Nautica Review

5.0 / 5.0
399 reviews

Riviera Relaxation

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Nautica
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Travelin' Gal
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Aug 2010
Cabin: Deluxe Ocean View

We picked this cruise because of the destination as well as the discounted price that included airfare. Air arrangements and first night's hotel in Rome we booked independently. We also booked our own transfer from our hotel in Rome, which was expensive (110 euro for a private car) but much less than if we had booked through Oceania. Embarkation at Civitavecchia was the smoothest of any of the 18 cruises we have taken—just walked on about 1:30pm and checked in. Within 30 minutes we were able to access our cabin and our luggage arrived in a timely fashion, too.

We had been on a similar vessel (R-2) when previously owned by Renaissance which went bankrupt after 9-11, 2001, so we were basically familiar with the ship. The size is ideal—large enough to have a variety of entertainment but small enough to avoid lines or any wait whatsoever. Another feature we really appreciated was NO photographer constantly intruding to snap a picture. Nor, was there the constant selling of merchandise and extras. Oceania understands its guests!

Passengers tend to be older adults and there were very few children aboard. Therefore, there are few programs specifically for children. Because we enjoy ballroom dancing, we look for ships that provide this option. On Nautica we were not disappointed. There were multiple opportunities for dancing but very few passengers took advantage of them. First, there was a duo that played in the Horizon lounge from 6:00-6:45 and again from 7:00 to 7:45. Then after dinner, the show orchestra played in the theater with its own dance floor prior to the evening's main entertainment so we could dance from about 8:45 to 9:30. We also enjoyed a 4-piece string quartet that played several times an evening, particularly the classic set from 8:00 to 8:45. We rarely attend the production review shows but did see the comedian who performed twice during our cruise; his routine was entertaining. As this was a port-intensive cruise with no sea days, there was only one lecture about a port. Instead, one of the TV channels described each shore excursion in detail. Several movies played each day, plus you could check out DVD's free from a list of literally hundreds. My problem was there was really no time to watch them between going ashore during the day and eating and dancing at night.

Cabin Review

Deluxe Ocean View

Cabin C2

Intermittant noise at night, probably from the tender docking station on the deck below not being well secured. I solved the problem by using ear plugs.

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