it’s always nice to have some delicious cocktails or a special dinner. Start by setting a daily budget. Think about how much you can afford to spend each day and stick to it! A beverage package might be a smart investment to help manage costs, too. And don’t forget to bring essentials like medications, which always carry a hefty markup onboard! When visiting private islands, keep in mind that some activities may be included in your packages, but many are priced at a premium. You can often find similar experiences for a lot less if you book with third-party vendors at other ports. And for the gamblers out there, set a budget for the casino! Michael likes to treat his gambling budget as entertainment money rather than a way to get rich quick. Remember, cruise casinos operate in international waters, often without the same regulations as land-based casinos, which can lead to less favourable odds. In port You might think the cruise ship will wait for you if you’re late coming back from an excursion but think again. The ship will not wait for you if you’re late, unless you’re on a ship-sponsored excursion. I’m always amazed by how many stories you hear about passengers getting left behind. And those pier runners? I’d be mortified to be in that situation! Speaking of excursions, remember that you don’t HAVE to take the ones offered by the cruise line. Many ports are fantastic for exploring on your own. Or you could opt for a third-party excursion, which is usually cheaper and often comes with smaller group sizes. Just make sure those third-party excursions offer a refund policy if the port ends up being missed, which can happen more often than you might think due to safety or weather issues. And if you’ve been to a particular port before or simply want to chill, you can always stay on the ship. You’ll likely find smaller crowds, and some activities that normally have a charge may be discounted or even free. Royal Caribbean has exciting options like iFLY and North Star that are sometimes free on port days. Logistics Here’s something I find fascinating—logistics. Maybe it’s because I used to be an accountant. Can you imagine how much food a cruise line has to stock for a single itinerary? It’s mind-blowing! They even use AI to help predict what to order based on the demographics of the passengers on that specific cruise. If a cruise is filled with kids, stock up on chicken nuggets and pizza! For those
