Inspired Atlantic/Insignia
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Insignia

Inspired Atlantic - 15 night cruise



Cruise only from €5,011

Price based on lowest available cruise only fare for double occupancy. Subject to change at any time.


Description

Gratuities

Dates and Prices

Cabins

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.

Cruise ID: 2178

How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. For your convenience, the following gratuities are automatically added to your shipboard account.

For guests occupying staterooms, gratuities of $16.00 per guest, per day will be added.

For guests occupying Penthouse, Oceania, Vista or Owner's Suites where Butler Service is provided, gratuities of $23.00 per guest, per day will be added.

In addition, an 18% service gratuity is automatically added to all beverage purchases, spa services and dinner at La Reserve. Naturally, guests may adjust gratuities while on board the vessel at their sole discretion.

Date Time Price * Booking
17 August 2024 19:00 €5,011 Call us to book

* Price based on lowest available cruise only fare for double occupancy. Subject to change at any time.

Cabins on Insignia

Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom
1-2

Located in some of the most desirable locations on the ship, Category A Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms offer the attractive blend of both value and luxury. These sleekly redefined 216-square-foot staterooms offer coveted amenities and exclusive privileges, such as free laundry service, that make your experience that much more carefree. Fresh new decor, sumptuous Tranquility Beds and re-inspired verandas with stylish new furniture complete the Concierge experience.

Exclusive Concierge Privileges

In addition to Stateroom Amenities

  • FREE laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
  • Expanded lunch and dinner room service menu from The Grand Dining Room
  • Priority noon ship embarkation
  • Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
  • Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
  • Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
  • iPad® upon request for your enjoyment onboard++
  • Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag
  • Cashmere lap blankets, perfect for relaxing on your veranda
  • Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++
  • Complimentary shoeshine service

+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag; additional restrictions apply.

++Certain limitations apply.

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Media/Entertainment Station
  • Telephone

Veranda Stateroom
1-2

Custom-crafted furnishings, exotic stone finishes, supple upholstered headboards and chic lighting are just a few of the enhancements within these 216-square-foot staterooms that also boast our most popular luxury – a private teak veranda for watching the ever-changing panoramas. Conveniences within each stateroom include a vanity desk, refrigerated mini-bar, breakfast table and spacious seating area.

Veranda Stateroom Amenities

  • Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises exclusive, with 1,000-thread-count linens
  • Complimentary soft drinks replenished daily in your refrigerated mini-bar
  • Complimentary still & sparkling Vero Water
  • Private teak veranda
  • Bulgari amenities
  • Free room service menu 24 hours a day
  • Twice-daily maid service
  • Belgian chocolates with turndown service
  • Interactive television system with on-demand movies, weather and more
  • Wireless Internet access and cellular service
  • Writing desk and stationery
  • Plush cotton towels
  • Thick cotton robes and slippers
  • Handheld hair dryer
  • Security safe

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Whirlpool Bath
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Dining Area
  • Vanity Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Free Mini Bar
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Media/Entertainment Station
  • Telephone

Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom
1-2

With entirely re-designed closets, dressers and vanities, these 165-square foot staterooms feel even more spacious. A generous seating area, vanity desk, refrigerated mini-bar and breakfast table are perfectly complemented by the soothing hues and stylish fabrics of the sleek new decor.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom FREE Amenities:

  • FREE soft drinks replenished daily in your refrigerated mini-bar
  • FREE still & sparkling Vero Water
  • FREE room service menu 24 hours a day

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom Included Amenities:

  • Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive
  • Bulgari amenities
  • Twice-daily maid service
  • Category (C1) includes accessibility features in stateroom #4052 and #4056.
  • Interactive television system with on-demand movies, weather and more
  • Wireless Internet access and cellular service
  • Writing desk and stationery
  • Plush cotton towels, robes and slippers
  • Handheld hair dryer
  • Security safe
  • Belgian chocolates with turndown service

Deluxe Oceanview Accessibility Features:

  • Bed with hoist space
  • Large bathroom door
  • Toilet grab rails
  • Roll in bathrooms with no lip riser which has a wraparound drainage system as well as a bathtub

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Telephone

Ocean View Stateroom (D)
1-2

Featuring a classic porthole, these exquisitely appointed 165-square-foot staterooms showcase sophisticated new decor and a modern design that maximizes both space and convenience. Enjoy a comfortable seating area with a sofa on which to stretch out, as well as a vanity desk, breakfast table and refrigerated mini-bar.

