Just off Nautica 12 day Western Europe

[mb777]

Nautica 10 day Lisbon to Le Havre

 

Just finished a 10 day trip, first time on Oceania.  I had researched for approximately 9 months, reading and reading until I just couldn’t read any more reviews, tips, videos, etc.  Some of the info about Oceania and Nautica in particular was spot on, and some not so much.  Thanks to all who have written reviews, it helped my preparation.

 

The cruise experience on Nautica was beyond my expectations and left me culturally immersed more than any land based tour could have accomplished.  Despite many complaints about Oceania missed ports, we made them all and right on time!  The ship is beautiful, easy to navigate after a day or two and the staff incredible.  Our cabin was on deck 6 so there really was not much need for the elevator although it never looked busy.  We felt completely pampered the entire time aboard and our cabin attendants never said no.  We were greeted by them each and every time they saw us, always by our names.  We are not huge tippers however the very first time we met them we tipped them generously.  We do not like to tip at the end of cruises or hotel stays but prefer upfront, or at least along the way.  We probably only had one request and that was for fresh ice every day..  We are pretty low maintenance.

 

I had a little angst concerning the dress code as some had mentioned I would need dressy shoes for the evening dining venues.  First night in Toscana (a free one), I wore khaki pants, shirt and new dressy shoes.  I never put the dressy shoes on again until my flight home!  I brought a pair of decent looking boat shoes (loafers) and wore them every night without socks.  Not a word was said and I was comfortable and not out of place at all.   As far as jackets for men I probably saw a total of 5 during the entire 10 day cruise including both specialty restaurants.  I did not bring a jacket and never would, so this worked out nicely.

 

Getting on and off the ship was a breeze since we docked at all ports and did not need tenders.  There was really not much of a line to leave and I left about 0745-0845 every day.  I had reserved private tours at each port well ahead of time and we had a group of 6 each day which was perfect number.  One day we had another in our group join for a total of 7, still a workable number for the guide.  Not having to ride a bus or spend time waiting for that always late straggler was quite refreshing.

 

The food was much better than I had been reading although I have never cruised Oceania so have nothing to base this on.  I would rate the food 5 stars with zero misses.  Ate twice in Toscana and once in Polo, all 5 stars.  Meals in any venue other than the buffet and waves take quite a long time by our standards so keep that in mind.  Dinners ran 2-2.5 hours which for us is a long time, very subjective issue of course.

 

The only downside for the entire cruise were the dining times.  We prefer early dining and in a B2 verandah that was difficult to acquire.  This topic has been beaten to death (including by me) in other threads so I’ll leave it alone here.

 

We don’t gamble so cannot comment on the casino although it seemed busy toward the end of the cruise.  We did go to the show every night at 2130 and found it enjoyable, especially since it only lasts 45 minutes.  It was a nice way to end the evening.  After early rising, touring all day, dinner and a show we were tired each night by the time the show ended.  With such a port intensive itinerary there really wasn’t much sense trying to stay up late even if we were night owls, which we are not.  I believe the majority on this cruise kept a similar schedule.

 

The cabin was beautiful and well appointed.  If you looked around enough you could find more storage than you probably need.  There are cubbies and storage places everywhere and under the bed is also a great option.  We fit 4 large suitcases under the bed with no issues.

 

I was dreading the shower since so many had complained about it.  I admit when I first peered into the bathroom I thought it looked very very small.  By day 2 the shower was a non-issue and we never thought about it again.  Yes it’s on the small side but realistically how much room does one need?  We could turn around with our arms either at our sides or up in the air so again, how much more does a person need?  It really was a non-issue and the water temp and pressure was outstanding.

 

We were not in a concierge class so did laundry ourselves.  One laundry room for 700 guests is not the best option but of course some of those 700 are suites or concierge with their complimentary laundry service.  The days we did laundry we went promptly at 0700 when they opened and were able to find a washer/dryer although once there was only 1 left.  We did NOT try to do laundry on sea days, you could see the line forming all day long and the place was quite noisy and busy.

 

All in all a wonderful cruise, bordering on life changing due to all the local people we met and local sights we saw through our guides eyes.  I’m sure we will be back on board an Oceania cruise in the future.

[Kay S]

Thanks for this.  I will be on Nautica in the fall.  An issue I have seen raised is that there are no restrooms on the Horizon deck to service that lounge.  Problem?

