Aboard Insignia with Oceania Cruises
Cruise Overview
Aruba's capital is easily explored on foot.
Its palm-lined central thoroughfare runs between old and new pastel-painted buildings of typical Dutch design (Spanish influence is also evident in some of the architecture).
There are a lot of malls with boutiques and shops—the Renaissance mall carries high-end luxury items and designer fashions.
A massive renovation in downtown has given Main Street (a.k.a.
Caya G.
F.
Betico Croes) behind the Renaissance Resort a whole new lease on life: boutique malls, shops, and restaurants have opened next to well-loved family-run businesses.
The pedestrian-only walkway and resting areas have unclogged the street, and the new eco-trolley is free and a great way to get around.
At this writing, Linear Park was well and will showcase local merchants and artists.
There will be activities along a boardwalk that will eventually run all the way to the end of Palm Beach, making it the longest of its kind in the Caribbean.
Dutch settlers came here in the 1630s, about the same time they sailed through the Verazzano Narrows to Manhattan, bringing with them original red-tile roofs, first used on the trade ships as ballast and later incorporated into the architecture of Willemstad.
Much of the original colonial structures remain, but this historic city is constantly reinventing itself and the government monument foundation is always busy restoring buildings in one urban neighborhood or another.
The salty air causes what is called "wall cancer" which causes the ancient abodes to continually crumble over time.
The city is cut in two by Santa Anna Bay.
On one side is Punda (the point)—crammed with shops, restaurants, monuments, and markets and a new museum retracing its colorful history.
And on the other side is Otrobanda (literally meaning the "other side"), with lots of narrow, winding streets and alleyways (called "steekjes" in Dutch), full of private homes notable for their picturesque gables and Dutch-influenced designs.
In recent years the ongoing regeneration of Otrobanda has been apparent, marked by a surge in development of new hotels, restaurants, and shops; the rebirth, concentrated near the waterfront, was spearheaded by the creation of the elaborate Kura Hulanda complex.There are three ways to cross the bay: by car over the Juliana Bridge; by foot over the Queen Emma pontoon bridge (locally called "The Swinging Old Lady"); or by free ferry, which runs when the pontoon bridge is swung open for passing ships.
All the major hotels outside town offer free shuttle service to town once or twice daily.
Shuttles coming from the Otrobanda side leave you at Riffort.
From here it's a short walk north to the foot of the pontoon bridge.
Shuttles coming from the Punda side leave you near the main entrance to Ft.
Amsterdam.
Its palm-lined central thoroughfare runs between old and new pastel-painted buildings of typical Dutch design (Spanish influence is also evident in some of the architecture).
There are a lot of malls with boutiques and shops—the Renaissance mall carries high-end luxury items and designer fashions.
A massive renovation in downtown has given Main Street (a.k.a.
Caya G.
F.
Betico Croes) behind the Renaissance Resort a whole new lease on life: boutique malls, shops, and restaurants have opened next to well-loved family-run businesses.
The pedestrian-only walkway and resting areas have unclogged the street, and the new eco-trolley is free and a great way to get around.
At this writing, Linear Park was well and will showcase local merchants and artists.
There will be activities along a boardwalk that will eventually run all the way to the end of Palm Beach, making it the longest of its kind in the Caribbean.
Dutch settlers came here in the 1630s, about the same time they sailed through the Verazzano Narrows to Manhattan, bringing with them original red-tile roofs, first used on the trade ships as ballast and later incorporated into the architecture of Willemstad.
Much of the original colonial structures remain, but this historic city is constantly reinventing itself and the government monument foundation is always busy restoring buildings in one urban neighborhood or another.
The salty air causes what is called "wall cancer" which causes the ancient abodes to continually crumble over time.
The city is cut in two by Santa Anna Bay.
On one side is Punda (the point)—crammed with shops, restaurants, monuments, and markets and a new museum retracing its colorful history.
And on the other side is Otrobanda (literally meaning the "other side"), with lots of narrow, winding streets and alleyways (called "steekjes" in Dutch), full of private homes notable for their picturesque gables and Dutch-influenced designs.
In recent years the ongoing regeneration of Otrobanda has been apparent, marked by a surge in development of new hotels, restaurants, and shops; the rebirth, concentrated near the waterfront, was spearheaded by the creation of the elaborate Kura Hulanda complex.There are three ways to cross the bay: by car over the Juliana Bridge; by foot over the Queen Emma pontoon bridge (locally called "The Swinging Old Lady"); or by free ferry, which runs when the pontoon bridge is swung open for passing ships.
All the major hotels outside town offer free shuttle service to town once or twice daily.
Shuttles coming from the Otrobanda side leave you at Riffort.
From here it's a short walk north to the foot of the pontoon bridge.
Shuttles coming from the Punda side leave you near the main entrance to Ft.
Amsterdam.
Cruise Itinerary
Aboard Insignia
Launch Year: 1999 Length: 180 Width: 25.5 Currency: USD Capacity: 656 Crew Count: 400 Deck Count: 9 Cabin Count: 349
Both designer-inspired and luxurious, the 656-guest Insignia offers entirely new suites, staterooms and bathrooms along with a sweepingly re-inspired atmosphere throughout the ship. The public spaces have been tastefully refreshed with a soft sea and sky palette of fabrics, designer furnishings and custom light fixtures that exquisitely showcase the inimitable style and comfort of Oceania Cruises. Insignia features four unique, open-seating restaurants, the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Centre, eight lounges and bars, a casino and 333 luxurious suites and stylish staterooms, nearly 70% of which feature private verandas.
The better-than-new Insignia blends sophistication with a contemporary flair to create a casually elegant ambiance that embodies the most treasured elements of our celebrated ships. Every surface of every suite and stateroom is entirely new, while in the public spaces, a refreshed colour palette of soft sea and sky tones surrounds a tasteful renewal of fabrics, furnishings and lighting fixtures that exquisitely encompasses the inimitable style and comfort of Oceania Cruises.
Insignia Facilities
Insignia Includes
Cabin Details
The re-inspired Owner’s, Vista and Penthouse Suites on board the elegant Insignia exude a residential character and refined personality like never before. These suites are adorned in designer fabrics and furnishings that echo the serene seas and expansive skies, transforming them into calming and tranquil oases of relaxation. All of our suites include exclusive 24-hour Butler service and are uncommonly spacious, further adding to the luxurious suite experience.
Curated Luxury Services
- Course-by-course in-suite dining+
- Order in from any of our specialty restaurants+
- Coordination of shoreside dinner and entertainment reservations
- Last-minute luggage collection
- Packing and unpacking upon request
- Complimentary garment pressing+
- Complimentary shoe shine service
- Gourmet evening canapés
- Special services upon request
+ Certain limitations apply
Veranda Staterooms
Our spacious staterooms afford the ultimate in luxury. Sleekly re-designed interiors reveal a chic and becoming palette, designer fabrics, modern furnishings and original art. Plump the cloud-like pillows and relax in your Tranquility Bed, a luxury bedding experience exclusively on Oceania Cruises. As you sail on to your next destination, relax on the private teak veranda, a feature of the vast majority of accommodations.
Luxurious Staterooms
A modern palette blends sea, sky and comforting earth tones in each of these sanctuaries to create a soothing environment that invites relaxation. Every stateroom is imbued with a luxurious ambiance, featuring designer residential furnishings, fine fabrics and plush draperies, chic lighting and much more.