Oceanview FREE Amenities:

  • FREE soft drinks replenished daily in your refrigerated mini-bar
  • FREE still & sparkling Vero Water
  • FREE room service menu 24 hours a day

Oceanview Included Amenities:

  • Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive
  • Bulgari amenities
  • Twice-daily maid service
  • Interactive television system with on-demand movies, weather and more
  • Wireless Internet access and cellular service
  • Writing desk and stationary
  • Plush cotton towels, robes and slippers
  • Handheld hair dryer
  • Security safe
  • Belgian chocolates with turndown service

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Telephone

Ocean View Stateroom (E)
1-2

Centrally located on deck 6, these 143-square-foot staterooms offer a fresh new palette and a panorama window with obstructed views. Features include a vanity desk, refrigerated mini-bar, small breakfast table and an ample closet.

Ocean View Stateroom Amenities

  • Ultra Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive
  • Bulgari amenities
  • Signature Belgian chocolates with nightly turndown service
  • Complimentary 24-hour room service
  • Flat-screen television with DVD player and extensive media library
  • Wireless Internet access and cellular service
  • Writing desk and stationary
  • Plush cotton towels
  • Thick cotton robes and slippers
  • Handheld hair dryer
  • Security safe

All Suites and Staterooms are Smoke-Free

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Telephone

Inside Staterooms
1-2

Beautifully re-designed with a modern flair, these delightful private retreats boast 160 square feet of luxury. Highlights include a comfortable seating area, vanity desk, refrigerated mini-bar and plenty of storage. The ingenious use of space is complemented by the re-inspired decor.

Inside Stateroom FREE Amenities:

  • FREE soft drinks replenished daily in your refrigerated mini-bar
  • FREE still & sparkling Vero Water
  • FREE room service menu 24 hours a day

Inside Stateroom Included Amenities:

  • Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive
  • Bulgari amenities
  • Twice-daily maid service
  • Interactive television system with on-demand movies, weather and more
  • Wireless Internet access and cellular service
  • Writing desk and stationary
  • Plush cotton towels, robes and slippers
  • Handheld hair dryer
  • Security safe
  • Belgian chocolates with turndown service

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Telephone

Solo Oceanview Stateroom
1

These charming 143-square-foot staterooms are the perfect retreat for the solo traveler. Amply spacious and centrally located on Deck 6, each is equipped with a sublimely plush Tranquility Bed, refrigerated mini-bar, writing desk and abundant storage space.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Air Conditioning

Penthouse Suite
1-2

Our collection of new 322-square-foot Penthouse Suites is adorned with sumptuous designer fabrics and furnishings in serene shades of the sea and sky. Spacious enough for private in-suite dining, the living area features a refrigerated mini-bar and vanity desk, and the sleekly transformed bathroom features luxury stone finishes and a shower.

Penthouse Suite Privileges

In addition to Stateroom Amenities

  • FREE laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
  • Priority 11 am ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery
  • 24-hour Butler service
  • Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
  • Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
  • Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
  • iPad® upon request for your enjoyment on board++
  • Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag and personalised stationery
  • Cashmere lap blankets, perfect for relaxing on your veranda
  • Complimentary shoeshine service
  • Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++

+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag; additional restrictions apply.

++Certain limitations apply.

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Vanity Area
  • Free Mini Bar
  • Butler Service
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Media/Entertainment Station
  • Telephone

Owner's Suite
1-2

Lavish new fabrics and designer furnishings grace our six new Owner's Suites – always among the first to be reserved. Immensely spacious and exceptionally luxurious, these suites span nearly 1,000 square feet and are oases of quietude and relaxation. Every imaginable amenity is found here, further enhanced by a sumptuous re-designed bathroom with an oversized shower, a private teak veranda and two flat-screen televisions.