[Poppie55]

What a wonderful review! I have a feeling from reading your post that you would have a great time wherever you went. Hope you make another cruise in the near future and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[mauibabes]

@mb777

That is exactly how it started for us about 15 years ago with a two week Mediterranean cruise. We took our “cruise of a lifetime” and lo and behold we have added many more over the years. Welcome to the O family and hopefully you will be able to enjoy many more as well. Cruising O can become habit forming and once you learn more of the ins and outs of O, you can pick up those Sale bargains and set sail again. Understand however, Not every Sale is a great sale and sometimes barely a sale. One thing we did on our First and all others since, we book a future cruise on board earning Discounts and amenities, etc., usually one as far out as possible because we need to dream and plan and find more friends to join us for a grand adventure. Usually the Best price is offered when the itinerary is released and some of those Up to 4 Level Upgrade Sales can be “Nice”. We recently swapped an On Board Booking into a 12 day Transatlantic in a PH in November on Marina that was cheaper than the cost of the flight home from Barcelona. Lots of good info is shared on these Board Posts. 😇👍🤞🛳️

While the many negative posts here on CC can raise a First Timers anxiety level, the reality is that your cruise will most likely turn out to be an amazing adventure, especially if you have even reasonable expectations and can be flexible and friendly. Our O family starts with the staff in Miami, the Roll Calls on CC can ease us into new friendships and then there are the well traveled and friendly guests we share a table with and last but certainly not least, the absolutely wonderful ship staff.  Just wait until years from now when you board a ship and a staffer calls you by name and remembers you from that Nautica trip, it makes your heart flutter. We had a Butler in October who was our Butler 6 years prior when we were traveling with family and friends in the Holy Land. ABSOLUTELY wonderful young people 🙏🛳️👍😇. 
Like I said, welcome to the O family.

 Mauibabes 

[mauibabes]

@Kay S

It has been awhile since we were on an R ship but I think you will have to use the elevator or stairs to use the facilities on the deck below. Restrooms are available at the back of Horizons on the O and Allura Class ships. 
Mauibabes

[mb777]

57 minutes ago, Kay S said:

Thanks for this.  I will be on Nautica in the fall.  An issue I have seen raised is that there are no restrooms on the Horizon deck to service that lounge.  Problem?

Not a problem that I can remember.  I think you just have to go down the stairs to deck 9 and there are restrooms.  We really did not spend much time in Horizon's at all.  Just maybe during sail away once or twice.

[mb777]

59 minutes ago, mauibabes said:

@mb777

That is exactly how it started for us about 15 years ago with a two week Mediterranean cruise. We took our “cruise of a lifetime” and lo and behold we have added many more over the years. Welcome to the O family and hopefully you will be able to enjoy many more as well. Cruising O can become habit forming and once you learn more of the ins and outs of O, you can pick up those Sale bargains and set sail again. Understand however, Not every Sale is a great sale and sometimes barely a sale. One thing we did on our First and all others since, we book a future cruise on board earning Discounts and amenities, etc., usually one as far out as possible because we need to dream and plan and find more friends to join us for a grand adventure. Usually the Best price is offered when the itinerary is released and some of those Up to 4 Level Upgrade Sales can be “Nice”. We recently swapped an On Board Booking into a 12 day Transatlantic in a PH in November on Marina that was cheaper than the cost of the flight home from Barcelona. Lots of good info is shared on these Board Posts. 😇👍🤞🛳️

While the many negative posts here on CC can raise a First Timers anxiety level, the reality is that your cruise will most likely turn out to be an amazing adventure, especially if you have even reasonable expectations and can be flexible and friendly. Our O family starts with the staff in Miami, the Roll Calls on CC can ease us into new friendships and then there are the well traveled and friendly guests we share a table with and last but certainly not least, the absolutely wonderful ship staff.  Just wait until years from now when you board a ship and a staffer calls you by name and remembers you from that Nautica trip, it makes your heart flutter. We had a Butler in October who was our Butler 6 years prior when we were traveling with family and friends in the Holy Land. ABSOLUTELY wonderful young people 🙏🛳️👍😇. 
Like I said, welcome to the O family.

 Mauibabes 

Thanks Maui, we did put down $500 FCC before we disembarked so we will keep our eye out for some good bargains.

[mauibabes]

👍🤞🛳️ we had some friends who recently got off Nautica in Capetown, booked a C stateroom on a Sale over a year earlier. Picked up a Free Post Cruise Tour, $1200, and the week before boarding got an upgrade offer to an A-1 for $300. In the end, paid 50% of what others paid at full price for the same cruise package.  Same friend jumped on the Sale ending last Sunday, Papeete to Papeete, a Up to 4 level B1 Upgrade offer price. Monday’s Summer Sale is released and the itinerary on it too but $1200 pp higher. I know she can not wait for that next last minute Upgrade offer 🤪💰👍. 
Moral of the story, “Eyes Always Open”. All the lines want to run their ships Full 💰💰. 
Good luck cruise shopping and enjoy O.

