Having had 5 RSSC cruises on Mariner and Voyager, and never having been to Rio, we have a great deal on Oceania's Insignia, from B.Aires to Rio Dec.9th - 19th. I know that we pay for drinks, etc. and tipping, and that the verandah cabins are a little smaller, but are there any other differences ? Their excursions are quite high, but we take our own.
Has anyone cruised this old Renaissance ships line ?

Claudia has sailed that line several times, I think. I'm sure she'll be along soon to answer your questions.

We did, fall of 2003. We were huge Renaissance fans for their long and unusal itineraries.

Especially in what they're calling the 'penthouse' suites, or above, they're fine. The standard balcony suites have miniscule bathrooms and only one person at a time can pass between the bed and the wall. We've found the staff to be great. The excursions are definately overpriced, but doing your own solves that issue. At least when we were on, the 'tour desk' was of minimal assistance if you weren't going on one of their tours. As far as we're concerned, doing your own research is kind of fun.

Yes, you do sign for everything. No question it's a notch down from RSSC, but not nearly to the mass market lines. We particularly liked the fact that there were no formal nights -- dress was 'country club casual' throughout. We don't feel that took anything away from the experience. They are also open seating for meals, another thing we really like.

The library is wonderful -- lots of books, and a section to leave books you've read and take those others have left. The trivia questions aren't quite so obscure as on RSSC!!

The food is good. I will say that one of our disappointments in our Oceania trip was that we felt the food had definately gone downhill from Renaissance, especially the breads. However others seem to think the food is wonderful -- a mystery to us but a classic example of 'to each his own'. On our trip last fall (with another couple) there was no dinner any of the four of us sought to repeat. We were in a 'Vista Suite' and therefore had unlimited reservations in the two specialty restaurants -- we actually cancelled those reservations toward the end of the trip.

Renaissance was completely non-smoking -- one of the things that drew us to them in the first place. Oceania has tried to 'split the difference' by limiting the areas where smoking is permitted. Sometimes this works, sometimes not. There are those who skirt the rules by smoking on balconies and irritating those in the cabins near them. There are also those who are super-sensitive to the smoke and are unhappy when people are smoking on the designated section of the pool deck.

When you can get a great deal, I'd go for it. Lately most of their prices we've seen have been comparable to RSSC for the cabin we wanted. I must say that we did (on Ren)62 days around South America in one of the standard balcony cabins (the R8 didn't have what's now called 'penthouse') and survived just fine. It was a wonderful trip. But that bathroom is one of the things we remember vividly!!

I can't say we'll never sail them again. Given the right price and itinerary, we would. We don't even consider the large ships. I hope this is of some help!

Betty

Just got back from the Insignia BA /RIO..
The "old" ship is only a few years old.. and since being purchased by Oceania has been redone to the 9s( all teak and stunning) although I must say the R ships are and always were in my opinion the most beautiful ships at sea..
As far as comparing the basic balcony cabins not sure which you have booked to give you more info, but say if you take the basic "H" and above that are all alike, balcony cabin on Radisson, the bathrooms and the walkin closet on say, Mariner are alot larger than Oceania.. other than that the cabins are cookie cutter.
if you mention which cabin you booked can really tell you what to expect.. we took 13 (lucky) cruises on Ren - split- on the baby ships pre these "R" ships (only 110 passengers.. now that was CRUSIN'!)..and these.. so know them well... have taken 3 cruises now on Oceania although I have to say we usually do the OS ( what can I say.. spoiled rotten for those cabins ;-)but have seen all of them,
so am sure can answer your 'q's
As far as there tour /destination dept. it is terrible... But, like most lines they are only there to sell tours and since they are not a part of the ship .. that is what they do..
would suggest ( as you said, that you do your own touring) and if you want a special wonderful driver for Rio.. please get in touch with Peter
pnovak@privatetours.com.br
he is fantastic and can arrange whatever you want from jeep tours, to samba shows.. and he has contacts in BA and all the ports!)
yes, you pay tips, drinks.. other than that they have 3 specialty restaurants where you need to make reservations, but there is no additional cost, you can bring on the ship all the alcohol you want, no problem, and they do charge a corkage to open your wine at dinner.. but with their very fair prices for 12 to 15 day itineraries that include air .. hard to beat..
They have a beautiful spa, library you heard about,complete computer room /w daily classes
( beats the heck out of Mariners 2 computers);-)
shows are very small.. not Vegas style.. more classical music, jazz music or comedians.
Tehy have a fabulous FABULOUS high tea everyday with a string quartet entertaining and it IS high tea.. taken seriously.. I think you will love that.. scones w/ clotted cream.. YUMMM O
anyway, you will have a great time, but do ask me of you have any specific q's about the ship..
P.S. your docs will say you can't get on the ship 'til 3- but you can board at 11:00am if you wish.. they will have luncheon served and you just can't get into your cabin until about 2ish.. but can certainly relax on the ship, make dinner reservations , have a cocktail.. have fun!!

thank you thank you......;-)

I have just been informed by my dear friend Pam that there is a computer room on Mariner.. hidden behind the videos? That is amazing to me.. in 9 days I never saw it

Claudia,

The Computer room on Mariner has probably bout 16 computers in addition to the three outside the library. They do teach classes there

Thank you all. Claudia, I think that we will book the Rio-B.Aires Dec.9-19. The Penthouse midships will be as close to RSSC as possible. Do the minibars have room for our two bottles ? I will contact your man in Rio a little later. Our TA may have a deal to Iguazzu Falls as the ship stays for 2 days at Paranagua. And 2 days at Parati ( What for ?). I always do my research to do private excursions and have just finished my next cruise port research. Leaving in 2 weeks. First time Silversea .
KarenS has agreed to post for me from the ship.

We are also booked on Oceania 9/22/05 from Barcelona to Istanbul. We are booked in PH2, The pictures of this look lovely. I hope we won't be disappointed this line. After Radisson; who knows?

Neville, just a few more things about Oceania. We took at Carrib. cruise last year. We did NOT have a Penthouse suite, and were surprised that even with a balcony cabin you do NOT get a served hot breakfast from room service - cold dishes only, no tablecloth or set up - just a tray plunked on the table and good bye...

Also, IMHO, the decor is very over the top - they promote it as being like the Ritz Carlton - perhaps if the decorator is recovering from a bender...........very garish with much mixing of prints and loud colors. Not at all soothing. Also, tables outside of the boutique were packed like a bargain basement with merchandise on sale - certainly did give a "bargain basement" kind of feel to that area.

I did like the Library - much better than even the SS Whisper - larger, with lots of comfy chairs.

Those are the only negatives I can think of - the cabin was well laid out, the food I thought was very good and, as has been mentioned, they do have a wonderful tea in the afternoon. We enjoyed the entertainment, particularly one singer who I had met a few years ago on the SS Whisper.

Let us know when you get back how you think it compares to the SS or RSSC experiences....

Glenda

Will be interesting to hear your reports on SilverSea. We are contemplating this line for a cruise in 2006 if Radisson doesn't have an itinerary we like.

I have read past reports that were good, but am always looking for anther point of view.

Anthony

Silversea is a good line Anthony. BLINK and you wont know which line you are on Radisson or Silversea.

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