Owner's Suite Privileges

In addition to Stateroom Amenities

  • FREE laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
  • Priority 11 am ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery
  • 24-hour Butler service
  • Optional private in-suite embarkation day lunch from noon to 2 pm
  • Complimentary in-suite bar setup with 6 full-size bottles of premium spirits and wines from our suite beverage menu
  • Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
  • Fresh fruit basket replenished daily
  • Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
  • Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
  • iPad® upon request for your enjoyment on board++
  • Customized entertainment system
  • Bulgari gift set and variety of amenities
  • Choice of daily printed newspaper
  • Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag and personalized stationery
  • Cashmere lap blankets, perfect for relaxing on your veranda
  • Choice of pillow from a luxurious selection
  • Complimentary shoeshine service
  • Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++

+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag; additional restrictions apply.

++Certain limitations apply.

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • Pillow Menu Available
  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • TV
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk
  • Dining Area
  • Vanity Area
  • Free Mini Bar
  • Butler Service
  • Media/Entertainment Station
  • Telephone

Vista Suite
1-2

Named for their sweeping views over the ship's bow, our four Vista Suites feature a calming palette echoing the serene seas and expansive skies. Each sprawls over 786 square feet and offers every imaginable comfort, including a second bathroom for guests as well as a master bathroom finished in onyx, Carrara marble and granite with a luxurious shower. Relax on your teak veranda or watch a movie on your customised entertainment system.

Vista Suite Privileges

In addition to Stateroom Amenities

  • FREE laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
  • Priority 11 am ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery
  • 24-hour Butler service
  • Complimentary in-suite bar setup with 6 full-size bottles of premium spirits and wines from our suite beverage menu
  • Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
  • Fresh fruit basket replenished daily
  • Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
  • Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
  • iPad® upon request for your enjoyment on board++
  • Bulgari gift set and variety of amenities
  • Choice of daily printed newspaper
  • Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag and personalised stationery
  • Cashmere lap blankets, perfect for relaxing on your veranda
  • Choice of pillow from a luxurious selection
  • Complimentary shoeshine service
  • Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++

+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag; additional restrictions apply.

++Certain limitations apply.

Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.

Facilities

  • Dining Area
  • Pillow Menu Available
  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • TV
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Safe
  • Desk
  • Free Mini Bar
  • Butler Service
  • Media/Entertainment Station
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone

View Itinerary By Date



Day 1 Tilbury, England

Just 22 nautical miles down river from the Tower Bridge in London, Tilbury is a popular turnaround port for cruises visiting Baltic and Northern European destinations.

Day 2 Zeebrugge, Belgium

In 1895 work began to construct a new seaport and harbour next to the tiny village of Zeebrugge, situated on the North Sea coast. Today the fast-expanding port of Zeebrugge is one of the busiest in Europe and its marina is Belgium's most important fishing port. Many attempts were made to destroy this important port during both World Wars. Zeebrugge is ideally located for discovering the historic city of Bruges, and delightful seaside resorts with long sandy beaches can be visited by using the trams that run the whole length of the Belgian coast. Please note that no food may be taken ashore in Belgium. We shall not be offering shuttle buses to Bruges, but you may visit the city on an optional excursion: those visiting Bruges should note that there may be quite a long walk from the coach to the town centre.

Day 3 Honfleur, France

Honfleur, the most picturesque of the Côte Fleurie's seaside towns, is a time-burnished place with a surplus of half-timber houses and cobbled streets that are lined with a stunning selection of stylish boutiques. Much of its Renaissance architecture remains intact—especially around the 17th-century Vieux Bassin harbor, where the water is fronted on one side by two-story stone houses with low, sloping roofs and on the other by tall slate-topped houses with wooden facades. Maritime expeditions (including some of the first voyages to Canada) departed from here; later, Impressionists were inspired to capture it on canvas. But the town as a whole has become increasingly crowded since the Pont de Normandie opened in 1995. Providing a direct link with Upper Normandy, the world's sixth-largest cable-stayed bridge is supported by two concrete pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed to resist winds of 257 kph (160 mph).