Mauibabes
 

[ORV]

Thanks for a nice reality based balanced review.

[WESTEAST]

Glad that you enjoyed your inaugural cruise and enjoyed reading your post.  We've sailed many times with Oceania and to date, it still ticks all the boxes for our preferences.  Though, we still frown at one another when we see stated dress code not being enforced and there has been the odd meal we didn't enjoy or encountered very bad weather which prevented the ship from getting into a port. Overall all of our cruises have been memorable for the destinations and the Oceania ship's crew and amiable service. 

[osandomir]

I also enjoyed to read this very positive review from the first time Oceania cruisers. We all are looking for a different things on board the cruise ship but your overall satisfaction matches ours. There is a reason why we have cruised with Oceania so many times. The only thing I’d like to mention that we never feel the need to tip our room attendants upfront. The service is excellent without it but we always tip at the end to make the hardworking crew happy.

[Tranquility Base]

2 hours ago, ORV said:

Thanks for a nice reality based balanced review.

I like what you did there.....clever.

[wally_bushy]

Enjoy reading all the various reviews but with the value of the Australian dollar makes a cruise too expensive. When adding in the airfare it is too much

:(

 

[samiam0403]

Glad to see you thoroughly enjoyed your cruise! We were on the cruise with you (but boarded in Cape Town 24 days prior) and had an incredible time as well. The staff/crew/officers were the best we've encountered yet - on any cruise. Thanks for the great write-up - reminds me that I should probably do one too!

[waggie]

This has ben a very helpful review for me - we are about to join the Oceania newbies group! One concern I have from reading several reviews and watching you tube - how small is the shower cubicle??? We are looking to book a concierge verandah but all the you tube reports move past that bit of the bathroom quickly!

Ruth

[ORV]

16 hours ago, mb777 said:

I was dreading the shower since so many had complained about it.  I admit when I first peered into the bathroom I thought it looked very very small.  By day 2 the shower was a non-issue and we never thought about it again.  Yes it’s on the small side but realistically how much room does one need?  We could turn around with our arms either at our sides or up in the air so again, how much more does a person need?  It really was a non-issue and the water temp and pressure was outstanding.

 

19 minutes ago, waggie said:

This has ben a very helpful review for me - we are about to join the Oceania newbies group! One concern I have from reading several reviews and watching you tube - how small is the shower cubicle??? We are looking to book a concierge verandah but all the you tube reports move past that bit of the bathroom quickly!

Ruth

The OP summed it up perfectly in the above paragraph. Unless you're really tall or really large it's not really a problem. Would larger be better, yes, but it's quite workable. 

[waggie]

1 minute ago, ORV said:

 

The OP summed it up perfectly in the above paragraph. Unless you're really tall or really large it's not really a problem. Would larger be better, yes, but it's quite workable. 

Thanks -  just watched a YouTube in which a very tall guy (6.6")  said he used the shower with the door open!

[Pearl64]

Mb777,

 

While we agree with you about most things this cruise had some missteps. Embarkation was an absolute nightmare. we were changed from checking in at the port to a hotel. Ok. We accepted that. We had an 11 am check in time. Arrived at the hotel around 10:30. Nothing happened until the iPads arrived after 11:30. Instead of using the boarding pass time they called cabin category starting with Owners suite. It took them quite a bit of time to work their way down. After concierge was called there was no further calling of cabins. It was very chaotic. There were no announcements from Oceania as to what was going on. Yes, I know communication is not Oceania's strong suit. We were in a B1 with no luck getting through. Oceania did provide a shuttle to the port (about 25 minutes away)which was nice but there was only one bus and one truck for luggage. Lines for the shuttle snaked around with a long line. We finally got to the ship shortly before 3 pm.  Luggage never arrived until after dinner. By that time we were exhausted. This was our 16th Oceania cruise. Never did we have so much trouble. We have another cruise booked to Japan. My husband wants to cancel but Japan is on my bucket list so I will need to sweet talk him.

 

One problem with this cruise was the number of large groups(100+) who focused on wine. That is fine but they interfered with other venues that were either rescheduled or cancelled to accommodate them. Food was ok except for one night in the MDR when our chicken came inedible. We could not cut it even when we asked for a steak knife. We could have asked for another meal but we let it pass.

 

We hope this was the exception to Oceania excellence. We took all private tours which were excellent. Thank heavens disembarkation was smooth. Staff was excellent and up to the standard we were used to.

Glad you enjoyed the cruise. We did after Day 1!
 

 

[Tranquility Base]

9 hours ago, samiam0403 said:

(but boarded in Cape Town 24 days prior)

Any advise on the logistics for joining in Cape Town ?

We are doing so later this year.

