Oceania Nautica

The 2000-built (as "R Five") Oceania Nautica cruise ship is the fleet's third R-class liner, with sisterships Regatta,Insignia and Sirena (former Ocean Princess). Oceania ship Nautica was drydock-refurbished in 2020 (June) by the company's OceaniaNEXT fleet renovation project (2019-2020).

The vessel (IMO number 9200938) is currently Marshall Islands/France-flagged (MMSI 538001665) and registered in Majuro.

History - construction and ownership

Oceania Cruises is a US passenger shipping company and luxury travel brand owned by NCLH-Norwegian (shipowner), Between April 2007 and September 2014, the company (as part of "Prestige Cruise Holdings") was owned by Apollo Management LP - one of the world's largest private investment equity funds. Since September 2014, Oceania and the sister company RSSC-Regent are owned by NCLH - acquired at a total cost of USD 3 billion. Oceania ships offer luxury cruises with relatively shorter itineraries, as well as Around The World voyages up to 180 days in length.

The 700-passenger ship Nautica keeps the strategy of Oceania Cruises to create an atmosphere far more remindful of an English country house hotel, not to a cruise vessel. There is an appropriate range of amenities, yet the ambience is comfortable and intimate. The decor is quite similar fleetwide, and all ships feature nice dining venues, Mandara Spa and a cyber lab. Nautica's crew members routinely rotate between the 3 vessels, so a returning cruiser on any of them is probably to recognize friendly faces.

Decks and Cabins

Oceania Nautica staterooms (349 total, in 16 grades) include 62 Suites, 170 Balcony, 89 Oceanview (including 14 single-occupancy) and 28 Inside cabins. Most staterooms (66%) are Balcony and sized 175 ft2 / 16 m2. Most cabin balconies are smaller (sized 45 ft2 / 4 m2).

The largest accommodations are the Owners Suites (620 ft / 58 m2 plus 345 ft2 / 32 m2 terrace).

The boat has 11 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Nautica guests take advantage of the flexibility of 4 open-seating dining venues. The Grand Dining Room serves Continental cuisine. it is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alternative, reservations-required options are Toscana, which offers gourmet Italian food, and the steak house Polo Grill. The buffet restaurant Terraces serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is transformed into "Tapas on the Terrace" at night for a relaxed atmosphere. All dining venues have bars, and there is no cover charge. In addition, a poolside grill offers hamburgers, sandwiches and salads at lunchtime. There is also a pizzeria in the buffet area. The observation lounge Horizons serves afternoon tea. Room service is available 24 hours.

Follows the complete list of Nautica restaurants and food bars.

• Grand Dining Room (complimentary 340-seat restaurant for open seating Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; offers French-inspired dishes, and menus change daily)
• Waves Grill (casual dining fast-food bar; serves the pool deck area with made-to-order daily specialities and gelato ice cream)
• Terrace Cafe & Bar (casual buffet restaurant, complimentary; open for breakfast and lunch; features indoor and outdoor sitting areas; the Terrace Bar serves as a small pizzeria as well; the Terrace Cafe transforms into “Tapas On The Terrace” at night serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine)
• Toscana (96-seat Italian fine dining restaurant, dinner-only, reservations-only, complimentary; offers traditional Italian cuisine)
• Polo Grill (96-seat Steakhouse restaurant, complimentary; reservations required).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Just as travelers approach the red carpet that snakes out onto the dock from the gangway of Nautica, they hear the strains of "When the Saints Come Marching In," by the ship's Orchestra, tucked up on Deck 5's promenade. A banner hung over the entrance greets "Welcome Home." All guests are offered fresh juices and hot towels. There is an immediate change in spirit as the cruisers stand up straighter, smile genuinely and shake off their weariness.

Follows the complete list of Nautica lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Nautica Lounge (main showroom/theatre for live evening entertainment and themed dancing parties; hosts daily trivia quizzes, lectures and presentations)
• The Casino (operates with USD bets; served by the Casino Bar)
• Martinis (a piano bar serving a variety of Martinis)
• Two Boutiques (duty-free perfumes, jewelry, Oceania-logo merchandise, clothes, gifts, convenience goods)
• Upper Hall lounge area (with grand piano for live performances; served by the Martinis Bar)
• Grand Bar (wine bar; hosts wine tastings; served by Baristas making complimentary illy beverages)
• Nautica Wellness Center (includes a Spa Terrace, Spa Whirlpool, Steam Rooms, Treatment Rooms, Styling Salon, Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Fitness/Gym, and Boardroom (cards playing and board games; Canyon Ranch Spa Club treatments include: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Healing Energy, Body Wraps and Scrubs, Skin Care, Tanning, Massages and Exotic Treatments.)
• Oceania@Sea (24-hour Internet computers room; Private lessons/group classes are also provided)
• Pool area (with one swimming pool, two Whirlpools, sunbathing area and a Band Stand; served by the Waves Bar)
• The Patio (outdoor shaded lounge with chairs, daybeds, sofas)
• Horizons (Lounge & Bar served by the Horizons Bar; has floor-ceiling windows, live entertainment, full bar; also serves Afternoon Tea; becomes a nightclub at night)
• Fitness Track (Power Walking/Jogging Track); Promenade (Deck 5)
• The Library (1000+ books of which many port-destination guide books)
• Sun Deck (served by the Polo Bar; has sunloungers, showers, deck games - Shuffleboard, Golf Driving Net, 9-hole Mini-Golf putting greens).