Day 4  Cruising

Day 5 Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is making a comeback. The decade-long "Celtic Tiger" boom era was quickly followed by the Great Recession, but The Recovery has finally taken a precarious hold. For visitors, this newer and wiser Dublin has become one of western Europe's most popular and delightful urban destinations. Whether or not you're out to enjoy the old or new Dublin, you'll find it a colossally entertaining city, all the more astonishing considering its intimate size.It is ironic and telling that James Joyce chose Dublin as the setting for his famous Ulysses, Dubliners, and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man because it was a "center of paralysis" where nothing much ever changed. Which only proves that even the greats get it wrong sometimes. Indeed, if Joyce were to return to his once-genteel hometown today—disappointed with the city's provincial outlook, he left it in 1902 at the age of 20—and take a quasi-Homeric odyssey through the city (as he so famously does in Ulysses), would he even recognize Dublin as his "Dear Dirty Dumpling, foostherfather of fingalls and dotthergills"?For instance, what would he make of Temple Bar—the city's erstwhile down-at-the-heels neighborhood, now crammed with cafés and trendy hotels and suffused with a nonstop, international-party atmosphere? Or the simple sophistication of the open-air restaurants of the tiny Italian Quarter (named Quartier Bloom after his own creation), complete with sultry tango lessons? Or of the hot–cool Irishness, where every aspect of Celtic culture results in sold-out theaters, from Once, the cult indie movie and Broadway hit, to Riverdance, the old Irish mass-jig recast as a Las Vegas extravaganza? Plus, the resurrected Joyce might be stirred by the songs of Hozier, fired up by the sultry acting of Michael Fassbender, and moved by the award-winning novels of Colum McCann. As for Ireland's capital, it's packed with elegant shops and hotels, theaters, galleries, coffeehouses, and a stunning variety of new, creative little restaurants can be found on almost every street in Dublin, transforming the provincial city that suffocated Joyce into a place almost as cosmopolitan as the Paris to which he fled. And the locals are a hell of a lot more fun! Now that the economy has finally turned a corner, Dublin citizens can cast a cool eye over the last 20 crazy years. Some argue that the boomtown transformation of their heretofore-tranquil city has permanently affected its spirit and character. These skeptics (skepticism long being a favorite pastime in the capital city) await the outcome of "Dublin: The Sequel," and their greatest fear is the possibility that the tattered old lady on the Liffey has become a little less unique, a little more like everywhere else.Oh ye of little faith: the rare ole gem that is Dublin is far from buried. The fundamentals—the Georgian elegance of Merrion Square, the Norman drama of Christ Church Cathedral, the foamy pint at an atmospheric pub—are still on hand to gratify. Most of all, there are the locals themselves: the nod and grin when you catch their eye on the street, the eagerness to hear half your life story before they tell you all of theirs, and their paradoxically dark but warm sense of humor. It's expected that 2016 will be an extra-special year in the capital, as centenary celebrations of the fateful 1916 Easter Rising will dominate much of the cultural calendar.

Day 6 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Before English and Scottish settlers arrived in the 1600s, Belfast was a tiny village called Béal Feirste ("sandbank ford") belonging to Ulster's ancient O'Neill clan. With the advent of the Plantation period (when settlers arrived in the 1600s), Sir Arthur Chichester, from Devon in southwestern England, received the city from the English Crown, and his son was made Earl of Donegall. Huguenots fleeing persecution from France settled near here, bringing their valuable linen-work skills. In the 18th century, Belfast underwent a phenomenal expansion—its population doubled every 10 years, despite an ever-present sectarian divide. Although the Anglican gentry despised the Presbyterian artisans—who, in turn, distrusted the native Catholics—Belfast's growth continued at a dizzying speed. The city was a great Victorian success story, an industrial boomtown whose prosperity was built on trade, especially linen and shipbuilding. Famously (or infamously), the Titanic was built here, giving Belfast, for a time, the nickname "Titanic Town." Having laid the foundation stone of the city's university in 1845, Queen Victoria returned to Belfast in 1849 (she is recalled in the names of buildings, streets, bars, monuments, and other places around the city), and in the same year, the university opened under the name Queen's College. Nearly 40 years later, in 1888, Victoria granted Belfast its city charter. Today its population is nearly 300,000, tourist numbers have increased, and this dramatically transformed city is enjoying an unparalleled renaissance.This is all a welcome change from the period when news about Belfast meant reports about "the Troubles." Since the 1994 ceasefire, Northern Ireland's capital city has benefited from major hotel investment, gentrified quaysides (or strands), a sophisticated new performing arts center, and major initiatives to boost tourism. Although the 1996 bombing of offices at Canary Wharf in London disrupted the 1994 peace agreement, the ceasefire was officially reestablished on July 20, 1997, and this embattled city began its quest for a newfound identity.Since 2008, the city has restored all its major public buildings such as museums, churches, theaters, City Hall, Ulster Hall—and even the glorious Crown Bar—spending millions of pounds on its built heritage. A gaol that at the height of the Troubles held some of the most notorious murderers involved in paramilitary violence is now a major visitor attraction.Belfast's city center is made up of three roughly contiguous areas that are easy to navigate on foot. From the south end to the north, it's about an hour's leisurely walk.