[Kay S]

4 hours ago, ORV said:

 

The OP summed it up perfectly in the above paragraph. Unless you're really tall or really large it's not really a problem. Would larger be better, yes, but it's quite workable. 

I haven't been on the Nautica yet, but I have been on other R class ships.  The shower is large enough to conduct normal shower activities, turning around, raising  hands over head, bending over.  Unless you plan on holding a party in the shower, it will work.  I grew up in a 1950s house with a walk in shower, you know, turquoise tile on the walls and a glass door that sometimes latched correctly.  When I was a little kid, it seemed cavernous; when I left home as an adult, it seemed just small.  Anyone who remembers those walk in showers of yore will recognize the R class shower: small but gets the job done.

[Smokeyham]

Thanks for this review.  We were on board sister-ship Insignia for 25 days last year and really enjoyed the service and atmosphere on board.   We are looking forward to a cruise on Nautica next year and appreciate your comments.

[mb777]

3 hours ago, Pearl64 said:

Mb777,

 

While we agree with you about most things this cruise had some missteps. Embarkation was an absolute nightmare. we were changed from checking in at the port to a hotel. Ok. We accepted that. We had an 11 am check in time. Arrived at the hotel around 10:30. Nothing happened until the iPads arrived after 11:30. Instead of using the boarding pass time they called cabin category starting with Owners suite. It took them quite a bit of time to work their way down. After concierge was called there was no further calling of cabins. It was very chaotic. There were no announcements from Oceania as to what was going on. Yes, I know communication is not Oceania's strong suit. We were in a B1 with no luck getting through. Oceania did provide a shuttle to the port (about 25 minutes away)which was nice but there was only one bus and one truck for luggage. Lines for the shuttle snaked around with a long line. We finally got to the ship shortly before 3 pm.  Luggage never arrived until after dinner. By that time we were exhausted. This was our 16th Oceania cruise. Never did we have so much trouble. We have another cruise booked to Japan. My husband wants to cancel but Japan is on my bucket list so I will need to sweet talk him.

 

One problem with this cruise was the number of large groups(100+) who focused on wine. That is fine but they interfered with other venues that were either rescheduled or cancelled to accommodate them. Food was ok except for one night in the MDR when our chicken came inedible. We could not cut it even when we asked for a steak knife. We could have asked for another meal but we let it pass.

 

We hope this was the exception to Oceania excellence. We took all private tours which were excellent. Thank heavens disembarkation was smooth. Staff was excellent and up to the standard we were used to.

Glad you enjoyed the cruise. We did after Day 1!
 

 

I too had an 1100 embarkation time but of course ended up in the hotel along with everyone else.  I feel this was probably a port issue, not Oceania's.  I'm quite certain this was the last thing Oceania would have needed.  

I saw the long line for the free shuttle and ordered an Uber for about 10 Euros, was on the ship at 1330 and luggage was waiting outside our cabin.  After spending the amount of money we did for cruise and airfare I wasn't about to wait for a free shuttle when 10 Euros got me there in 20 min with no wait for the Uber.

[Pearl64]

Thank you, mb777. We do not have international cell service so ordering an Uber was not possible. We could have been apprised of the wait times owe could make alternate plans. We were actually at the front of the line for the shuttle. We were the cut off and had to wait for the next bus. The next bus was in a hour. Had we known it was going to be such a long wait, perhaps we could have figured out a better option. There could have been more than one bus available. Also the people in charge of the shuttle were from the hotel.  Yes, it may have been a port problem but Oceania could have handled it better. It was as if they were absent. 
 

Never ever have we had to wait this long to board. Usually it is a fairly short wait. We have disembarked in Lisbon but never embarked there. A plus was the hotel was air conditioned and had enough seats for everyone. Hopefully Tokyo will be better.

[mb777]

3 hours ago, Pearl64 said:

Thank you, mb777. We do not have international cell service so ordering an Uber was not possible. We could have been apprised of the wait times owe could make alternate plans. We were actually at the front of the line for the shuttle. We were the cut off and had to wait for the next bus. The next bus was in a hour.

No international cell service on a 10 day voyage could be frustrating so I completely understand.  We have Verizon and it was very affordable for the month.  I agree the shuttle arrangements were terrible.  I asked the person in the front of the line how long they had been waiting and their answer convinced me to immediately take the Uber.  

Hindsight, but I wonder if the doorman could call you a taxi if something like this happens again?  There were 2 of them not doing much of anything at all as far as I could see.

[pinotlover]

Of course avoiding Boardamania altogether is another option. Choosing high time Boardamania was solely your choice. I would like to hear the experiences of those that choose a different option, that being arriving for check-in at 3:00 or 3:30. Same, or vastly different?