We chose this cruise as we have already sailed on the Oceania line (Riviera). An added bonus was the fact that the departure port was in our home city of Cape Town. We also wanted a longer cruise and 30 days was wonderful.
The Nautica was an ideal size with only about 600 passengers and there was never any inconvenience when trying to dine in any of the restaurants. The food was really good and varied and I never heard any complaints from any other diners. We had a change in Executive Chef mid way through the cruise and I have to say that, whilst the previous Exec Chef was great, we noticed an added standard of excellence when Chef Gary Potiphar took over.
Compliments to all of the staff involved for the most amazing Christmas decorations. They were beautiful. The Xmas and New Year festivities were totally celebrated and there was a lovely spirit of friendship and goodwill all over.
We were delighted to be able to get a PH for this 30 day cruise. The stateroom was spacious, the bed amazingly comfortable, the balcony was large, and the beautiful fresh orchid was beautiful. People who were not so fortunate had to make do with a very small bathroom and the outdated plastic curtain in the small shower. The main inconvenience for us was that the PH showers are in the bath and my 83 year old husband found it very difficult climbing in and out of the bath when we had sea days. However, that inconvenience was way better than the already mentioned bathrooms. The stateroom came with a butler, Francis. He was very dignified and willing to assist but we actually had no need of him and would much rather not have had to try and find things for him to do in order to satisfy his desire to be of assistance and justify the extra tip we had to pay for this 'privilege'. It is a shame that there is no option.