Day 7 Killybegs, Ireland

Killybegs The days start early in Killybegs, as this quiet fishing town rumbles to life, and ships with red and blue paint peeling from their hulls quietly depart, ready for a morning's hard work at sea. Located in a scenic part of County Donegal, Killybegs is Ireland's fishing capital, and the salty breeze and pretty streets serve as a revitalising medicine for visitors. The town is also your gateway to some of the country's most majestic coastal scenery, which is dotted with flashing white lighthouses, keeping watch over invigorating seascapes. Killybegs enjoys a privileged position on the coast of north west of Ireland, close to the spectacular Slieve League - a titanic mountain, which explodes upwards from frothing ocean. Walk as close as you dare to the coastline's sheer drops, or admire the folding cliffs from the best vantage point, down on the water.

Days 8-10  Cruising

Day 11 Saint-John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Old meets new in the province's capital (metro-area population a little more than 200,000), with modern office buildings surrounded by heritage shops and colorful row houses. St. John's mixes English and Irish influences, Victorian architecture and modern convenience, and traditional music and rock and roll into a heady brew. The arts scene is lively, but overall the city moves at a relaxed pace.For centuries, Newfoundland was the largest supplier of salt cod in the world, and St. John's Harbour was the center of the trade. As early as 1627, the merchants of Water Street—then known as the Lower Path—were doing a thriving business buying fish, selling goods, and supplying alcohol to soldiers and sailors.

Day 12 Saint Pierre, Saint Pierre and Miquelon

By heading almost due east from Cap-aux-Meules in Canada, it is possible to reach France in about one day's worth of steaming! With barely 6,000 inhabitants living on tiny St. Pierre, it is the smallest French Overseas Collective. The residents of St. Pierre are predominantly descendants of Normans, Basque and Bretons and the French spoken is closer to Metropolitan French than to Canadian French. Although Basque is not spoken any longer, the influence is still felt through sport and a Basque Festival. Interestingly, this small island has two museums in part dedicated to the Prohibition. The Musée Heritage is St. Pierre's newest museum with a focus on medical artefacts from the 19th and 20th century. Another claim to fame is a guillotine, the only one ever used in North America. In this quirky village it is easy to find the Post Office; just look for the clock tower shaped like a praying monk.

