24 Night World Cruise
Itinerary

Helsinki
Finland
Day 1A city of the sea, Helsinki was built along a series of oddly shaped peninsulas and islands jutting into the Baltic coast along the Gulf of Finland. Streets and avenues curve around bays, bridges reach to nearby islands, and ferries ply among offshore islands.Having grown dramatically since World War II, Helsinki now absorbs more than one-tenth of the Finnish population. The metro area covers 764 square km (474 square miles) and 315 islands. Most sights, hotels, and restaurants cluster on one peninsula, forming a compact central hub. The greater Helsinki metropolitan area, which includes Espoo and Vantaa, has a total population of more than a million people.Helsinki is a relatively young city compared with other European capitals. In the 16th century, King Gustav Vasa of Sweden decided to woo trade from the Estonian city of Tallinn and thus challenge the Hanseatic League's monopoly on Baltic trade. Accordingly, he commanded the people of four Finnish towns to pack up their belongings and relocate to the rapids on the River Vantaa. The new town, founded on June 12, 1550, was named Helsinki.For three centuries, Helsinki (Helsingfors in Swedish) had its ups and downs as a trading town. Turku, to the west, remained Finland's capital and intellectual center. However, Helsinki's fortunes improved when Finland fell under Russian rule as an autonomous grand duchy. Czar Alexander I wanted Finland's political center closer to Russia and, in 1812, selected Helsinki as the new capital. Shortly afterward, Turku suffered a disastrous fire, forcing the university to move to Helsinki. The town's future was secure.Just before the czar's proclamation, a fire destroyed many of Helsinki's traditional wooden structures, precipitating the construction of new buildings suitable for a nation's capital. The German-born architect Carl Ludvig Engel was commissioned to rebuild the city, and as a result, Helsinki has some of the purest neoclassical architecture in the world. Add to this foundation the influence of Stockholm and St. Petersburg with the local inspiration of 20th-century Finnish design, and the result is a European capital city that is as architecturally eye-catching as it is distinct from other Scandinavian capitals. You are bound to discover endless engaging details—a grimacing gargoyle; a foursome of males supporting a balcony's weight on their shoulders; a building painted in striking colors with contrasting flowers in the windows. The city's 400 or so parks make it particularly inviting in summer.Today, Helsinki is still a meeting point of eastern and western Europe, which is reflected in its cosmopolitan image, the influx of Russians and Estonians, and generally multilingual population. Outdoor summer bars ("terrassit" as the locals call them) and cafés in the city center are perfect for people watching on a summer afternoon.
About this cruise
Both designer-inspired and luxurious, the 670-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 Center, 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 color 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.
Available dates
Stateroom Options
- InsideFROM£6,889 pp
- OceanviewFROM£7,689 pp
- BalconyFROM£10,329 pp
- SuiteFROM£15,059 pp
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dining
The Grand Dining Room
AN ELEGANT SETTING
The Grand Dining Room is a study in stateliness, a tribute to the spirit of Europe’s marquee five-star hotel restaurants that inspired its dignified yet convivial ambiance. Handsomely decorated in rich woods, designer tapestry fabrics and oversized armchairs, the expansive dining area exudes classic splendor. This signature dining experience has always offered a bevy of delicious Continental dishes, and now a fresh and new array of options brings you even more exciting choices, as well as an incredible spectrum of global flavors and an all new Executive Chef’s Tasting Menu. As variety is essential to your satisfaction, menus change daily with an expansive choice of at least 10 appetizers, soups and salads and 10 dinner entrées, along with healthy options such as Aquamar Vitality Cuisine, gourmet vegetarian selections and the most extensive array of plant-based dishes at sea.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No reservations required.
Insignia
Oceania Cruises
FROM
£6,889 pp
- What's included?
- The below amenities and services are included in your selected cruise fare. By choosing a promotion during the booking process you may be entitled to additional amenities or services, depending on the particular offer.
Included
OLife Choice includes: Internet. Plus, select one of three amenities: Up to 8 Free Shore Excursions, Free House Beverage Package, Up to $800 Free Shipboard Credit
- OLife Choice Plus includes: Reduced fares, FREE Gratuities, plus Free Internet. Select one of three amenities: Up to 8 Free Shore excursions, Free House Beverage Package, Up to $800 Free Shipboard Credit