Itineraries

MS Nautica's itinerary program is based on luxury voyages to exotic destinations in Asia with departures from Singapore, Thailand, China, as well as European voyages (Mediterranean and Baltic), South Africa, Suez Canal transits, and Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com).

Oceania Nautica cruise ship is the line's third vessel of the Renaissance/Regatta-class. Her sisters in the fleet are the Oceania ships Insignia, Regatta and Sirena (Ocean Princess). Regarding the marine vessel-class, Nautica is also related to the Azamara ships Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Onward (Pacific Princess), Azamara Pursuit (Adonia).

MS Nautica was ordered and operated as "R Five" by Renaissance Cruises in the period 2000-2003. After the Renaissance line's bankruptcy, Royal Caribbean (RCCL) bought the ship and transferred her to Pullmantur Cruises fleet (2004-2005). In 2005, after a major refurbishment, she was transferred to Oceania under her current name "ms Nautica".

The ship's namesake is STENA LINE's 1986-built cruiseferry Stena Nautica.

Making the news as one of the world's most strange cruise ship accidents ever, in 2008 (Nov 30) the Oceania ship Nautica was attacked by Somalian pirates. It happened in the Gulf of Aden (Arabian Sea) while the boat was en route from Egypt to Oman (Safaga to Salah). The vessel was fired at eight times but outran the attack without any injuries or damage.

On September 2, 2014, NCLH-Norwegian purchased the company "Prestige Cruise Holdings" (owner of Oceania and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas) for USD 3,025 billion, thus becoming the official owner of all vessels in both fleets.

The Apollo Group company provides all Oceania ships with the entire onboard hotel product and services. This includes administration, food staff (preparation and serving), housekeeping staff, also the vessel's provisioning and crewing. Other cruise lines served by Apollo are Thomson UK (Marella Cruises) and RSSC-Regent.

Oceania Nautica refurbishment 2022 review

Nautica ship's OceaniaNEXT refurbishment was originally scheduled to take place in 2020 (June 8-21) at CNM-Chantier Naval de Marseille (Marseille France). However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, the drydocking was postponed for 2022. For this project were planned the following changes.

• New public spaces include open-floor design Lobby with Reception Hall (lower level) and Upper Hall (2nd level). They are connected via Grand Staircase (decorated with railings and balustrades) and feature a large crystal chandelier (with hanging pieces of hand-painted glass).
• Grand Dining Room (aft on Deck 5) received new premium dining furniture (leather chairs with metallic bronze threading) and new crystal chandelier.
• Martinis (piano bar lounge on Deck 5) was redesigned, new silver-white marble bar top and walnut paneling were added.
• All staterooms were completely overhauled (redesigned and refurnished) and upgraded with custom-made furniture, polished wood, stone finishes, designer accessories, smart HDTVs (interactive / infotainment system with movies-on-demand and Internet), USB ports, LED lighting.
• All cabin bathrooms were overhauled and received new tiling, surfaces, fixtures, designer accessories, vanities, glass shower enclosures.
• Penthouse-Vista-Owner suite bathrooms were enlarged and upgraded with Carrara marble, onyx and polished granite tops.

Oceania's 2018-2022 refurbishment projects (ships Insignia, Nautica, Regatta, Sirena) cost the company ~USD 100 million.

Oceania Nautica refurbishment 2016 review

Deckplan changes after drydock 2016 (Marseille, April 24-May 16) included:

• All passenger cabins received new decors, new furnishings and luxury fabrics.
• All cabin bathrooms were upgraded with oversized showers. Owner and Vista suite bathrooms received new vanities (made of onyx and granite).
• Penthouse Suites were remodeled like on Marina-Riviera ships.
• "Horizons" bar lounge (Deck 10) received new colors and furnishings.
• All lounges were renovated with new carpeting, chairs, premium fabrics and upholstery.
• "Martinis" bar lounge (Deck 5) and Lido Pool area (Deck 9) received new furnishings.
• Ship's Spa complex (Deck 9) was remodeled with 2 new steam rooms, while locker rooms were redecorated with new custom-made tiles and mosaics.
• Terrace Cafe (buffet on Deck 9 aft) was redecorated, and Terrace Grill station was added (similar to Marina-Riviera ships).
• Grand Bar (Deck 5) received Barista coffee machines and the amenities was upgraded with complimentary illy coffees and gourmet desserts.
• New deck games (Deck 11) include Shuffleboard and 9-hole Mini-Golf putting green.

Oceania's 2016 drydocking projects (ships Nautica, Insignia, Regatta) cost the company ~USD 50 million.