Day 13  Cruising

Day 14 Portland, Maine, United States

Portland, Maine The largest city in Maine, Portland was founded in 1632 on the Casco Bay Peninsula. It quickly prospered through shipbuilding and the export of inland pines which made excellent masts. A long line of wooden wharves stretched along the seafront, with the merchants' houses on the hillside above. From the earliest days it was a cosmopolitan city. When the railroads came, the Canada Trunk Line had its terminal right on Portland's quayside, bringing the produce of Canada and the Great Plains one hundred miles closer to Europe than any other major U.S. port. Some of the wharves are now occupied by new condominium developments, with the exception of the Customs House Wharf, which remains much as it used to be. Grand Trunk Station was torn down in 1966 and a revitalization program of this historic section was spearheaded by a group of committed residents. The result was the revival of the Old Port Exchange District with its redbrick streets built in the 1860s following a disastrous fire. The area today features a wide variety of restaurants, specialty and antique shops, and makes for a pleasant place for a stroll. Congress Street and its many side streets are an engaging mixture of culture, commerce and history. Art is everywhere, from the Portland Museum of Art to the many statues and monuments throughout the city. Other points of interest include the Portland Observatory, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's childhood home, several colonial mansions and Fort Williams Park, with the adjacent Portland Head Light. Farther afield one can visit the charming yachting and fishing village of Kennebunkport, also noted as the locale of the home and summer White House of former President George Bush. Going Ashore in Portland Pier Information The ship is scheduled to dock at the Portland Ocean Terminal, a very easy walk to the Old Port District located about two blocks away. Taxis are available at the pier. Shopping A wide range of Maine-made clothing, crafts and imported items can be found in shops along the cobblestone streets of the quaint Old Port Exchange. Small boutiques and numerous art galleries feature everything from paintings, crafts and furniture to prints and photographs. Antique lovers will enjoy browsing through area shops. Bargain hunters may want to visit the designer factory outlet shops in Freeport. On Sundays, most shops are open from 12:00 noon to 5:00-6:00 p.m. The local currency is the dollar. Cuisine Portland has the most restaurants per capita, second only to San Francisco. Eating establishments are as diverse as the menus they offer. The fresh catch of the day can be found on most menus, but seafood is only one of many culinary delights. From specialty coffee houses and ethnic restaurants to chowder and lobster houses to elegant dining rooms, Portland makes it easy to please every palate. Other Sights Longfellow's "City by the Sea" Portland is a walkable city, and a good place to start exploring is at the Old Port with its striking buildings comprising a bevy of architectural styles, ranging from Italianate to Mansard, Queen Anne to Greek Revival. The charming streets house an amazing collection of shops, galleries, bookstores and restaurants. Congress Street and the Arts District reflect the changes of 350 years of history, boasting an engaging mixture of culture and commerce. Portland Museum of Art The museum's award-winning building is a blend of 1911 Beaux Arts and 1983 post-modernism. It houses one of New England's finest art collections. Don't miss the museum's indoor Sculpture Garden. Portland Observatory Built in 1807, this is a rare example of a signal tower from which signal flags would be flown to identify incoming vessels. Factory Outlets of Freeport About a 25-minute drive north of Portland (approximately $35 one way for a taxi), this shopping mecca is crammed with serious shoppers who come from as far away as New York. Private arrangements for independent sightseeing may be requested through the Tour Office on board.

Day 15  Cruising

Day 16 Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Established in 1639 by a small band of religious dissenters led by William Coddington and Nicholas Easton, the city by the sea became a haven for those who believed in religious freedom. Newport's deepwater harbor at the mouth of Narragansett Bay ensured its success as a leading Colonial port, and a building boom produced hundreds of houses and many landmarks that still survive today. These include the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House and the White Horse Tavern, both built during the 17th century, plus Trinity Church, Touro Synagogue, the Colony House, and the Redwood Library, all built in the 18th century.British troops occupied Newport from 1776–1779, causing half the city's population to flee and ending a golden age of prosperity. The economic downturn that followed may not have been so great for its citizens but it certainly was for preserving Newport's architectural heritage, as few had the capital to raze buildings and replace them with bigger and better ones. By the mid-19th century the city had gained a reputation as the summer playground for the very wealthy, who built enormous mansions overlooking the Atlantic. These so-called "summer cottages," occupied for only six to eight weeks a year by the Vanderbilts, Berwinds, Astors, and Belmonts, helped establish the best young American architects. The presence of these wealthy families also brought the New York Yacht Club, which made Newport the venue for the America's Cup races beginning in 1930 until the 1983 loss to the Australians.The Gilded Age mansions of Bellevue Avenue are what many people associate most with Newport. These late-19th-century homes are almost obscenely grand, laden with ornate rococo detail and designed with a determined one-upmanship.Pedestrian-friendly Newport has so much else to offer in a relatively small geographical area— beaches, seafood restaurants, galleries, shopping, and cultural life. Summer can be crowded, but fall and spring are increasingly popular times of the year to visit.

Day 17 New York, New York, United States

From Wall Street's skyscrapers to the neon of Times Square to Central Park's leafy paths, New York City pulses with an irrepressible energy. History meets hipness in this global center of entertainment, fashion, media, and finance. World-class museums like MoMA and unforgettable icons like the Statue of Liberty beckon, but discovering the subtler strains of New York's vast ambition is equally rewarding: ethnic enclaves and shops, historic streets of dignified brownstones, and trendy bars and eateries all add to the urban buzz.

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TRAVEL AWARE - STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY ABROAD

The Department of Foreign Affairs has up-to-date advice for Irish citizens on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more security, local laws, health, passport and visa information see https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/ and follow dfatravelwise