Disappointing

Item: Insignia
Rating: 3.8
Author: Chance001

Insignia Cruise Review to Canada, New England, New York

Chance001

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 8

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

11 Night Autumn In Canada & New England (New York To Montreal)

Sail date: September 27, 2023

Ship: Insignia

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

We had an EXCELLENT experience on this ship last Dec/Jan 18 day Panama Canal). The food was outstanding and so we naturally expected the same on this cruise. I don’t know what happened between Jan and Sept but it appears to be a corporate issue and seems unfortunately to be fleet wide. My brother is currently on Riviera and experiencing the same poor MDR entrees. Specialty restaurants are excellent as are pastries and desserts. Oceania is losing loyal customers due to this poor decision. Menus were terrible as was the execution of entrees. I will not book again until convinced this has been fixed. Oceania is not an inexpensive line and there is no excuse for poor food. The crew was excellent as always!

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Seamless and efficient

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

MDR was very disappointing. Unappealing menus with poor descriptions and poor execution of entrees. Specialty restaurants were Excellent! Waves grill was good.

Grand Dining

1 out of 5

Poor menus with descriptions an bad execution of food. Three separate fish dishes were dry and overcooked. Beef was described as grilled prime rib, bone marrow and some vegetable thing. It was a thin piece of beef with bone marrow gravy and overcooked vegetables.

Waves Grill

4 out of 5

Nice late breakfast assortment. Grill food is very good. Good service

Toscana

5 out of 5

Food was delicious

Polo Grill

5 out of 5

Excellent menu and food

Martinis

3 out of 5

Poorly stocked. Bartender didn’t know what Christian Brothers brandy was or where it was shelved.

Horizons Lounge

4 out of 5

Very pleasant tea and music, nice view. Good bar

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Nice pool area but did not use fitness area. Track ok

Entertainment

Didn’t attend any

Children's Programs

Did not travel with children nor is this ship good for children and isn’t meant to be

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Waiters tried hard with unappealing food. Martini bar was poorly stocked. Tea is always pleasant and desserts and pastries were excellent.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

I like this ship and have sailed on it previously when the food was very good in the MDR. Very clean but not knowing what virus was going around that caused mandatory crew masking was disturbing.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Concierge Veranda. Cabin steward was excellent! Shower is small and uncomfortable.