We wake to a glorious sunrise and minus four degrees Celsius. A couple more hours of sleep is in order. When we do finally get going, our plan is to head to the cruising terminal and board the Insignia, a cruise ship operated by Oceania.
We pack and check out and brave the cold around 11.00am. It’s a short ride to the cruise terminal. Upon arrival our bags are whisked away and we join other guests preparing for their cruise.
We join our assigned queue and wait for around 20 minutes. During our wait we chat to couples in front of us, Texans, and a couple behind us from Kentucky. They ask about Australia and how long it took us to get here. They are all keen to visit Australia, but the plane ride discourages them. We add in snakes, spiders and sharks, saying the plane ride is the least of their worries. Bonny and Jim from Kentucky are celebrating 50 years of marriage. As we get to the front of the queue we bid farewell and are checked in and board the ship.
As we board the ship, we explore the stunning elegance of Oceania’s insignia. This luxurious vessel exudes sophistication at every turn, with its beautifully designed interiors showcasing exquisite artwork and plush furnishings. The ship offers a fine selection of dining options, each boasting gourmet cuisine that reflects the culinary traditions of the various destinations we visit.
We enjoy lunch, roast turkey to raspberry pie, pizza to pavlova. It’s all here. After lunch we relax for a while with a couple of drinks. We sit for a while with a hot chocolate and do some reading and admin.
Around 3.00pm, we find our stateroom, featuring a private veranda for enjoying breathtaking ocean views. It’s compact but efficient in its use of spade. There’s a lounge, desk, ample storage and hanging space and vsthroom. There’s bed is king sized.
We do a bit of unpacking and head out to explore the ship in more detail.
The atmosphere is social yet intimate. As we wander the decks, the panoramic vistas and impeccable service remind us that we are in for a truly memorable cruise experience. From enriching shore excursions to relaxing spa treatments, Oceania’s Insignia promises an adventure that is as enriching as it is indulgent.
We tour the entire ship, locating the various dining, snacking, drinking, relaxing and entertaining areas. We visit the casino, gym, spa area, concert hall and pools. We prepare for sail away after we’ve finished our tour.
We rug up for the cold and stand outside on the promenade deck and watch Montreal slip away from us as the sun sets. We enjoy a drink and watch the coastline slide by. As we go under the Jacques Cartier bridge we decide it’s too cold and head back to our room.
For dinner we enjoy roast chicken and steak, preceded by a delicious lobster bisque.
After dinner we enjoy the sail away show – show tunes from Broadway. An hour of both well known and some not so well known tracks from show across the last 50 years.
We head to bed after the show and listen to the sounds of the ship and river as we cruise northward to Quebec, our first stop. Another cold one minus six!
