Oceania’s Nautica Debuts

With a New Look
By Carol Eannarino

At last November’s naming ceremony for Oceania Cruises’ latest ship, the 30,277-ton Nautica, president and CEO Frank Del Rio and chairman Joe Watters both took time to thank travel agents for what has been so far a successful run for the cruise line, which was launched in 2002. Del Rio announced at the ceremony that Oceania will be welcoming a fourth ship, the Marina, to be launched July 7, 2007 in Hong Kong, destined for Far East cruises.
The Nautica, built in 2000 as the R5 for Renaissance Cruises, is a sister ship to the Insignia (the former R1) and Regatta (the former R2). But don’t expect a clone. The Nautica is essentially a new ship after a recent multimillion-dollar refit, according to Tim Rubacky, Oceania spokesperson.
“Every stitch of upholstery was replaced; carpeting is new throughout, much of the furniture is new and any furniture that was retained was completely renewed,” he said.
All of this was done in the most tasteful of ways, truly befitting the Nautica’s casual but refined country club atmosphere, with rich fabrics and carpeting, fine woodwork, comfortable and attractive furniture and lots of attention to detail.
Del Rio places Oceania in the premium category, largely because its staterooms, which average a generous 216 square feet, are sligthly smaller than those on some luxury ships. The ambience, cuisine, decor and service (by a mostly Eastern European staff), however, are truly “top of the line.”
The tone is set for what’s to come in the Nautica’s small but sophisticated lobby, where the reception desk, concierge office and shore excursions desk are located. A dramatic, carpeted stairway, with wrought iron railings, leads to the Upper Hall, where there are two stylish boutiques and where a string quartet and pianist frequently perform.
One of the best examples of the Nautica’s new look is the roomy library, with a comfortable, deep cushioned sofa and wing chairs grouped around a (faux) fireplace under a painted aviary-themed recessed ceiling. With its plush fabrics and draperies, seat cushions along the windows, tables and plenty of comfortable seating, the ambience conveys “English country house” good taste. There’s a wonderful selection of fiction and non-fiction books in unlocked, dark wood bookshelves. Clearly, much thought went into the library’s design. It’s a place where guests can — and do — read, relax and linger.
New to the Nautica are the eight private Luxury Cabanas on the Sun Deck, forward on Deck 11, which Oceania boasts are the first sea-going, resort-style cabanas in the industry. Each has a Balinese day bed for two, ice towel wraps, cabana service (including delivery of Waves Grill menu items) and refreshing treats, such as fruit skewers in the morning, ice cream in early afternoon and afternoon tea served with “sweets and savories.” It’s even possible to have a massage here at 25% off Oceania Spa by Mandara services.
This slice of the good life costs $50 per day when the ship is in port and $100 on sea days. Full cruise Cabana Packages, which come with some additional perks, are also available. The cabanas are reserved onboard at the reception desk.
Another new addition, on Deck 9, is The Patio, an on-deck lounge adjacent to the pool, furnished with plush couches and chairs and daybeds. Sheer white curtains protect those seeking a break from the sun.
Frank Del Rio and executive vice president sales and marketing, Bob Binder hand selected a multimillion-dollar art collection that is truly distinguished. Many of the pieces were specially commissioned.
Del Rio and Binder were hands-on when it came to decorating the ship. Binder arrived in Turkey before the ship’s Istanbul inaugural and bought the beautiful throw pillows found on the couches in the popular bar and lounge, Martinis, located next to the casino. Both Martinis, which features a piano player nightly, and the casino, compact but well equipped with 30 slot machines and tables for blackjack and roulette, received new carpeting, upholstery and furniture, with all woodwork stripped and French-polished.
Binder also purchased a lamp for the library and Del Rio selected a Turkish carpet for the Oceania Spa by Mandara. The spa, on Deck 10, has been completely redone, with new stone and tile, new woodwork and new furnishings. The outdoor spa deck was also gutted and rebuilt with new teak, stone and tilework and new furniture. The spa offers a full range of services — including teeth whitening.
The Fitness Center, also on Deck 10, has been completely refurnished, with new fitness equipment, a new sound system and TVs added at the cardio stations. Classes in aerobics, Pilates and the like are offered.
Dining aboard the Nautica is a distinct pleasure. The elegant Grand Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and an open-seating dinner from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The menu, under the supervision of executive culinary director and famed chef Jacques Pepin, offers a variety of delicious, well-prepared dishes. Service is polite and efficient. Just outside of the dining room, is the Grand Bar, an inviting place for cocktails with its plush seating, new carpeting and upholstery and rich woodwork.
Since the dress code is country club casual, there are no formal nights — although there will always be those women passengers who prefer to dress to the nines for dinner.
Toscana, an alternative restaurant, offers truly superior primarily Northern Italian cuisine and top-notch service in a charming, elegant venue. The restaurant was gutted to the steel, rebuilt and redecorated in soft tones of blue, brown, beige and rose. Toscana impresses guests from the very start when a basketful of delicious breads and rolls is delivered to the table, followed by a cart full of different types of flavored and unflavored olive oil for the bread. The chosen oil is poured into a small shell-shaped dish and mixed with balsamic vinegar, if the guest so chooses. It’s the beginning of a wonderful dining experience. (no fees; reservations required)
The Polo Grill is another dining option (no fees; reservations required) specializing in prime ribs, chops and fresh seafood. With its dark woodwork and new carpeting and upholstery, it looks very much like a refined men’s club (though women like it, too!).
Other dining options include the spiffed up (with new carpeting and upholstery) Terrace Café, serving a dizzying array of delicious hot and cold buffet offerings for breakfast and lunch. An adjoining outdoor deck is available for seating. In the evening, the café becomes candlelit and, as Tapas on the Terrace, serves Spanish cuisine.
Entertainment is cabaret-style and may take place in the Nautica Lounge or, alternatively, at Horizons, the stunning lounge with wraparound views, which also serves as an alternate entertainment venue as well as the location for afternoon tea, which is accompanied by a string quartet. Both lounges are late night hot spots.

Of the 342 staterooms, 233 have private balconies. Each stateroom has been outfitted with new carpeting, upholstery and draperies. All bedding was replaced with Oceania’s trademark Tranquility Beds, which are comprised of a plush, Euro-top mattress capped with a thick layer of memory foam.
The six Owner’s suites (962 square feet) and four Vista Suites (786 square feet), both with private balconies have been lavishly redecorated with Empire-style furnishings and couture fabrics, a wide-screen plasma TV, a Bose surround sound audio system and fine artwork.
Oceania@Sea offers a room full of computers as well two very helpful attendants, who also teach various classes throughout the cruise. Wi-FI is available in the library and by the pool. There’s also a self-service laundromat and 24 hour room service.
Who is the ideal client for a cruise on the Nautica? The ship and its itineraries (she is currently sailing 15-35 days in Asia and returns to Europe in May, heading back to Asia in November) will surely appeal to sophisticated, mature travelers who appreciate a quality experience at an affordable price.